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EXHIBIT 10.15
ODETICS ASSOCIATE AGREEMENT
In consideration, of my employment or continued employment as an at-will
associate of Odetics, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, (the
employer of associate is hereinafter called "Odetics"), and other good and
valuable consideration specified herein I,___________, herein called "Associate"
understand and agree as follows:
1. ODETICS AND CUSTOMER PROPERTY
All documents or things coming into my possession, custody or control by
virtue of my employment, except those documents directed to me as an Associate
for my personal use and identified in writing by Odetics as being for my
personal use, are the property of either Odetics or its Customers (Customers
shall mean ally persons or entities for whom Odetics performs services or from
whom Odetics or Associate obtains information), as the case may be, and all such
property be delivered to Odetics upon either its request or at the termination
of my employment.
2. PROTECTION OF ODETICS' CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
If for any reason, I have access to any information technical or
otherwise, which is confidential or proprietary to Odetics or its Customers, I
will hold such information in trust and will not, except as required by my
duties as an Associate of Odetics, use or disclose or authorize anyone else to
use or disclose, any of such information either during my employment or
thereafter for so long as such information does not legally become public
knowledge. Anything possessed by me which discloses or embodies such information
will be delivered to Odetics either upon its request or at the termination of my
employment.
As used herein, confidential or proprietary information of Odetics shall
be broadly defined and shall include, but be not limited to, all information
concerning software programs and software code, whether in hard copy or on
electronic media, documents, memoranda, photographs, schematic drawings,
photoplots, wire lists, product specifications, manuals, customer lists, sales
figures, cost information, concept information, information on Odetics
personnel, know-how, business and marketing plans, strategies, promotional
information, advertising campaigns, credit policies, billing rates, production
and construction information, vendor information, financial information
regarding the business or products of Odetics, methods of operations of Odetics
and all other information that has or could have commercial value or other
utility in the businesses in which Odetics or its Customers are then engaged or
in which they contemplate engaging, excluding any such items which have been
publicly disclosed by Odetics.
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If any such confidential or proprietary information is embodied in a
tangible form, I will not remove it, or cause its transmission from, the place
of business where I am employed or the place of its authorized use without the
express written consent of an Officer of Odetics.
I am aware that careless handling of classified information and/or the
unauthorized disclosure of such information or information relating to national
defense is punishable under the Federal Espionage and National Security Laws and
Regulations, including but not limited to Title 18 USC. Sections 793 to 799,
Sections 2151 through 2157, Executive Orders 10104, 12065 and 10865 and the
National Security Act of 1947 and any amendments or supersedure of the above.
I acknowledge that I am aware that the unauthorized disclosure of
confidential information of Odetics or its Customers may be highly prejudicial
to their interests, an invasion of privacy, and an improper disclosure of trade
secrets. I recognize that the unauthorized taking of any Odetics' trade secrets
is a crime under California Penal Code Section 499(c). I further recognize that
such unauthorized taking of Odetics' trade secrets could also result in civil
liability under California Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Civil Code "3426-3426.11),
and that willful misappropriation may result in an award against me for triple
the amount of Odetics' damages and Odetics' attorneys' fees in collecting such
damages.
3. NON-COMPETITION DURING EMPLOYMENT
Except with the express prior written consent of an authorized Officer of
Odetics, during the period of my employment: (1) I will devote my full energies,
interest, abilities, and productivity time to the performance of my duties with
Odetics and shall not, without Odetics' prior written consent, render to others,
services of any kind for compensation, or engage in any other business activity
that would materially interfere with the performance of my duties with Odetics,
including but not limited to, working as an employee, independent contractor,
partner, or agent of another company, or using Odetics' property and/or
information to assist a direct competitor of Odetics; (2) I will not directly or
indirectly, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, employee, creditor,
shareholder, or otherwise, promote, participate, or engage in any activity or
other business competitive with Odetics; (3) I will not induce any other
associate of or consultant to Odetics to engage in any such employment or
activity; and (4) I will not solicit any Customers or potential Customers of
Odetics for services similar to those performed by Odetics even though not
directly competitive with such services.
4. INVENTION
I will promptly make full written disclosure to, and hold in trust for the
sole right and benefit of, Odetics all inventions, discoveries, developments,
ideas, designs, improvements, formulas, processes, techniques, know-how and
data, whether or not patentable or registerable under the copyright or similar
statutes (hereinafter
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called "inventions") that I make, suggest, conceive, devise or first actually
reduce to practice, solely or jointly with others, during my period of
employment with Odetics, and which at the time of disclosure to Odetics or at
the time of making, suggesting, conceiving, devising or first actually reducing
to practice:
(1) results from or is related to any assignments given to or assumed
by me, or
(2) utilizes the time, equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret
information of Odetics, or
(3) pertains to any actual or anticipated work, product, research,
business activity of Odetics or any logical extension thereof.
I agree that all such inventions belong to and are the sole property of
Odetics and shall be the inventions of Odetics subject to this Agreement.
Upon request by Odetics, I will further disclose (by a full and clear
description sufficient to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the
invention) such inventions in confidence, for review by Odetics of such issues
as may arise.
I will assign and do hereby assign to Odetics my entire right, title and
interest (domestic and foreign and including all rights under the International
Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property) in all such inventions,
subject to the requirements of law, and without further compensation or award of
any kind to me from Odetics, the Government or any third party.
Odetics will consider each disclosure submitted by me. The election of
whether or not to file a patent application or such disclosure and the manner of
preparation and prosecution of any patent application(s) filed in the United
States of America or in foreign countries shall be wholly within the discretion
of Odetics, and at its expense. If it elects to file patent applications
thereon, Odetics agrees to pay all expenses in connection with the preparation
and prosecution of such patent application(s) which it may decide to file in the
United States of America or in foreign countries.
In connection with any such invention, I will at any time, either during or
after said period of employment, at the request and expense of Odetics, but
without further consideration to me above and beyond my previously agreed
salary, assist Odetics in obtaining, maintaining and enforcing patents on such
inventions in any and all countries and will execute, acknowledge and deliver
any lawful document or paper which in the opinion of Odetics' counsel is
necessary or helpful from Odetics' standpoint, including, without limitation,
any patent application, assignment, license, or any paper in connection with any
contractual obligation, litigation, or controversy pertaining to any such
invention or any patent issuing thereon.
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In the event Odetics is unable to secure my signature on any document
necessary to apply for, prosecute, obtain, or enforce any patent, copyright, or
other right or protection relating to any invention, I hereby irrevocably
designate and appoint Odetics and each of its duly authorized Officers and
agents as my agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in my behalf and stead
to execute and file any such document and to do all other lawfully permitted
acts to further the prosecution, issuance, and enforcement of patents,
copyrights, or other rights or protections with the same force and effect as if
executed and delivered by me. This power of attorney shall be deemed an agency
coupled with an interest and shall not be revoked by my subsequent death or
incapacity.
If I petition Odetics in writing to release any of my rights to any
inventions or improvements which by this agreement are assigned to Odetics,
Odetics will promptly consider and act on such petition but is not obligated to
release any of its rights.
I understand that, with respect to work which is subject to any contractual
obligation of Odetics to a third party, including but not limited to the United
States or any of its agencies, title to certain inventions, patents, copyrights
or licenses therein shall be determined as provided by contract or by Federal
law or regulation.
Subject to the precedence, if any, of federal law as set forth in the
preceding paragraph, this paragraph shall not apply to any invention that
qualifies fully under the provisions of Section 2870, California Labor Code.
Following are my rights and obligations under the Labor Code, State of
California Div. 3, Chapter 2, Article 3.5:
"2870: (a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an
employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an
invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the
employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer's
equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information except for those
inventions that either: (1) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to
practice of the invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably
anticipated research or development of the employer; or (2) Result from any work
performed by the employee for the employer.
(b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement
purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from
being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against
the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.
2871: No employer shall require a provision made void and unenforceable by
Section 2870 as a condition of employment or continued employment. Nothing in
this article shall be construed to forfeit or restrict the right of an employer
to provide in contracts of employment for disclosure, provided that any such
disclosures be received in confidence, of all of the employee's inventions made
solely or jointly with others during the term of his or her
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employment, a review process by the employer to determine such issues as may
arise, and for full title to certain patents and inventions to be in the United
States, as required by contracts between the employer and the United States or
any of its agencies.
2872: If any employment agreement entered into after January 1, 1980,
contains a provision requiring the employee to assign or offer to assign any of
his or her rights in any invention to his or her employer, the employer must
also, at the time the agreement is made, provide a written notification to the
employee that the agreement does not apply to any invention which qualifies
fully under the provisions of Section 2870. In any suit or action arising
thereunder, the burden of proof shall be on the employee claiming the benefits
of his provisions.@
5. OBLIGATIONS AFTER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
For a period of two (2) years following termination of my employment with
Odetics, for whatever cause or without cause, I will not solicit from any
employee of Odetics, any trade secrets and/or confidential information or
knowledge relating to the business of Odetics, including but not limited to any
of the information listed in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement. I also will not
solicit or induce any employee of Odetics to terminate his or her employment
with Odetics through the use of any confidential information and/or trade
secrets including but not limited to any information listed in Paragraph 2 of
this Agreement. I also will not solicit or induce any customer of Odetics to
terminate its business relationship with Odetics through the use of any
confidential information and/or trade secrets including but not limited to any
information listed in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement.
6. ATTORNEY'S FEES
The prevailing party shall be entitled to attorney's fees and in relation
to any action taken by Odetics, to enforce the terms of this Agreement.
7. NOT AN EMPLOYEE CONTRACT
I acknowledge that this Agreement is not to be construed contract of
employment between myself and Odetics, and Odetics terminate my at-will
employment at any time and for any reason.
8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between
the parties and supersedes any prior confidentiality agreements, oral employment
agreements, or implied employment agreements. This Agreement may not be modified
or amended except by a writing signed by myself and an authorized Officer of
Odetics.
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9. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is found to be legally unenforceable,
the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
10. CALIFORNIA LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.
11. INJUNCTIVE BELIEF
Because my breach of this Agreement may cause Odetics irreparable harm for
which money is inadequate compensation, I agree that Odetics will be entitled to
injunctive relief to enforce this Agreement, in addition to damages and other
available remedies.
12. UNDERSTANDING
I acknowledge and agree that the protections set forth in this Agreement
are a material condition to my employment with and compensation by Odetics.
Dated:_______________________________________, 19_______.
_________________________________________________________
(Printed Name of Authorized Agent of Employer)
By:______________________________________________________
(Signature of Authorized Agent of Employer)
_________________________________________________________
(Signature of Associate)
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