EX-10.16 4 dex1016.htm FOUNDRY AGREEMENT, DATED NOVEMBER 22, 2005 CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED BY PIXELPLUS CO., LTD. THIS EXHIBIT HAS BEEN REDACTED. REDACTED MATERIAL IS MARKED WITH “*” AND HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND...
Exhibit 10.16
CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED BY PIXELPLUS CO., LTD. THIS EXHIBIT HAS BEEN REDACTED. REDACTED MATERIAL IS MARKED WITH “*” AND HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
This Foundry Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into this 22nd day of November, 2005 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Pixelplus Co. Ltd., with offices at 5th Floor, Intellige 1, KINS Tower, 00-0 Xxxxxxx-xxxx, Xxxxxxx-xx, Xxxxxxxx-xx, Xxxxxxxx-xx 000-000, Xxxxx (“Pixelplus”), on behalf of itself and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Pixelplus Semiconductor, Inc., and Pixelplus Shanghai Co., Limited (collectively, “Buyer”); and United Microelectronics Corporation, an ROC Corporation with a principal place of business at Xx. 0, Xx-Xxxx Xx., Xxxxxxx-Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxx-Xxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx 00000, ROC (“Seller” or “Manufacturer”).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the following covenants and conditions the parties agree:
1 | DEFINITIONS |
1.1 | “Acceptance Criteria” shall include without limitation process control monitors on a process-by-process basis, and other wafer acceptance criteria and visual inspection specifications pertaining to a particular Product or process, and each relevant accept/reject criteria, regardless whether such matters are embodied in a Pilot Run Agreement, a Pre Production Agreement, a Mass Production Agreement, or some other form, and shall constitute the definitive authority with respect to determination of whether a particular Product meets the parties’ agreed-upon |
technical specifications. No Acceptance Criteria shall be binding until in a writing signed by Seller and Buyer which clearly and specifically identifies the Products (by mask or product number) and processes (by Seller’s process designation) involved. |
1.2 | “Products” shall mean the products to be manufactured pursuant to this Agreement as specified in Quotation(s). |
1.3 | “Quotation(s)” shall mean the quotations attached hereto as Exhibit A.xx and such further quotations as are signed by Seller and accepted by Buyer. Placing a Purchase Order pursuant to a Quotation shall constitute acceptance of such Quotation and of the pricing and terms therein. Each such Quotation shall describe the Products to be manufactured, prices, fees and charges for the Products. A reference to a Product in a quotation shall be deemed to incorporate by reference the Acceptance Criteria for such referenced Product. Prices shall be separately itemized for mask sets, processed wafers, wafer probe, assembly and final test, to the extent such services are contemplated in connection with the particular Product. |
2 | PRODUCTION PROCEDURES |
2.1 | Product Prototype Approval. No Product prototypes shall be manufactured except pursuant to a Quotation. For each Quotation for a new Product agreed upon by the parties, Buyer will deliver a data file on tape or by electronic transmission (e.g., ftp) in GDS II format or, subject to agreement with Seller, a mask set. If Buyer provides its design in the form of a data file, then upon receipt of the data from Buyer, Seller will arrange the logistics of having a mask set produced on Buyer’s behalf with a mask shop of Buyer’s choice, provided such mask shop meets Seller’s qualifications, unless otherwise instructed by Buyer. In either case, Seller will produce one or more pilot wafer runs according to the schedule and at the price set forth in the Quotation. Within ninety (90) days after receipt of pilot run wafers for a new Product, Buyer may return any claimed non-conforming pilot wafers to Seller with a written rejection statement specifying the alleged failure or failures of the pilot wafers to meet the applicable Acceptance Criteria. If Buyer does not return the pilot wafers with a written rejection statement within such ninety (90) day period, then the process and pilot wafers shall be deemed to have been approved by Buyer. If any pilot wafer does not meet the Acceptance Criteria for reasons attributable to Seller and is rejected by Buyer, Seller shall at Seller’s expense use commercially reasonable efforts to rerun the pilot wafers and resubmit the results in a manner that complies with the Acceptance Criteria. If Seller, within ninety (90) days after receipt of Buyer’s timely written rejection report, is unable to supply Buyer with conforming pilot wafers, then either party may by written notice to the other terminate this Agreement as to such Product and Quotation, and if so terminated, Buyer will not owe Seller any amounts for the pilot wafers involved unless (1) otherwise provided in the Quotation, or (2) the noncompliance was attributable to Buyer. |
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2.2 | Engineering Change Notices (“ECNs”) |
2.2.1 | Buyer ECNs. After initial qualification, Buyer shall have the right to make such changes as it deems appropriate to the design of Products to be fabricated for it by Seller, provided however that each such change must be timely documented by Buyer through written change notices. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, after process qualification runs for a particular design have been made and approved by Seller and Buyer, any Buyer-requested changes to design, process or materials for such Products shall be subject to Seller’s consent (which will not be unreasonably withheld) and payment by Buyer of applicable reasonable costs, if any, related to such change. |
2.2.2 | Seller ECNs. For changes that Seller desires to make, the following procedure shall apply: |
2.2.2.1 | Mandatory Changes. Seller may at any time make changes in the processes used to manufacture Products when required for purposes of safety and/or compliance with applicable law or regulations, provided that Seller shall provide prompt written notice of such changes to Buyer. |
2.2.2.2 | Proposed Changes. |
2.2.2.2.1 | For changes to processes other than those described under subsection 2.2.2.1 above, including but not limited to process obsolescence, Seller shall follow the procedures, including but not limited to the notification requirements, stated in the then-current revision of the Process Change Notification (PCN) Procedure, Spec. No. GG-Q00-002, and shall issue a Proposed Change Notification if required by such Spec. |
2.2.2.2.2 | Such Proposed Change Notification shall describe the nature of the proposed change(s), including reasons for the change(s), the anticipated schedule for implementation of the change(s), and other relevant technical and logistic considerations, including without limitation quality and reliability data to the extent available. |
2.2.2.2.3 | Buyer shall approve or disapprove any such proposed change promptly, but in no event may any such change be disapproved later than ten (10) business days after receipt of the Proposed Change Notification. |
2.2.2.2.4 | If Buyer disapproves such proposed change within the ten business day period allowed, Seller shall continue to manufacture and deliver to Buyer unchanged Products in accordance with the applicable Agreements for a minimum of six |
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(6) months from the date Seller issues the Proposed Change Notification or until Buyer’s approval is received, whichever comes first. If Buyer’s disapproval results solely from Buyer’s inability to timely assess the effect of the change proposed in the Proposed Change Notification, Buyer shall continue, following issuance of disapproval, to devote reasonable efforts to such assessment, and shall approve the proposed change as soon as Buyer has determined that such change will not adversely affect Products. |
2.2.2.2.5 | Upon the expiration of three months after the following Proposed Change Notification, if Buyer disapproves the Proposed Change Notification, Seller, in its discretion and by then giving a minimum of three months prior written notice to the Buyer, may stop manufacture and delivery of all Products involved without liability. |
2.2.3 | Change Verification. In connection with a Seller-initiated change, no additional quality assurance requirements or measurements (whether cv plots, metal step coverage analysis, SEM analysis, or other) will be required except upon Seller’s written agreement as to the step or measurement to be performed, and Buyer’s written commitment to pay Seller’s stated costs. |
2.3 | Production Runs, Pilot Runs, etc. Exhibit B sets forth additional terms applicable to Engineering/Pilot Runs and Production Runs. |
3 | ORDER, DELIVERY, PRICING AND PAYMENT TERMS |
3.1 | Forecasts |
3.1.1 | During the first seven calendar days of each calendar month, Buyer will provide to Seller by facsimile or other electronic communication a written rolling forecast of its requirements for wafer-outs from Seller’s facilities for the next six full calendar months (with the first month of such forecast being the second calendar month following the month during which the forecast is received) (each a “Buyer Forecast”). By way of illustration, a Buyer Forecast provided on January 7 would forecast Buyer’s needs for wafer-outs during the period March 1 through August 31. |
3.1.1.1 | Each such Buyer Forecast shall show the quantity of wafer outs and the specific technology and/or process for the wafers listed, i.e., at a minimum, Logic, Mix-mode, SRAM, etc.; feature size (in microns); number of poly layers; number of metal layers; and metal type (collectively, “Technology”). |
3.1.1.2 | Buyer shall make good faith efforts to ensure that all such Buyer Forecasts are reasonable estimates of its anticipated needs. |
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3.1.1.3 | Notwithstanding anything else, each Buyer Forecast shall constitute a commitment by the Buyer to purchase a minimum of the following percentages of the amounts indicated in such Buyer Forecast (by Technology) to the extent such Buyer Forecast is accepted by Seller: |
Month in the forecast | First month | Second month of forecast | Third month of forecast | Fourth and later months of forecast | ||||
Minimum percentage commitment for amounts forecast for that month | ***% | **% (when volumes are averaging less than *** wafers/month or ***% (when volumes are averaging *** wafers/month or more) | ***% (when volumes are averaging less than *** wafers/month) or ***% (when volumes are averaging *** wafers/month or more) | Reference only |
3.1.1.4 | Seller will provide a written response to each Buyer forecast within ten business days of Seller’s receipt. Subject to Section 3.1.2 below and the other terms set forth in this Agreement, Seller’s response shall accept the quantities in the applicable months to the extent they are less than or equal to those accepted by Seller for the applicable month(s) pursuant to prior written agreement and/or prior responses to Buyer Forecasts. Seller’s response may accept and/or reject in whole or in part any additional forecast quantities for those months. To the extent that Seller accepts a Buyer Forecast, Seller commits to sell the accepted quantities, subject to adjustments to be made in response to subsequent Buyer Forecasts consistent with this Agreement. Seller shall have no obligation to sell Products to Buyer except pursuant to Purchase Orders issued pursuant to accepted Buyer Forecasts. |
3.1.2 | To the extent that any forecast from Buyer pursuant to Section 3.1.1 above fails to forecast the full capacity or quantity if any, allocated or promised to Buyer in response to a prior Buyer Forecast: (i) Seller shall be entitled in its sole and complete discretion to enter commitments with others for such unexercised capacity for the applicable months and in the amounts not so exercised, and (ii) Buyer will not have any right to require Seller to provide that unexercised capacity to Buyer in the month(s) involved. |
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3.1.3 | Orders And Production Release. Buyer shall issue purchase orders by the 15th day of each calendar month or three (3) business days after Seller’s response to the applicable Buyer Forecast, whichever occurs later, for wafer outs during the calendar month two months hence. By way of illustration, a purchase order is due by January 15th for wafer outs scheduled for March. Seller shall have no liability as to any commitments by Seller with respect to wafer outs as to which a purchase order is not timely received. Notwithstanding Buyer’s failure to timely issue a purchase order, Buyer is committed with respect to quantities to which Buyer has committed in a Buyer Forecast to the extent such amounts have been accepted by Seller. No order for production quantities of a Product shall be placed by Buyer unless and until Buyer has approved the pilot runs or prototypes for the Product. If Buyer properly places a purchase order for production quantities of a Product, Seller may deem such an order as written production release approval for such Product. All purchase orders shall be in writing. Seller shall acknowledge in writing, within three (3) business days of receipt of a purchase order, either the acceptance of the order, or the reason such order cannot be accepted, or if Seller wishes to modify such order If Seller does not provide such acknowledgement within the time provided, Buyer shall contact Seller to determine the cause for the lack of acknowledgment. Other than variances in quantities ordered, no acceptance of a purchase order shall constitute acceptance of any terms at variance with this Agreement and/or previously accepted forecasts, and purchase orders shall be null and void as to those variances. |
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3.2 | Cancellation and Modifications to Orders. |
3.2.1 | Cancellations and Modifications. Unless wafer processing has started, or Seller has incurred engineering or tooling charges, Buyer may cancel or modify a purchase order without penalty by delivering to Seller a written notice of cancellation or modification within three (3) days of Seller’s receipt of the original purchase order involved; provided however that no such cancellation will relieve Buyer of any obligations under any other applicable provisions or agreements including without limitation any obligation to comply with loading commitments, Buyer Forecasts (to the extent accepted) and/or purchase orders. Until wafer processing has started, Buyer may request changes to the product mix within any particular Technology, and Seller shall exert its best efforts to meet such requests. Buyer may at any time request that the scheduled wafer out date for any wafer(s) be accelerated or delayed, and such requests shall be considered on a case by case basis, with the understanding that Seller shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate such requests, but shall not be obligated to do so. |
3.2.2 | No Cancellations. Except as provided in Section 3.2.1 with respect to wafers which have not been started, or in Section 4.4 with respect to wafers which have been started, cancellation of purchase orders is not permitted. |
3.2.3 | Partially Completed / Defective Products. In the event wafers are determined to not meet the Acceptance Criteria prior to shipment to Buyer, or wafers are returned to Seller because they have failed to meet the Acceptance Criteria, Seller shall retain ownership, subject to Buyer’s intellectual property rights and Seller’s obligations of confidentiality, of the partially completed or defective wafers, and may destroy such wafers, or permit Manufacturer to use them for internal manufacturing-process testing and evaluation purposes. |
3.3 | Delivery. |
3.3.1 | Delivery will be made FCA (Incoterms 2000), Manufacturer’s plant, to a carrier designated in writing by Buyer or, if Buyer fails to designate a carrier, to a carrier designated by Seller. |
3.3.2 | All wafer-out dates are subject to timely receipt by Seller of fully-approved mask sets and fully-completed purchase orders. |
3.3.3 | Seller’s acceptance of a purchase order shall constitute Seller’s commitment to the wafer start date calculated from the scheduled wafer out date and the agreed upon lead and manufacturing cycle time. Seller shall make diligent efforts to achieve on-time wafer-outs. Seller will promptly notify Buyer of any anticipated delay and pay for express delivery expenses applicable to delayed shipment of Products from Seller. Subject to these commitments, SELLER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE |
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FOR ANY DELAYS OR FAILURES TO MEET SCHEDULED OR REQUESTED WAFER OUT DATES. |
3.3.4 | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of any delays and/or any breach of any written warranty, and without limiting Buyer’s rights and remedies otherwise available under this Agreement, Buyer may give prompt written notice to Seller, adjusting forecasted and/or ordered amounts, and/or canceling orders for affected Products, to the extent necessary as a result of any impact of such delay on Buyer’s need for such Products. |
3.4 | Pricing. |
3.4.1 | Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Pricing will be exclusively as stated in Seller’s written Quotation for the Products involved. |
3.4.2 | Unless stated to the contrary in a written Quotation from Seller, prices quoted are good for products ordered pursuant to such quotation and to be delivered within six months of the date of such quotation. Subject to applicable written quotations, all prices are subject to change at any time. |
3.4.3 | Any tax or related charge which Seller shall be required to pay to or collect for any government upon or with respect to services rendered or the sale, use or delivery of the Product or other materials (except for taxes based on Seller’s income) shall be billed to the Buyer as a separate item and paid by Buyer, unless a valid exemption certificate is furnished by Buyer to Seller. |
3.5 | Payment |
3.5.1 | Unless otherwise agreed or stated in Seller’s quotation, full payment shall be made in U.S. Dollars (unless stated otherwise in the applicable Quotation or as otherwise agreed in writing) within ** days of Seller’s tender for delivery. |
3.5.2 | Seller reserves the right to change credit terms in the event Buyer fails to timely pay for Products or in the event Buyer’s financial situation materially and adversely changes. With respect to payment obligations incurred by Pixelplus Semiconductor, Inc., and Pixelplus Shanghai Co., Limited, Pixelplus guarantees payment by such subsidiaries. |
3.5.3 | Regardless of anything to the contrary, Buyer understands that Seller generally needs to start more than the numbers of wafers ordered by Buyer in order to guarantee the quantities of wafers so ordered which will yield within the agreed specifications. Accordingly, Buyer will accept quantity variations (and pay according to the agreed pricing) up to as much as five percent (5%) above the quantities stated in Buyer’s purchase order(s). |
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4 | RELIABILITY & QUALITY |
4.1 | Quality Data. Seller will provide, upon Buyer’s written request during the term of their foundry relationship, Seller’s available reliability and quality data regarding Products produced for Buyer for the purpose of maintaining consistent quality and reliability standards for such Products. |
4.2 | Traceability. During the term of the foundry relationship, Seller shall maintain fab and test lot traceability for Products sold to Buyer. |
4.3 | Notification of Defects. Seller will promptly after discovery advise Buyer of defects and/or non-conformity in Products already shipped to and/or in lots currently in manufacture for Buyer. |
4.4 | Production Halts Requested by Buyer. |
4.4.1 | Upon receipt of Buyer’s written Stop Request, Seller will immediately stop shipment and manufacturing of Products which are subject to a suspected failure to meet the criteria specified in such Products’ Acceptance Criteria. If Seller is responsible for such failure, and for as long as Seller is not able to correct the matter, then (i) Buyer may reject non-conforming Products, and, (ii) Buyer may, without penalty (including loss of capacity), cancel any then-pending purchase order(s) for such Products. Such a notice of cancellation shall be effective on receipt by Seller. |
4.4.2 | If Buyer requests Seller to stop shipment pursuant to Section 4.4.1 of any Products which Buyer is obligated to purchase, and the Products have been processed in accordance with the applicable written requirements, Buyer shall pay cancellation fees as described in Exhibit D hereto. |
4.5 | Failure Analysis. Upon written request from Buyer, Seller will perform failure analysis of Products returned to Seller with a Seller-issued Return Material Authorization number. If such analysis shows the existence of material defects in breach of applicable Seller warranties, Seller will not be entitled to payment for the cost of Seller’s failure analysis concerning such defects for the specific Products which were subject to them. In the event that Buyer repeatedly requests that Seller perform failure analysis for Products which prove to have no material defect in breach of applicable Seller warranties, Seller reserves the right to condition further failure analysis activities upon satisfactory arrangements for payment to Seller for the reasonable costs involved. |
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4.6 | Return Material Authorization (RMA). Buyer will not make any returns to Seller without first obtaining a written Return Material Authorization (RMA) number, which shall be promptly issued by Seller upon request by Buyer. All Products for which refund and/or replacement is sought and all returns shall be marked with a Return Material Authorization number issued by Seller to enable tracking. Buyer agrees to pay Seller the full purchase price in connection with any returned wafers or Products which Seller determines were within Seller’s specifications at the time of initial delivery to the carrier or at the time of return to Seller. Generally, Seller will analyze authorized returns within four (4) working weeks of receipt by Seller, and promptly thereafter report on the results. Buyer agrees to cooperate in good faith with Seller to resolve any problems that may arise and to promptly send Seller the results of all tests and analyses concerning Products. |
5 | WARRANTY |
5.2 | Exclusions. |
5.2.1 | Products which have been subject (other than by Seller or Seller’s subcontractors) to abuse, misuse, accident, alteration, neglect, conditions outside specification, unauthorized repair or improper application are not covered by any warranty. |
5.2.2 | Seller shall not be responsible for defects or claims caused by acts not performed by Seller or Seller’s subcontractors; or by design or application; or by combination of Products with other things. |
5.2.3 | Products are not intended for use in, and no warranty is made with respect to hazardous applications (including, without limitation, navigation, weaponry, aviation or nuclear equipment, or for surgical implant or to support or sustain life) and Buyer will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Seller from all claims, damages and liabilities arising out of any such matters; provided that Seller: (a) provides Buyer with prompt notice of the claim, (b) allows Buyer to control the defense and any settlement of the claim, and (c) provides cooperation as reasonably requested by Buyer. |
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provided however that Buyer shall not be required to accept replacement Products if Buyer no longer has a need for such Products; and Seller shall not be required to manufacture Products utilizing a process which has been discontinued by Seller. |
6 | LIMITATION OF LIABILITY |
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settle any labor dispute. In the event that the notifying party ceases to diligently attempt to remedy the Force Majeure situation and resume satisfactory performance (provided that the Force Majeure is of such a nature that the nonperforming party can reasonably influence or remedy), the other party may at its option immediately terminate this Agreement. In the event that the Force Majeure situation prevents a party from carrying out its material obligations under this Agreement for a period exceeding ninety (90) days, then provided that such party continues to make all the payments required hereunder, the other party shall have no right to terminate this Agreement, provided that in the event that a Force Majeure situation or a series of Force Majeure situations extends for a cumulative total of more than ninety (90) days, then any party may terminate this Agreement. For the purposes of this Agreement, Force Majeure shall mean Acts of God, labor unrest or trouble, acts of public enemies or terrorists, wars, other military conflicts, blockades, insurrections, riots, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, landslides, lightning, earthquake, floods, washouts, other natural catastrophes, civil disturbances or restraints by or actions of any governmental body (including export or security restrictions on information, material, personnel, equipment or otherwise).
6.2 | Limitation of Liability. |
6.2.1 | EXCEPT FOR OBLIGATIONS TO ***, AS TO WHICH EACH PARTY’S LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE GREATER OF ***; AND EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY’S BREACH OF ***, EACH PARTY’S LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY QUOTATION, THIS AGREEMENT, ANY BREACH THEREOF, OR ANY PRODUCTS OR SERVICES WILL BE LIMITED TO THE PURCHASE PRICE OR REPLACEMENT OF PURCHASED PRODUCTS (RETURNED TO SELLER FREIGHT PREPAID); OR IN THE EVENT OF A FAILURE OR BREACH BY SELLER REGARDING DELIVERY, OR A FAILURE OR BREACH BY BUYER TO FULFILL BUYER’S PURCHASE COMMITMENTS, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN APPLICABLE TO THE PRODUCTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DELIVERED OR PURCHASED DUE TO SUCH FAILURE. |
6.2.2 | AS A SEPARATE LIMITATION, IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE ***. |
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THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OR OF ANY FAILURE OR INADEQUACY OF ANY REMEDY. THIS AGREEMENT STATES THE ONLY AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS MADE AGAINST SELLER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR WITH RESPECT TO WAFERS, SERVICES AND/OR PRODUCTS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT.
7 | INDEMNIFICATION & COOPERATION |
7.2 | Exclusions. Seller will not be responsible for infringements resulting from anything not ***, or from any combination with ***, or for any claim due in whole or in part to any ***. |
7.3 | THIS ARTICLE 7 STATES SELLER’S ENTIRE LIABILITY AND OBLIGATION WITH RESPECT TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INFRINGEMENT OR |
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CLAIMS THEREFOR AND IS EXPRESSLY SUBJECT TO ARTICLE 6. Except as to claims Seller is obligated to defend and/or resulting from Seller’s wrongdoing and/or negligence, BUYER WILL INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD HARMLESS SELLER FROM ALL CLAIMS, COSTS, LOSSES, AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES) ARISING OUT OF ANY THIRD PARTY CLAIMS BASED ON THE PRODUCTS, PROVIDED THAT SELLER (I) GIVES IMMEDIATE NOTICE TO BUYER, (II) PERMITS BUYER TO DEFEND, AND (III) GIVES BUYER ALL NEEDED INFORMATION, ASSISTANCE, AND AUTHORITY.
8 | CONFIDENTIALITY |
8.1 | NDA. The terms of the Reciprocal Non-Disclosure Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit C, are expressly incorporated herein. |
8.2 | Buyer’s Masks and Databases. Seller will treat any and all masks and design databases provided by Buyer as confidential, whether or not they are marked as required by Exhibit C. |
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Manufacturer, and Seller and Manufacturer shall not be limited or restricted by this Agreement with respect to any process technology unless clearly stated to the contrary in a writing signed by an Officer of Manufacturer identifying the specific information in precise detail.
9 | TERMINATION & RELATIONSHIPS |
9.2.1 | the filing by the other Party of a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency; |
9.2.2 | any adjudication that the other Party is bankrupt or insolvent; |
9.2.3 | the filing by the other Party of any petition or answer seeking reorganization, readjustment or arrangement of its business under any law relating to bankruptcy or insolvency; |
9.2.4 | the appointment of a receiver for all or substantially all of the property of the other Party; |
9.2.5 | the making by the other Party of any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or, |
9.2.6 | the institution of any proceeding for the liquidation or winding up of the other Party’s business or for the termination of its corporate charter. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no termination under Section 9.2 as to such other Party shall affect the rights of the Party giving the notice of termination with respect to Products delivered and/or as to which production had begun prior to the effective date of termination. Termination pursuant to this Section 9.2 shall be effective immediately upon personal delivery of the written notice, or in the case of airmail notice, five days after dispatch.
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9.3 | Termination for Breach. |
9.3.1.1 | The breach specified in the Default Notice has been cured within the thirty (30) day period, or if the breach is disputed, the amount in dispute is placed in a reasonably secure third party escrow account pending resolution of the dispute; or |
9.3.1.2 | The default reasonably requires more than (30) days to correct (specifically excluding any failure to pay money), and the defaulting party has begun substantial corrective action to remedy the default within such thirty (30) day period and diligently pursues such action, in which event, termination shall not be effective unless sixty (60) days has expired from the date of the defaulting party’s receipt of the Default Notice without such corrective action being completed and the default remedied. |
9.4 | Effect of Termination. |
9.5 | Survival. |
9.5.1 | All obligations to pay monies which accrue prior to termination and/or expiration, and the provisions of the Reciprocal Non Disclosure Agreement attached as Exhibit C, as well as all other obligations of confidentiality, all limitations on warranties and remedies, all obligations with respect to indemnification and cooperation, contribution, dispute resolution, and termination shall survive the expiration and/or termination of the applicable Agreements and/or of any purchase order or understanding concerning Products. |
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9.5.2 | The exclusions and limitations of Sections 5, 6 and 7 will survive the termination of the applicable Agreements, and shall apply notwithstanding any claim of a failure of any one or more remedies to accomplish their purpose. THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY WAIVE AND RELINQUISH ANY CONTRARY RIGHTS UNDER ANY AGREEMENT, AND/OR LAW, DECISION, CUSTOM OR PRACTICE. |
9.6 | Publicity Concerning Relationship |
The parties will cooperate to draft and issue within 30 days of execution of this Agreement a press release publicizing the fact of the relationship formed by this Agreement and such nonconfidential details as the parties agree in writing are suitable for publication. |
10 | DISPUTE RESOLUTION |
10.2 | Arbitration. |
10.2.1 | Any such disputes relating to and/or arising out of any Agreement and/or Products which cannot be so resolved will be decided exclusively by binding arbitration under procedures which ensure efficient and speedy resolution. Such an arbitration may be commenced by Seller and/or Buyer (i) after the expiration of the forty-five day period following the written demand to meet to resolve the dispute pursuant to Section 10.1 above, and/or (ii) at such earlier time as any Party involved repudiates and/or refuses to continue with its obligations to negotiate in good faith. |
10.2.2 | The arbitration hearing will be before a panel of three neutral, independent arbitrators. The arbitration hearing will be conducted in Santa Xxxxx County, California or in some other mutually agreeable location, and will be in the English language (with translations and interpretations as reasonable for the presentation of evidence and/or conduct of the arbitration). |
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10.2.3 | The arbitration will be conducted under the International Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary: |
10.2.3.1 | the arbitrators will have no power to order discovery; |
10.2.3.2 | the arbitrators will follow such procedures and enter such orders and conduct the hearing under conditions which ensure at least the same degree of confidentiality for each party as provided by Seller’s Standard Non-Disclosure Agreement, and which adequately protect the participants from disclosure of highly sensitive information to anyone other than the arbitrators and lawyers (or comparable legal representatives) and reasonably necessary expert witnesses and not to persons employed by one or more of the parties nor to competitors of them, and |
10.2.3.3 | the arbitrators shall require pre-hearing exchange of documentary evidence to be relied upon by each of the respective parties in their respective cases in chief, and pre-hearing exchange of briefs, witness lists and summaries of expected testimony. |
10.2.4 | The arbitrators will make their decision in writing; and their decision will be binding upon the Parties and it may be entered by any court having jurisdiction. |
10.4 | Governing Law. This Agreement and all foundry arrangements involving Seller and all performance and disputes arising out of and/or relating to such matters and/or any Products involved will be governed by the laws of California and the United States of America, without reference to conflicts of laws principles, and/or any contrary provision, including without limitation, the U.N. Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. |
11 | GENERAL |
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11.4 | No Implied Licenses. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to or shall be construed as: |
11.4.1 | conferring any right to the other Party to use in advertising, publicity, or otherwise, any trademark, trade name or names of any Party, or any contraction, abbreviation or simulation thereof; and/or |
11.4.2 | conferring by implication, estoppel or otherwise, upon any Party any license or other right under any class or type of copyright, maskwork, trademark, trade name, patent, utility model or design patent except the licenses and rights expressly granted under a written agreement signed by the Parties, except that by ordering Products, Buyer extends to Seller and Manufacturer the right under all applicable Buyer intellectual property to manufacture such Products for sale to Buyer and to sell such Products to Buyer. |
If to Seller: | President | |
United Microelectronics Corporation | ||
Xx. 0, Xx-Xxxx Xx. | ||
Xxxxxxx-Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx | ||
Xxxx-Xxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx 00000, ROC |
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Copy to: | ||
Law+ | ||
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Esq. | ||
Fax: (000) 000-0000 | ||
If to Buyer: | ||
Pixelplus Co., Ltd. | ||
0xx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 0, XXXX Tower | ||
00-0 Xxxxxxx-xxxx, Xxxxxxx-xx, Xxxxxxxx-xx | ||
Xxxxxxxx-xx 000-000, Xxxxx | ||
Attn: Chief Executive Officer | ||
Copy to: | ||
Pixelplus Semiconductor, Inc. | ||
0000 X. Xxxxx Xx. #000 | ||
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Attn: President | ||
Fax: (000) 000-0000 |
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11.10 | Presumptions. In construing the terms of this Agreement, no presumption shall operate in either party’s favor as a result of its counsel’s role in drafting the terms or provisions hereof. |
11.11 | Language. The English language shall govern the meaning and interpretation of this Agreement. |
11.14.1 | as required by any court or other governmental body; |
11.14.2 | as otherwise required by law; |
11.14.3 | to legal counsel of the parties, accountants, and other professional advisors; |
11.14.4 | in confidence, to banks, investors and other financing sources and their advisors; |
11.14.5 | in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement or rights under this Agreement; or |
11.14.6 | in confidence, in connection with an actual or prospective merger or acquisition or similar transaction. |
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11.16 | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, all of which, taken together, shall be regarded as one and the same instrument. |
Buyer: | Seller: | |
/s/ Seo Xxx Xxx | /s/ Xxxxx Xxx | |
Authorized Signature | Authorized Signature | |
Seo Xxx Xxx | Xxxxx Xxx | |
Printed Name | Printed Name | |
Chief Executive Officer and President | Vice President | |
Title | Title | |
November 22, 2005 | November 22, 2005 | |
Date | Date |
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EXHIBIT A
QUOTATIONS
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EXHIBIT B
PROCEDURES
ENGINEERING/PILOT RUNS
For engineering lots, split and staged conditions will be as set by written agreement with Seller, and no splits will be permitted without Seller’s written consent.
The minimum quantity of wafers for each split condition is two (2) wafers.
The minimum quantity for each pilot run is twelve (12) wafer starts. Regardless of anything to the contrary, Seller’s only obligation for pilot runs is that a minimum of six (6) out of twelve (12) wafer starts shall be delivered.
PRODUCTION RUNS
Unless otherwise conspicuously stated in a purchase order accepted and signed by Seller, the minimum quantity in any production lot shall be 25 wafers.
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EXHIBIT C
RECIPROCAL NDA
Effective Date: October 29, 2004
RECIPROCAL NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT - foundry customers
To protect confidential information, United Microelectronics Corporation (“UMC”) and
PIXELPLUS CO., LTD. (“Company”) agree:
1. The obligations imposed by this Reciprocal Non-Disclosure Agreement (“Agreement”) shall only apply to information designated as “Confidential” at the time of disclosure (“Confidential Information”) as follows:
(a) Confidential Information must be marked or labeled clearly as “CONFIDENTIAL” or with a similar legend sufficient to notify the receiving party that it is confidential (unless such information is disclosed orally or by demonstration or is otherwise strictly impossible to xxxx);
(b) Confidential Information that is impossible to xxxx must be clearly identified as confidential at the time of disclosure, and summarized in reasonable detail and designated as confidential in a writing delivered to the receiving party within thirty (30) days of first disclosure.
2. Each party agrees that for a period of five (5) years from the first disclosure pursuant to paragraph 1 above, and notwithstanding this Agreement’s termination, it will not disclose to any third party any Confidential Information received from the other party except as expressly agreed upon in writing. No party will use or incorporate any Confidential Information received from the other party for any purpose whatsoever except solely for the evaluation and pursuit of amicable and mutually beneficial business relations between the Company and UMC. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to the extent reasonably appropriate in connection with furthering such purpose, each receiving party may disclose the disclosing party’s Confidential Information (1) between and among the receiving party and its affiliates (which, for purposes of this Agreement, are defined as being any entity at least 40% of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the receiving party, or which owns or controls, directly or indirectly, at least 40% of the receiving party), on the condition that such affiliates will be bound as party to this Agreement with the receiving party remaining responsible to ensure compliance by such affiliate; (2) as may be appropriate for communication with the Company, UMC’s and its affiliates’ marketing and customer service offices; and (3) to vendors of IP/design support, mask-making and back-end services as requested by the Company, provided that such vendors enter appropriate written nondisclosure agreements to protect Confidential Information.
3. Each party shall safeguard all things, documents, and work that embody Confidential Information of the other in areas reasonably restricting access and preventing unauthorized use and/or disclosure. Each party will exercise at least the same degree of care as it uses to protect its own proprietary information, but no less than a reasonable degree of care, to prevent accidental or other loss of any Confidential Information of the other.
4. The obligations of this Agreement shall not apply to Confidential Information which the receiving party shows is:
(a) already in the possession of the receiving party at or before the time of disclosure hereunder as reasonably shown by evidence existing at the time of disclosure; or
(b) publicly known through no wrongful act of the receiving party (provided that Confidential Information becoming publicly known shall not excuse a prior breach); or
(c) lawfully received from a third party without obligation of confidence; or
(d) independently developed by the receiving party or by persons not having access to the Confidential Information; or
(e) approved for release by written authorization of the disclosing party; or
(f) disclosed pursuant to the requirement or demand of a lawful governmental or judicial authority, but only to the extent required by operation of law, regulation or court order.
5. This Agreement shall not expire, provided however that any party may terminate the applicability of this Agreement to then-future disclosures at any time on thirty days’ written notice to the other. Upon termination of this Agreement, or upon written request, the receiving party shall at its option either promptly return to the disclosing party or certify the destruction of all documents and other tangible things reflecting Confidential Information of the disclosing party, together with all copies, extracts, summaries and (except as agreed in writing) other material derived therefrom, except that each receiving party may retain Confidential Information of the other as reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law or industry-standard quality certification programs (e.g., ISO900X).
6. Confidential Information shall remain the property of the disclosing party. Nothing in this Agreement (expressly or impliedly) grants any patent, copyright, trademark, mask work, trade secret or other property right with respect to Confidential Information to the receiving party. The parties do not intend that any agency, joint venture or partnership relationship be created between them by this Agreement.
7. No party has an obligation under this Agreement to purchase any item or service from the other or to offer products or processes using or incorporating Confidential Information. Nothing in this Agreement prohibits any party from, offering products/processes for sale, modifying products/processes, and/or discontinuing products/processes, without using Confidential Information of the other. There is no obligation of confidentiality with respect to any information not designated as “Confidential” pursuant to this Agreement.
8. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict any party from using and/or implementing in the ordinary course of its business any and all processes, recipes, and manufacturing, fabrication, assembly and test techniques, and related improvements (“process technology”) provided, derived and/or developed in whole or in part by or on behalf of that party, and no party shall be limited or restricted by this Agreement with respect to any process technology unless clearly stated to the contrary in a writing signed by an officer of the party to be limited or restricted identifying the specific information in precise detail.
9. This Agreement, if executed by the Company in the R.O.C., shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the R.O.C. (and if executed in Europe, the laws of the Netherlands, and if executed elsewhere, the laws of California), without regard to conflicts of laws provisions.
10. Each party will advise the other in writing if any Confidential Information is subject to applicable export control laws, and upon such written notice, the parties shall not export (or, knowingly, directly or indirectly effect any transfer of) any such identified information furnished by the other in violation of such export control laws (including without limitation to “Controlled Countries” as identified by the applicable US Export Administration Regulations). UMC Confidential Information is subject to such laws.
11. There are no understandings, agreements, or representations, express or implied, regarding the parties’ obligations with respect to information exchanged between them except as stated above. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or altered except by a writing signed by officers of both parties that makes specific reference to this Agreement and specifically states that it overrides this Agreement.
UMC | COMPANY – PIXELPLUS CO., LTD. | |
By: /s/ XXXXX XXXXX | By: /s/ XXXXX XXXX RHO | |
Name/Title: XXXXX XXXXX | Name/Title: XXXXX XXXX RHO | |
Executed in (Country): KOREA |
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CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED AND CONFIDENTIAL TERMS HAVE BEEN OMITTED
EXHIBIT D
CANCELLATION FEES
Time of Cancellation | Cancellation Fee | |
Before gate photomask: | **% of purchase price | |
After gate photomask to before metal 2 finished: | **% of purchase price | |
After metal 2 finished: | ***% of purchase price |
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