EXHIBIT 10.4
LICENSE AGREEMENT
This License Agreement ("Agreement") dated as of ________, 199____ is
entered into by and between Millcap Media Limited ("Licensor") and PCI, Inc., a
California corporation doing business as Private Collection International, Inc.
("Licensee").
WHEREAS, Licensor is the owner and publisher of various magazine, videos,
laser disc, CD-ROMS and other multi-media under the names "Private," "Pirate"
and "Triple X" (collectively referred to as "Private");
WHEREAS, the name, image and identification of Private has significant
commercial value;
WHEREAS, Licensor controls all right, title and interest in the name
Private and all intellectual property rights relating thereto in the Territory,
as defined below.
WHEREAS, Licensee desires to obtain the exclusive right and license, in the
Territory (as hereinafter defined), to own, operate, distribute, sub-contract,
market, advertise and promote merchandise including Rubber Goods, Vibrating
Products, Pumps, Electric Items, Lotions, Lubricants, Potions, Aphrodisiacs,
Realistic Rubber and Latex Productions, Condoms, Dolls, Jelly Products,
Massagers, Playing Cards, and all other items that fall into these product
groups, except that the rights to Greeting and Trading Cards, Leather and Other
Apparel, and Lingerie are licensed on a non-exclusive basis. Any additional
items which Licensee would like to produce must be pre-approved by Licensor.
WHEREAS, Licensor desires to grant Licensee, and Licensee desires to
obtain, a license to use the Xxxx for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing
and marketing the Products in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and
obligations herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
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1. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the
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following meanings:
(a) "Xxxx" shall mean Licensor's right, title and interest in the
name Private and all intellectual property rights relating thereto.
(b) "Products" means items of merchandise as described above which
bear the Xxxx as mutually agreed upon by Licensee and Licensor.
(c) "Products Gross Receipts" means all monies received or utilized
by, or credited to the account of, Licensee from the sale of Products as
permitted hereby, exclusive of
sales or value added taxes, shipping or other transportation charges, duties and
insurance, less credits allowed for returns, or good faith and customary trade
discounts and allowances.
(d) "Territory" means in each Country and territory throughout the world in
which the Xxxx is registered or will be registered. In all other Countries and
territories throughout the world Licensee may use the Xxxx subject to the
fullest extent of Licensor's rights which it has or will acquire in the future.
(e) "Term" means the time period commencing on the date first above written
("Commencement Date") and ending seven years thereafter, as hereafter extended
in accordance with the terms hereof.
(f) "Year" means each consecutive twelve (12) month period during the Term
commencing on the Commencement Date.
2. Grant of License. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
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Agreement, Licensor hereby grants to Licensee the following:
(a) the sole and exclusive license to use the Xxxx during the Term in
connection with the ownership, operation, manufacture, distribution, marketing,
advertising and promotion of the Products in the Territory.
(b) Licensee hereby acknowledges that Licensor has sole and exclusive
control of the Xxxx in the Territory and all the goodwill associated therewith,
that the same, at all time hereunder, shall remain in the sole and exclusive
control of Licensor, and that Licensee, by reason of this Agreement has not
acquired any right, title or claim of ownership interest therein. The use by
Licensee of the Xxxx under the limited license granted herein shall insure
exclusively to the benefit of Licensor, and Licensee shall not at any time
acquire any rights or interest in or to the Xxxx by virtue of use thereof. Upon
request by Licensor at any time, Licensee shall promptly execute any documents
required by Licensor to confirm Licensor's control of all such rights.
3. Consideration.
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(a) Royalty. In consideration of the rights granted to Licensee herein,
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Licensee agrees to pay to Licensor for each Year of the Term, a royalty equal to
ten percent (10%) of the Products' Gross Receipts. Royalties shall be payable
in arrears, on or before the seventeenth (17/th/) day of the month following the
end of each quarter ("quarter" following the calendar Year).
(b) Guaranteed Minimum Royalties. Regardless of the actual Products Gross
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Receipts generated, and as a material inducement to Licensor to grant the rights
to Licensee hereunder, Licensee agrees to pay to Licensor for each Year during
the Term, the following guaranteed minimum royalty: (a) for the First Year of
the Term, $100,000; (b) for the Second Year of the Term, $200,000; (c) for the
Third Year of the Term $400,000; (d) for the Fourth Year of the Term,, $500,000;
(e) for the fifth Year of the Term, $600,000; (f) for the sixth Year of the
Term, $700,000; and (g) for the seventh Year of the Term, $800,000. Should this
Agreement be
extended by Licensee for additional years after the seventh year of the Term,
the guaranteed minimum royalty payments shall increase by the greater of 8.5% or
$100,000 each subsequent year.
Notwithstanding the date of this Agreement, for the purposes of this
paragraph 3, Licensees obligations commence as of January 1, 1996, unless
Licensee commences sales prior to January 1, 1996. In such an event, royalties
accruing prior to January 1, 1996 are due and payable at the time of the first
installment in 1996. The guaranteed minimum royalties for each Year paid by
Licensee to Licensor shall be credited against the royalties due pursuant to
paragraph (a) above with adjustments made at the end of each quarter. In other
words, in year three, minimum quarterly payments shall be $100,000. Should
Licensee pay Licensor in excess of $400,000 in royalties after the first three
quarters, there is no minimum royalty due and owing for that quarter. Credit
for excess royalties over the minimum is carried over quarter by quarter but not
_____ year.
(c) Gross Receipts Reports. Licensee shall provide to Licensor written
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reports ("Gross Receipts Reports") covering all revenues generated by the sales
of Products using the Xxxx during the previous quarter each Year during the
Term, including a statement of the returns, discounts and allowances for such
quarter. The Gross Receipts Reports shall indicate the revenues generated by
the sales of the Products, the number of Products sold by product type, the
price and amount invoiced for each such item, and shall reflect the royalty due
and payable in connection therewith. The Gross Receipts Reports shall be
delivered concurrently with the payment of royalties.
(d) Books and Records. Licensee shall maintain accurate and complete
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records and books of account with respect to all receipts generated by
Licensee's use of the Xxxx. Such records and books of account may be examined
during regular business hours upon not less than _____ business days advance
notice from Licensor, at Licensor's expense, once in each six (s) month period
the first of which commences upon issuance of the First Gross Receipts Report by
Licensor's duly authorized representatives. A copy of any report generated in
connection with such examination shall be provided to Licensee after the same is
made available to Licensor. The scope of the examination shall be limited to
those records necessary to determine Products Gross Receipts. Gross Receipt
Reports shall be subject to correction or amendment at any time by Licensee and
in such event, Licensor shall be entitled to re-examine such reports. In the
event an inspection of Licensee's books and records reveals tan error of five
percent (5%) or more between the amount paid and that due Licensor, Licensee
shall pay the costs of such examination (including, without limitation, audit
and attorneys' fees) and all amounts found to be due Licensor shall be
immediately paid along with interest accruing at the maximum rate permitted by
California law. All amounts not timely paid hereunder, whether payment is
simply late or an underpayment is revealed by audit, shall bear interest at the
maximum rate permitted by California law.
Each Gross Receipt Report shall be deemed conclusively correct and binding
upon Licensor one (1) year from the date of mailing if Licensor does not serve
written notice on Licensee within said one (1) year period objecting in specific
detail to particular items and
stating the nature of the objection. If Licensor's objection is not resolved
amicably, Licensor may maintain or institute an action with respect to any
objection raised and not resolved provided such action is commenced before the
end of one (1) year after the expiration of such one (1) year period.
4. Undertakings of Licensee. Licensee agrees and covenants that:
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(a) It will not attack the title of Licensor in and to the Xxxx, nor
attack the right of Licensor to grant the license granted hereunder;
(b) It will utilize the Xxxx and otherwise conduct its business or
cause the same to be done in an ethical, lawful and high quality manner and in
accordance with the terms and intent of this Agreement.
(c) It will not create any expense or incur any liability chargeable
to Licensor;
(d) It will comply with all applicable laws, regulations, ordinances
and other requirements involving the use of the Xxxx and the conduct of
Licensee's business in connection therewith; and
(e) It will not harm, misuse or bring into disrepute the Xxxx.
5. Quality Standards. Licensee understands and hereby acknowledges that
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high standards of quality products manufactured or sold bearing the Xxxx are
necessary in order to maintain the good will and reputation of Licensor.
Licensor and its authorized representatives shall have the right at any time
during ordinary business hours to visit the manufacturing facilities or any
other location at which Licensee's business is conducted and to inspect and
compare the quality of the goods.
6. Approvals. Licensee agrees that each use of the Xxxx shall be subject
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to the approval of Licensor. Licensee agrees to furnish Licensor for its prior
written approval a description of the Products line and packaging and, if
available, samples thereof. Further, Licensee will provide samples and general
descriptions of the concept, layout and graphics of print advertisements,
promotional material and any other publicity, in each case before any use if the
Xxxx in connection therewith. In the event Licensor gives Licensee written
notice of disapproval of any item described above, Licensee shall immediately
upon receipt of such notice cease any further use of such disapproved item. Any
proposed change in any approved item must be resubmitted for the prior written
approval of Licensor. Licensor shall have ten (10) business days following
receipt of any request for approval to approve or reject same provided that
Licensor shall be deemed to have approved such submission unless Licensor
disapproves same in writing within such ten (10) day period.
Licensor agrees to exercise its approval rights in good faith and to
cooperate with Licensee in modifying, changing or altering Products or packaging
which are deemed unacceptable in order to make them acceptable.
7. Advertising. Licensor agrees to provide no less than two (2) pages of
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free advertising in each of Licensor's magazines and a comparable amount of free
advertising in each of Licensor's other media including videos, laser discs and
CD-ROMS, for two years following the placement of Licensee's first
advertisement. Licensor is obligated to place the advertising in its media
other than magazines and video, only to the extent that advertising, either its
own or others, are also included in such media.
Licensee shall be responsible for the production of such advertising and
for all costs incurred in connection with both the production of the advertising
and the placement of such advertising.
Licensee shall provide advertising materials to Licensor or its designees
in accordance with reasonable schedules imposed by Licensor to meet printing
deadlines.
After two (2) years of advertising, and for each and every year thereafter,
Licensor may reduce such free advertising space to no less than one (1) page in
each of Licensor's magazines and a comparable amount of free advertising in each
of Licensor's other media as set forth above. Licensor is obligated to place the
advertising in its media other than magazines and video, only to the extent that
advertising, either it own or others, are also included in such media.
8. Maintenance of Trademarks. Licensee shall cooperate with Licensor, at
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Licensor's request to make and to pursue the preparation and recording, if
necessary, of any and all documents, instruments and affidavits necessary to
maintain the Xxxx or such other similar related trade or service marks on the
applicable trademark registers and to prosecute any additional registrations of
the Xxxx Licensor deems reasonably appropriate. Licensee shall also cause to
appear on all written materials on or in connection with which the Xxxx is used
such markings as required by law or as Licensor may request in order to give
appropriate notices of trademark rights in and to the Xxxx. The parties agree
that violation of this Paragraph 8 make it extraordinarily difficult to
calculate the damages it shall cause. Therefore, the parties agree that if
Licensee persists in willful violation of this Paragraph, Licensee shall pay to
Licensor, as a good faith estimate of such damages, the sum of $2 million.
9. Representations and Warranties; Indemnification.
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(a) Representations and Warranties of Licensee. Licensee represents
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and warrants that:
i) Licensee is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of California; has full corporate
power and authority to conduct its business as contemplated hereby; and holds
all necessary licenses and permits from all government entities for the proper
conduct of said business; and
ii) Licensee has the unrestricted right, power and authority
to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
actions contemplated hereby will (a) violate any provisions of its charter
documents (b) violate, conflict with or constitute a default under any
contract to which it is a party or (c) violate any law binding on it.
(b) Representations and Warranties of Licensor. Licensor represents and
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warrants that:
i) Licensor is the sole entity empowered to license the Xxxx in the
Territory and has not granted any other right or license to any other person or
entity, not entered into any other agreement or commitment, which conflicts with
the rights granted to Licensee hereunder; and
ii) Licensor has the full power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
(c) Indemnification by Licensor. Licensor hereby indemnifies and agrees to
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defend and hold harmless forever Licensee and its officers, directors, agents,
representatives, successors and assigns from and against any and all claims,
demands, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees),
investigations, \damages, judgments, penalties, and liabilities of any kind or
nature whatsoever, directly or indirectly arising out of, resulting from,
relating to or connected with the breach of any of the foregoing representations
or warranties, except to the extent caused by acts of gross negligence, bad
faith or willful misconduct by Licensee.
10. Infringement Proceedings. Each party agrees to promptly notice the
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other of any infringement, imitation, or unauthorized use of the Xxxx in
connection with the Products or variation thereof by others promptly following
such party's becoming aware of such event. Licensor shall have the obligation,
at its cost and expense initially right to determine whether or not to prosecute
any necessary Action for infringement or unfair competition proceedings on
account of any such infringement, imitation or unauthorized use or variation, or
any other matter involving the Xxxx generally. Licensee shall cooperate fully
with Licensor shall cooperate with Licensor in any legal action taken by
Licensor against any party alleged to be infringing upon the Xxxx. Any amount
awarded with respect to any legal action shall be first allocated between
Licensor and Licensee in reimbursement of expenses and the remainder shall be
apportioned between Licensor and Licensee pursuant to their first mutual
agreement as to their damages or, if they are unable to agree, by arbitration,
pursuant to paragraph 20 below. Licensee agrees to assist Licensor in the
protection of any of Licensor's rights or interests in and to the Xxxx. If
Licensor decides not to institute any suit or take any action in connection with
any potential infringement, imitation or unauthorized use in connection with the
Products, Licensee may institute such action and upon conclusion of such action
or proceeding Licensee shall be entitled to retain all funds collected.
11. Duration and Termination.
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(a) Option to Renew. Provided that Licensee is not in default of its
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obligations under this Agreement and Licensee has used the Xxxx in connection
with the sale of the Products during the Term, Licensee shall have the right and
option (but not the obligation) to extend the Term for successive periods of one
(1) Year each up to 99 years, subject to the payment of the minimum royalties
specified in paragraph 3(b) above and the other terms and conditions of this
Agreement. Such Term shall be deemed automatically extended by Licensee unless
(i) Licensee
gives Licensor written notice of its intention not to extend the Agreement not
later than sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Term (as the same may have
previously been extended); or (ii) notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time
after expiration of the Term. Licensor may terminate the Agreement upon no less
than six months notice. Should Licensee deliver any notice of intention not to
extend the term of this Agreement within the required time period, then this
Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Term, as the same may have been
previously extended.
(b) Termination by Licensor. Licensor shall have the right to terminate
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this Agreement, effective upon receipt by Licensee of written notice, without
prejudice to any other rights or remedies which Licensor may have, whether under
the provisions of this Agreement, in law or in equity or otherwise, upon the
occurrence of any one or more of the following events:
i) Licensee's failure to pay timely the minimum royalty
payments;
ii) Licensee fails to provide Gross Receipts Reports within
thirty (30) days of the date they are due, despite demand and a reasonable
opportunity to comply (which shall mean six business days);
iii) If the Xxxx is not being used pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, or Licensee shall otherwise fail to perform any of
the terms, conditions, agreements or covenants contained in this Agreement and
such default shall continue uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after
receipt by Licensee of written notice thereof.
(iv) If more than 34% of Licensee's shares are sold to a new
shareholder, other than a member of Selling shareholder's family, family trust,
or a business entity in which Selling shareholder holds a majority interest or
an affiliate, parent, or subsidiary of such entity, without first obtaining
Licensor's approval of the Buying shareholder. Such approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
(v) If Licensee fails to exercise its best efforts to exploit
the Xxxx as contemplated hereunder. For purposes of this paragraph, evidence of
Licensee's best efforts is shown by employing (on average) at least four
individuals on a full time basis during Licensee's first two years of operation.
(c) Termination by Licensee. Licensee shall have the right to terminate
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this Agreement for any reason whatsoever upon not less than six months written
notice to Licensor, provided, however, that upon termination pursuant to this
paragraph 11(c) Licensee shall immediately pay to Licensor that portion of the
Guaranteed Minimum Royalties which had accrued on a pro rata basis until the
date of termination. Further, the individual shareholders of PCI, Inc. agreed
that they will jointly and severally personally guarantee Licensee's obligations
under this Paragraph up to the sum of $1 million.
(d) Effect of Termination. In the event of any termination of this
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Agreement upon expiration of the Term:
i) The provisions of Sections 4(c), 4(d) and 8 shall survive
this termination.
ii) Licensee shall immediately cease any and all use of the Xxxx
in any manner whatsoever and all rights granted to Licensee hereunder shall
immediately revert to Licensor; and
iii) Licensor shall have the right, at its option to purchase at
cost all or any number of Products in Licensee's possession or under its control
on the date of the actual termination of this Agreement. With respect to any
Product not repurchased by Licensor hereunder, Licensee shall have the right to
sell existing inventory only in the Territory for a period of ninety (90) days
following termination. Following such sell-off period, all products shall be
either returned to Licensor or destroyed (and Licensee shall deliver a
certificate of destruction promptly thereafter) at Licensee's sole cost and
expense. Such sales shall be strictly in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the royalty
obligations provided for in paragraph 4 above, as though this Agreement had not
expired or been terminated.
iv) Licensee shall cooperate and execute all documents necessary
to transfer or exclusively and irrevocably license to Licensor all rights
Licensee has in any way to the name "Private Collection International." Should
Licensee fail to cooperate in this regard despite written demand and a
reasonable opportunity to cure, Licensee shall pay licensor the sum of $500,000
which the parties agree is a fair and reasonable sum reflective of the damages
which Licensor will suffer as a result of Licensee's failure to cooperate.
12. Complete Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement among
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the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and
cancels any and all previous written or oral negotiations, commitments,
understandings, agreements and any other writings or communications in respect
of such subject matter.
13. Amendments. This Agreement may be modified, amended, superseded or
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terminated only by a writing duly signed by authorized representatives of both
parties.
14. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is invalid, illegal
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or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability,
without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof in such
jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provision of this Agreement invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction.
15. Notices. All notices, requirements, requests, demands, claims or other
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communications hereunder shall be in writing. Any notice, requirement,
requests, demand, claim or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly
given (i) if personally delivered, when so delivered, (ii) if mailed, two (2)
business days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return-
receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed to the intended recipient as
set forth below, (iii) if given by telecopier, once such notice or other
communication is transmitted to the telecopier number specified below, and the
appropriate telephonic confirmation is received,
provided that such notice or other communication is promptly thereafter mailed
in accordance with the provisions of clause (ii) above or (iv) if sent through
an overnight delivery service under circumstances by which such service
guarantees next day delivery, the date following the date so sent:
If to Licensor, to:
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Millcap Media Limited
c/o Millcap Publishing Group AB
Xxx 00000
000 00 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx
If to Licensee, to:
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PCI, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Any party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims and
other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other party
notice in the manner herein set forth.
16. No Waiver. Any waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of
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this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other
breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this
Agreement. The failure of either party to insist upon strict adherence to any
term of this Agreement on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver
or to deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence
to that term or any other term of this Agreement.
17. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to
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the benefit of, the parties hereto and their permitted assigns, successors and
legal representatives.
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in
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separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same
document.
19. Governing Law. This Agreement has been negotiated and entered into in
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the State of California and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of California..
20. Arbitration. The parties hereby expressly agree that any controversy or
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claim relating to this Agreement including the construction, enforcement or
application of the terms hereof, shall be submitted to arbitration in Los
Angeles, California by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with
the Commercial Arbitration Rules of such association. The arbitrator shall be a
retired judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court or other party acceptable to
the parties and the rules of evidence shall apply. The costs of the arbitrator
shall be borne equally. Each party shall be responsible for its own attorneys'
fees and costs. However, the arbitrator shall have the right to award costs and
expenses (including actual attorneys' fees) to the prevailing party as well as
equitable relief. The award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding and
shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing in this
paragraph shall preclude Licensor from seeking an injunction or other equitable
relief from a court of competent jurisdiction under appropriate circumstances.
21. Attorneys' Fees. In the event of any legal action, arbitration or
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proceeding arising under or concerning this Agreement, the prevailing party
shall be entitled to recover its actual attorneys' fees and costs from the non-
prevailing party in such action, arbitration or proceeding.
22. Insurance. Licensee shall carry liability insurance on all Products
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which they manufacture and distribute and will hold Licensor harmless for all
suits and claims arising out of the distribution of the Products.
23. Survival. The parties intend that this Agreement shall survive the sale,
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license, lease, transfer, or assignment of all or any part of Licensor's
interest in the Xxxx.
24. Headings. The headings included in this Agreement are for the
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convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.
25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
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counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but which together shall
constitute one instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
"Licensor" "Licensee"
Millcap Media Limited PCI, Inc.
By:_________________________ By:__________________________
Its: _______________________ Xxx Xxxxxxxx
Its: President
By:__________________________
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Its: Vice-President
_____________________________
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, an Individual
__________________________________
Xxx Xxxxxxxx, an Individual
__________________________________
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, an Individual
