EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.38

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between TV Guide Networks, Inc. (the “Company”) and Ryan O’Hara having a residential address at [address] (“Employee”), as of the 15th day of August, 2005 (“Effective Date”). This Agreement, when executed by both parties, will supersede any and all prior agreements, understandings, arrangements and/or communications, whether express or implied oral or written, between Employee and the Company and/or its affiliates relative to the Company’s employment of Employee.

I. EMPLOYMENT.

A. The Company hereby employs Employee and Employee hereby accepts such employment, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, from August 15, 2005, through August 14, 2008, unless earlier terminated as provided herein (the “Term”). This Agreement may be renewed by mutual written agreement of the parties, but only by an express written agreement signed by both parties. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company has no obligation to renew this Agreement or to continue Employee’s employment after any termination of, or the expiration of, this Agreement, and expressly acknowledges that no promises or understandings to the contrary have been made or reached.

B. In the event that Employee continues in the employ of the Company after the expiration of the Term, Employee’s employment shall be solely on an at will basis and this Agreement shall no longer be in effect for any purpose except for those provisions that are expressly stated herein to survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Company may terminate Employee’s employment or determine that Employee’s services are no longer needed or desired, at any time, for any or no reason, without prior written notice; provided, however, that if such termination or determination occurs during the Term, such termination or determination shall be subject to the provisions of Section IV below.

II. DUTIES.

A. On the Effective Date and during the Term, Employee shall (1) serve as President, TV Guide Channel and in that position oversee (a) the business unit operations associated with the TV Guide Channel service and (b) the business unit operations associated with the Company’s video on demand service known as TV Guide Spot; (2) continue to oversee the business unit operations of ODS Technologies, L. P. (d/b/a TVG Network) (“ODS”) until ODS’ governing body appoints a successor to oversee that business operation or determines that Employee’s services in that regard are no longer needed; and (3) have such other duties and responsibilities as the governing body of the Company shall determine from time to time.

B. Employee shall render full-time services to the Company and shall devote substantially all his time and ability necessary to fulfill the duties and responsibilities referenced above. Nothing herein shall prevent Employee, upon prior written approval of the governing body of the Company, from serving as a director or trustee of other corporations or businesses which are not in competition with the business of the Company or in competition with any affiliate of the Company. Nothing herein shall prevent Employee from (1) investing in real estate for Employee’s own account, (2) owning less than two percent (2%) of any publicly traded corporation whether or not in competition with the business of the Company or in competition with any affiliate of the Company, (3) owning less than ten percent (10%) of any privately held company not in competition with the business of the Company or in competition with any affiliate of the Company, or (4) continuing membership in the Young Presidents Organization.

C. During the Term, Employee’s principal place of employment shall be at the principal offices of the Company in Los Angeles, CA offices, or such other greater Los Angeles metropolitan area location as determined by the Company, subject to such travel as the rendering of Employee’s services may reasonably require.

III. COMPENSATION.

A. During the Term, Employee shall receive on regular pay dates as then in effect under applicable Company policy a base salary at the annualized rate of:

 

1.

$500,000 from August 15, 2005 through August 14, 2006;

 

2.

$525,000 from August 15, 2006 through August 14, 2007; and

 

3.

$560,000 from August 15, 2007 through August 14, 2008.

Any adjustments to Employee’s compensation, including but not limited to Employee’s base salary, following the Term of this Agreement shall be made at the Company’s sole discretion.

B. Bonuses/Stock Options. During the Term, Employee shall be eligible to earn a bonus under the Company’s bonus plan then in effect. Bonuses, if any, will be paid at the Company’s sole discretion and, to the extent paid, shall be based upon such factors or criteria as the Company and/or its parent (currently Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (“Gemstar”)) determine in its or their sole discretion which may include, but are not limited to, the performance of parent, the Company, the TV Guide Channel, TV Guide Spot and the Employee’s performance. During the Term, Employee shall also be eligible to be considered for grants of non-qualified stock options under the Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and/or restated from time to time, or under any successor plan as may thereafter be in effect and applicable to Employee (the “Plan”).

 

Also during the Term, to the extent not prohibited by or inconsistent with the bonus plan then in effect for the Company and Employee, the targeted amount of the bonus for Employee is fifty percent (50%) of Employee’s annualized base salary; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, the payment of any bonus and the amount of any such payment shall be entirely at the discretion of the Company and/or its parent and provided further that the targeted bonus percentage shall be commensurate with the bonus percentages paid to other comparable executives of the Company.

Additionally, subject to the approval of Gemstar’s Compensation Committee in its sole discretion and the satisfaction of the other conditions described herein, Employee shall receive a one-time grant of nonqualified stock options (the “Options”) under the Plan to acquire three hundred thousand (300,000) shares of Gemstar’s Common Stock (“Common Shares”). Each Option shall represent the right to acquire one (1) Common Share. Subject to earlier termination of the Options as described below, the Options shall vest in equal installments of twenty percent (20%) on each anniversary of the “Grant Date” (as defined below) over a five (5) year period; provided, however, that if Employee’s employment is terminated concurrently with the expiration of the Term, such employment shall be deemed terminated at 12:01 a.m. on August 15, 2008 solely for purposes of vesting of the Options. The Options shall expire on the first to occur of (i) the close of business on the last business day of Gemstar coinciding with or immediately preceding the day before the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, (ii) the termination of the Options pursuant to Section 4.2 and/or other provisions of the Plan, or (iii) the termination of the Options in connection with a termination of Employee’s employment with the Company as contemplated by the “Option Agreement” (as defined below) except as expressly provided in Section IV-E-1 below. The exercise price per Common Share under each Option shall equal the closing price for a Common Share on the NASDAQ National Market Reporting System (or successor system) on the date (the “Grant Date”) which is the later of (i) the date the Compensation Committee approves the grant of Options or (ii) the Effective Date. Any grant of Options shall be subject to Employee’s execution and delivery of Gemstar’s written stock option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) and shall, except as expressly provided in Section IV-E-1 below, be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and the Option Agreement.

The Company acknowledges and agrees that Employee previously has been granted nonqualified stock options (“Prior Options”), and that notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the agreements granting Employee such Prior Options, such Prior Options shall continue to vest during the Term of this Agreement in accordance with the schedules set forth in the controlling stock option agreements containing the grants to Employee of such Prior Options.

C. Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Term, Employee shall be eligible for all employee benefits applicable to the Company’s employees from time to time, which may include but are not limited to, paid holidays, medical and dental health insurance, 401(k) plan, life insurance, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans, educational reimbursement and long-term disability insurance.

 

D. Expenses. During the Term, the Company shall pay or reimburse Employee for all reasonable business expenses actually incurred or paid by Employee in the scope of employment in connection with the performance of Employee’s services hereunder upon the presentation of such supporting documentation as the Company requires. Payment or reimbursement of such expenses shall be subject to all Company policies regarding the reporting of and payment of business expenses as in effect generally from time to time with respect to other comparable executives of the Company.

E. Car Allowance. During the Term, the Company shall provide Employee with a car allowance of eight hundred dollars ($800.00) per month to be used for the purchase, lease and maintenance of an appropriate automobile for Employee’s use during the Term of the Agreement.

F. Vacation. During the Term, Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation per calendar year in accordance with the plans, practices, programs and policies then in effect for the Company with respect to other comparable executives of the Company; provided, however, since vacation time for Employee is not accrued, Employee shall not be eligible to receive payment, or be paid, for any unused vacation time and no unused vacation time shall be carried over from one year to the next or otherwise accumulated.

G. Company Right to Modify Plans. The Company and/or its parent reserves the right to modify, suspend or discontinue any and all of the above plans, practices, policies and programs at any time without advance notice (except as mandated by applicable law) or recourse by Employee so long as such action is taken with respect to other comparable executives of the Company and does not single out Employee.

IV. TERMINATION.

A. Death or Disability. Employee’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Employee’s death. If a “Disability” of Employee has occurred (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), the Company may give to Employee written notice of its intention to terminate Employee’s employment. In such event, Employee’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 90th day after receipt of such notice by Employee, provided that, within the ninety (90) days after such receipt, Employee shall not have returned to full-time performance of Employee’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean either (i) a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity of Employee and which renders Employee unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position, even with reasonable accommodation which does not impose an undue hardship on the Company for an aggregate of ninety (90) days in any twelve-month period or (ii) Employee becomes eligible to receive benefits under any long term disability insurance provided by the Company or its parent. The determination of Disability under subsection (i) of the preceding sentence shall be based upon information supplied by Employee and/or Employee’s medical personnel, as well as information from medical personnel (or others) selected by the Company or its insurers. In the event Employee’s health care provider and the Company do not agree as to whether Employee has a Disability, Employee and the Company shall appoint a third-party qualified physician who shall evaluate Employee and provide a determination of whether Employee has a Disability.

 

B. Cause. The Company may terminate Employee’s employment for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean that Employee has engaged in or committed: willful misconduct; gross negligence; theft, fraud or other illegal conduct; refusal or unwillingness to perform the duties assigned to Employee; violation of any policy or procedure applicable to the Company and Employee, including but not limited to the standards of business conduct and the policy prohibiting unlawful discrimination, including sexual harassment; conduct which reflects adversely upon, or making any remarks disparaging of, the Company, its board of directors or other governing body, officers, directors, advisors or employees or its parent, subsidiaries or affiliates; insubordination; any willful act that is likely to and/or which does in fact have the effect of injuring the reputation, business or a business relationship of the Company; violation of any fiduciary duty including any duty of loyalty; or breach of any term of this Agreement. In the event the Company determines that Cause for termination exists based upon any of the foregoing grounds and such ground is curable, Employee shall be given thirty (30) days to cure such ground for Cause. After the expiration of any such cure period, the Company shall make a determination as to whether Employee has cured such ground for termination for Cause.

C. Good Reason. Employee may terminate employment for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following: (i) the Company requires Employee to relocate his principal office more than fifty (50) miles away from the greater Los Angeles, CA metropolitan area without Employee’s consent; or (ii) the Company substantially diminishes Employee’s duties or responsibilities as relates to the TV Guide Channel or TV Guide Spot, or the Company eliminates the word “President” from Employee’s title, in either case without Employee’s consent. Before terminating his employment for Good Reason under subsections (i) or (ii), Employee shall give the Company written notice of his intent to terminate for Good Reason and the basis therefor, and the Company shall have thirty (30) days to cure (the “Cure Period”). If the Company fails to cure the Good Reason within the Cure Period, Employee may terminate his employment and this Agreement upon an additional ten (10) days’ written notice. For all purposes under this Agreement, any termination by Employee with Good Reason shall be treated as if a determination had been made by the Company that Employee’s services are no longer needed or desired under Section IV-E-3 of this Agreement, and Employee shall be entitled to the payments and benefits set forth in Section IV-E-3 pursuant to its terms.

D. [This Section is omitted intentionally.]

E. Obligations of the Company Upon Certain Events.

1. Death or Disability. If Employee’s employment is terminated by reason of Employee’s death or Disability, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to Employee or Employee’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for (a) payment of the sum of (i) Employee’s annual base salary through the date of termination to the extent not theretofore paid and (ii) Employee’s pro rata bonus for the calendar year

 

during which the Employee’s death or Disability occurs (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (i) and (ii) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”), which shall be paid to Employee or Employee’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the date of termination; and (b) payment to Employee or Employee’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, any amounts due pursuant to the terms of any applicable welfare benefit plans. Upon a termination as a result of death or Disability, the Options, and any other options granted to Employee by the Company during his employment, to the extent outstanding and not previously vested at the time of such termination, shall thereupon vest in full and shall, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 4.2 and/or other provisions of the Plan, continue to be exercisable for a period of three (3) years after such termination.

2. Cause. If Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to Employee other than for the timely payment of Accrued Obligations. If it is subsequently determined that the Company did not have Cause for termination under this Section IV-E-2, then the Company’s decision to terminate shall be deemed instead to have been a determination that Employee’s services are no longer needed or desired under Section IV-E-3 and the amounts payable thereunder shall be the only amounts Employee may receive.

3. Other than Cause or Death or Disability. If the Company determines that it no longer needs or desires the services of Employee during the Term for other than Cause or Employee’s death or Disability, Employee’s employment shall be subject to, and the Company shall have no further obligations to Employee except as provided in, the Contract Payout Status Policy attached hereto as Exhibit A. Furthermore, if the Company determines that it no longer needs or desires the services of Employee during the Term under this Section IV-E-3, or if Employee terminates his employment with the Company for Good Reason, (i) the Options and any other options granted to Employee by the Company (and having a Grant Date) prior to August 15, 2005, to the extent outstanding and not previously vested at the time of such termination, shall thereupon vest in full and shall, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 4.2 and/or other provisions of the Plan, continue to be exercisable for a period of three (3) years after such termination; and (ii) any other options granted (and having a Grant Date) on or after August 15, 2005 (including without limitation the Options described in Section III-B above) shall vest and be exercisable in accordance with and subject to the terms of the controlling stock option plan(s) and stock option agreement(s). Employee understands and agrees that, notwithstanding any other contract, agreement, provision, plan or policy, no additional or accelerated rights or vesting, and no extended term(s) for exercise, with respect to stock options granted (i.e., having a Grant Date) on or after the August 15, 2005 (including without limitation the Options described in

 

Section III-B above), are being or will be conferred as a result of any termination of Employee’s employment, or of a determination by the Company that it no longer needs or desires the services of Employee, or of a termination by Employee of his employment with the Company for Good Reason. During any period of time, however, that Employee is placed on “contract payout status” in accordance with Option #1 of Exhibit A and remains on the Company’s payroll as an active employee, Employee’s stock options will continue to vest normally.

4. Exclusive Remedy. In consideration of the making of this Agreement, as well as of the other consideration stated herein, Employee expressly agrees that any contract, agreement or understanding between Employee and the Company and/or its affiliates with respect to severance or termination pay, notice of severance or termination, or pay in lieu of notice of severance or termination previously extended to Employee, whether by way of contract, letter, or any termination or severance policy, program, practice or arrangement, is hereby rescinded and waived. Employee agrees that the payments contemplated by this Agreement shall constitute the exclusive and sole remedy for any termination of Employee’s employment and Employee covenants not to assert or pursue any other remedies, at law or in equity, with respect to any termination of employment. If Employee violates this Agreement by bringing or maintaining any charges, claims, grievances, or lawsuits contrary to this provision, Employee shall pay all costs and expenses of the Company and/or related persons or affiliated entities in defending against such charges, claims or actions brought by Employee or on Employee’s behalf, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees, in addition to all damages suffered or incurred by the Company and/or its affiliates.

V. ARBITRATION.

Any Dispute between Employee and Company shall be resolved exclusively and finally by arbitration administered by the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) and conducted under its rules, except as otherwise provided below. Employee and Company will agree on another arbitration forum if NAF ceases operations. The term “Dispute”, for purposes of this provision, shall mean any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to (i) this Agreement, its enforcement, interpretation, termination, applicability or validity thereof, (ii) an alleged breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of its provisions, or (iii) Employee’s employment, including, but not limited to, any state or federal statutory claims. The arbitration shall be conducted before a single arbitrator and will be limited solely to the Dispute between Employee and the Company. The arbitration, or any portion of it, shall not be consolidated with any other arbitration and shall not be conducted on a class-wide or class action basis. The arbitration shall be held in Los Angeles, California and shall be conducted in accordance with the NAF rules for the resolution of Employment Disputes as the exclusive forum for the resolution of such Dispute; provided, however, that provisional injunctive relief may, but need not, be sought by either party to this Agreement in a court of law while arbitration proceedings are pending, and any provisional injunctive

 

relief granted by such court shall remain effective until the matter is finally determined by the arbitrator. This arbitration agreement shall be enforceable pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-14 et seq., and final resolution of any dispute through arbitration may include any remedy or relief that the Arbitrator deems just and equitable, including any and all remedies provided by applicable state or federal statutes. At the conclusion of the arbitration, the Arbitrator shall issue a written decision that sets forth the essential findings and conclusions upon which the Arbitrator’s award or decision is based. Any award or relief granted by the Arbitrator hereunder shall be final and binding on the parties hereto and may be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction. Except as specifically provided for herein, should either party bring a Dispute in a forum other than the NAF, the arbitrator may award the other party its reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred in staying or dismissing such other proceedings or in otherwise enforcing compliance with this dispute resolution provision. The parties acknowledge, agree and understand that they are hereby unequivocally waiving any rights to litigate disputes through a court, including the right to litigate claims on a class-wide or class action basis, and that they have expressly and knowingly waived those rights and agree to resolve any Disputes through binding arbitration in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph. Employee and Company further agree that in any proceeding to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to its or her reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs (including forum costs associated with the arbitration) incurred by it or her in connection with resolution of the dispute in addition to any other relief granted. Information may be obtained from the NAF on line at www.arb-forum.org, by calling 800-474-2371, or writing to P.O. Box 50191, Minneapolis, MN, 55405.

VI. NON-SOLICITATION/EMPLOYER INTERESTS.

Employee promises and agrees that during Employee’s employment and for twelve (12) months following the termination of Employee’s employment, for any reason whatsoever, Employee will not (1) influence or attempt to influence customers of the Company or any of its affiliates, either directly or indirectly, to divert their business to any individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity then in competition with the business of the Company, or any affiliate of the Company; or (2) take any action which is intended, or would reasonably be expected to, adversely affect the Company and/or its affiliates, or adversely affect the businesses, reputation, or relationship the Company and/or its affiliates with its or their customers, business partners, or vendors; provided, however, it shall not be a breach of this provision, after termination of this Agreement, to solicit future business from any person or entity with whom he had conducted business, on behalf of himself or any other entity, prior to the Effective Date, provided that such solicitation is not otherwise in violation of this Section VI.

VII. SOLICITING EMPLOYEES.

Employee promises and agrees that during Employee’s employment and for twelve (12) months following the termination of Employee’s employment, for any reason whatsoever, Employee will not directly or indirectly solicit any employees of the Company or its affiliates to work for any business, individual, partnership, firm, corporation, or other entity; provided, however, that this provision shall not prohibit Employee from employing personnel from the Company or its affiliates who respond (without other solicitation of any kind whatsoever) to general solicitations of employment directed to the public at large.

 

VIII. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

A. Employee, in the performance of Employee’s duties on behalf of the Company, shall have access to, receive and be entrusted with confidential information, including but in no way limited to development, marketing, organizational, financial, management, administrative, production, distribution and sales information, data, specifications and processes presently owned or at any time in the future developed, by the Company or its affiliates, or its or their agents or consultants, or used presently or at any time in the future in the course of its business that is not otherwise part of the public domain (collectively, the “Confidential Material”). All such Confidential Material is considered secret and will be available to Employee in confidence. Except in the performance of duties on behalf of the Company, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly for any reason whatsoever, disclose or use any such Confidential Material, unless such Confidential Material ceases (through no fault of Employee’s) to be confidential because it has become part of the public domain. All records, files, drawings, documents, equipment and other tangible items, wherever located, relating in any way to the Confidential Material or otherwise to the Company’s business, which Employee prepares, uses or encounters, shall be and remain the Company’s sole and exclusive property and shall be included in the Confidential Material. Upon termination of this Agreement by any means, or whenever requested by the Company, Employee shall promptly deliver to the Company any and all of the Confidential Material, not previously delivered to the Company, that may be or at any previous time has been in Employee’s possession or under Employee’s control; provided, however, that Employee may retain in his possession any Confidential Material that reflects the terms of his employment with the Company or the terms or amount of his compensation and benefits.

B. Employee hereby acknowledges that the sale or unauthorized use or disclosure of any of the Company’s Confidential Material by any means whatsoever and any time before, during or after Employee’s employment with the Company shall constitute unfair competition. Employee agrees that Employee shall not engage in unfair competition either during the time employed by the Company or any time thereafter.

C. Until this Agreement ceases (through no fault of Employee’s) to be confidential because it has become part of the public domain, Employee further agrees to keep the terms and contents of this Agreement completely confidential, except to consult with Employee’s legal, tax or other financial advisors or immediate family members, or as otherwise required by law.

IX. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS.

Employee hereby assigns to the Company, to the extent not previously assigned to the Company and/or its affiliates, all of Employee’s rights, title and interest in and to any and all inventions (and all proprietary rights with respect thereto) whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, made or conceived or reduced to practice

 

or learned by Employee, either alone or jointly with others, during the period of Employee’s employment with the Company or its affiliates. Employee recognizes that this Agreement does not require assignment of any invention demonstrated by Employee to qualify fully for protection under Section 2870 of the California Labor Code, the text of which is substantially set forth below:

2870. Employment agreements; assignment of rights

i 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, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either:

(a) 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

(b) result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.

ii 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.

Employee acknowledges that all original works of authorship which have been and/or are made by Employee (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of Employee’s employment and which are protectable by copyright are “works made for hire,” as that term is defined in the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C., Section 101).

From time to time, as and when requested by the Company and/or its affiliates, Employee will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments and shall take, or cause to be taken, all such further or other actions, as the Company and/or its affiliates may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to effectuate or evidence the assignment(s) contemplated by this Section XI, including, without limitation, executing and delivering to the Company and/or its affiliates or its or their designee such further assignments and other instruments, in each case as the Company or its affiliates may reasonably request for such purpose.

X. INJUNCTIVE, EQUITABLE AND OTHER RELIEF

Employee acknowledges, understands and agrees that the services to be furnished by Employee during Employee’s employment and the rights and privileges granted by the Company to Employee are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary, and intellectual character which gives them a peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or

 

adequately compensated in damages in any action at law, and a breach by Employee of any of the provisions contained herein will cause the Company irreparable injury and damage. Employee expressly agrees that, notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent a breach of this Agreement by Employee. Resort to such equitable relief, however, shall not be construed as a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other term or provision. The various rights and remedies of the Company hereunder shall be construed to be cumulative, and no one of them shall be exclusive of any other or of any right or remedy allowed by law.

XI. INDEMNIFICATION/COOPERATION.

Employee shall be entitled to indemnification on the terms, subject to the conditions, and to the extent provided for in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and/or restated from time to time, and applicable law. In consideration of such indemnification and the other agreements and consideration contained in this Agreement, Employee agrees that Employee shall cooperate fully with the Company and/or its affiliates, if so requested, with respect to any internal or external investigation or inquiry as well as any issues, claims or litigation (whether or not currently pending) involving the Company and/or its affiliates or any of those entities’ employees, including providing information and assistance and being reasonably available for both pre-trial discovery and trial proceedings at no out-of-pocket cost to Employee. Employee further agrees to participate in any such investigation, inquiry, proceedings or action and to provide truthful and accurate testimony, documents, records and any other information requested at no out-of-pocket cost to Employee. In addition, Employee agrees to meet with attorneys or representatives of the Company, upon reasonable notice, in connection with any such investigation, inquiry, proceedings or action.

XII. MISCELLANEOUS.

A. WITHHOLDING. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, all amounts payable under this Agreement shall be subject to and reduced by standard or other applicable withholding and other authorized deductions.

B. SUCCESSORS.

1. This Agreement is personal to Employee and shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, be assignable by Employee.

2. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and any such successor or assignee shall be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. As used herein, “successor” and “assignee” shall include, and this Agreement may be assignable without Employee’s prior written consent to, (i) any firm, corporation or other successor or surviving entity resulting from a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company, and/or the TV Guide Channel and TV Guide Spot, (ii) the transferee of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, and/or the TV Guide Channel and TV Guide Spot, or (iii) an affiliate of the Company, in each case whether the Agreement is assigned by the Company, by operation of law, or otherwise.