EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Execution
Copy
THIS
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(the
“Agreement”) is made as of this 16th day of July, 2007 by Coda Octopus Group,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (Coda Octopus Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries
hereinafter referred to as “Coda
Octopus” or “the Company”),
with
its principal place of business at 000 Xxxx 00xx
Xxxxxx,
0xx
Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 and Xx. Xxxx Xxxxx, residing at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx,
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (the
“Executive”) (collectively the "Parties").
WHEREAS,
the
Parties desire to enter into the Agreement to reflect the Executive’s executive
capacities in Coda Octopus’ business and to provide for Coda Octopus’s
employment of the Executive; and
WHEREAS,
the
Parties wish to set forth the terms and conditions of that
employment;
NOW
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the mutual covenants and premises contained herein, and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged by the Parties, the Parties agree as follows:
1.
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Term
of Appointment
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The
Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve
the
Company on the terms of this Agreement (“Appointment”).
The Appointment shall commence on July 16, 2007 and, subject to the
remaining terms of this Agreement, shall be for an initial fixed
term of
24 months expiring on July 15 2009 (Initial
Fixed Term)
and shall continue thereafter unless or until terminated by either
Party
giving the other not less than 3 months notice in writing prior to
the
expiry of the Initial Fixed Term or any subsequent period of employment
after the Initial Fixed Term.
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2.
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Title
and Duties
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The
Executive shall serve the Company as Chief Financial Officer. The
broad
terms of the role description for the Appointment are set forth in
Appendix A hereto. Notwithstanding any matter contained in Appendix
A, the
Executive shall perform all duties as are consistent with this office
and
such other duties that the Company may reasonably assign to him from
time
to time.
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3.
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Extent
of Services
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During
the Appointment, the Executive shall not engage in the management
of any
business activities during the Employment Period except those which
are
for the sole benefit of the Company and to devote his entire business
time, attention, skill and effort to the performance of his duties
under
this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may
to the
extent that it does not impair or otherwise adversely affect the
Executive’s performance of his duties to Coda Octopus, (i) make and manage
personal investments in accordance with the Company’s Personal Securities
Account Information Sheet in place at the time and (ii) with the
prior
approval of Coda Octopus, engage in charitable, professional and
civic
activities and serve on the boards of directors of corporations other
than
Coda Octopus to the extent this does not constitute a competitor
of the
Company and provided, however, that no such approval shall be necessary
for the Executive’s continued engagement in such charitable, professional
and civic activities in which he was engaged and service on any board
of
directors on which he was serving, on the date of this Agreement,
all of
which have been previously disclosed to Coda Octopus in writing but,
provided further, that in no event shall the Executive be permitted
to
serve on the board of directors of any other entity that owns, operates,
acquires, sells, develops and/or manages any companies which is involved
in the business activities in which the Company is engaged including,
but
not limited to, the production, sale and supply of underwater security
products and services; the production, sale and supply of wireless
surveillance products and services and the production, sale and supply
of
bespoke engineering solutions and services for the defense and security
markets.
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4.
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Compensation
and Benefits
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As
remuneration for the services provided, the following shall
apply:
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(a)
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Salary.
The Company shall pay the Executive a gross base annual salary (“Base
Salary”) of $350,000 per annum in cash. The Executive's Base Salary shall
accrue evenly from day to day and be payable monthly in arrears on
or
about the 30th
day of each month directly into the Executive's bank account nominated
by
the Executive less such deductions as the Company may be required
by law
to withhold or reasonably requested by the Executive. The Base Salary
of
the Executive shall, where no notice of termination has been served
in
accordance with this Agreement, shall be reviewed by the Compensation
Committee of the Company annually. The first such review to take
place on
30 June 2008. The Company is under no obligation to award an increase
following a salary review. The Company may deduct from the salary,
or any
other sums owed to the Executive, any money owed to the Company by
the
Executive
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(b)
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Incentive
Compensation.
Commencing with calendar year 2008, the Executive shall be entitled
to
receive annual cash and/or stock incentive bonus (the “Incentive Bonus”)
for each Coda Octopus financial year during the Appointment based
on the
level of accomplishment of management and performance objectives
as
established by the Compensation Committee.
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(c)
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Paid
Time Off and Other Benefits.
The Executive shall be entitled to paid time off for a minimum of
30
business days each calendar year, which shall be accrued ratably
during
the calendar year, as well as holiday pay in accordance with the
Company’s
policies in effect from time to time as set forth in its employment
handbook as the same may be modified from time to time. The Executive
shall also be eligible to participate in such life, health, and disability
insurance, pension, deferred compensation and incentive plans, options
and
awards, performance bonuses and other benefits as the Company extends,
as
a matter of policy, to its executive employees including any 401(k).
During the Employment Period, if the Executive elects to participate
in
the Company’s 401(k) plan, the Company shall match any contribution made
by the Executive by up to ten (10) per-cent per annum of the Executive’s
Base Salary.
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(d)
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Reimbursement
of Business Expenses.
The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel
and
other business expenses incurred or paid by the Executive in connection
with the performance of his duties, responsibilities or services
under
this Agreement, upon presentation by the Executive of documentation,
expense statements, vouchers, and/or such other supporting information
as
Coda Octopus may reasonably request. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
it is
the Executive’s responsibility to ensure that any business expenses
incurred by him and for which he seeks reimbursement from the Company
accord with Company’s polices and practices (as may be modified from time
to time) and the Company shall only be obliged to reimburse such
expenses
to the extent that they are consistent with its policies and practices
relating to business expenses.
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(e)
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Restricted
Stock Grant.
Provided that neither the Executive nor the Company has prior thereto
given notice terminating this Agreement, the Executive shall as of
the
date hereof be entitled to an annual Restricted Stock Grant of $50,000
shares of common stock of Coda Octopus Group, Inc. This shall be
distributed quarterly. The number of common stock to be issued in
each
quarter shall be based on $12,500 worth of common stock calculated
each
quarter and shall be the average closing price for each trading day
in
that quarter. Certificates representing said shares will bear a
restrictive legend stating that sale or other transfer of the shares
be
made only pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with
the
Securities and Exchange Commission or an exemption from such registration.
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(f)
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Car
Allowance.
The Company shall
reimburse the Executive $5,000 per annum in lieu of specific reimbursement
expenses for use of a personal vehicle or the provision of a vehicle.
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(g)
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D&O
Insurance Coverage.
Subject to the terms of the Company’s directors and officers liability
insurance policy, during and for a period of a maximum of three years
after termination, the Executive shall be entitled to director and
officer
insurance coverage for his acts and omissions while an officer of
Coda
Octopus on a basis no less favorable to him than the coverage provided
to
current officers and directors.
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5.
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Termination
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(a)
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Termination
by Coda Octopus.
During the Initial Fixed Term Coda Octopus may only terminate this
Employment Agreement for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Cause”
for termination shall mean a determination by Coda Octopus in good
faith
that any of the following events have occurred: (i) the conviction or
indictment of the Executive of, or the entry of a plea of guilty
or nolo
contendere by the Executive to, any felony; (ii) fraud, misappropriation
or embezzlement by the Executive; (iii) any act or omission of the
Executive that has a demonstrated and material adverse impact on
Coda
Octopus’s reputation for honesty and fair dealing; (v) the breach by the
Executive of his duties under this Agreement or any material term
of this
Agreement; or (iv) a material violation by the Executive of Coda
Octopus’s
employment policies which continues for more than 15 days following
written notice of such violation from Coda
Octopus.
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(b)
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Termination
by the Executive without Good Reason.
During the Initial Fixed Term the Executive may not terminate this
Agreement without Good Reason. After the expiry of the Initial Fixed
Term
and subject to the continuation of this Employment Agreement, the
Executive may at any time without Good Reason, upon giving Coda Octopus
90
days’ written notice, terminate his employment with the Company. At Coda
Octopus' sole discretion, it may substitute 90 days’ salary in lieu of
notice. Any salary paid to the Executive in lieu of notice shall
not be
offset against any entitlement the Executive may have to the Severance
Payment pursuant to Section 6(b).
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(c)
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Termination
by Executive for Good Reason.
During the Initial Fixed Term, the Executive may terminate his employment
under this Agreement at any time for Good Reason, upon written notice
by
the Executive to Coda Octopus. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good
Reason” for termination shall mean that the Executive has complied with
the “Good Reason Process” (hereafter defined) following the occurrence of
one of the following events, without the Executive’s consent: (i) the
assignment to the Executive of substantial duties or responsibilities
inconsistent with the Executive’s position at Coda Octopus, or any other
action by Coda Octopus which results in a substantial diminution
or other
substantive adverse change in the Executive’s duties or responsibilities,
including, but not limited to, a substantial diminution in the Executive’s
title as set forth in Section 2 hereof; (ii) a requirement that the
Executive work principally from a location outside the 50 mile radius
from
Coda Octopus’s address first written above, without prior agreement with
the Executive; (iii) Coda Octopus’s failure to pay the Executive any Base
Salary or other compensation to which he becomes entitled, other
than an
inadvertent failure which is remedied by Coda Octopus within 30 days
after
receipt of written notice thereof from the Executive (or ten days
for
failure to pay Base Salary); (iv) Coda Octopus’s failure to honor the
equity award granted pursuant to Section 4(e), if applicable; (v)
any
reduction in the Executive’s aggregate Base Salary and any involuntary
reduction in the Executive’s other compensation taken as a whole,
excluding any reductions caused by the failure to achieve performance
targets; or (vi) Coda Octopus’s material breach of any of its other
material obligations under this Agreement. “Good Reason Process” shall
mean that (i) Executive reasonably determines in good faith that
a “Good
Reason” event has occurred; (ii) Executive notifies Coda Octopus in
writing of the occurrence of the Good Reason event; (iii) Executive
cooperates in good faith with Coda Octopus’s efforts, for a period not
less than 30 days following such notice, to modify the Executive’s
employment situation in a manner acceptable to the Executive and
Coda
Octopus; and (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, one or more of the
Good
Reason events continues to exist and has not been modified in a manner
acceptable to the Executive. If Coda Octopus cures the Good Reason
event
in a manner acceptable to the Executive during the 30 day period,
Good
Reason shall be deemed not to have
occurred.
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(d)
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Executive’s
Death or Disability.
The Executive’s employment shall terminate immediately upon his death or,
upon written notice as set forth below, his Disability. As used in
this
Agreement, “Disability” shall mean such physical or mental impairment as
would render the Executive eligible to receive benefits under the
long-term disability insurance policy or plan then made available
by Coda
Octopus to the Executive. If the Employment Period is terminated
by reason
of the Executive’s Disability, either party shall give 30 days’ advance
written notice to that effect to the
other.
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(e)
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Date
of Termination.
“Date of Termination” shall mean: (A) if Executive’s employment is
terminated by his death, the date of his death; (B) if Executive’s
employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 5(d),
90
days after the date on which a notice of termination is given; (C)
if
Executive’s employment is terminated by Coda Octopus for Cause under
Section 5(a), the date on which notice of termination is given; (D)
if
Executive’s employment is terminated under Section 5(b), 90 days after the
date on which a notice of termination is given; and (E) if Executive’s
employment is terminated by Executive under Section 5(c), 30 days
after
the date on which a notice of Good Reason is
given.
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6.
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Effect
of Termination
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(a)
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General.
Regardless of the reason for any termination of this Agreement, the
Executive (or the Executive’s estate if the Employment Period ends on
account of the Executive’s death) shall be entitled to: (i) any unpaid
portion of his Base Salary through the Date of Termination unless
otherwise stated below; (ii) reimbursement for any outstanding reasonable
expense he has incurred hereunder; (iii) continued insurance benefits
to
the extent required by law; (iv) payment of any vested but unpaid
rights
as required independent of this Agreement by the terms of any bonus
or
other incentive pay or stock plan, or any other employee benefit
plan or
program of Coda Octopus; and (v) except in the case of “Termination by
Coda Octopus for Cause,” any bonus or incentive compensation that was
approved but not paid. The amount payable under this Section 6(a)
shall be
paid to the Executive or the Executive’s estate (in the event of the
Executive’s death) in a single lump sum no later than 30 days after the
Date of Termination.
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(b)
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Termination
by Coda Octopus for Cause or by Executive without Good
Reason.
If
Coda Octopus terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause during the
Appointment or the Executive terminates his employment without Good
Reason, the Executive shall have no rights or claims against Coda
Octopus
except to receive the payments and benefits described in Section
6(a).
Coda Octopus shall have no further obligations to Executive except
as
otherwise expressly provided under this Agreement, provided any such
termination shall not adversely affect or alter Executive’s rights under
any employee benefit plan of Coda Octopus in which Executive, at
the Date
of Termination, has a vested interest, unless otherwise provided
in such
employee benefit plan or any agreement or other instrument attendant
thereto. In addition, all vested but unexercised stock options held
by
Executive as of the Date of Termination must be exercised by Executive
within three months following the Date of Termination or by the end
of the
option term, if earlier. All other stock-based grants and awards
held by
Executive shall vest or be canceled upon the Date of Termination
in
accordance with their terms.
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(c)
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Termination
by Coda Octopus without Cause or by Executive for Good
Reason.
Except as provided in Section 6(d), if Coda Octopus terminates the
Executive’s employment without Cause after the expiry Initial Fixed Term
and during any subsequent period of Employment, or the Executive
terminates his employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c),
the
Executive shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the items
referenced in Section 6(a), the
following:
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(i)
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a
lump sum payment equal to one times the sum of (x) the Executive’s then
current Base Salary and (y) the greater of (A) the average of the
Executive’s bonuses (taking into account a payment of no bonus or a
payment of a bonus of $0) with respect to the preceding three fiscal
years
(or the period of the Executive’s employment if shorter), (B) the
Executive’s bonus with respect to the preceding fiscal year and (C) in the
event that such termination of employment occurs before the first
anniversary of the Commencement Date, the Executive’s annualized projected
bonus for such year (the “Severance Payment”). The Severance Payment shall
be paid to the Executive within 60 days following the Date of
Termination;
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(ii)
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continued payment by Coda
Octopus for
life, health and disability insurance coverage and salary and
other
benefits for the Executive and the Executive’s spouse and dependents for
one year following the Date of Termination to the same extent
that Coda
Octopus paid for such coverage immediately prior to the termination
of the
Executive’s employment and subject to the eligibility requirements and
other terms and conditions of such insurance coverage, provided
that if
any such insurance coverage shall become unavailable during
the one year
period, Coda Octopus thereafter shall be obliged only to pay
to the
Executive an amount which, after reduction for income and employment
taxes, is equal to the employer premiums for such insurance
for the
remainder of such severance period; and (iii) vesting
as of the Date of Termination in any unvested portion of any
stock option,
restricted stock and any other long term incentive award previously
issued
to the Executive by Coda Octopus. Each such stock option must
be exercised
by the Executive within 180 days after the Date of Termination
or the date
of the remaining option term, if
earlier.
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None
of the benefits described in this Section 6(c) will be payable unless
the
Executive has signed a general release which has become irrevocable,
satisfactory to Coda Octopus in the reasonable exercise of its discretion,
releasing Coda Octopus, its affiliates including Coda Octopus, and
their
officers, directors and employees, from any and all claims or potential
claims arising from or related to the Executive’s employment or
termination of employment.
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(d)
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Termination
Following Change in Control.
If, (x) during the Employment Period and within 12 months following
a
Change in Control, Coda Octopus (or its successor) terminates the
Executive’s employment without Cause pursuant to Section 5(a) or the
Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section
5(c), or (y) the Executive, by notice given under this clause (y)
of this
Section 6(d) during the 90 day period commencing on the three-month
anniversary of the date of the Change in Control (the “Notice Period”),
terminates his employment for any reason, which termination shall
be
effective on the last day of the Notice Period, the Executive shall
be
entitled to receive, in addition to the items referenced in Section
6(a),
the following:
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(i)
the
items
referenced in Section 6(c); and
(ii)
Tax
Gross-up Payment, as follows:
(A)
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In
the event that any payment made pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof or
any
insurance benefits, accelerated vesting, pro-rated bonus or other
benefit
payable to the Executive (under this Agreement or otherwise), (1)
constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G (as it
may be amended or replaced) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as
amended (the “Code”) (“Parachute Payments”) and (2) are subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 (as it may be amended or replaced)
of
the Code (“the Excise Tax”), then Coda Octopus shall pay to the Executive
an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Amount”) such that the net benefits
retained by the Executive after the deduction of the Excise Tax (including
interest and penalties) and any federal, or local income and employment
taxes (including interest and penalties) upon the Gross-Up Amount
shall be
equal to the benefits that would have been delivered hereunder had
the
Excise Tax not been applicable and the Gross-Up Amount not been
paid.
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(B)
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For
purposes of determining the Gross-Up Amount: (1) Parachute Payments
provided under arrangements with the Executive other than under any
bonus
or other incentive pay or stock plan or program of Coda Octopus
(collectively, the “Plan”) and this Agreement, if any, shall be taken into
account in determining the total amount of Parachute Payments received
by
the Executive so that the amount of excess Parachute Payments that
are
attributable to provisions of the Plan and Agreement is maximized;
and (2)
the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal, state and local income
taxes
at the highest marginal rate of taxation for the Executive’s taxable year
in which the Parachute Payments are includable in the Executive’s income
for purposes of federal, state and local income
taxation.
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(C)
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The
determination of whether the Excise Tax is payable, the amount thereof,
and the amount of any Gross-Up Amount shall be made in writing in
good
faith by a nationally recognized independent certified public accounting
firm selected by Coda Octopus and approved by the Executive, such
approval
not to be unreasonably withheld (the “Accounting Firm”). If such
determination is not finally accepted by the Internal Revenue Service
(or
state or local revenue authorities) on audit, then appropriate adjustments
shall be computed based upon the amount of Excise Tax and any interest
or
penalties so determined; provided, however, that the Executive in
no event
shall owe Coda Octopus any interest on any portion of the Gross-Up
Amount
that is returned to Coda Octopus. For purposes of making the calculations
required by this Section 6(d)(v), to the extent not otherwise specified
herein, reasonable assumptions and approximations may be made with
respect
to applicable taxes and reasonable, good faith interpretations of
the Code
may be relied upon. Coda Octopus and the Executive shall furnish
such
information and documents as may be reasonably requested in connection
with the performance of the calculations under this Section 6(d)(v).
Coda
Octopus shall bear all costs incurred in connection with the performance
of the calculations contemplated by this Section 6(d)(v). Coda Octopus
shall pay the Gross-Up Amount to the Executive no later than 60 days
following receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination of the Gross-Up
Amount.
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(iii)
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None
of the benefits described in this Section 6(d) will be payable unless
the
Executive has signed a general release which has become irrevocable,
satisfactory to Coda Octopus in the reasonable exercise of its discretion,
releasing Coda Octopus, its affiliates including Coda Octopus, and
their
officers, directors and employees, from any and all claims or potential
claims arising from or related to the Executive’s employment or
termination of employment.
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(iv)
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For
the purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean any of
the following events:
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(A)
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The
ownership or acquisition (whether by a merger contemplated by Section
6(d)(vii)(B) below, or otherwise) by any Person (other than a Qualified
Affiliate), in a single transaction or a series of related or unrelated
transactions, of Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% of (1) Coda
Octopus’s outstanding common stock (the “Common Stock”) or (2) the
combined voting power of Coda Octopus’s outstanding securities entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Voting
Securities”);
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(B)
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The
merger or consolidation of Coda Octopus with or into any other Person
other than a Qualified Affiliate, if, immediately following the
effectiveness of such merger or consolidation, Persons who did not
Beneficially Own Outstanding Voting Securities immediately before
the
effectiveness of such merger or consolidation directly or indirectly
Beneficially Own more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting
stock
of the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation (including
for
such purpose in both the numerator and denominator, shares of voting
stock
issuable upon the exercise of then outstanding rights (including
conversion rights), options or warrants) (“Resulting Voting Securities”),
provided that, for purposes of this Section 6(d)(vii)(B), if a Person
who
Beneficially Owned Outstanding Voting Securities immediately before
the
merger or consolidation Beneficially Owns a greater number of the
Resulting Voting Securities immediately after the merger or consolidation
than the number the Person received solely as a result of the merger
or
consolidation, such greater number will be treated as held by a Person
who
did not Beneficially Own Outstanding Voting Securities before the
merger
or consolidation, and provided further that such merger or consolidation
would also constitute a Change in Control if it would satisfy the
foregoing test if rights (including conversion rights), options and
warrants were not included in the
calculation;
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(C)
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Any
one or a series of related sales or conveyances to any Person or
Persons
(including a liquidation or dissolution) other than any one or more
Qualified Affiliates of all or substantially all of the assets of
Coda
Octopus;
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(D)
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Incumbent
Directors cease, for any reason, to be a majority of the members
of the
Board of Directors, where an “Incumbent Director” is (1) an individual who
is a member of the Board of Directors on the effective date of this
Agreement or (2) any new director whose appointment by the Board
of
Directors or whose nomination for election by the stockholders was
approved by a majority of the persons who were already Incumbent
Directors
at the time of such appointment, election or approval, other than
any
individual who assumes office initially as a result of an actual
or
threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal
of
directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board of Directors
or
as a result of an agreement to avoid or settle such a contest or
solicitation; or
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(E)
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A
Change in Control shall also be deemed to occur immediately before
the
completion of a tender offer for Coda Octopus’s securities representing
more than 50% of the Outstanding Voting Securities, other than
a tender
offer by a Qualified Affiliate.
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(F)
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For
purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:
(a)
“Beneficial Ownership,” “Beneficially Owned” and “Beneficially Owns” shall
have the meanings provided in Exchange Act Rule 13d-3; (b) “Exchange Act”
shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (c) “Person”
shall mean any individual, entity, or group (within the meaning of
Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), including any natural
person,
corporation, trust, association, company, partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, legal entity of any kind, government,
or
political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a government,
as well
as two or more Persons acting as a partnership, limited partnership,
syndicate or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding or
disposing of Coda Octopus’s securities; and (d) “Qualified Affiliate”
shall mean (i) any directly or indirectly wholly owned subsidiary
of Coda
Octopus; (ii) any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored
or
maintained by Coda Octopus or by any entity controlled by Coda Octopus;
or
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(v)
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any
Person consisting in whole or in part of the Executive or one or
more
individuals who are then Coda Octopus’s Chief Executive Officer or any
other named executive officer (as defined in Item 402 of Regulation
S-K
under the Securities Act of 1933) of Coda Octopus as indicated in
its most
recent securities filing made before the date of the
transaction.
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(e)
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Termination
In the Event of Death or Disability.
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(i)
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If
the Executive’s employment terminates because of his death, any unvested
portion of any stock option and any restricted stock previously issued
to
the Executive by Coda Octopus shall become fully vested as of the
date of
his death and the Executive’s estate or other legal representatives shall
have 360 days from the Date of Termination or the remaining option
term,
if earlier, to exercise all stock options granted to the Executive.
In
addition, the Executive’s estate shall be entitled to receive a pro-rata
share of any performance bonus to which he otherwise would have been
entitled for the fiscal year in which his death occurs. For a period
of
one (1) year following the Date of Termination, Coda Octopus shall
pay
such health insurance premiums as may be necessary to allow Executive’s
spouse and dependents to receive health insurance coverage substantially
similar to coverage they received prior to the Date of Termination.
In
addition to the foregoing, any payments to which Executive’s spouse,
beneficiaries, or estate may be entitled under any employee benefit
plan
shall also be paid in accordance with the terms of such plan or
arrangement. Such payments, in the aggregate, shall fully discharge
Coda
Octopus’s obligations hereunder.
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(ii)
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In
the event the Executive’s employment terminates due to his Disability, as
defined in any long-term disability insurance policy or plan provided
to
him by Coda Octopus (“Disability Insurance”), he shall be entitled to
receive his Base Salary until such date as he shall commence receiving
disability benefits pursuant to any Disability Insurance. In addition,
as
of the effective date of the termination notice specified in Section
5(d),
the Executive shall vest in any unvested portion of any stock option
and
any restricted shares previously granted to him by Coda Octopus and
the
Executive shall have 360 days from the Date of Termination or the
remaining option term, if earlier, to exercise all stock options
granted
to the Executive. The Executive also shall be entitled to receive
a
pro-rata share of any performance bonus to which he otherwise would
have
been entitled for the fiscal year in which his employment terminates
due
to his Disability. For a period of one year following the Date of
Termination, Coda Octopus shall pay such health insurance premiums
as may
be necessary to allow Executive and Executive’s spouse and dependents to
receive health insurance coverage substantially similar to coverage
they
received prior to the Date of Termination.
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7.
Confidentiality
(a)
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Definition
of Proprietary Information.
The Executive acknowledges that he may be furnished or may otherwise
receive or have access to confidential information which relates
to Coda
Octopus’s past, present or future business activities, strategies,
services or products, research and development, specifically all
formulas,
processes, computer code, customer lists, computer user identifiers
and
passwords, and all purchasing, engineering, accounting, marketing
and
other information, proprietary to Coda Octopus and not generally
known,
relating to research, development, manufacture, marketing and sale
of Coda
Octopus products, as well as formulas, computer code, processes and
other
information received by Coda Octopus from third parties under an
obligation of secrecy.
|
All
such information, including any materials or documents containing
such
information, shall be considered by Coda Octopus and the Executive
as
proprietary and confidential (the “Proprietary
Information”).
|
(b)
|
Definition
of Inventions.
Invention(s) means all formulas, processes, discoveries, improvements,
ideas and works of authorship, whether patentable or copyrightable
or not,
which the Executive learns, has access to, has a part in developing,
first
conceives or first reduces to practice, alone or with others (1)
that are
developed on Coda Octopus time, or (2) that relate directly to Coda
Octopus’ business or actual or anticipated research, or (3) for which Coda
Octopus’ Proprietary Information or other Coda Octopus property is sued,
or (4) that result from any of the Executive’s work for Coda
Octopus.
|
Executive's
Obligation With Regard to Inventions.
|
(A) All
Inventions that the Executive may learn, have access to, have a part in
developing, first conceive, or first reduce to practice (i) during employment
with Coda Octopus, whether or not during normal work time or at Coda Octopus’
premises, or (ii) at any time after employment termination if based on
Confidential Information, are and shall remain the sole property of Coda Octopus
in all countries, and shall be promptly disclosed to and are hereby assigned
to
Coda Octopus without charge to Coda Octopus. In the absence of clear and
convincing proof to the contrary, all formulas, processes, inventions, ideas,
and works of authorship conceived by the Executive within one year after
termination of employment with Coda Octopus that directly relate to Coda Octopus
business or demonstrably anticipated research or development will be considered
to be Inventions to be disclosed to and owned by Coda Octopus.
(B) The
Executive will acknowledge and deliver promptly without charge all documents
to
Coda Octopus, and to do such other acts as may be necessary in Coda Octopus’
opinion to obtain and maintain patents or copyrights and to vest the entire
right and title in Coda Octopus to such patents, copyrights and Inventions
in
all countries including, if required by Coda Octopus but not limited to,
completion and signing of the Assignment exhibited as Appendix B to this
Agreement. Failure on the part of Coda Octopus at any time to require the
Executive to sell, assign, transfer and set over the entire right, title and
interest in and to said Inventions shall not be deemed to be a waiver of its
rights thereto.
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(C) The
obligations of this section shall not apply to any invention developed entirely
on the Executive's own time without the use of any Coda Octopus equipment,
supplies, facility or Proprietary Information and (i) which does not relate
to
Coda Octopus business, or to Coda Octopus’ actual or demonstrably anticipated
research or development or (ii) which does not result from any work performed
by
the Executive for Coda Octopus.
(c)
|
Exclusions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Proprietary Information shall not
include
information in the public domain not as a result of a breach of any
duty
by the Executive or any other
person.
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(d)
|
Obligations.
Both during and after the Employment Period, the Executive will preserve
and protect the confidentiality of the Proprietary Information and
all
physical forms thereof, whether disclosed to him before this Agreement
and
Inventions signed or afterward (except as required by applicable
law or
otherwise as necessary in connection with the performance of the
Executive’s duties to Coda Octopus hereunder). In addition, the Executive
shall not (i) disclose or disseminate the Proprietary Information
to any
third party, including employees of Coda Octopus (or their affiliates)
without a legitimate business need to know; (ii) remove the Proprietary
Information from Coda Octopus’s premises without a valid business purpose;
or (iii) use the Proprietary Information for his own benefit or for
the
benefit of any third party.
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(e)
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Return
of Proprietary Information.
The Executive acknowledges that all the Proprietary Information and
Inventions used or generated during the course of working for Coda
Octopus
is the property of Coda Octopus. The Executive will deliver to Coda
Octopus all documents and other tangibles (including diskettes and
other
storage media) containing the Proprietary Information and Inventions
at
any time upon request by Coda Octopus during his employment and
immediately upon termination of his employment. If requested by Coda
Octopus, the Executive will enter into an Assignment of Intellectual
Property.
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8.
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Noncompetition
and Nonsolicitation
|
(a)
|
Restriction
on Competition.
Throughout the Employment Period and for a further period of twelve
(12)
months thereafter (the “Restricted Period”), provided, however, that the
Restricted Period shall only extend for six months following the
expiration or termination of the Executive’s employment if the Executive’s
employment is terminated following a Change in Control, the Executive
will
not engage, directly or indirectly, as an owner, director, trustee,
manager, member, employee, consultant, partner, principal, agent,
representative, stockholder, or in any other individual, corporate
or
representative capacity, in any of the following: (i) any subsea
visualization company, or (ii) any company engaged in homeland security
and defense; (iii) any company supplying wireless surveillance goods
or
services; or (iv) any company supplying engineering solutions to
defense
and security markets; or (v) any other business in which the Company
is
engaged or is actively planning to engage as of the date of the
Executive’s termination of employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Executive shall not be deemed to have violated this Section 8(a)
solely by
reason of his passive ownership of 1% or less of the outstanding
stock of
any publicly traded corporation or other
entity.
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(b)
|
Non-Solicitation
of Clients.
During the Restricted Period, the Executive will not solicit, directly
or
indirectly, on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person(s),
any
client of the Company whom the Company had provided services at any
time
during the Executive’s employment with the Company in any line of business
that the Company conducts as of the date of the Executive’s termination of
employment or that the Company is actively soliciting, for the purpose
of
marketing or providing any service competitive with any service then
offered by the Company.
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(c)
|
Non-Solicitation
of Employees.
During the Restricted Period, the Executive will not, directly or
indirectly, hire or attempt to hire or cause any business, other
than a
Qualified Affiliate, to hire any person who is then or was at any
time
during the preceding six months an employee of Coda Octopus and who
is at
the time of such hire or attempted hire, or was at the date of such
employee’s separation from Coda Octopus a vice president, senior vice
president or executive vice president or other senior executive employee
of Coda Octopus.
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(d)
|
Acknowledgment.
The Executive acknowledges that he will acquire much Proprietary
Information concerning the past, present and future business of Coda
Octopus as the result of his employment, as well as access to the
relationships between Coda Octopus and Coda Octopus and their clients
and
employees. The Executive further acknowledges that the business of
Coda
Octopus is very competitive and that competition by him in that business
during his employment, or after his employment terminates, would
severely
injure Coda Octopus. The Executive understands that the restrictions
contained in this Section 8 are reasonable and are required for Coda
Octopus’s legitimate protection, and do not unduly limit his ability to
earn a livelihood.
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(e)
|
Rights
and Remedies upon Breach.
The Executive acknowledges that any breach by him of any of the provisions
of Sections 7 and 8 (the “Restrictive Covenants”) would result in
irreparable injury and damage for which money damages would not provide
an
adequate remedy. Therefore, if the Executive breaches, or threatens
to
commit a breach of, any of the provisions of the Restrictive Covenants,
Coda Octopus shall have the following rights and remedies, each of
which
rights and remedies shall be independent of the other and severally
enforceable, and all of which rights and remedies shall be in addition
to,
and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to Coda
Octopus under law or in equity (including, without limitation, the
recovery of damages):
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(i)
|
The
right and remedy to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced
(without posting bond and without the need to prove damages) by any
court
of competent jurisdiction, including, without limitation, the right
to an
entry against the Executive of restraining orders and injunctions
(preliminary, mandatory, temporary and permanent) against violations,
threatened or actual, and whether or not then continuing, of such
covenants; and
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(ii)
|
The
right and remedy to require the Executive to account for and pay
over to
Coda Octopus and its affiliates all compensation, profits, monies,
accruals, increments or other benefits (collectively, “Benefits”) derived
or received by him as the result of any transactions constituting
a breach
of the Restrictive Covenants, and the Executive shall account for
and pay
over such Benefits to Coda Octopus and, if applicable, its affected
affiliates.
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(f)
|
If
any court or other decision-maker of competent jurisdiction determines
that any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is
unenforceable because of the duration or geographical scope of such
provision, then, after such determination has become final and
non-appealable, the duration or scope of such provision, as the case
may
be, shall be reduced so that such provision becomes enforceable and,
in
its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall
be
enforced.
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9.
|
Executive
Representation
|
The
Executive represents and warrants to Coda Octopus that he is not
now under
any obligation of a contractual or other nature to any person, business
or
other entity which is inconsistent or in conflict with this Agreement
or
which would prevent him from performing his obligations under this
Agreement.
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10.
|
Enforcement
and Indemnification
|
(a)
|
Coda
Octopus, in its sole discretion, may bring an action in any court
of
competent jurisdiction to seek injunctive relief and such other relief
as
Coda Octopus shall elect to enforce the Restrictive Covenants. If
the
courts of any one or more of such jurisdictions hold the Restrictive
Covenants wholly unenforceable by reason of breadth of scope or otherwise
it is the intention of Coda Octopus and the Executive that such
determination not bar or in any way affect Coda Octopus’s right, or the
right of any of its affiliates, to the relief provided in Section
8(e)
above in the courts of any other jurisdiction within the geographical
scope of such Restrictive Covenants, as to breaches of such Restrictive
Covenants in such other respective jurisdictions, such Restrictive
Covenants as they relate to each jurisdiction being, for this purpose,
severable, diverse and independent covenants, subject, where appropriate,
to the doctrine of res judicata. The parties hereby agree to waive
right
to a trial by jury for any and all disputes hereunder (whether or
not
relating to the Restrictive
Covenants).
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(b)
|
In
accordance with Appendix C to this Agreement, Coda Octopus will indemnify
the Executive, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law,
against
all costs, charges and expenses incurred or sustained by the Executive,
including the cost of legal counsel selected and retained by the
Executive
in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which the Executive
may be made a party by reason of the Executive being or having been
an
officer, director, or employee of Coda Octopus or any subsidiary
or
affiliate of Coda Octopus. Coda Octopus will pay to the Executive
in
advance of the final disposition of any proceeding all such amounts
incurred or suffered.
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11.
|
Miscellaneous
|
(a)
|
Litigation
and Regulatory Cooperation.
During and after Executive’s employment, Executive shall reasonably
cooperate with Coda Octopus in the defense or prosecution of any
claims or
actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against
or
on behalf of Coda Octopus which relate to events or occurrences that
transpired while Executive was employed by Coda Octopus; provided,
however, that such cooperation shall not materially and adversely
affect
Executive or expose Executive to an increased probability of civil
or
criminal litigation. Executive’s cooperation in connection with such
claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being available
to
meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as
a
witness on behalf of Coda Octopus at mutually convenient times. During
and
after Executive’s employment, Executive also shall cooperate fully with
Coda Octopus in connection with any investigation or review of any
federal, state or local regulatory authority as any such investigation
or
review relates to events or occurrences that transpired while Executive
was employed by Coda Octopus. Coda Octopus shall also provide Executive
with compensation on an hourly basis (to be derived from the sum
of his
Base Salary and average annual incentive compensation) for requested
litigation and regulatory cooperation that occurs after his termination
of
employment, and reimburse Executive for all costs and expenses incurred
in
connection with his performance under this Section 11(a), including,
but
not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and
costs.
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(b)
|
Notices.
All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in
writing
and shall be deemed effective (i) upon personal delivery, (ii) upon
deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, or (iii) in the case of facsimile transmission
or
delivery by nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when
received, addressed as follows:
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(i)
|
If
to Coda Octopus, to:
|
FAO
Xxxxx
Xxxx (or any other person who is serving as CEO at the time of the
Notice)
000
Xxxx
00xx
Xxxxxx,
0xx
Xxxxx,
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
(ii)
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If
to the Executive, to:
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000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
or
to
such other address or addresses as either Party shall designate to the other
in
writing from time to time by like notice.
(c)
|
Pronouns.
Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement
shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms,
and
the singular forms of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural,
and
vice versa.
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(d)
|
Entire
Agreement and Warranty.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written
or
oral, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. The Executive
warrants to the Company that, by entering into this Agreement or
performing any of his obligations under it, he will not be in breach
of
any court order or any express or implied terms of any contract or
other
obligation binding on him and undertakes to indemnify the Company
against
any claims, costs, damages, liabilities or expenses which the Company
may
incur as a result if he is in breach of any such
obligations.
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(e)
|
Amendment.
This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument
executed by both Coda Octopus and the
Executive.
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(f)
|
Governing
Law.
This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflicts
of
laws principles.
|
(g)
|
Successors
and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
both
parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any
entity
with which or into which Coda Octopus may be merged or which may
succeed
to its assets or business or any entity to which Coda Octopus may
assign
its rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided, however,
that
the obligations of the Executive are personal and shall not be assigned
or
delegated by him.
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(h)
|
Waiver.
No delays or omission by Coda Octopus or the Executive in exercising
any
right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any
other
right. A waiver or consent given by Coda Octopus or the Executive
on any
one occasion shall be effective only in that instance and shall not
be
construed as a bar or waiver of any right on any other
occasion.
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(i)
|
Captions.
The captions appearing in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance
of any
section of this Agreement.
|
(j)
|
Severability.
In case any provision of this Agreement shall be held by a court
or
arbitrator with jurisdiction over the parties to this Agreement to
be
invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable, such provision shall
be
restated to reflect as nearly as possible the original intentions
of the
parties in accordance with applicable law, and the validity, legality
and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall in no way be affected
or
impaired thereby.
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(k)
|
Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which
shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute
one
and the same instrument.
|
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
Parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.
By: | |||
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|||
Name: | |||
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|||
Title: | |||
|
|||
EXECUTIVE | |||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxx |
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APPENDIX
A
ROLE
DESCRIPTION
Job
Outline
Position
of Chief Financial Officer
Outline
Duties
Working
closely with the Group CEO, the main focus of the role is strategic, assisting
the development of the Group to meet its goals for growth and profitability,
with specific responsibility for:
·
|
Strategic
Financial Planning, including annual budgeting, annual, quarterly
and
monthly cash flow planning, annual and quarterly earnings
forecasting;
|
·
|
Funding
of the Group’s activities, including working capital, R&D,
acquisitions, joint ventures, etc.;
|
·
|
Reporting
externally the Group’s financial performance, including preparation and,
in conjunction with the Group’s legal division, submission of all
quarterly and annual SEC filings;
|
·
|
Reporting
internally the Group’s financial performance, including monthly, quarterly
and annual income statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet
for the
management team and board of directors;
|
·
|
Involvement
in acquisitions in conjunction with the management team, including
analysis of acquisition opportunities, assistance with negotiation,
assistance with due diligence and integration of acquired
companies;
|
·
|
Overseeing
the Group’s accounting function with dotted line reporting from the
finance department of each operating unit within the
Group;
|
·
|
Overseeing
the annual audit process;
|
·
|
Tax
planning in accordance with the Group’s operations and
performance;
|
·
|
Attendance
at all Group management meetings and, as required, at Group board
meetings.
|
Role
Involvement
·
|
Reporting
directly to the Group President &
CEO;
|
·
|
An
officer of the Group at Senior Vice President
level;
|
·
|
Based
at our New York office, currently located at 000 Xxxx 00xx
Xxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000;
|
·
|
Member
of the Group management team, alongside CEO, Chief Commercial Officer,
Chief Technology Officer, Chief of Operations, SVP Government Relations,
SVP Legal Division, SVP Marketing and VP Corporate
Development;
|
·
|
Involves
some travel, perhaps amounting to 30% of time, and including international
travel;
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·
|
Responsible
for Finance Department internationally, with direct line management
responsibility for Group Financial Controller and Financial Controller
(Europe).
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Dates
·
|
Job
specification dated July 1st,
2007
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·
|
Next
review date November 1st,
2008
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APPENDIX
B
ASSIGNMENT
WHEREAS,
__________________________________________, hereinafter called "Assignor",
residing at _____________________________________________________, has certain
new and useful formulas, processes, discoveries, improvements, ideas and works
of authorship (“Inventions”) disclosed in an application for United States and
other Letters Patent
entitled_______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________,
and executed by _______________________________________________ on date
herewith;
AND
WHEREAS
Coda
Octopus Group, Inc., located at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx and or
a
subsidiary thereof, together with any successors, legal representatives or
assigns thereof, called "Assignee" wants to acquire the entire right, title
and
interest in and to said Inventions and application.
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the entering into an Employment Contract with Assignee dated
April 1st,
2005
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, the Assignor has sold, assigned, transferred and set over, and
does hereby sell, assign, transfer and set over to Assignee the entire right,
title and interest in and to said Inventions, and said application and all
divisions and continuations thereof, and all United States Letters Patents
which
may be granted thereon and all reissues, reexaminations and extensions thereof,
and all priority rights under all available International Agreements, Treaties
and Conventions for the protection of Intellectual property in its various
forms
in every participating country, and all applications for patents (including
related rights such as utility-model registrations, inventor's certificates,
and
the like) heretofore or hereafter filed for said Inventions in any foreign
countries, and all patents (including all continuations, divisions, extensions,
renewals, substitutes, and reissues thereof) granted for said Inventions in
any
foreign countries; and the Assignor hereby authorizes and requests the United
States Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, and any officials of foreign
countries whose duty it is to issue patents on applications as aforesaid, to
Issue all patents for said Inventions to Assignee in accordance with the terms
of this Assignment;
AND
THE
ASSIGNOR HEREBY
covenants that he has full right to convey the entire Interest herein assigned,
and that he has not executed, and will not execute, any agreement in conflict
herewith;
AND
THE
ASSIGNOR HEREBY
further
covenants and agrees that he will communicate to Assignee any facts known to
him
respecting said Inventions, and testify in any legal proceeding, sign all lawful
papers, execute all divisional, continuation, substitute and reissue
applications, make all rightful oaths and generally do everything possible
to
aid Assignee to obtain and enforce proper patent protection for said Inventions
in all countries.
In
testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand this ____ day of _______________
20____
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SIGNATURE
OF ASSIGNOR
STATE
OF
________________________________________
COUNTY
OF
______________________________________
On
_____________________ before me _________________________ Notary Public,
personally appeared _______________________________ personally known to me
(or
proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person whose
name
is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed
the same in his authorized capacity, and that by his signature on the instrument
the person, or the entity upon behalf of which the person acted, executed the
Instrument.
WITNESS
my hand and official seal.
_______________________________________________
Signature
of Notary
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APPENDIX
C
INDEMNITY
AGREEMENT
This
Agreement is made as of the 1st day of July, 2007 by and between CODA OCTOPUS
GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and Xxxx Xxxxx (the
“Indemnitee”), an Officer of the Corporation (collectively the
"Parties").
WHEREAS,
it is
essential to the Corporation to retain and attract as Directors and Officers
the
most capable persons available, and
WHEREAS,
the
substantial increase in corporate litigation subjects Directors and Officers
to
expensive litigation risks at the same time that the availability of Directors’
and Officers’ liability insurance has been severely limited, and
WHEREAS,
it is
now and has always been the express policy of the Corporation to indemnify
its
Directors and Officers so as to provide them with the maximum possible
protection permitted by law, and
WHEREAS,
the
Corporation does not regard the protection available to Indemnitee as adequate
in the present circumstances, and realizes that Indemnitee may not be willing
to
serve as a Director and/or Officer without adequate protection, and the
Corporation desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity;
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of Indemnitee’s service as a Director and/or Officer after the
date hereof, the Parties agree as follows:
1.
|
Definitions.
As used in this Agreement:
|
(a)
|
The
term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of
the
Corporation or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative nature.
|
(b)
|
The
term “Expenses” shall include, but is not limited to, expenses of
investigations, judicial or administrative proceedings or appeals,
damages, judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf
of
Indemnitee, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and any expenses of
establishing a right to indemnification under this
Agreement.
|
(c)
|
The
terms “Director” and “Officer” shall include Indemnitee’s service at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent
of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
as well as a Director and/or Officer of the Corporation.
|
2.
|
Indemnity
of Director or Officer.
Subject only to the limitations set forth in Section 3, Corporation
will
pay on behalf of the Indemnitee all Expenses actually and reasonably
incurred by Indemnitee because of any claim or claims made against
him in
a Proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was a Director and/or
Officer.
|
3.
|
Limitations
on Indemnity.
Corporation shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any
payment of Expenses to the
Indemnitee,
|
(a)
which
payment it is prohibited by applicable law from paying as
indemnity;
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(b)
|
for
which payment is actually made to the Indemnitee under an insurance
policy, except in respect of any excess beyond the amount of payment
under
such insurance;
|
(c)
|
for
which payment the Indemnitee is indemnified by Corporation otherwise
than
pursuant to this Agreement;
|
(d)
|
resulting
from a claim decided in a Proceeding adversely to the Indemnitee
based
upon or attributable to the Indemnitee gaining in fact any personal
profit
or advantage to which he was not legally
entitled;
|
(e)
|
resulting
from a claim decided in a Proceeding adversely to the Indemnitee
for an
accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee
of
securities of Corporation within the meaning of Section 16(b) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments thereto or similar
provisions of any state statutory law or common law;
or
|
(f)
|
brought
about or contributed to by the dishonesty of the Indemnitee seeking
payment hereunder; however, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnitee
shall be indemnified under this Agreement as to any claims upon which
suit
may be brought against him by reason of any alleged dishonesty on
his
part, unless it shall be decided in a Proceeding that he committed
(i)
acts of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) with actual dishonest
purpose and intent, and (iii) which acts were material to the cause
of
action so adjudicated.
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For
purposes of Sections 3 and 4, the phrase “decided in a Proceeding” shall
mean a decision by a court, arbitrator(s), hearing officer or other
judicial agent having the requisite legal authority to make such
a
decision, which decision has become final and from which no appeal
or
other review proceeding is
permissible.
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4.
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Advance
Payment of Costs.
Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in defending a claim against him in a
Proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation as incurred and in advance
of
the final disposition of such Proceeding; provided, however, that
Expenses
of defense need not be paid as incurred and in advance where the
judicial
agent of first impression has decided the Indemnitee is not entitled
to be
indemnified pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee hereby
agrees and undertakes to repay such amounts advanced if it shall
be
decided in a Proceeding that he is not entitled to be indemnified
by the
Corporation pursuant to this Agreement or
otherwise.
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5.
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Enforcement.
If a claim under this Agreement is not paid by Corporation, or on
its
behalf, within thirty days after a written claim has been received
by
Corporation, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit
against
Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and if successful
in
whole or in part, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid
the
Expenses of prosecuting such claim.
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6.
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Subrogation.
In the event of payment under this Agreement, Corporation shall be
subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of
recovery
of the Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall
do
everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including
the
execution of such documents necessary to enable Corporation effectively
to
bring suit to enforce such rights.
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20
Execution
Copy
7.
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Notice.
The Indemnitee, as a condition precedent to his right to be indemnified
under this Agreement, shall give to Corporation notice in writing
as soon
as practicable of any claim made against him for which indemnity
will or
could be sought under this Agreement. Notice to Corporation shall
be given
at its principal office and shall be directed to the Corporate Secretary
(or such other address as Corporation shall designate in writing
to the
Indemnitee); notice shall be deemed received if sent by prepaid mail
properly addressed, the date of such notice being the date postmarked.
In
addition, the Indemnitee shall give Corporation such information
and
cooperation as it may reasonably
require.
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8.
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Saving
Clause.
If this Agreement or any portion thereof shall be invalidated on
any
ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, the Corporation shall
nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by
any
applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated
or by any other applicable law.
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9.
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Indemnification
Hereunder Not Exclusive.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to diminish or otherwise restrict
the
Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under any provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation or under
Delaware law.
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10.
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Applicable
Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
internal laws of the State of
Delaware.
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11.
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Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of
which shall constitute the
original.
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12.
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Successors
and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors
and assigns.
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13.
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Continuation
of Indemnification.
The indemnification under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee
even though he may have ceased to be a Director and/or Officer and
shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs and personal representatives of
Indemnitee.
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14.
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Coverage
of Indemnification.
The indemnification under this Agreement shall cover Indemnitee’s service
as a Director and/or Officer prior to or after the date of the
Agreement.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and signed as of the
day
and year first above written.
CODA OCTOPUS GROUP, INC. | INDEMNITEE | ||
By: | |||
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Name: | |||
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Position: |
Print
Name: Xxxx Xxxxx
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