Exhibit 10.72
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") effective the first day of December 2001
entered into by and between Xxxxxxx Xxxx ("Executive") and Vertical Computer
Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company") or any of its affiliates,
with its principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx. Xxx Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx 00000. This Agreement may be unilaterally transferred to an affiliate
of the Company, without economic detriment to the Employee.
BACKGROUND
A. The Company has been established for the purpose of e-commerce
development and related Internet business operations;
B. The Company desires to employ Executive as Chief Executive Officer and
President and Executive desires to be so employed and;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties desire to memorialize herein the terms and
conditions of Executive's employment. In consideration of the mutual covenants
and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
parties hereby acknowledge the receipt and sufficiency of which hereto, the
parties agree as follows:
1. POSITION.
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Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer and President upon the
terms set forth in this Agreement. Executive shall have the responsibilities
inherent in this position and shall report to the Board of Directors and
Executive shall perform any other duties reasonably required by Board of
Directors.
2. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.
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Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the term of Executive's
employment under this Agreement shall commence on December 1, 2001 and shall
continue up to December31, 2004 (the "Initial Term"). This Agreement may be
renewed for an additional two (2) year term at Executive's option and the
Board's approval. However, the Executive shall have the option to renew the
agreement for two years provided the Company achieves a minimum profitability of
$5,000,000 in 2002 with a 50% minimum increase in net profit in 2003 and 2004
respectively upon the good faith concurrence of the Board in the achievement of
the performance criteria or validation of "profitability" by independent
auditors. Unless either party elects to terminate this Agreement at the end of
the initial or any renewal term by giving the other party written notice of such
election at least ninety (90) days before the expiration of the then current
term, this Agreement shall be deemed to have been renewed for an additional term
of two (2 year commencing on the day after the expiration of the then current
term. Either party may elect not to renew this Agreement with or without cause,
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in which case this Section 2 shall govern Executive's termination, and not
Section 5. Upon expiration of this Agreement after notice of non-renewal,
Company shall provide Executive all compensation and benefits to which Executive
is entitled through the date of termination and thereafter Company's obligation
hereunder shall cease.
Notwithstanding what is contained in this agreement, the Executive will
sign and abide by the employee handbook and all other company's policies.
3. COMPENSATION AND BONUS.
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3.1 SALARY. The Company shall pay Executive an annual base salary of
THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000.00) during the term of Executive's
employment, payable in accordance with the Company's semi-monthly payroll
disbursement cycle ("Base Compensation"). Executive's Base Compensation shall be
reviewed and increased each year during the term of Executive's employment,
provided that the Company's performance criteria are achieved as set forth by
the Board each year; and
3.2 BONUS. Executive shall receive an annual bonus One Hundred Twenty
(120) days after the end of the Company's fiscal year from a pool equal to five
(5) percent of the Company taxable income from the federal tax return filed
before depreciation. Executive's share of the bonus pool is equal to the
percentage of his annual base compensation to the total combined annual base
compensation of all executives of Company in bonus pool;
3.3 WARRANTS. Executive will receive 20,000,000 warrants at a strike
price of $0.10 and 600,000 non-dilutable warrants at a strike price of $0.10
piggyback registration rights in the form attached. The Executive will be vested
monthly in equal amounts over three (3) years, so long as Executive remains
employed by the Company or as otherwise set forth herein in this Agreement.
3.4 SERVICE WITH THE COMPANY. During the term of this Agreement,
Executive shall perform such reasonable employment duties, commensurate with
Executive's position, as the Board of Directors, shall, from time to time,
assign to Executive;
3.5 PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES. Executive shall serve the Company
faithfully and to the best of his ability and devote full business time,
attention, skill and effort exclusively to the performance of the duties
described in this Agreement. Executive shall comply with all policies,
procedures and budgets established by the Company in the performance of his
duties and responsibilities. During the Period of Employment, (i) Executive's
working time, energy, skill and best efforts shall be devoted to the performance
of Executive's duties hereunder in a manner which will faithfully and diligently
further the business and interests of Company; and (ii) Executive shall not
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accept any other employment, or engage, directly or indirectly, in any other
business, commercial, or professional activity (whether or not providing
compensation) that is or may be competitive with Company or any Affiliate that
might create a conflict of interest with Company or any Affiliate or that
otherwise might interfere with the business of Company or any Affiliate.
Executive may engage in charitable, civic, fraternal, professional and trade
association activities that do not interfere materially with Executive's
obligations to Company;
3.6 VACATION AND SICK LEAVE. Executive will be entitled to Four (4)
weeks of vacation and sick leave equal to six (6) days per year. Vacation time
and sick leave shall not be accumulated after the end of any year. Sick leave
shall accumulate at the rate of one half day per month;
3.7 EXPENSES. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all expenses
incurred in connection with his duties on behalf of the Company, provided that
Executive shall keep, and present to the Company, records and receipts relating
to reimbursable expenses incurred by her. Such records and receipts shall be
maintained and presented in a format, and with such regularity, as the Company
reasonably may require in order to substantiate the Company's right to claim
income tax deductions for such expenses. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for any business-related
travel, business-related entertainment, whether at his residence or otherwise,
or other costs and customary business expenses reasonably incident to the
performance of his duties on behalf of the Company. Executive will be entitled
to reimbursement of all reasonable, customary business expenses incurred by his
in the performance of his duties.
3.8 BENEFITS. Executive will be entitled to participate in the
employee benefit plans or programs of the Company, including medical and life
insurance and profit sharing, to the fullest extent possible, subject to the
rules and regulations applicable hereto and to standard eligibility and vesting
requirements of any coverage and shall be furnished with other services and
perquisites appropriate to his position. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:
(a) Comprehensive medical insurance for Executive, his spouse,
and his dependent children with TWENTY PERCENT (20%) deductibles;
(b) Dental insurance for Executive, Executive's spouse, and his
dependent children;
(c) Group term life insurance with death benefits equal to one
hundred percent (100%) of base salary;
(d) Annual physical examination;
(e) Long-term disability.
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4. TERMINATION.
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4.1 DUE TO DISABILITY
(a) If Executive becomes unable to perform the duties specified
hereunder due to partial or total disability or incapacity resulting from a
mental or physical illness, injury or any other cause, Company will continue the
payment of Executive's base salary at its then current rate for a period of
TWENTY-SIX (26) weeks following the date Executive is first unable to perform
such duties due to such disability or incapacity. Thereafter, Company shall have
no obligation for base salary, bonus or other compensation payments to Executive
during the continuance of such disability or incapacity. Company will continue
to provide benefits to Executive so long as Executive remains employed;
(b) If Executive is unable to perform the duties specified
hereunder due to partial or total disability or incapacity resulting from a
mental or physical illness, injury or any other cause for a period of TEN (10)
consecutive weeks or for a cumulative period of SEVENTY (70) business days
during any FIVE (5) month period ("Disability"), then, to the extent permitted
by law, Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement thereafter, in
which event Company shall have no further obligations or liabilities hereunder
after the date of such termination except Executive will be deemed disabled and
eligible for the payments outlined in paragraph 4.1 (a). EXECUTIVE REPRESENTS
THAT TO THE BEST OF HIS KNOWLEDGE HE HAS NO MEDICAL CONDITION THAT COULD CAUSE
PARTIAL OR TOTAL DISABILITY THAT WOULD RENDER HER UNABLE TO PERFORM THE DUTIES
SPECIFIED IN THIS AGREEMENT OTHERWISE THE BENEFITS IN PARAGRAPH 4.1(a) SHALL BE
NULL AND VOID.
4.2 DUE TO DEATH. If Executive dies during the period of employment,
Executive's employment with Company shall terminate as of the end of the
calendar month in which the death occurs. Company shall have no obligation to
Executive or Executive's estate for Base Compensation or other form of
compensation or benefit other than amounts accrued through the date of
Executive's death, except as otherwise required by law or by benefit plans
provided at Company expense.
In the event of the termination of Executive's employment due to
Executive's death or Disability, Executive or Executive's legal representatives,
as the case may be, shall be entitled to:
(a) In the case of death, unpaid Base Compensation earned or
accrued through Executive's date of death and continued Base Compensation at a
rate in effect at the time of death, for a period of (3) three months after
which Executive's death occurs, or the end of the employment term, which ever is
the lesser amount.
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(b) Any performance or special incentive bonus earned but not yet
paid;
(c) A pro rata performance bonus for the year in which employment
terminates due to death or Disability based on the performance of Company for
the year during which such termination occurs or, if performance results are not
available, based on the performance bonus paid to Executive for the prior year;
and
(d) Any other compensation and benefits to which Executive or
Executive's legal representatives may be entitled under applicable plans,
programs and agreements of Company to the extent permitted under the terms
thereof, including, without limitation, life insurance as provided in Section
3.8 above.
4.3 FOR CAUSE. Company may terminate Executive's employment
relationship with Company for "cause" by action of at least a majority of the
Company's Board of Directors, at a meeting duly called and held upon at least 30
days written notice to the Executive specifying the particulars of the action or
inaction alleged to constitute "cause" and at which meeting Executive and his
counsel were entitled to be present and given adequate opportunity to be heard..
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, termination of employment of
Executive by the Company for "cause" means termination for the following
reasons: (i) frequent and unjustifiable absenteeism, other than solely by reason
of his illness or physical or mental disability; (ii) failing to follow the
reasonable instructions of the Chairman; (iii) proven dishonesty materially
injurious to the Company or to its business, operations, assets or condition (an
"Adverse Effect"); or gross violation of Company policy or procedure after being
warned, notified, or Executive's acknowledged, gross or willful misconduct, or
willful neglect to act, which misconduct or neglect is committed or omitted by
Executive in bad faith and had an Adverse Effect; or (iv) a failure by Executive
to comply with any material provision of this Agreement, which failure is not
cured (if capable of cure) within 30 days after receipt of written notice of
such non-compliance by Executive. Action or inaction by Executive shall not be
considered "willful" unless done or omitted by him intentionally or not in good
faith and without reasonable belief that his action or inaction was in the best
interest of the Company, and shall not include failure to act by reason of total
or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness.
(b) Company shall have no obligation to Executive for Base
Compensation or other form of compensation or benefits, except as otherwise
required by law, other than (i) amounts accrued through the date of termination,
and (ii) reimbursement of appropriately documented expenses incurred by
Executive before the termination of employment, to the extent that Executive
would have been entitled to such reimbursement but for the termination of
employment.
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4.4 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE
(a) The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason
and receive the payments and benefits specified in Section 4.4 (a)(iii)(B)). For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" will exist if any one or more of the
following occur:
(i) Failure by the Company to honor any of its obligations
under this Agreement, including, without limitation, its obligations under
Sections 1 and 3.4 (Employment Capacity and Duties), Section 3.5 (Executive
Performance Covenants), Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 (Compensation), Section 3.7
(Reimbursement of Expenses). Sections 3.6 and 3.8 (Employee Benefits,
Vacations), Section 11 (Indemnification) and Section 12.3 (Successors and
Assigns); or
(ii) Any purported termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment that is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination
satisfying the requirements of Section 4.3 above and, for purposes of this
Agreement, no such purported termination shall be effective.
(iii) (A) If there is a Change in Control of the Company (as
defined below) and the employment of the Executive is concurrently or
subsequently terminated (i) by the Company without Cause, (ii) by service of a
Notice of Termination or (iii) by the resignation of the Employee because he has
reasonably determined in good faith that his titles, authorities,
responsibilities, salary, bonus opportunities or benefits have been materially
diminished, or that a material adverse change in his working conditions has
occurred or the Company has breached this Agreement, then Executive shall be
entitled to the "Benefits" described in (B). For the purpose of this Agreement,
a Change in Control of the Company has occurred when: (x) any person (defined
for the purposes of this Section to mean any person within the meaning of
Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")),
other than the Company, or an employee benefit plan established by the Board of
Directors of the Company, acquires, directly or indirectly, the beneficial
ownership (determined under Rule 13d-3 of the regulations promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of
securities issued by the Company having twenty percent (20%) or more of the
voting power of all of the voting securities issued by the Company in the
election of directors at the meeting of the holders of voting securities to be
held for such purpose; or (y) a majority of the directors elected at any meeting
of the holders of voting securities of the Company are persons who were not
nominated for such election by the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly
constituted committee of the Board of Directors of the Company having authority
in such matters; or (z) the Company merges or consolidates with or transfers
substantially all of its assets to another person.
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(B) Benefits. If during the term of this Agreement a
Change of Control" occurs (as defined above) then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive the following: (i) salary and vacation accrued through the
date of the Change in Control plus an amount equal to three years of Executive's
salary then in effect, payable immediately upon Change in Control, (ii) an
amount equal to three times target bonus for the fiscal year in which the Change
in Control occurs (as well as any unpaid bonus from the prior fiscal year), all
payable immediately upon Change in Control, (iii) acceleration in full of
vesting of all outstanding stock options, Tarps and other equity arrangements
subject to vesting and held by Executive (and in this regard , all such options
and other exercisable rights held by Executive shall remain exercisable one year
following the date of the Change in Control), (iv) (A) continuation of group
health and insurance benefits at the Company's cost pursuant to the Company's
standard programs as in effect from time to time (or at the Company's election
substantially similar benefits as in effect at the Termination Date (if
applicable), through a third party carrier) for executive, his spouse and any
children, for three years following date of Change in Control (even if executive
ceases employment), and (B) thereafter, to the extent COBRA shall be applicable,
continuation of health benefits for such persons at Executive's cost, for a
period of 18 months or such longer period as may be applicable under the
Company's policies then in effect, provided the Executive makes the appropriate
election and payments, and (v) no other compensation , severance or other
benefits.
(b) Additional Payments by the Company. If it is determined (as
hereafter provided) that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for
the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise pursuant to
or by reason of any other agreement, policy, plan, program, or arrangement,
including without limitation any stock option, stocck appreciation right or
similar right or the lapse or termination of any restriction on or the vesting
or exercisability of any of the foregoing (a "Payment "), would be subject to
the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provisions
thereto) or to any similar tax imposed by state or local law , or any interest
or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such tax or taxes, together with
any such interest and penalties, are hereafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then Executive will be entitled to receive an additional payment
or payments (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that, after payment by
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect
to such taxes), including any Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-up Payment,
Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax
imposed upon the Payments
(c) The Executive shall have the right voluntarily to terminate
his employment other than for Good Reason prior to the Scheduled Employment
Termination Date, and if the Executive shall so terminate his employment, he
shall be entitled only to payment of the amounts which would be payable under
Section 4.3 had he been terminated for Cause.
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4.5 TERMINATION OBLIGATIONS.
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(a) All tangible Company Property shall be returned promptly to
Company upon termination of the Period of Employment;
(b) All benefits to which Executive is otherwise entitled shall
cease upon Executive's termination, unless explicitly continued either under
this Agreement or under any specific written policy or benefit plan of Company;
(c) Upon termination of the Period of Employment, Executive shall
be deemed to have resigned from all offices and directorships then held with
Company or any Affiliate.
(d) Executive's obligations under this Section 4.5 on Termination
Obligations, Section 5 on Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure, Section 7 on
Inventions, and Section 8 on Arbitration shall survive the termination of the
Period of Employment and the expiration or termination of this Agreement; and
(e) Following any termination of the Period of Employment,
Executive shall cooperate fully with Company in all matters relating to
completing pending work on behalf of Company and the orderly transfer of work to
other employees of Company. Executive shall also cooperate in the defense of any
action brought by any third party against Company that relates in any way to
Executive's acts or omissions while employed by Company.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE.
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Executive agrees to abide by the terms of the Confidentiality and
Non-Disclosure Agreement appended hereto as Exhibit A and to comply with such
confidentiality, non-disclosure, and proprietary information policies now in
effect by the Company or as may be established in the future.
6. COMPANY PROPERTY.
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All products, records, designs, patents, plans, data, manuals,
brochures, memoranda, devices, lists and other property delivered to Executive
by or on behalf of the Company, all confidential information including, but not
limited to, lists of potential customers, prices, and similar confidential
materials or information respecting the business affairs of the Company, such as
hardware manufacturers, software developers, networks, strategic partners,
business practices regarding technology and schedules, legal actions and
personnel information, and all records compiled by Executive which pertain to
the business of the Company, and all rights, title and interest now existing or
that may exist in the future in and to any intellectual property rights created
by Executive for the Company, in performing his duties during the term of this
Agreement shall be and remain the property of the Company. Executive agrees to
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execute and deliver at a future date any further documents that the Company,
determines may be necessary or desirable to perfect the Company's ownership in
any intellectual or other property rights.
7. INVENTIONS.
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7.1 Subject to the limitations of California LABOR CODE ss. 2870, a
copy of which is attached as Exhibit B, "Inventions" shall mean any and all
writings, original works or authorship, inventions, ideas, trademarks, service
marks, patents, copyrights, know-how, improvements, processes, designs,
formulas, discoveries, technology, computer hardware or software, procedures
and/or techniques which Executive may make, conceive, discover, reduce to
practice or develop, either solely or jointly with any other person or persons,
at any time during the Period of Employment, whether or not during working hours
and whether or not at the request or upon the suggestion of Company, which
relate to or are useful in connection with any business now or hereafter carried
on or contemplated by Company, including developments or expansions of its
present fields of operations;
7.2 Executive shall make full disclosure to Company of all Inventions
and shall do everything necessary or desirable to vest the absolute title
thereto in Company. Executive shall write and prepare all specifications and
procedures regarding such inventions, improvements, processes, procedures and
techniques and otherwise aid and assist Company so that Company can prepare and
present applications for copyright or Letters Patent therefor and can secure
such copyright or Letters Patent wherever possible, as well as reissues,
renewals, and extensions thereof, and can obtain the record title to such
copyright or patents so that Company shall be the sole and absolute owner
thereof in all countries in which it may desire to have copyright or patent
protection. Executive shall not be entitled to any additional or special
compensation or reimbursement regarding any Invention;
7.3 All Inventions shall be the sole and exclusive property of
Company. Executive agrees to, and hereby does, assign to Company all of
Executive's right, title, and interest (throughout the United States and in all
foreign countries), free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, in and to each
Invention.
7.4 CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS. The rights and obligations of Executive
and Company set forth in this Section shall survive the termination of
Executive's employment and the expiration of this Agreement.
8. ARBITRATION.
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8.1 ARBITRABLE CLAIMS. To the fullest extent permitted by law, all
disputes between Executive (and his attorneys, successors and assigns) and
Company (and its Affiliates, shareholders, directors, officers, employees,
agents, successors, attorneys and assigns) of any kind whatsoever, including,
without limitation, all disputes arising under this Agreement ("Arbitrable
Claims"), shall be resolved by arbitration. All persons and entities specified
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in the preceding sentence (other than Company and Executive) shall be considered
third-party beneficiaries of the rights and obligations created by this Section
on Arbitration. Arbitrable Claims shall include, but are not limited to,
contract (express or implied) and tort claims of all kinds, as well as all
claims based on any federal, state or local law, statute or regulation,
excepting only claims under applicable workers' compensation law and
unemployment insurance claims. By way of example and not in limitation of the
foregoing, Arbitrable Claims shall include any claims arising under Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the
Americans with Disabilities Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing
Act;
8.2 PROCEDURE. Arbitration of Arbitrable Claims shall be in accordance
with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the
American Arbitration Association, as amended ("AAA Employment Rules"), as
augmented in this Agreement. Arbitration shall be initiated as provided by the
AAA Employment Rules, although the written notice to the other party initiating
arbitration shall also include a statement of the claim(s) asserted and the
facts upon which the claim(s) are based. Arbitration shall be final and binding
upon the parties and shall be the exclusive remedy for all Arbitrable Claims.
Either party may bring an action in court to compel arbitration under this
Agreement and to enforce an arbitration award. Otherwise, neither party shall
initiate or prosecute any lawsuit or administrative action in any way related to
any Arbitrable Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may, at its
option, seek injunctive relief pursuant to section 1281.8 of the California Code
of Civil Procedure. All arbitration hearings under this Agreement shall be
conducted in Los Angeles, California. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY
MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN REGARD TO ARBITRABLE CLAIMS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AS TO THE MAKING, EXISTENCE, VALIDITY OR
ENFORCEABILITY OF THE AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE;
8.3 ARBITRATOR SELECTION AND AUTHORITY. A single arbitrator shall
decide all disputes involving Arbitrable Claims. The arbitrator shall be
selected by mutual agreement of the parties within thirty (30) days of the
effective date of the notice initiating the arbitration. If the parties cannot
agree on an arbitrator, then the complaining party shall notify the AAA and
request selection of an arbitrator in accordance with the AAA Employment Rules.
The arbitrator shall have authority to award equitable relief, damages, costs
and fees to the same extent that, but not greater than, a court would have. The
fees of the arbitrator shall be split between both parties equally, unless this
would render this Section of Arbitration unenforceable, in which case the
arbitrator shall apportion said fees so as to preserve enforceability. The
arbitrator shall have exclusive authority to resolve all Arbitrable Claims,
including, but not limited to, whether any particular claim is arbitrable and
whether all or any part of this Agreement is void or unenforceable;
8.4 CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS. The rights and obligations of Executive
and Company set forth in this Section on Arbitration shall survive the
termination of Executive's employment and the expiration of this Agreement.
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9. PRIOR AGREEMENTS; CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. Executive represents to
Company: (a) that there are no restrictions, agreements or understandings, oral
or written, to which Executive is a party or by which Executive is bound that
prevent or make unlawful Executive's execution or performance of this Agreement;
(b) none of the information supplied by Executive to Company or any
representative of Company or placement agency in connection with Executive's
employment by Company misstated a material fact or omitted information necessary
to make the information supplied not materially misleading; and (c) Executive
does not have any business or other relationship that creates a conflict between
the interests of Executive and the Company.
10. NON-COMPETITION. During the term of this Agreement Executive shall
not:
10.1 Start employment with, offer consulting services to, or otherwise
become involved in, advise or participate on behalf of any other company, entity
or individual, in the field of the Company; and
10.2 Individually or through any agent, for herself or on behalf of
any other person or entity (i) solicit employees of the Company, to entice them
to leave the Company; or (ii) solicit or induce and third party now or at any
time during the term of this Agreement who is providing services to the Company,
through license, contract, partnership, or otherwise to terminate or reduce
their relationships with the Company.
11. INDEMNIFICATION. As an employee, officer and director of the Company,
the Executive shall be indemnified against all liabilities, damages, fines,
costs and expenses by the Company in accordance with the indemnification
provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the
date hereof, and otherwise to the fullest extent to which employees, officers
and directors of a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware may be
indemnified pursuant to Delaware General Corporations Law, as the same may be
amended from time to time (or any subsequent statute of similar tenor and
effect), subject to the terms and conditions of such statute.
12. BINDING AGREEMENT; SUCCESSORS.
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12.1 This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. The Company shall require
any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company, by agreement to assume expressly and agree to perform this agreement in
the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform it if no such succession had taken place. For purposes of this
Agreement, " Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid.
12.2 This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, beneficiaries, devises and
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legatees. If the Executive should die while any amounts are payable to him
hereunder, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive's devisee. Legatee,
beneficiary or other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the
Executive's estate.
12.3 Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 12, this Agreement
is personal in nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the
consent of the other, assign, or transfer this Agreement or any rights or
obligations hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive's right to
receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable, whether by
pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than a transfer by
his will or trust or by the laws of descent or distribution, and in the event of
any attempted assignment or transfer contrary to this paragraph the company
shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned or
transferred.
13. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
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13.1 AUTHORITY. Each party hereto represents and warrants that it has
full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform this
Agreement in accordance with its terms.
13.2 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
13.3 CAPTIONS. The captions of the sections of 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.
13.4 SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision of this Agreement
shall be invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall in no way be affected or
impaired thereby.
13.5 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended only in writing executed
by the parties hereto.
13.6 ATTORNEY'S FEES. In the event of a dispute the prevailing party
shall be entitled to be reimbursed for its legal fees by the other party.
13.7 SPECIAL COSTS. Notwithstanding Section 12.6, if a dispute arises
regarding a termination of the Executive or the interpretation or enforcement of
this Agreement, subsequent to a Change in Control or for Good Reason, all the
reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by the Executive and any arbitration
costs in contesting any such termination or obtaining or enforcing all or part
of any right or benefit provided for in this Agreement or in otherwise pursuing
all or part of his claim will be paid by the Company, unless prohibited by law.
The Company further agrees to pay pre-judgment interest on any money judgment
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obtained by Executive calculated at the prime interest rate reported in the Wall
Street Journal in effect from time to time from the date that payment to him
should have been made under this Agreement.
13.8 FINALITY OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement, when executed by the
parties, supersedes all other agreements of the parties with respect to the
matters discussed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective as
of the day and year first set forth above.
"EXECUTIVE"
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Xxxxxxx Xxxx
"VERTICAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC."
By:
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxx - Director & Secretary
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