EXCLUSIVE CHANNEL PARTNER
AGREEMENT
FOR THE LICENSING OF
BRAINTECH'S
VISION GUIDED ROBOTICS
TECHNOLOGIES
AND
SOFTWARE
PRODUCTS
PARTIES:
1. BRAINTECH
CANADA INC.
2. ABB
INC.
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THIS MASTER
AGREEMENT made the 1st day of February
2004
BETWEEN:
BRAINTECH CANADA
INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of
British Columbia, Canada, with its principal office at 102-930 West
1st Street, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7P 3N4:
(604) 9886440, fax (604) 986-6131 (hereinafter referred to as
"Braintech" )
AND:
ABB Robot
Automation, a division of ABB Inc. ("ABB"), having a place of
business at 1250 Brown Rd. Auburn Hills, MI. 48326-1507: (248)
391-8505, fax: (248) 391-8532 (hereinafter referred to as
"LICENSEE " ).
RECITALS:
A.
BRAINTECH has expertise in the software solutions development for
vision guided robotic systems, including the technology and methods
required to analyze and classify digital representations of images
and visual patterns;
B.
BRAINTECH has developed valuable proprietary technology for use in
the development of vision guided robotic systems, including the eVF
Development Studio, SC3D guidance technology, and other software
programs as declared in Exhibit 4 - "Trademarks;
C.
LICENSEE
has expertise in
the area of flexible automation equipment manufacturing and system
integration;
D.
LICENSEE
has developed a
valuable network of business contacts and clients;
E.
BRAINTECH and LICENSEE believe that their respective
technologies and expertise can be combined in industrial
applications, which can employ the expertise and technology of both
BRAINTECH and LICENSEE ;
F.
Braintech and LICENSEE now wish to enter into this
Agreement. The purpose being to establish a comprehensive agreement
giving certain rights to LICENSEE , under terms and
conditions as hereinafter specified by the agreement and its
attached exhibits
AGREEMENT
1.
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
When used
herein, the terms below have the meaning as specified below, unless
the context requires otherwise:
1.1
"ABB robot" means all models of industrial robots
manufactured by ABB Inc.
1.2
"Agreement" means this agreement, including all of the
exhibits, and any variation hereto agreed in writing between the
Parties;
-3-
1.3
"Application Developer" means the organization licensed by
Braintech to develop VGR Applications using the Braintech
Software;
1.4
"Braintech Software" means eVF, Software Technology and
Third Party Software Technology as computer programs specified in
Exhibit 1 of Master Agreement in machine-readable object code form
and any Improvements thereto. The Braintech Software does not
include source code;
1.5
"Channel Partner" means a group or company acting as
representative of Braintech directly or indirectly to the
End-User;
1.6
"Component" means a reusable software program that is
available for use within eVF;
1.7
"End-User" means any company that purchases the Products for
use as part of their manufacturing process;
1.8
"Engineering Services" means work performed by Braintech
using the Braintech Software and hardware to develop a VGR
Application or part of a VGR Application;
1.9
"eVisionFactory and/or eVF" means the software system
developed and owned by Braintech which is used to develop, run and
support VGR Applications;
1.10
"Improvements" means any application specific software
developments which are based upon or originate from the Braintech
Software, or which are developed utilizing knowledge and experience
gained from the use of the Braintech Software, whether made or
developed by Braintech, and which are used or for use in the
Products;
1.11
"Intellectual Property" or "IP" means all patents,
utility models, designs, trademarks, copyrights and other
intellectual property rights (or applications pending
therefore);
1.12
"License Owner" means Braintech;
1.13
"List
Price" means the published price for the Braintech
Software;
1.14
"Market" means the automotive market and includes the
manufacturing in whole or part of cars, trucks, and buses. This
also includes tier suppliers of all levels. It does not include
other manufacturing markets or other markets such as medical or
Government Sectors including military, law enforcement, space
etc.
1.15
"Party" means a party to this Agreement;
1.16
"Products" means the complete system integrated with
hardware components such as, but not limited to; a robot, an
industrial PC, frame grabber, camera and/or lighting units; which
use and embody the Braintech Software whether or not they also
incorporate Independent Technology and whether or not the Braintech
Software forms only part of the Products;
1.17
"Science Services" means the work and services performed by
Braintech to develop new algorithms or Improvements to existing
algorithms and techniques that will be used to develop a VGR
Application or part of a VGR Application;
1.18
"Services" means the technical support and services set
forth in Article 10.1 hereof consisting of Engineering Services
and/or Science Services;
1.19
"Software Technology" means Components developed and owned
by Braintech and are available for use within eVF;
1.20
"Territory" means North America including United States of
America, Canada and Mexico;
1.21
"Term" means the period of one year from the date of this
Agreement, subject to conditions and extensions as provided for in
Article 14 of this Agreement;
1.22
"Third
Party Software Technology" means Components developed
and owned by
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organizations
other than Braintech and are available for use within
eVF;
1.23
"Trademarks" means all trade names and trademarks (or
applications pending therefore) relating to the Braintech Software
owned or controlled by Braintech as of the date hereof or issued to
or otherwise acquired by Braintech thereafter which are listed in
EXHIBIT 4, attached hereto and made an integral part
hereof;
1.24
"VGR" means Vision Guided Robotics and is used to describe
the type of business that this Agreement covers;
1.25
"VGR
Applications" means a software program developed with eVF which
is used to; get a digital image; analyze the image for object
identification, inspection and its spatial coordinates; and
communicate instructions to a robot or other factory automation
equipment.
2.
GRANT OF LICENSES
2.1
Braintech hereby grants to LICENSEE , an exclusive Channel
Partner license, with the right to license to End-Users, under the
Braintech Software, including improvements, to make, have made,
use, sell, or otherwise distribute the products in every country in
the Territory for the Markets defined;
2.2
Exclusive Channel Partner license means that Braintech will not
license or sell the Braintech Software to other potential Channel
Partners including robot manufacturers, and automotive systems
integrators in the Territory for the Markets defined;
2.3
Braintech retains the right to sell Braintech Software direct to
the End-User, which includes automakers such as Ford, Chrysler, GM,
Nissan, Honda, Toyota, etc., and tier suppliers such as Delphi,
Magna, Visteon, etc.;
2.4
When the End-User orders direct from Braintech, Braintech will
contract LICENSEE for integration and support services subject to
the End-Users acceptance;
2.5
LICENSEE's standard integration and support services fees are
setout in EXHIBIT 9;
2.6
Braintech hereby grants to LICENSEE a non-exclusive license
to develop VGR Applications and integrate such VGR Applications
onto the appropriate hardware in the Territory for the Markets
defined in EXHIBIT 7.
3.
REGISTRATION
3.1
LICENSEE is granted a license and shall be entitled to use
for the purposes of marketing, sales demonstration, quality
assurance, testing and support any of Braintech's Trademarks,
Software Technology and/or eVF as the case may be in the Territory
during the term of this Agreement.
4.
PRICES
4.1
The prices for all the Braintech Software sold by Braintech to
LICENSEE hereunder shall, unless otherwise agreed upon, be
quoted in US Dollars (US$);
4.2
The List Price for the Braintech Software purchased hereunder shall
be as is set out in the price list attached hereto as EXHIBIT 1 and
made an integral part hereof;
4.3
The prices for maintenance, training, support, and engineering fees
are set out in EXHIBIT 2 attached hereto and made an integral part
hereof;
4.4
The prices set out in Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2 are fixed for the
term of one year. Braintech will provide Licensee with price
changes 90 days before end of term. Braintech will
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provide
Licensee with immediate notice of additions and 30 days notice of
deletions of products from the price list.
5.
DISCOUNTS
5.1
LICENSEE will receive a discount as set out In EXHIBIT 3,
attached hereto and made an integral part hereof.
6.
PAYMENT
6.1
All payments for the Braintech Software and Services sold by
Braintech to LICENSEE hereunder shall, unless otherwise
agreed upon, be made by means of remittance to Braintech's
designated bank account by WIRE TRANSFER in the following manner
:
To wire funds
to our Braintech Canada Inc. US dollar account, the following
numbers are required:
Transit No.
00010
Institution No. 003
Account No. 4019980
ABA No.
ROYCCAT2
The bank address is:
Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Centre - Main Branch
1025 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada
V6E 3N9
6.2
LICENSEE
shall pay to
Braintech the full amount of the price for the Braintech Software
and/or Services purchased by LICENSEE pursuant to an
individual purchase contract entered into between LICENSEE
and Braintech pursuant to Article 8.
7.
DELIVERY
7.1
Braintech agrees to make all delivery of the Braintech Software
hereunder at the earliest available date after each individual
purchase contract is entered into between Braintech and
LICENSEE pursuant to ARTICLE 8 hereof, and in any case
Braintech shall make delivery strictly in accordance with the terms
and conditions stipulated in each such individual purchase
contract;
7.2
Braintech shall make all arrangements for any export licenses or
permits which may be required in a timely manner to enable
LICENSEE to make shipments in accordance with
LICENSEE'S shipping schedule set forth in each individual
purchase contract;
7.3
LICENSEE shall acknowledge a Run-Time license as part of the
proposal/order acknowledgement process.
8.
INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS
8.1
The detailed terms and conditions of each individual purchase by
LICENSEE from Braintech of the Braintech Software hereunder
shall be mutually agreed upon at the time of each such purchase and
confirmed by both parties in a "Confirmation of Purchase Contract"
to be issued by LICENSEE and countersigned and returned by
Braintech. (Note: For greater clarity, Braintech agrees to provide
special terms, including pricing, and discounts, on a per merit
basis as agreed
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upon by both
parties necessary to meet market conditions.);
8.2
Each such individual purchase contract between Braintech and
LICENSEE shall be deemed to incorporate all of the terms and
conditions hereof to the extent that they may be applicable and are
not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of said individual
purchase contract; provided, however, that the terms and conditions
of this Agreement shall, in the event of a conflict, have
precedence over those on the reverse side of the "Confirmation of
Purchase Contract".
9.
TECHNICAL SERVICES
9.1
Braintech shall provide LICENSEE free of charge with all
technical information used for: the purpose of VGR Application
Development; manufacture of the Products; training and support in
its possession relating to the Braintech Software. In addition,
Braintech shall, from time to time, make available to
LICENSEE free of charge any and all new technical
information of the Braintech Software, technical literature and the
like necessary or useful in connection with the VGR Application
Development and manufacture of the Products and effective use of
the Braintech Software;
9.2
In the case where the LICENSEE is developing a VGR
application, LICENSEE may require Braintech to provide
Engineering Services and/or Science Services. In all cases,
LICENSEE must provide Braintech with such information, as
LICENSEE may in its reasonable discretion deem necessary in
order to enable Braintech to provide Services to LICENSEE
hereunder.
Such
information may include:
9.2.1 Project
Specifications
9.2.2 Sample Part(s) and/or
9.2.3 Sample Devices and/or
9.2.4 ABB robot software and/or
9.2.5 Sample Robots(s);
9.3
In the event LICENSEE requires Braintech Engineering
Services to help develop a VGR Application all such services will
be charged out according to the terms and conditions set forth in
Exhibit 2 - Services;
9.4
In the event
LICENSEE requires Braintech Science Services to help develop
a VGR Application all such services will be charged out according
to the terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit 2 -
Services.
10.
SALES AND MARKETING ACTIVITIES
10.1
LICENSEE has certain rights to market Braintech Software
Technology as part of the Products per the Sales and Marketing
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 6.
11.
REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTY
11.1
Braintech
hereby represents and warrants that:
(a)
Braintech owns its Proprietary Information as defined in Article 13
below, Trademarks, eVF or Software Technology, free and clear of
any agreement and Braintech is free to grant a license to use the
same to LICENSEE as contemplated herein;
(b)
Proprietary information of Braintech, Trademarks, eVF or Software
Technology constitutes the best available industrial property
rights and technical information in the possession or
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under the control of
Braintech;
(c)
Braintech is not restricted or prohibited from granting the license
to use its Proprietary Information, Trademarks, eVF and/or Software
Technology as contemplated herein, or from disclosing such
Proprietary Information by any applicable law, regulation or order
or by the terms of any other agreement to which Braintech is a
party or by which it is bound;
11.2
Braintech
warrants that the Braintech Software shall be free of defect in
design and workmanship. However, for greater clarity, such warranty
does not apply to output, results, errors, or abnormal terminations
or delays caused in whole or in part by (a) any functionality of
software or products, including databases, not created by or
licensed for use by Braintech, whether or not such products or
software are embedded in or form part of the Software Technology;
(b) use of the Software Technology in combination with any other
product not provided by Braintech; (c) any modification of the
Software Technology made by a party other than Braintech or
authorized by Braintech; (d) any data provided to the Software
Technology by non-Braintech products which does not adequately
specify date data; or (e) LICENSEE'S failure to use the
Software Technology in accordance with the Support Materials to be
provided by Braintech;
11.3
Braintech
warrants that the Braintech Software sold and delivered to
LICENSEE hereunder shall have been produced in accordance
with the then presently available best technical knowledge and for
a period of twelve (12) months after LICENSEE'S delivery of
the Products to its licensee or any other LICENSEE channel
partner shall be free from all defects in software. In addition,
and not by way of limitation of the foregoing, the Braintech
Software shall conform to any specifications mutually agreed upon
between the parties;
11.4
In the
event that, within the warranty period set forth in the foregoing
Article 11.3, the Braintech Software or part thereof is found to be
defective or not in conformity with the agreed specifications,
Braintech shall, within thirty (30) days after receipt of the claim
therefore from LICENSEE , repair or replace, at
LICENSEE's sole option, such defective or non-conforming
Technology or part thereof free of charge;
11.5
All
transportation and other costs incurred in connection with the
return of any defective or non-conforming part of the Braintech
Software or part thereof and the reshipment of such repaired
Technology or part thereof or replacement therefore pursuant to the
foregoing Article 11.4 shall be borne by Braintech.
11.6
Braintech
shall indemnify and hold LICENSEE harmless from and against
any loss, damage, cost, expense, claim or liability which may be
incurred by or asserted against the LICENSEE as a result of
any breach of the warranty contained in this Article 11.
12.
NON-TRANSFER OF SECRETS
12.1
Source
Code, flow diagrams and algorithms deemed secret by Braintech are
excluded and will not be shared with LICENSEE.
13.
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
13.1
Braintech
warrants that all Third Party Software Technology made available as
components of eVF has been properly licensed from the licensors of
all such Software Technology and that LICENSEE has the right
to use and to include, and continue to use and include, such Third
Party Software Technology as part of the Products at no charge
(other than those expressly set forth in this Agreement). All such
Third Party Software is listed in Exhibit 5;
13.2
Braintech
warrants that no part of its Proprietary Information, Trademarks,
and Technology
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infringes any
Intellectual Property including, but not limited to, patent,
utility model, design, trade name, trademark and copyright
belonging to any third party inside or outside the
Territory;
13.3
Braintech
shall defend any legal action or other proceeding brought against
LICENSEE , insofar as such legal action or other proceeding
is based upon a claim that the Proprietary Information, Trademarks,
Technology, or any part thereof, delivered to LICENSEE
hereunder infringes any patent, utility model, design, trade name
or trademark, copyright or other Intellectual Property belonging to
any third party inside or outside the Territory. LICENSEE
shall notify Braintech of the institution of any such legal action
or other proceeding, and shall provide Braintech with such
assistance and cooperation in the defense of such legal action or
other proceeding as Braintech may reasonably request. Braintech
shall have sole control over any such legal action or other
proceeding and shall indemnify and hold LICENSEE harmless
from and against all damages and costs awarded therein against
LICENSEE;
13.4
In the
event that the Proprietary Information, Trademarks, Technology, or
any portion thereof, is held to infringe any Intellectual Property
belonging to any third party inside or outside the Territory and
the use thereof is enjoined by a court of competent jurisdiction,
Braintech shall, at LICENSEE's sole option, either procure
for LICENSEE the right to continue using such Proprietary
Information, Trademarks, Technology, replace such Proprietary
Information, Trademarks, Technology with a non-infringing one or
modify such Proprietary Information, Trademarks, Technology so that
it becomes non-infringing.
14.
TERM
14.1
Unless
earlier terminated, this Agreement shall continue for a period of
one (1) year from the date of this Agreement;
14.2
After the
expiry of the one (1) year initial period, this Agreement will be
extended, upon the mutual consent of the parties, for another
period of one (1) year if a minimum number of 25 runtime eVF
licenses are purchased by End-Users through the LICENSEE or
Braintech as a result of a collaborative effort between Braintech
and the LICENSEE , and will continue to be extended on an
annual basis for up to three (3) years total if a minimum number of
eVF runtime licenses, calculated by multiplying the previous years
actual total of eVF runtimes by 120% are purchased by End-Users
through the LICENSEE or by mutual consent of both parties
during each year this Agreement is in effect.
15.
TERMINATION
15.1
Either
Party may forthwith terminate this Agreement by notice to such
effect to the other Party if the other Party commits a material
breach of any term or condition contained in this Agreement
(including the case in which any of Braintech's representations and
warranties contained in Article 11 hereof proves to have been
incorrect or materially misleading when made) and, if such breach
is capable of remedy, fails to remedy or begins to remedy the same
within thirty (30) days after notice from the Party not in breach
setting out the nature of such breach and demanding that the same
be remedied;
15.2
Either
Party may forthwith terminate this Agreement by notice to such
effect to the other Party if bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization proceedings, or other proceedings analogous in
nature or effect, are instituted by or against the other Party, the
other Party is dissolved or liquidated, whether voluntarily or
involuntarily, a receiver or trustee is appointed for all or a
substantial part of the assets of the other party or the other
Party makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors;
15.3
LISCENEE
may terminate this Agreement by notice to such effect to Braintech
if the price changes per article 4.4 are greater than
5%;
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15.4
No
termination of this Agreement, for whatever reason, shall affect
any right or obligation of either party, which has accrued prior to
the date of such termination;
15.5
In the
event Braintech sells or desires to sell its business, in whole or
in part, LICENSEE shall have the right in its sole
discretion to immediately terminate this agreement.
16.
WAIVER AND VARIATION
16.1
A
provision of or a right created under this Agreement may not be
waived except in writing signed by the party granting the waiver
and the Parties' rights and obligations under this Agreement may
not be varied except in writing signed by the Parties. Waiver of
any one breach of a term of this Agreement is not to be construed
as a waiver of any subsequent breach of that term or of any other
term.
17.
RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES
17.1
The
relationship between the Parties is limited to the relationship
created under the terms of this Agreement.
17.2
This
Agreement is solely for the purposes set in this Agreement and not
for any other purpose and nothing contained in this Agreement shall
be deemed or construed as constituting either party as an agent or
legal representative of the other party for any purpose whatsoever,
or as conferring upon either party any right or authority to assume
or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied,
orally or in writing, on behalf of or in the name of the other
party or to bind the other party in any manner
whatsoever;
17.3
Subject to
Article 17.1 and 17 nothing contained in this Agreement will be
construed as a limitation of the powers or rights of a Party to
otherwise carry on its separate business for its sole
benefit;
17.4
No Party
will attempt to bind or impose any obligation upon the other Party
or incur any joint liability without the mutual consent of that
other Party except as set out in this Agreement;
17.5
Nothing
contained herein is intended nor shall be interpreted to provide or
create any third party beneficiary rights of whatever kind in any
third party in any circumstance whatsoever.
18.
GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
18.1
The
Parties hereby agree that this Agreement is governed by the laws of
the State of Michigan of the United States of America, without
reference to the conflict of laws principles;
18.2
All
disputes in connection with this Agreement are to be finally settle
by binding arbitration in the State of Michigan of the United
States of America, in accordance with the then existing Rules of
Conciliation and Arbitration of the International Chamber of
Commerce by three (3) arbitrators to be selected in accordance with
said Rules. Awards rendered therein shall be final and binding upon
the parties hereto.
19.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
19.1
This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties
hereto and wholly cancels, terminates and supersedes all previous
negotiations, agreements and commitments, whether formal or
informal, oral or written, with respect to the subject matter
hereof.
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20.
FORCE MAJEURE
20.1
If at any
time owing to any circumstances beyond a Party's control (
"Force Majeure" ) including but not limited to fire,
explosion, war (whether declared or undeclared), civil commotion,
strikes or any form of governmental intervention, a Party is
prevented from fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement that
Party will be entitled to give to the other written notice thereof
(the "Force Majeure Notice" ) setting out as fully as
possible the circumstances alleged to constitute the Force
Majeure;
20.2
The Party
giving the Force Majeure Notice will then be entitled to suspend
the operation of this Agreement to the extent of its relevant
inability to perform during a period equal to the duration of the
event of Force Majeure specific in any such notice;
20.3
In the
event of a Party giving a Force Majeure Notice the Parties must, at
the request of either of them, meet and properly confer in good
faith in an endeavor to reach a mutually acceptable solution with a
view to alleviating any hardship or unfairness caused to any Party
as a result of the event of Force Majeure;
20.4
Every
Force Majeure Notice will be withdrawn by the Party giving it as
soon as possible but in any event within forty-eight hours after
the event of Force Majeure specified in the Force Majeure Notice
has ceased to exist;
20.5
In the
event that such Force Majeure continues for more that 6 calendar
months then any Party may, by notice in writing to the other,
require that the Parties commence negotiations with a view to
arranging the termination of this Agreement;
21.
NOTICES
21.1
Any
notice, communication or other documents authorized or required to
be given or served pursuant to this Agreement (in this clause
referred to as a "Communication" ) must, unless otherwise
specifically provided by this Agreement, be in writing addressed as
appropriate to the relevant Party at it's address set out in this
Article or to such other address as may be notified in writing by
that Party to the other party from time to time as it's address for
service and must be signed by an authorized representative of the
party giving or serving the Communication. All Communications with
Braintech shall be in the English language;
21.2
A
Communication must be delivered by hand or sent by prepaid
certified mail requiring acknowledgment of delivery or by
international courier delivery or (where appropriate reception
facilities are available) sent by facsimile transmission or
personal e-mail;
21.3
A
Communication referred to in Article 21.2 which is delivered or
received in full by facsimile transmission before 2:00 p.m. on a
business day in the place in which it is delivered shall be deemed
to be received on that day, and in any case other than hand
delivery or facsimile transmission will be deemed to be received on
the business day in the place of delivery next following the day of
delivery or receipt;
21.4
A
Communication which is sent by certified mail or courier delivery
will be deemed to have been received on the date of
delivery;
21.5
Article
21.2 and 21.3 (insofar as they relate to facsimile transmission) do
not operate where the transmission by facsimile is not fully
intelligible. Transmission will be deemed to have been fully
intelligible unless retransmission is requested within ten (10)
working hours (being hours between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on a
busin