EXHIBIT 10.18
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made as of August 4, 2004 (the
"Effective Date"), by and between ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, an individual residing in
Greenwich, Connecticut ("Executive") and WARP TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC. a Nevada
corporation with a place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Company").
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Series B-2
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated as August 4, 2004, by and among the
Company and the Persons listed on Schedule 1.01 thereto (the "Purchase
Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company will sell shares of its Series B-2
Preferred Stock to the Purchasers (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and use
the proceeds from such sale in furtherance of the Company's business goals
(together with all transactions contemplated thereby, the "Transaction");
WHEREAS, one of the conditions to the closing of the Transaction is
that the Company entered into this Agreement with Executive, securing the
services of Executive as the Company's Chief Executive Officer for the term
hereof;
WHEREAS, Executive has certain experience and expertise that qualify
him to provide the skills required by the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the services of Executive,
and Executive desires to be employed by the Company;
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company deem it in their respective
interests to enter into an agreement providing for the employment of Executive
as the Company's Chief Executive Officer, subject to the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and
Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Company offers and Executive hereby accepts employment, effective
as of the Effective Date.
2. Term. Subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 5 hereof,
this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and end on December 31, 2005
(the "Initial Term"). The Initial Term and any Renewal Term (as defined herein)
shall automatically be renewed and extended on the same terms and conditions
contained herein for consecutive one-year periods (the "Renewal Term"), unless
not later than sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any
Renewal Term, as the case may be, either party shall give written notice to the
other party of its election to terminate this Agreement. The Initial Term and
the Renewal Terms are hereinafter referred to as the "Term."
3. Capacity and Performance.
3.1 Position. During the Term hereof, Executive shall serve the
Company as its Chief Executive Officer and/or in any other officer position with
the Company that may be assigned to him by Company's Board of Directors (the
"Board"). Executive shall also serve as the Chief Executive Officer and/or in
any other officer position that may be assigned to him by the Board with any of
the Company's subsidiaries or affiliates (collectively, all the
Company's subsidiaries and affiliates are referred to as the "Related
Companies").
3.2 Reporting and Location. Executive shall report to the Board at
all times during the Term and shall perform his duties and responsibilities
hereunder at the Company's headquarters office, and shall travel from time to
time as requested by the Board and/or as required pursuant to his duties
hereunder.
3.3 Responsibilities. Executive shall comply with and perform,
faithfully, diligently and to the best of his ability, such directions and
duties in relation to the Company's business and affairs as the Board may from
time to time vest in or request of him. Such duties and responsibilities shall
include, but not limited to, responsibility for the Company's strategy and
business plan.
3.4 Directorship. Subject to the terms of that certain Stockholders
Agreement dated August 4, 2004 among the Company, the Investors, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (as such terms are defined therein), Executive shall also serve as a
member of, and Chairman of, the Board.
3.5 Commitments. Executive shall devote a significant portion of his
business time, attention and energies, except while on vacation or other
Company-authorized leave taken by Executive, to the Company's business and shall
not engage in any other business activity (without the Board's written
approval), whether or not for profit or other pecuniary advantage, that may
conflict with the performance of his duties hereunder. Executive's holding a
position with, or service on the board of directors of, any other company shall
be conditioned on the prior approval of the Board. Executive's continuing
service on any board of directors other than that of the Company shall be
conditioned on such service not substantially interfering with Executive's
responsibilities hereunder or violating his obligations pursuant to the
Non-Competition Agreement (as defined in Section 9). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Company acknowledges that Executive is engaged in other business
activities, and the Company desires Executive to continue such activities during
the Term; therefore, the Company agrees that Executive's engaging (directly or
indirectly) in business and activities on behalf of, or in connection with, ISIS
Capital Management, LLC (together with any subsidiaries, affiliates, members,
successors, or assigns "ISIS"), ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Management, LLC (together with any
subsidiaries, affiliates, members, successors, or assigns "BAM"), any persons
("Portfolio Companies") in which ISIS or BAM has made, or in the future makes,
an investment (equity, debt or otherwise), or any client or customer of ISIS or
BAM, shall not be restricted, and shall not be considered to be conflicting or
interfering with the performance of Executive's duties or responsibilities
hereunder, or violating his obligations pursuant to the Non-Competition
Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, any opportunities (whether for
investment, acquisition or otherwise) which Executive may become aware of during
the Term, whether opportunities to invest in or acquire another company or
otherwise, shall be not be considered to be opportunities of the Company, but
shall be considered opportunities of Executive which he may pursue in his
individual capacity, through ISIS, or otherwise, unless (and then only to the
extent that) Executive has first been made aware of such opportunity through an
employee, agent or representative of the Company in which case the opportunity
shall be considered to be a Company opportunity unless and to the extent that
the Company determines not to pursue the opportunity.
4. Compensation and Benefits. As compensation for Executive's satisfactory
performance of his duties and obligations hereunder to the Company and subject
to the provisions of Sections 5 hereof, during the term hereof Executive shall
receive the following:
4.1 Base Salary.
(a) Executive will receive his base salary paid at a rate of
$25,000 per month, subject to any upward modification resulting from his
performance review as approved by the Board or any Compensation Committee of the
Board (the Board or such Compensation Committee, as applicable, is referred to
herein as the "Compensation Committee"), which review shall be performed at
least annually during the Term (the "Base Salary"). The Base Salary shall be
payable in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company as may
be established or modified from time to time. In addition, Executive shall be
paid a bonus upon his execution of this Agreement in the amount of (i) 1.5,
multiplied by (ii) one month's Base Salary.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, in
the event that the Board determines to be in the best interest of the Company,
Executive's Base Salary shall be reduced by an amount not to exceed twenty
percent (20%) of the Base Salary, for the period commencing upon such
determination and continuing for the remainder of the then current fiscal year.
4.2 Annual Performance Bonus. During the Term hereof, Executive will
be eligible to earn an annual performance bonus in accordance with the
following:
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), for each of the fiscal years
during the Term ending June 30, 2005 and annually thereafter, the Compensation
Committee, in its sole discretion after receiving recommendations from
management of the Company, will determine Executive's specified financial and
business objectives (the "Objectives"), and will determine, in its sole
discretion, target bonus amounts based on (x) achievement of 100% of the
Objectives, and (y) achievement exceeding 100% of the Objectives. Subject to
Section 4.2(b), if in the determination of the Compensation Committee, Executive
achieves less than 100% of the Objectives for the applicable fiscal year
Executive will receive no bonus unless a bonus is otherwise approved by the
Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.2(a) are subject to the
Company's bonus policy as may be modified from time to time, and bonuses will be
paid, if at all, at the same time and in the same manner as bonuses for the
comparable period are paid to the Company's other senior executive officers. All
bonus payment shall be payable in accordance with the Company's customary bonus
practices as established or modified from time to time. In addition, each bonus
that may be earned, if at all, pursuant to Sections 4.2(a) shall be subject in
all cases, except as may be otherwise provided in Section 5, to Executive's
continued employment with the Company through June 30th of the respective fiscal
year for which Executive is eligible to earn a bonus.
(c) In the event that the Executive's Base Salary is reduced
pursuant to Section 4.1(b), the amount of such reduction shall be paid to the
Executive for the applicable fiscal year provided that the Compensation
Committee determines, in its sole discretion after receiving recommendations
from management of the Company, that Executive has achieved or exceeded 100% of
the Objectives.
4.3 Benefits. During the Term hereof and subject to any contribution
therefore generally required by the Company of executives of the Company in
similar positions as Executive, Executive shall be eligible to participate in
all employee benefits plans and policies as from time to time adopted by the
Company in effect for executives of the Company in similar positions.
Eligibility for such participation shall be subject to (i) the terms of the
applicable plan documents, (ii) generally applicable Company policies, and (iii)
the discretion of the Company and/or the Compensation Committee or any other
committee of the Board provided for in or contemplated by such plan. The Company
may alter, modify, add to, or delete its employee benefits plans and/or policies
at any time as the Company and/or the Compensation Committee (and/or any other
Board committee), in its/their sole judgment, determine to be appropriate.
4.4 Business Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive
for all reasonable business expenses incurred or paid by Executive in the
performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder, subject to (i) any
expense policy set by the Company as may be modified from time to time, and (ii)
such reasonable substantiation and documentation requirements as may be
specified by the Company from time to time.
4.5 Equity. As of even date herewith, the Company has granted
Executive the options (the "2004 Options") pursuant to that certain Stock Option
Agreement dated as of even date herewith between the Company and Executive
("2004 Option Agreement"). From time to time the Compensation Committee, in its
sole discretion, may grant Executive other options to acquire Common Stock, or
other equity rights or compensation.
4.6 Office and Assistance. The Company shall provide Executive with
suitable office space and the services of an assistant. The Company will provide
(or reimburse) Executive for subscription and research publications and services
to aid in the provision of Executive's services hereunder.
5. Termination of Employment. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2
hereof, Executive's employment and this Agreement shall terminate prior to the
expiration of the Term under the following circumstances.
5.1 Death or Disability.
(a) In the event of Executive's death or Disability (as
defined below) during the Term hereof, Executive's employment and this agreement
shall immediately and automatically terminate and the Company shall pay to
Executive (or in the case of death, Executive's designated beneficiary or, if no
beneficiary has been designated by Executive, his estate), any Base Salary, any
bonus pursuant to Section 4.2 and vacation, each to the extent earned but unpaid
through the date of death or Disability. To the extent Executive qualifies for
either short term disability and/or long term disability insurance in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Company's plans, the Company may offset any
such insurance payments against any Base Salary paid to Executive (including any
such payment made pursuant to this section 5.1).
(b) As used herein, the term "Disability" shall mean that the
Executive has become disabled by suffering physical or mental illness, injury,
or infirmity that prevents Executive from performing, with or without reasonable
accommodation, Executive's essential job functions for any one hundred fifty
(150) days in any one hundred eighty (180)-day period, the Board determines in
good faith that such illness or other disability is likely to continue for at
least the next following thirty (30) days, and the Board notifies Executive of
such determination.
5.2 By the Company for Cause.
(a) Upon approval of a majority of the Board, the Board may
terminate Executive's employment and this Agreement for Cause (as defined below)
at any time during the Term hereof. The Board and/or Company shall thereafter
have no further obligation or liability to Executive relating to Executive's
employment or this agreement, other than Base Salary, any bonus pursuant to
Section 4.2 and vacation, each to the extent earned but unpaid through the date
of termination.
(b) Any one or more of the following events or conditions
shall constitute "Cause" for termination: (i) the substantial, continuing and
knowing failure of Executive to render services to the Company or any Related
Company in accordance with the terms or requirements of his employment; (ii)
gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty to the Company
or any Related Company, or disloyalty or dishonesty (which disloyalty or
dishonesty results in direct or indirect material loss, damage or injury to the
Company or any Related Company); (iii) the commission of an act of embezzlement
or fraud; (iv) deliberate disregard of the rules or policies of the Company or
any Related Company that results in direct or indirect material loss, damage or
injury to the Company or any Related Company; (v) the unauthorized disclosure of
any trade secret or confidential information of the Company or any Related
Company; (vi) the commission of an act which constitutes unfair competition
with the Company or any Related Company or which induces any customer or
supplier to breach a contract with the Company or any Related Company; or (vii)
material breach of this Agreement or breach of the Agreement or the Confidential
Information Agreement (as defined in Section 9). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Cause shall not occur pursuant to provision 5.2(b)(i) above or pursuant to
provision 5.2(b)(vii) above (but in the case of provision 5.2(b)(vii), only with
respect to material breaches of this Agreement and not the other referenced
agreements), unless Executive fails, within 30 days after receipt of written
notice from the Company specifying the event or condition giving rise to Cause,
to cure such event or condition, if capable of cure, provided, however, that if
such event or condition is not capable of cure without a material undertaking by
the Company, said notice shall not be required and the termination hereof shall
not be delayed by any such thirty (30) day period.
5.3 By the Company other than for Cause. The Company may terminate
Executive's employment and this Agreement other than for Cause effective at any
time on or after June 30, 2005, upon (60) days prior written notice to
Executive. Any determination by the Company not to renew this Agreement prior to
the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as the case may be, shall be
treated as a termination by the Company pursuant to this Section 5.3.
5.4 By Executive for Good Reason. Executive may terminate his
employment and this Agreement at any time during the Term hereof if Executive
has Good Reason (as defined below) for termination. For purposes hereof,
Executive shall have "Good Reason" for termination if Executive has given
written notice to the Company within thirty (30) days following the date on
which he learns of the occurrence, without his prior written consent, of any of
the following events during the Term, which notice specifies the nature of such
event, and the Company fails to cure such event to Executive's reasonable
satisfaction within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice from
Executive:
(a) the failure of the Company to continue Executive in the
position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, except where such failure is
for Cause or due to Executive's Disability or death.
(b) A material diminution in the nature or scope of
Executive's responsibilities, duties or authority; provided, however, that the
assignment to others of the duties or responsibilities of Executive while
Executive is out of work due to a Disability, leave of absence or vacation,
shall not constitute such diminution;
(c) Any reduction in Executive's Base Salary other than a
reduction pursuant to Section 4.1(b);
(d) A breach by the Company of any of its material obligations
to Executive under this Agreement; or
(e) The relocation of the primary offices at which Company
requires Executive to perform his duties hereunder to a location more than 50
miles from Greenwich, Connecticut, unless such location is 50 miles or less from
Executive's residence after the relocation.
5.5 By Executive for other than Good Reason. Executive may, upon at
least thirty (30) days written notice, terminate this Agreement and his
employment with the Company for any reason other than death, Disability or Good
Reason. During such 30-day period, Executive will be available on a full-time
basis for the benefit of the Company. The Company, at its own option, may
accelerate Executive's departure date. If Executive terminates his employment
under this Section 5.5, the Company shall have no further obligation to provide
compensation or benefits to Executive after his actual departure date, other
than for any Base Salary, any bonus pursuant to Section 4.2 and any vacation,
each to the extent earned but unpaid through his actual departure date. Any
determination by the Executive not to renew this Agreement prior to the end of
the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as the case may be, shall be treated as a
termination by the Executive pursuant to this Section 5.5.
5.6 Severance Payments.
(a) In the event that the Company terminates Executive's
employment and this Agreement other than for Cause pursuant to Section 5.3, or
the Executive terminates his employment with the Company and this Agreement for
Good Reason, Executive will be eligible, subject to Section 5.6(b) hereof, for
the following
(i) any Base Salary, any bonus pursuant to Section 4.2 and
any vacation, each to the extent earned but unpaid
through actual termination date;
(ii) A continuation of Executive's Base Salary for a period
equal to (x) six months plus (y) one month for each
calendar month after July 1, 2004; provided, however,
that the maximum period of salary continuation shall be
twelve (12) months. Salary continuation shall be payable
at Executive's Base Salary rate as of his termination
date and in accordance with the Company's normal payroll
practices as modified from time to time; and
(iii) if Executive elects to continue medical insurance
coverage after his termination date and in accordance
with the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA"), payment of the
portion of Executive's monthly premium payments
customarily paid by the Company for employees, until (x)
the conclusion of the one-year period after the
termination of his employment, (y) Executive no longer
is eligible for COBRA coverage, or (z) Executive accepts
other employment through which he is eligible for
medical insurance coverage that is comparable to such
COBRA coverage, whichever occurs first. Thereafter,
Executive will be responsible for any and all payments
for the elected period of continued health insurance
coverage under COBRA.
If the termination is by Executive for Good Reason pursuant to
Section 5.4(c) hereof, any reference to Base Salary above in
Section 5.6(a)(ii) shall refer to Base Salary in effect
immediately prior to the reduction by the Company giving rise
to the right to terminate pursuant to Section 5.4(c)
(b) The Company's obligation to provide any severance payments
and COBRA premium payments pursuant to Section 5.6(a)(ii) and/or 5.6(a)(iii)
hereof shall be subject to and conditioned upon Executive's execution of a
separation agreement (the "Separation Agreement") reasonably satisfactory to
Executive and the Company, which shall include a non-disparagement clause and a
comprehensive release of claims that, if required by applicable law, provides
for a 7-day revocation period (the "Revocation Period"). Notwithstanding
anything in this Section 5.6, if any payments under Section 5.6(a) would
otherwise be due on a date prior to the expiration of the Revocation Period,
such payment shall instead be paid on the first business day immediately
following the expiration of the Revocation Period (provided that no revocation
right has been exercised by Executive). Notwithstanding any provision herein to
the contrary, any payments under Section 5.6(a) shall be conditioned on
Executive's fulfilling his obligations under the Non-Competition Agreement and
the Confidentiality Agreement, and no such payments shall be due to Executive in
the event of any breach of either or both of said agreements or other terms
hereof which survive the termination hereof.
5.7 Resignation of Officer/Director Positions. In the event
Executive's employment with Company terminates for any reason, he shall submit
his written resignation, effective as of his termination date, from all (i)
officer and director positions with the Company, (ii) officer and director (or
equivalent) positions with any of the Related Companies and (iii) officer and
director (or equivalent) positions with any entity with respect to which the
Company is an investor or lender, and all duties associated with such positions.
6. Effect of Termination. The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply in
the event of termination of this Agreement and/or Executive's employment
pursuant to Sections 2 or 5.
6.1 Payment in Full. Payment by the Company to Executive of any Base
Salary and other compensation amounts as provided and referenced herein shall
constitute the entire obligation of the Company to Executive, except that
nothing in this Section 6.1 is intended or shall be construed to affect the
rights and obligations of the Company, on the one hand, and Executive, on the
other, with respect to any loans, stocks, warrants, stock pledge arrangements,
option plans, option agreements or other agreements to the extent said rights or
obligations survive Executive's termination of employment under the provisions
of documents relating hereto.
6.2 Termination of Benefits. Except for any right of continuation of
benefits coverage to the extent provided by COBRA or other applicable law or as
otherwise described herein, benefits shall terminate pursuant to the terms of
the applicable benefit plans as of the termination date of Executive's
employment without regard to any severance, consulting or other payments to
Executive following such termination date.
6.3 No Mitigation or Offset. In the event of any termination of
Executive's employment with the Company, Executive shall be under no obligation
to seek other employment or otherwise mitigate the obligations of the Company
under this Agreement, and there shall be no offset against amounts due the
Executive under this Agreement on account or any remuneration or other benefit
earned or received by the Executive after such termination.
7. Survival of Certain Provisions. The obligations of Executive under the
Non-competition Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement expressly survive
any termination of Executive's employment regardless of the manner of such
termination, or termination of this Agreement. Moreover, the rights and
obligations contained herein shall survive the termination of Executive's
employment for any reason if so provided herein or if necessary or desirable to
fully accomplish the purpose of such provision.
8. Withholding Taxes. All payments made by the Company under this
Agreement shall be subject to and reduced by any federal, state and/or local
taxes or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under any
applicable law, and the Company may withhold from any amounts payable to
Executive (including any amounts payable to Executive pursuant to this
Agreement) in order to comply with such withholding obligations.
9. Other Agreements; Non-competition Agreement; Confidential Information
Agreement; Insurance and Indemnity.
9.1 Executive confirms to the Company that entering into this
Agreement and his performance of the position and duties described herein do not
and will not breach any agreement entered into by Executive prior to employment
with the Company. Executive has provided, or prior to the Effective Date will
provide, the Company with a copy of any such agreements.
9.2 Executive acknowledges that he will be required to sign the
Non-competition Agreement in the form executed by the Company's other senior
executive officers (the "Non-competition Agreement") and the Confidential
Information Agreement in the form executed by the Company's other senior
executive officers (the "Confidential Information Agreement") concurrently with
the Company's execution of this Agreement and as a condition of his employment
or continued employment with the Company. If Executive breaches his obligations
under this Agreement, the Non-competition Agreement, the Confidential
Information Agreement or the Separation Agreement signed under Section 5.6(b),
Executive agrees that the Company may (i) immediately cease payment of all
compensation and benefits described in this Agreement and (ii) recover any
severance, bonus and/or COBRA payments, as referenced in Section 5.6, paid by
the Company to Executive after the date on which Executive breached this
Agreement, the Non-competition Agreement, the Confidential Information Agreement
or the Settlement Agreement, as applicable. Executive also agrees that the
cessation and recovery of these payments shall be in addition to, and not as an
alternative to, any other remedies at law or in equity available to the Company,
including the right to seek specific performance or an injunction as set forth
in Section 10.8.
9.3 The Company shall maintain a directors and officers insurance
policy with Executive covered under such policy to the same extent other senior
executives and board members are covered and Executive shall be entitled to
indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law subject to the
terms and provisions of the Company's by-laws and certificate of incorporation
(and any indemnity agreement between the Company and Executive) as they relate
to indemnification of directors and officers (in each case, covering actions
taken or omitted to be taken by Executive during the time period during which
the Executive is, or was, an executive officer or director of the Company).
10. Miscellaneous
10.1 Assignment. Executive shall not assign this Agreement or any
interest herein. The Company may assign this Agreement. No such assignment shall
be deemed a "termination" of Executive's employment within the meaning of
Section 5. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company's successors and assigns.
10.2 Severability/ Reformation. In the event that any nonmaterial
provision of this Agreement is determined to be legally invalid, the affected
provision shall be stricken from the Agreement and the remaining terms of the
Agreement shall be enforced so as to give effect to the intention of the parties
to the maximum extent practicable, and this Agreement shall be construed and
reformed to the maximum extent permitted by law.
10.3 Waiver; Amendment. Any waiver by the Company of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent breach of such provision or any other provision hereof. In addition,
any amendment to or modification of this Agreement or any waiver of any
provision hereof must be in writing and signed by the Company.
10.4 Notices. All notices, request and other communications provided
for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective when delivered
in person or four business days after being deposited in the mail of the United
States, postage prepaid, registered or certified, and addressed (a) in the case
of Executive, to the address set forth underneath his signature to this
Agreement or (b) in the case of the Company, to the attention of the Board, with
a copy to the Secretary of the Company c/o WARP Technology Holdings, Inc., ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇; and/or to such other address as either
party may specify by notice to the other.
10.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Non-competition
Agreement, Confidential Information Agreement, the stock options agreements
referenced in Section 4.5, and any indemnity agreement referenced in Section
9.3, constitute the entire agreement between the Company and Executive with
respect to the terms and conditions of Executive's employment with the Company
and supersede and cancel all prior communications, agreements and understanding,
written or oral, between Executive and the Company with respect to the terms and
conditions of Executive's employment with the Company.
10.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be original and all of which together, shall constitute one
and the same instrument.
10.7 Governing Law. This Agreement, the employment relationship
contemplated herein and any claim arising from such relationship, whether or
not arising under this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of Connecticut without giving
effect to any choice or conflict of laws provisions or rule thereof, and this
Agreement shall be deemed to be performable in such State.
10.8 Resolutions of Disputes. Any claim arising out of or relating
to any relationship between Executive and the Company or any termination
thereof, whether or not arising out of or relating to this Agreement, shall be
resolved by binding confidential arbitration, to be held in Fairfield, County,
Connecticut in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect; provided, however, that this Section
10.8 will not apply in any manner to the Company's enforcement of the
Non-competition Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement. The arbitration
award shall be final and binding on the parties and enforceable by wither party
in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Connecticut. Exclusive
jurisdiction over entry of judgment upon arbitration award rendered shall be any
court appropriate subject matter jurisdiction in the State of Connecticut and
the parties by this Agreement expressly subject themselves to the personal
jurisdiction of said court for the entry of any such judgment, for the
resolution of any dispute, action, or suit arising in connection with the entry
of such judgment or to enforce the award as stated in the previous sentence. The
costs of the arbitration shall be borne equally by the Company and the
Executive.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Company, by
its duly authorized representative, and by Executive, as of the date first above
written.
WARP TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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Name: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
/s/ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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