THIS
AGREEMENT is made as of
the 24 th
day of April, 2009 (the
“Effective Date”)
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HearUSA,
INC. ,
a corporation established under the laws of Delaware.
1250 Northpoint Parkway, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
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(561) 478-8770
ext. 133
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(561)
688-8893
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(hereinafter,
“Licensor”)
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HELIX
HEARING CARE OF AMERICA CORP. ,
a corporation established under the laws of Canada
815 Taylor Creek Drive, Suite 203, Cumberland, ON K1C
1T1
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(613)
824-2771
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(613)
824-1109
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(hereinafter,
“Licensee”)
IN
CONSIDERATION of the
covenants and agreements set out in this Agreement, and other good
and valuable consideration, the parties agree as
follows:
1.
BACKGROUND AND DEFINITIONS
1.1
Definitions. A glossary of defined terms is set out in
Schedule A (Glossary). All capitalized terms used in this
License Agreement will have the meaning set out in
Schedule A.
1.2 Background.
Licensee wishes to license the Software. Licensor is engaged in a
business substantially similar to that carried on by the Licensee
and operates and maintains the Software in support of its
business.
2.1 Grant.
Licensor grants to Licensee a perpetual, non-transferable (except
as set forth in Section 11.4), irrevocable (subject to the
provisions in Section 4) license as follows with respect to
the Software and Documentation:
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(a)
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to use the Software in connection
with Licensee’s operations, for the benefit of Licensee, in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including:
(i) use for disaster recovery, training, testing and
production purposes; and (ii) running, executing, storing,
transmitting, copying and networking the Software;
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(b)
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to reproduce copies of applicable
Documentation as required by Licensee;
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(c)
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to duplicate the Software for
archival or back-up purposes and store such duplicate copies at
locations other than Licensee’s location set out at the start
of this Agreement provided that: (i) the copy contains all of
the original Software’s proprietary notices;
(ii) Licensee maintains accurate and up-to-date records of the
location of any copy made; and (iii) Licensee agrees not to
transfer any back-up copy of the Software unless in accordance with
the assignment provisions of this Agreement;
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(d)
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to use the Software at an
alternative processing site concurrent with use in the primary
processing location for disaster recovery purposes, as well as for
disaster recovery testing and drills; and
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(e)
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to create interfaces between the
Software and other systems and program materials as may be required
by Licensee to achieve the maximum benefits from its use of the
Software and of such other systems and program
materials.
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Furthermore,
Licensee may sublicense the Software and Documentation to Licensor
or any of its Affiliates for use in Canada.
2.2 Reserved
Rights. Except for the limited license rights expressly granted in
this Agreement, Licensor reserves all rights, title and interest in
and to the Software and Documentation.
2.3
Exclusivity. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
the license granted in Section 2.1 is an exclusive license in
all provinces and territories in Canada. During any period of time
that Licensor is obligated to provide any services to Licensee in
respect of the Software, Licensor may use the Software in all
provinces and territories in Canada for the sole purpose of
providing such services to Licensee.
2.4
Restrictions. Licensee agrees not to (and will not allow, direct or
authorize any User to): (i) use the Software other than in
accordance with this Agreement; (ii) remove any proprietary
notices from the Software or Documentation; (iii) sublicense,
sell or otherwise distribute the Software to any third party,
except, Licensee shall be entitled to permit any service providers
to Licensee to exercise the rights and licenses granted under this
Agreement only for the purposes of providing services to Licensee,
as the case may be; or (iv) unless otherwise expressly agreed
in writing by Licensee and Licensor:
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(a)
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decompile, disassemble, or reverse
engineer the Software; or
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(b)
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modify or create any derivative
works based on the Software.
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2.5 Alternative
Licenses. Licensor agrees that this Agreement is the only agreement
between the parties with respect to the Software and Documentation
and that any shrink wrap or click wrap license terms included or
presented with either is not binding on the parties.
2.6
Modifications. Licensor shall not be required under this Agreement
to: (i) provide Enhancements, Updates or error corrections, or
(ii) create any interfaces, program materials, or other
derivative works or modifications for the benefit of
Licensee.
3.1 Fees. The
fee payable by Licensee to Licensor applicable to Licensee’s
use of the Software and Documentation (“Fees”) is the
lump sum amount of $5,000,000 Canadian which amount Licensor
acknowledges having received as of the date hereof.
3.2 Taxes. None
of the Fees are subject to any taxes whatsoever.
3.3 Canadian
Currency. All amounts specified in this Agreement refer to Canadian
currency.
4.1 Termination
by Licensee. Licensee may terminate this Agreement immediately on
written notice to Licensor, if Licensor is in material default of
any provision of this Agreement that is not cured or addressed to
the satisfaction of Licensee (acting reasonably) within 20 Business
Days following written notice of the default from
Licensee.
4.2 Termination
by Licensor. Licensor may terminate this Agreement immediately on
written notice to Licensee, if Licensee is in material default of
any provision of this Agreement that is not cured or addressed to
the satisfaction of Licensor (acting reasonably) within 20 Business
Days following written notice of the default from
Licensor.
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License
Agreement — CMS Software
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Confidential
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2
4.3 Termination
and Licenses. If Licensor exercises its termination rights pursuant
to Section 4.2 of this Agreement, all licenses granted under
Section 2 are terminated immediately and Licensee will cease
all use of the affected Software, and shall return, delete or
destroy all copies of the Software and Documentation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Licensee may retain one archival
copy of the Software and the Documentation.
4.4 Software No
Longer Used By Licensor. If, at any time after 36 months from
the Effective Date, Licensor provides to Licensee a written notice
that Licensor has permanently ceased its use of the Software
outside of Canada, Licensee will, within 180 days of its
receipt of such written notice, cease its use of the
Software.
4.5 Termination
for Convenience by Licensee. If, pursuant to Section 11.4,
Licensor assigns its rights or delegates its duties under this
Agreement, either in whole or in part, Licensee may, in its sole
discretion, terminate this Agreement upon written notice to
Licensor. In the event of such termination under this
Section 4.5 neither Licensor nor its assignee will have any
further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement except
pursuant to those provisions of this Agreement that survive
termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 4.7.
4.6
Intellectual Property Infringement Claim. If Licensor provides to
Licensee a written legal opinion from its legal counsel (whose
legal practice is principally in the intellectual property law
field) that Licensee’s or Licensee’s Representatives
continued use of the Software will likely result in an infringement
of a third party’s Intellectual Property Rights in or to the
Software, Licensee will cease its use of the Software within
30 days of Licensee’s receipt of such written legal
opinion.
4.7 Survival.
Those Sections which by their nature should survive the termination
of this Agreement will survive termination, including
Sections 1.1, 2.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, 4.7, 5, 6.4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and
11.
5.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
5.1 General.
Licensee and Licensor agree to be bound by the terms and conditions
set out in Schedule C, and any additional terms and conditions
regarding privacy, confidentiality or security set out in this
Agreement.
6.
WARRANTIES AND DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES
6.1 Right to
Grant Licenses. Licensor represents and warrants to and covenants
with Licensee, which representations, warranties and covenants will
continue for a period of 24 months after the Effective Date,
as follows: (i) Licensor has the right and authority to grant
the rights and licenses set out in this Agreement free of any
security interest, lien, encumbrance or claim of any kind in favour
of or by any third party; and (ii) neither the Software nor
the Documentation will infringe upon or violate any third-party
Intellectual Property Rights.
6.2 Exclusion.
The warranties set out in Section 6.1 do not extend to any
damages, malfunctions, or non-conformities caused by:
(i) Licensee’s use of the Software in violation of the
license granted under this Agreement; or (ii) the Software
having been modified other than by Licensor.
6.3 Authority.
Licensor represents and warrants to and covenants with Licensee
that Licensor has the right and authority to enter into this
Agreement. Licensee represents and warrants to and covenants with
Licensor that Licensee has the right and authority to enter into
this Agreement.
6.4 Disclaimer.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE LICENSOR TO THE LICENSEE
“AS-IS” AND, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE EXPRESS
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS CONTAINED IN SECTION 6.1
AND SECTION 6.3, LICENSOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY OTHER
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS OR CONDITIONS WITH RESPECT
TO THE SOFTWARE, DOCUMENTATION, OR OTHERWISE ARISING FROM THIS
AGREEMENT WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, PAST OR PRESENT, STATUTORY OR
OTHERWISE, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF ANY EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, LICENSEE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY OTHER
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS OR CONDITIONS ARISING FROM
THIS AGREEMENT WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, PAST OR PRESENT,
STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE.
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License
Agreement — CMS Software
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Confidential
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3
7.1
Intellectual Property Indemnification. Licensor will indemnify and
hold Licensee and Licensee’s Representatives harmless from
any and all charges, losses, damages and expenses (including legal
fees and expenses) incurred in connection with any claims, demands,
suits, actions, and other liabilities asserted against any of them
as a result of alleged or actual infringement of any Intellectual
Property Right arising from the receipt or use of the Software or
Documentation by Licensee, Licensee’s Representatives or
Users, provided that Licensee: (i) gives Licensor prompt
written notice of any such claim; (ii) gives Licensor all
reasonable co-operation, information and assistance to handle the
defense or settlement; (iii) gives Licensor, immediately upon
Licensor’s request, sole control of the defense and
settlement negotiations; and (iv) except to the extent
required by law, Licensee makes no admission regarding any such
claim without Licensor’s prior written consent. Licensor may
not agree to any settlement of any claim that results in any
obligations being incurred by Licensee, Licensee’s
Representatives or Users without Licensee’s prior written
consent. Provided that Licensor complies with this Section 7,
Licensee shall have no remedy against Licensor in addition to the
indemnification provided above, except it may at its option
terminate this Agreement.
7.2 Harmful
Code Indemnification. Licensor will indemnify and hold Licensee
harmless from any and all losses, damages and expenses incurred in
connection with any harmful or hidden programs or data incorporated
in the Software with malicious and mischievous intent including
viruses, time bombs, trap doors or similar malicious instructions,
techniques or devices capable of disrupting, disabling, damaging or
shutting down a computer system or software or hardware component
thereof (“Harmful Code”). Once Licensee has actual
knowledge of any Harmful Code, Licensee will use commercially
reasonable efforts to mitigate any of its potential losses, damages
and expenses. The indemnity set out this Section 7.2 shall be
subject to the limitation of liability set out in Section 8.1,
Section 8.2 and Section 8.3 and shall terminate
3 years from the Effective Date.
8.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
8.1 Indirect
Damages. NEITHER PARTY (INCLUDING ITS REPRESENTATIVES) WILL BE
LIABLE TO THE OTHER IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER, FOR ANY INDIRECT,
PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES. THIS LIMITATION WILL
APPLY WHETHER OR NOT THE DAMAGES ARE FORESEEABLE OR THE DEFAULTING
PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES.
8.2 Direct
Damages. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF
EACH PARTY FOR ANY CLAIM, ACTION OR DEMAND ARISING OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT (“CLAIM”) WILL BE
LIMITED TO SUCH DIRECT DAMAGES AS ARE ACTUALLY INCURRED BY THE
CLAIMING PARTY.
8.3 Limit. IN
NO EVENT WILL THE TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY OF LICENSOR (INCLUDING
ITS REPRESENTATIVES) TO LICENSEE (INCLUDING ITS REPRESENTATIVES),
FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEED
$500,000.00.
8.4 Exceptions.
THE EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY SET OUT IN SECTION 8.1,
SECTION 8.2 AND SECTION 8.3 DO NOT APPLY TO ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM
FRAUD OR WILFUL MISCONDUCT OR ANY CLAIM FOR INDEMNIFICATION UNDER
SECTION 7.1. OTHERWISE, THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS SET OUT IN THIS
SECTION 8 WILL APPLY REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION.
9.1 General.
The Parties agree to use the dispute resolution procedures set out
in Schedule D to resolve any disputes which may arise out of
or in connection with this Agreement or which are otherwise related
to this Agreement.
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License
Agreement — CMS Software
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Confidential
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4
9.2 Exceptions.
Notwithstanding Section 9.1, the parties acknowledge and agree
that either party shall be entitled to seek an injunction or other
equitable relief in order to prevent any continuing or ongoing
breach of this Agreement, or any violation of any other legal
obligation of the other party with respect to any Confidential
Information or Personal Information required to be protected under
this Agreement.
10.1 Notices.
Any notice given pursuant to this Agreement will be in writing and
addressed to the other party at the address for the other party
listed at the start of this Agreement. Any such notice will be
deemed to have been received two Business Days following:
(i) deposit with a globally recognized overnight delivery
service, all delivery charges pre-paid; or (ii) transmission
if sent by facsimile and receipt confirmed by the facsimile machine
used. Either party may designate a different address by written
notice to the other party given in accordance with this
Section.
11.1 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive
agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter,
and supersedes and replaces any and all prior or contemporaneous
discussions, negotiations, understandings and agreements, written
and oral, regarding its subject matter. Except as expressly set out
in this Agreement, this Agreement may be changed only by a written
document signed by authorized representatives of Licensor and an
authorized representative of Licensee. Should any provision of this
Agreement be held to be invalid by a court of competent
jurisdiction, then that provision will be enforced to the extent
permissible, and all other provisions will remain in effect and are
enforceable by the parties.
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(a)
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The headings used in this Agreement
are for convenience of reference only, and are not intended to be
full or accurate descriptions of the content of the
paragraphs.
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(b)
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No provision of this Agreement will
be interpreted against any party merely because that party or its
legal representative drafted the provision.
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(c)
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This Agreement has been drawn up in
English at the request of the parties.
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(d)
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All remedies are
cumulative.
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(e)
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This Agreement is for the benefit
of, and binding upon the parties, their successors and permitted
assigns.
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(f)
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Throughout this Agreement, the term
“including” or the phrases “e.g.,” or
“for example” have been used to mean “including,
without limitation”. The examples provided should not be
considered to be all-inclusive.
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(g)
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Words denoting the singular include
the plural and vice versa, and words denoting any gender include
all genders.
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(h)
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Except as otherwise provided, the
terms “hereunder”, “herein”,
“hereby”, “hereof”, “hereto”,
“hereinafter” and any other similar expression when
used in this Agreement usually refer to this Agreement as a whole
rather than to any particular section thereof.
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11.3 Waiver. No
term of this Agreement will be deemed to be waived by reason of any
previous failure to enforce it. No term of this Agreement may be
waived except in a writing signed by the party waiving
enforcement.
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License
Agreement — CMS Software
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Confidential
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5
11.4
Assignment. Except as expressly set out in this Agreement or unless
the context otherwise requires, neither party may assign its rights
or delegate its duties under this Agreement, either in whole or in
part, without the prior written consent of the other party, such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Notwithstanding
the preceding sentence, either party may, without the prior written
consent of the other party, assign this Agreement as part of a sale
of all or substantially all of its assets; provided that the
assigning party gives the other party written notice of such
assignment on the date the assignment is made. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Licensor shall not be entitled to assign, either in
whole or in part, any of its rights or delegate any of its duties
under this Agreement to any third party (including any Affiliate)
who is in the business of operating hearing clinics or hearing
centres in Canada. As part of any assignment by Licensor, as
permitted pursuant to this section 11.4, Licensor shall obtain
written assurances from its assignee that such assignee does not
and shall not operate any hearing clinics or hearing centres in
Canada. Upon any assignment hereunder, the assigning party shall
remain responsible for the acts and omissions of its assignee.
Subject to the restrictions in this Section 11.4, this
Agreement will be binding on, will inure to the benefit of, and
will be enforceable against the parties and their respective
successors and assigns.
11.5
Independent Contractors. The relationship between the parties is
that of independent contractors. This Agreement will not establish
any relationship of partnership, joint venture, employment,
franchise or agency between them. Neither party will have the power
to bind the other without the other party’s prior written
consent.
11.6 Governing
Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada
applicable therein, without reference to the conflict of laws
provisions or principles. The parties agree that any Dispute shall
be dealt with in accordance with Schedule D. The United
Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods
does not apply to this Agreement.
11.7 Media. The
parties shall consult with each other before issuing any press
release or making any other public announcement with respect to
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and, except
as required by any applicable law or regulatory requirement,
neither of them shall issue any such press release or make any such
public announcement without the prior written consent of the other
party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.
11.8 Force
Majeure. Except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement,
neither party will be liable for any failure or delay in its
performance under this Agreement due to any cause beyond its
reasonable control that could not have been avoided by the exercise
of reasonable foresight provided that the party affected by such
failure or delay gives the other party prompt written notice of the
cause, and uses reasonable commercial efforts to correct such
failure or delay within a reasonable period of time (not to exceed
30 days).
[The remainder of this page has
intentionally been left blank.]
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License
Agreement — CMS Software
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Confidential
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6
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF THE PARTIES hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
Effective Date:
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HearUSA,
INC.
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HELIX
HEARING CARE OF AMERICA CORP.
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By:
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Name:
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Name:
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Title:
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Title:
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[Signature page to the License
Agreement]
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