Exhibit 10.27
DISTRIBUTION
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made the 29
th
day of September 2005
BETWEEN LICENSEMUSIC.COM ApS of Gammel Strand 42, P.O. Box
1142, DK-1010 Copenhagen K, Denmark (hereinafter referred to as
“LM.COM” which expression shall include its successors
and permitted assignees) of the one part and Digital Musicworks
International Inc of 1545 River Park Drive, Suite 210 Sacramento,
CA 95219 USA (hereinafter referred to as “DMI”) which
expression shall also include its successors and permitted
assignees of the other part
WHEREAS
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1.
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LM.COM controls
the rights in and to a large number of master sound
recordings;
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and
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2.
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DMI wishes to
acquire the right to exploit the master recordings controlled by
LM.COM by means of so called “electronic
distribution”
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IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Agreement the following
words shall have the meanings set forth against them:
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“Masters”
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shall mean all
of the audio only master sound recordings in the current LM.COM
catalogue which comprises not less than [*] tracks details of which
are set out in Schedule A attached hereto which shall be
incorporated herein by this reference.
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“Term”
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shall mean an
initial period of seven (7) years commencing with the date of this
agreement (the “Initial Period”) together with [*] for
DMI to renew the agreement for a further period of seven (7) years
by giving notice in writing to LM.COM not later than six (6) months
prior to the expiry of the initial term of its desire so to do and
paying to LM.COM within seven (7) days thereafter a further advance
equal in amount to [*] percent ([*]%) of the [*], payable (before
recoupment) to LM.COM by DMI in years 1 through 6 of the Initial
Period or $[*], whichever is greater, such further advance being,
fully recoupable from Royalty.
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“Territory”
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shall mean the
World unless indicated to the contrary in respect of an individual
Master listed in Schedule A in which case the Territory in respect
of such master shall be limited to that set out in Schedule
A.
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INITIAL HERE :
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LICENSEMUSIC.COM [ ] *******
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LICENSEE [ ]
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Page 1 of 12
* Certain information on
this page has been omitted and filed separately with the
Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect
to the omitted portions.
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“Net Receipts”
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shall mean the
gross receipts received by DMI from its exploitation of the Masters
less only the following costs and fees incurred in connection with
such exploitation and only to the extent incurred:
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i.
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sales tax, VAT,
or similar tax, if any;
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ii.
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returns and
credits, including, but not limited to, those on account of errors
in billing, and errors in transmission, if any;
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2. GRANT OF RIGHTS
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A
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LM.COM grants
to DMI the sole right to exploit the Masters during the Term and
throughout the Territory by means of so called electronic
distribution and/or digital download only which rights shall
include the right to:
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(i)
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reproduce
and/or digitally encode the Masters and the applicable artwork and
packaging into secure, downloadable and transmittable digital data
formats or other formats now known or hereafter
developed;
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(ii)
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reproduce and
store the Masters on DMI’s owned or controlled computer
server(s) solely for its internal business purposes and/or for
subsequent distribution to consumer end-users;
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(iii)
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edit the
Masters into segments that will constitute ring tones, master tones
or similar telephonic ringing tones now known or
unknown;
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(iv)
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promote,
market, distribute and sell (as herein permitted) the Masters,
deliver, upload, download and otherwise transmit, the Masters, over
the Internet (or any successor global computer network) or over a
regional wireless transmission network (e.g., SMS or WAP or any
other digital delivery mechanism now known or hereafter developed)
whether individually or packaged with other masters, for transfer
onto consumers’ individual personal computers and/or portable
and mobile devices solely for such consumers’ personal
use;
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(v)
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promote and
advertise (including on the web sites of DMI and third parties) the
Masters using segments of the Masters no greater in length than
thirty (30) seconds; and
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(vi)
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authorize third
parties to electronically distribute the masters by means only of
an electronic delivery direct to consumers (for the avoidance of
doubt DMI shall not be permitted to sub-license its rights
hereunder or grant its rights to any so-called aggregator e.g. The
Orchard).
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For the avoidance of doubt it is
hereby acknowledged and agreed that DMI is not granted hereunder
the right to exploit the Masters in any physical (as opposed to
electronic/digital) format whether now known or hereafter invented
(e.g. Vinyl, CD, DVD, Audio-Tape) nor is it granted any performance
or broadcast rights.
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B
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Notwithstanding
the terms of paragraph 2A hereof it is agreed that the rights
granted to DMI hereunder are strictly limited to the extent of the
rights held by LM.COM (e.g. as to whether the rights are exclusive
or non-exclusive, the term and Territory of LM.COM’s rights)
as detailed in Schedule A and that in the event that LM.COM’s
rights are diminished or curtailed during the Term the rights
granted to DMI are automatically and similarly diminished or
curtailed. It is further agreed that LM.COM shall not grant the
rights granted to DMI hereunder to any other third
party.
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INITIAL HERE :
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LICENSEMUSIC.COM [ ] *******
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LICENSEE [ ]
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Page 2 of 12
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The
non-exclusive right throughout the Territory to use and publish the
names, approved likeness and photographs of the artists whose
performances are recorded on the Masters. For the avoidance of
doubt nothing herein contained shall be construed as granting to
DMI any so-called “merchandising rights” nor shall DMI
be entitled to use such materials in any manner which may suggest
or imply that LM.COM and/or the artists endorses any product or
services whatsoever.
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3. DELIVERY OF MASTERS
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A
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To the extent
they are in the possession of LM.COM it shall supply to DMI in
respect of each Master with either:
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ii.
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a digital
audiotape; or
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or a compact
disc (suitable for use in the digital encoding of the
master).
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(hereinafter referred to as
“the Delivery Materials”)
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B
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The Delivery
Materials supplied to DMI shall be of an audio quality which is
commercially acceptable by general industry standards commensurate
with the age of the recording contained on the master.
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C
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Time being of
the essence, the Delivery Materials shall be delivered by LM.COM in
up to [*] batches of not less than [*] per batch, with all Delivery
Materials to be delivered within [*] of the date of signature
hereof.
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D
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In respect of
any Master where LM.COM is not in possession of a tape recording,
digital audiotape or compact disc of the same it hereby undertakes
to use its best endeavors to acquire and supply the same to DMI as
soon as possible and this obligation/undertaking shall remain
throughout the Term of this agreement.
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E
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In the event
LM.COM is not able to deliver a tape recording, digital audiotape
or compact disc to DMI for [*] within [*] then the [*] of the [*]
shall be reduced on a pro-rata basis, the numerator of which shall
be the actual number of Masters delivered and the denominator shall
be [*]
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F
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In the event
that LM.COM delivers further Masters after the [*] period DMI shall
pay to LM.COM an additional recoupable advance at the rate of
US$[*] per Master delivered.
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G.
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The supply to
DMI of the Delivery Materials shall not imply a change of ownership
in the Masters which shall be and remain the property of
LM.COM.
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4. DMI’S OBLIGATIONS
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(i)
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Exploit the
Masters other than as permitted hereunder;
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INITIAL HERE :
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LICENSEMUSIC.COM [ ] *******
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LICENSEE [ ]
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Page 3 of 12
* Certain information on
this page has been omitted and filed separately with the
Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect
to the omitted portions.
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(ii)
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Edit or
otherwise alter in any way (other than expressly permitted herein)
the Masters without the prior consent of LM.COM;
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(iii)
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Exploit the
Masters other than at regular industry prices for the applicable
method of exploitation without the prior written consent of
LM.COM;
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(iv)
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Synchronize or
permit to be synchronized the Masters with any visual images
whatsoever;
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(v)
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During the Term
license the rights granted to DMI hereunder from any third
party.
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(i)
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use its best
efforts throughout the Term to ensure the maximum exploitation of
the Masters by all means permitted hereunder; and
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(ii)
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In the event
that it receives any claim from a third party which is inconsistent
with any of the warranties contained in Clause 5 (“Third
Party Claim”) it shall notify LM.COM in writing of such claim
within 48 hours of DMI’s receipt of same. Provided that DMI
does not in any way deal with any Third Party Claim (save that it
shall be permitted to advise any party making a Third Party Claim
that the rights in any Master which is the subject of a Third Party
Claim have been acquired from LM.COM and refer any such party to
LM.COM) it shall have the benefit of the Indemnity from LM.COM set
out in paragraph 6 hereof. In the event that LM.Com does not deal
with any such claim (for whatever reason) within a reasonable
period of time, DMI shall be entitled to deal with the same and
provided that it does so in a commercial and reasonable manner
shall be entitled to rely upon the indemnity set out in paragraph 6
hereof. If in any other circumstances DMI elects to deal with any
such 3 rd Party Claim then it hereby agrees
that in respect of such 3 rd Party Claim it shall not have the
benefit of the indemnity set out in clause 6 hereof.
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DMI agrees that
all digital music files created by it for the exploitation of the
Masters shall, upon termination or expiry of the Term hereof,
belong to LM.COM and are hereby assigned by way of future
assignment of copyright effective on the date of termination or
expiry hereof to LM.COM
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5. WARRANTIES
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(i)
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it possesses
full power and authority to enter into and perform this
Agreement;
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(ii)
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it is the
licensing representative of the owner of the Masters;
and
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(iii)
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none of the
Masters, their contents or DMI’s exploitation of the same
pursuant hereto shall interfere with or infringe the rights of any
other party;
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INITIAL HERE :
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LICENSEMUSIC.COM [ ] *******
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LICENSEE [ ]
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Page 4 of 12
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(iv)
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save as
otherwise provided herein it has obtained all necessary clearances
and permissions in the Territory;
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(v)
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No other
person, firm or corporation has any right, title or interest in or
to the Master(s) inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement,
except as specified and duly stated herein in the Territory;
and
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(vi)
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It has not
heretofore done or permitted to be done, nor will it hereafter do
or permit to be done, any act or thing which is or may be
inconsistent with the rights granted to DMI hereunder;
and
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(vii)
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there are no
liens, encumbrances and/or obligations upon or in connection with
the Master(s) not specifically set forth herein which would
derogate from the rights granted to DMI hereunder; and
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(viii)
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it has the
right to use the artist’s name and likeness in connection
with the exploitation of the Masters granted to DMI
hereunder.
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(ix)
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It will not
during the Term and extensions thereof grant the rights granted to
DMI hereunder to any third party.
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(i)
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It will at all
times use and require its clients to exercise appropriate methods
of security conforming to general industry standards in order to
protect the Masters from unauthorized copying, distribution or
other exploitation; and
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(ii)
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Prior to DMI
commencing exploitation of the Masters by any particular method of
exploitation or granting rights to any other party so to do it will
inform LM.COM in writing of what methods of security are to be
employed to protect the Masters during that
exploitation.
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The parties
representations and warranties are true as of the date of this
agreement and shall remain true for as long as this Agreement is
enforceable.
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6. INDEMNITIES
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A
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Subject to all
the terms hereof LM.COM agrees to indemnify, save and hold DMI,
it’s directors, officers, shareholders and employees harmless
from any costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, losses or damages,
for which it is deeme
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