Separation and Release of Claims Agreement, dated April 24, 2018, by and among Darin Hammers, Cogentix Medical, Inc. and Laborie Medical Technologies, Corp
Exhibit 10.1
April 24, 2018
Darin Hammers
5420 Feltl Road,
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343
Dear Darin:
This letter, upon your signature, will serve as the Separation and Release of Claims agreement (this Release) between you, Cogentix Medical, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (Cogentix) and Laborie Medical Technologies, Corp., a Delaware corporation (Laborie) (Cogentix and Laborie and their respective affiliates, collectively, the Companies) on the terms of your separation from service at Cogentix:
1. | Separation from Service. You are separated from service as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cogentix, effective as of April 24, 2018 (the Termination Date). As of the Termination Date, you will cease to be an employee, officer, and director of Cogentix and any of its subsidiaries for which you hold any positions. For the avoidance of doubt, you will cease to provide any services to Cogentix and its subsidiaries as of the Termination Date, except as specifically required by this Release. Your separation from service will be treated as a termination without cause for all purposes, including for purposes of all compensation and benefit plans, policies, agreements, and arrangements for Cogentix and its subsidiaries in which you participate or to which you are a party (the Cogentix Arrangements). |
2. | Separation Benefits. In consideration for your signing and not timely revoking this Release, you will be entitled to the following benefit (the Separation Benefit): |
a. | a lump sum cash payment of $701,250 (representing the severance payment pursuant to Section 12 of your Employment Agreement, dated July 11, 2016 (the Employment Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A)), to be paid on Cogentixs first regularly scheduled payroll date following the Release Effective Date. |
3. | Accrued Benefits. In addition to the Separation Benefit and regardless of whether you sign this Release, upon the Termination Date, you will also be entitled to the following accrued amounts and benefits (the Accrued Benefits): |
a. | if you qualify for and timely elect continued coverage under Cogentixs group medical plan and/or group dental plan pursuant to Section 4980B of the Code (COBRA), reimbursement, on a monthly basis, of the amount you pay for such COBRA continuation coverage for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months following the Termination Date, within twenty (20) days of your request for reimbursement; |
b. | a lump sum cash payment of $35,416.67 (representing a payment in lieu of termination notice pursuant to Section 11 of the Employment Agreement), to be paid on April 27, 2018; and |
c. | a lump sum cash payment of $42,436.65 (representing your accrued but unused vacation through the Termination Date), to be paid on April 27, 2018. |
4. | No Other Benefits. The Accrued Benefits represent all amounts owed to you (absent this Release) upon your separation from service with Cogentix, and include payment for all outstanding amounts, reimbursements, and payments that are owed to you by Cogentix or any of its subsidiaries as of the Termination Date, except for reimbursements of certain travel and other expenses incurred through the Termination Date, which you will submit in a final expense report by May 7, 2018 and which will be paid to you in accordance with Cogentixs expense reimbursement policy. The Separation Benefit is in excess of any amounts owed to you but for your execution of this Release. Except as specifically provided in this Release and except for payments in respect of Cogentix stock, stock options, and restricted shares that you may be entitled to pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 11, 2018, by and among LM U.S. Parent, Inc., Camden Merger Sub, Inc., and Cogentix (the Merger Agreement), you will not be entitled to any further compensation or benefits from any of the Companies after the Termination Date. |
5. | In return for the consideration of the Separation Benefit, to which you agree you are not otherwise entitled and the Accrued Benefits, you hereby covenant not to sue and fully and forever release and discharge the Companies and their officers, directors, shareholders, agents, members, attorneys, employees, former employees, and representatives, affiliates, predecessors, successors, subsidiaries, members, related entities and their directors, officers, employees, agents, and representatives (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Released Parties) from any and all claims, demands, damages, liens, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, debts, costs, expenses, attorneys fees, judgments, orders or liabilities of whatever kind or nature in law, equity or otherwise, whether now known or unknown, whether asserted or not asserted, which you may have through the date that this Release is signed, arising out of or in connection with your employment with the Companies and/or your separation from employment with the Companies (the Released Claims). These Released Claims include, but are not limited to, claims arising under federal, state, and local statutory or common law, and the law of contract and tort. These Released Claims further include, but are not limited to, any claims you may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and the Minnesota Payment of Wages Act. |
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6. | You agree that, except as required or expressly permitted by law, you will not do or say anything that a reasonable person would expect at the time would have the effect of diminishing or constraining the goodwill and good reputation of the Released Parties, and you will not disparage or seek to injure the reputation of the Released Parties. This Release does not in any way restrict or impede you from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement, or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation, or order. You must promptly provide written notice of any such order to Cogentix. Unless required by law, you also agree to the following: |
a. | You will not disclose or use any information regarding the Released Parties confidential information (as defined in the Team Member Confidentiality, Inventions, Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreement that you previously entered into with Cogentix (the Confidentiality Agreement), a copy of which is attached as Exhibit B), with such definition of confidential information being extended to all of the Released Parties. |
b. | You agree that you have returned or will return by the Termination Date any property or assets of the Companies and assigns, including but not limited to keys, records, computers, peripherals, computer files and disks, notes, memoranda, models, inventory and equipment and every item and every document (including any items, documents, material or information that is stored, maintained, or accessible by electronic or computerized means, and which may be further described below) in your possession or control that is the Companies property or contains the Companies information, in whatever form. |
c. | Cogentix has provided you with the following notice of immunity rights in compliance with the requirements of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016: (i) you will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal, state, or local trade secret law for the disclosure of confidential information that is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, (ii) you will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal, state, or local trade secret law for the disclosure of confidential information that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal, and (iii) if you file a lawsuit for retaliation by the Companies for reporting a suspected violation of law, you may disclose the confidential information to your attorney and use the confidential information in the court proceeding, as long as you file any document containing the confidential information under seal, and do not disclose the confidential information, except pursuant to court order. |
7. | You acknowledge that the provisions of Paragraph 6 are of unique and substantial value to the Companies, and that in the event that you breach any of the provisions of Paragraph 6, the Companies shall have the right to immediately obtain an injunction or decree of specific performance from any court of competent jurisdiction to restrain you |
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from violating such provisions or to compel you to perform such undertakings or agreements. You agree that monetary relief cannot remedy a breach of the provisions of Paragraph 6, and therefore an injunction is justifiable. Even if any violation occurs by you and regardless of whether the Companies obtain legal, equitable or other relief against you, you agree that you will remain subject to all of the terms of this Release. |
8. | This Release affects important rights and includes a release of any and all claims arising out of any alleged violations of your rights while employed, including, but not limited to, any claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq. Because this Release affects important rights, you are advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release. |
9. | You have twenty-one (21) days from the date you receive this Release to fully review and consider whether or not you wish to agree to all of its terms and conditions and to advise the Cogentix of the same. You may take as much of that time as you wish before signing, but in no event should you sign this agreement prior to April 24, 2018, your last day of employment. To accept the terms of this Release, please date and sign this Release and return it to: Cogentix Medical, Inc., Human Resources, Attn: Karly Sybrant, 5420 Feltl Road, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343. |
10. | You are advised that should you sign this Release, accepting its terms and conditions, you will have a period of seven (7) days from the date of acceptance to change your mind and revoke this Release. If you decide to revoke this Release, then you must deliver written notice to Cogentix Medical, Inc., Human Resources, Attn: Karly Sybrant, 5420 Feltl Road, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343, within such 7-day period. The other terms and conditions contained herein will not be enforceable by the parties hereto until the expiration of this seven (7) day period (the date after the expiration of this period to be the Release Effective Date). |
11. | You represent that you have no pending claims against any of the Released Parties. |
12. | You agree and acknowledge that none of the Released Parties have made any representations regarding the tax consequences of any funds received pursuant to this Release. |
13. | This Release shall not in any way be construed as an admission by any of the Released Parties that they acted wrongfully with respect to you or that you have any rights against any of these persons. |
14. | The provisions of this Release are severable and if any part of it is found to be unenforceable the other provisions shall remain fully and validly enforceable. In the event of a dispute hereunder, the language of all valid provisions of this Release shall be interpreted in accordance with its fair meaning and shall not be interpreted either for or against any of the parties hereto on the ground that such party drafted or caused to be drafted this Release or any part hereto. |
15. | No breach of any provision or provisions of this Release by any party hereto can be waived unless done so expressly and in writing. Express waiver of any one breach shall not be deemed a waiver of any other breach of the same provision or any other provision of this Release. |
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16. | This Release contains the full understanding between you, Cogentix and Laborie concerning your separation from service with Cogentix and its subsidiaries. For the avoidance of doubt, this Release will not cancel or otherwise supersede any contractual or similar restrictions on your post-employment activities, including under the Confidentiality Agreement, or any rights you have as an officer or director of Cogentix or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to and in accordance with Section 6.5 of the Merger Agreement. This Release may not be amended without the prior written consent of the party hereto affected, and no consent will be effective unless it specifically identifies the term(s) of this Release that are being amended. |
17. | This Release is personal to you and without the prior written consent of Cogentix and Laborie will not be assignable by you otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Companies may assign their rights and obligations under this Release and this Release will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Companies and their successors and assigns. |
18. | You agree that this Release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Minnesota, without regard to its choice of law principles. Subject to any applicable arbitration or similar agreement between you and Cogentix then in effect, for purposes of resolving any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties hereto evidenced by this Release, the parties hereto submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota, and any related litigation will be conducted solely in the courts of Hennepin County, Minnesota or the federal courts for the United States for the District of Minnesota, where this Release is made and/or to be performed, and no other courts. |
19. | You acknowledge that you voluntarily enter into this Release with a full and complete understanding of its terms and legal effect. You represent that you were advised to consult with legal counsel about the provisions of this Release before signing below. |
Darin, Cogentix would like to thank you for your service, and we wish you every success in your future endeavors.
[Signature page follows.]
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/s/ Brett Reynolds |
Representative of Cogentix Medical, Inc. |
Dated: April 24, 2018 |
/s/ Michael Frazzette |
Representative of Laborie Medical Technologies, Corp. |
Dated: April 24, 2018 |
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS SEPARATION AND GENERAL RELEASE INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS THROUGH THE DATE OF YOUR SIGNATURE
Accepted and agreed to: |
/s/ Darin Hammers |
Darin Hammers |
Dated: April 24, 2018 |
Exhibit A
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (together with any Exhibits hereto, this Agreement) is made and entered into effective this 11th day of July, 2016, between Cogentix Medical, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the Company) and Darin Hammers (the Executive) (each a Party and together the Parties.).
WHEREAS, the Company is a global medical company that provides proprietary, innovative technologies to specialty markets including urology, gynecology, bariatric medicine, critical care, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, and pulmonology; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to set forth in this Agreement the terms under which Executive will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual agreements set forth below and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts the Companys offer to serve, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Executive shall have the responsibilities, duties and authority reasonably afforded to and expected of the President and Chief Executive Officer of similar businesses and will report directly to the Companys Board of Directors. The Executive agrees to devote the Executives full business time, attention and efforts to promote and further the business of the Company. The Executive will faithfully adhere to, execute and fulfill all policies established by the Companys Board of Directors. The Executive also agrees to serve as a director of the Company (without additional consideration other than provided by this Agreement) until the Executives successor is duly elected and qualified or until the Executives earlier resignation, removal or death.
The Executive hereby confirms that he is under no contractual commitments inconsistent with his obligations set forth in this Agreement. The Executive will not, during the term of Executives employment hereunder, be engaged in any other business activity pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage without the express approval of the Companys Board of Directors. The foregoing limitation will not be construed to prohibit the Executive from participating in reasonable charitable activities or making personal investments in such form or manner as will neither require the Executives services in the operation or affairs of the companies or enterprises in which such investments are made. The Executive may also serve as a board member on the boards of directors (or managers) of other companies that the Companys Board of Directors and the Executive mutually determine will not interfere or create a conflict with his duties hereunder.
2. TERM. The term of this Agreement (the Term) shall commence on July 11, 2016 (the Start Date) and shall continue indefinitely, until such time, if any, that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6 herein.
3. COMPENSATION.
(a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay to Executive a Base Salary of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00) annualized, which shall be paid in installments at least twice per month in accordance with the Companys normal payroll practices as are in effect from time to time. Such amount shall be reviewed on an annual basis by the Companys Compensation Committee and may be adjusted pursuant to the mutual agreement of the Company and Executive, but in no event shall the salary for any subsequent year be less than the salary in effect for the prior year.
(b) Bonus. During the Term, beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, the Executive shall be entitled to annual cash incentive compensation based upon achievement of such financial milestones or business milestones, or both, as shall be established annually, and no later than the completion of the first quarter of such fiscal year, by the Companys Compensation Committee, or the Committee of the Board charged with establishing executive compensation, and, with respect to such annual milestones, in consultation with the Executive. The Executives targeted annual cash incentive compensation shall be a percentage (not less than 60%) of the Executives base salary for the fiscal year for which achievement of the incentive compensation relates (the Target Bonus) and, in the event the Executive exceeds such financial or business milestones, such percentage will be adjusted upward not less than proportionately. The annual incentive compensation shall be prorated for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 (50%). The annual incentive compensation shall be payable no later than fifteen (15) calendar days following the completion of the audit of the Companys financial statements for the related fiscal year. Executive must be employed on the date the Bonus is paid to be eligible for the Bonus, except as otherwise provided in Section 6 of this Agreement
(c) Options and Restricted Stock. Effective upon the Start Date, Executive shall be granted (a) an option to purchase 300,000 shares of the Companys common stock (the Option) and (b) 100,000 shares of restricted stock (the Restricted Stock). The Option shall have an exercise price equal to the last sale price of such Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq on the Start Date, shall have a term of seven years, shall not be exercisable on the date of grant, but shall become exercisable with respect to 100,000 shares on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the Start Date (provided that the Executive has not previously been terminated by the Company for Cause, or has not resigned without Good Reason), and shall have other provisions, including provisions relating to the acceleration of vesting in the event of a Change of Control, as are contained in the Companys 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan and form stock option agreement. The Restricted Stock shall be subject to a risk of forfeiture back to the Company in the event the Executives employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive without Good Reason, which risk of forfeiture shall lapse (the Restricted Stock shall vest) with respect to a cumulative one-third of the shares on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the Start Date, but shall also lapse in the event of a Change of Control, as set forth in the Companys 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan and form restricted stock agreement.
(d) Long Term Incentive Plan. During the Term, the Company shall provide to Executive the right to participate in the Companys Long Term Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time, per the terms set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement.
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(e) Fringe Benefits. During the Term, the Company shall provide to Executive the right to participate in all fringe benefits and perquisites that are made available to any other executives of the Company from time to time, including, without limitation, healthcare coverage provided by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company, and four weeks per year paid vacation. Vacation will be administered in accordance with Company policy. Fringe benefits may be modified or discontinued at the sole discretion of the Company.
(f) Reimbursement of Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for the reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his duties in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) and the policies and procedures of the Company governing such expenses, upon presentation of appropriate vouchers for said expenses. Reimbursement or payment of an expense under this Section 3(f) will be made or reimbursed pursuant to Companys guidelines, but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.
(g) Reimbursement of Moving Expenses. Upon execution of this Agreement, the Company will make a one-time payment to Executive in the total gross amount of $40,000 in recognition of out-of-pocket expenses to be incurred by Executive in connection with relocation for purposes of Executives employment as President and CEO of the Company. If Executive resigns without Good Reason prior to the one year anniversary of the Start Date, he shall repay to the Company the amount under this Section 3(g).
(h) Reimbursement for Legal Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Executive for his reasonable attorneys fees and costs incurred in the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement, the Second Amendment to Employment Agreement effective May 24, 2016, and any future amendments or extensions of this Agreement. Reimbursement of an expense under this Section 3(h) will be made within ten (10) days of the Companys receipt of the Executives request for payment or reimbursement.
(i) Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from any benefits payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as the Company reasonably determines are required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.
4. CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT. Executive confirms that he has executed that certain Team Member Confidentiality, Inventions, Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreement dated (the Confidentiality Agreement), and that such Confidentiality Agreement is, and shall remain effective during and, to the extent specified therein, beyond the Term of this Agreement. Executive confirms that Executive will not disclose any trade secret or confidential information to any person except other Company employees with a need to know the information, except as otherwise required or permitted under applicable law, including without limitation 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b).
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5. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE.
(a) In addition to any benefits provided under applicable law, Executive shall be entitled to the benefits of those provisions of the Companys Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, as amended, which provide for indemnification of directors and officers of the Company (and no such provision shall be amended in any way to limit or reduce the extent of indemnification available to Executive as a director or officer of the Company). The rights of Executive under such indemnification obligations shall survive the termination of this Agreement and be applicable for so long as Executive may be subject to any claim, demand, liability, cost or expense, which the indemnification obligations referred to in this Section 5 are intended to protect and indemnify him against.
(b) The Company shall, at no cost to Executive, at all times include Executive, during the Term and for so long thereafter as Executive may be subject to any such claim, as an insured under any directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by the Company, which policy shall provide such coverage in such amounts as the Board shall deem appropriate for coverage of all directors and officers of the Company.
6. TERMINATION.
(a) Notice of Termination. A Notice of Termination means a written notice indicating the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon by the terminating party and setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for the termination of employment under the provision so indicated.
(b) Termination Due to Death. The Executives employment with the Company will automatically terminate upon his death.
(c) Termination Due to Disability. The Company or the Executive may terminate the Executives employment with the Company by providing Notice of Termination at any time after the Total Disability of the Executive. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Total Disability of the Executive will occur on the earlier of: (i) the date the Executive begins to receive disability benefits under the Companys long-term disability plan, if any; or (ii) the Executives inability to perform the material duties of his position due to illness or injury for at least 80% of the normal working days during six consecutive calendar months or at least 50% of the normal working days during 12 consecutive calendar months. If the Executive is a qualified person with a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Minnesota Human Rights Act, or any other applicable federal, state or local statute or ordinance, the Company will make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the Executive, including but not limited to consideration of whether extending the periods set forth in subpart (ii) of this Section 6(c) would constitute a reasonable accommodation. Termination of employment due to Total Disability shall not affect the Executives rights, if any, under the Companys long-term disability plan.
(d) Termination by the Company. The Company may terminate the Executives employment and the Employment Period with or without Cause by providing at least thirty (30) business days advance written Notice of Termination to the Executive. If such termination is for Cause, the Notice of Termination shall include a description of the facts constituting the Companys view of Cause. If the act or acts allegedly constituting Cause are susceptible of cure, then the Executive may cure such acts within thirty (30) business days of receipt of that Notice of Termination, and if so cured, such Notice of Termination will not be effective and the Executives employment will not be terminated pursuant to that Notice of Termination.
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(e) Termination by the Executive. The Executive may terminate his employment with the Company and the Employment Period with or without Good Reason by providing at least thirty (30) business days advance written Notice of Termination to the Company. If such termination is for Good Reason, the Notice of Termination shall include a description of the facts constituting the Executives view of Good Reason. If the act or acts allegedly constituting Good Reason are susceptible of cure, then the Company may cure such acts within thirty (30) business days of receipt of that Notice of Termination, and if so cured, such Notice of Termination will not be effective and the Executives employment will not be terminated pursuant to that Notice of Termination.
(f) Termination Date. Termination Date means: (i) if employment is terminated because of the Executives death, the date of death; (ii) if employment is terminated for any other reason, the date set forth in a Notice of Termination, provided that such date complies with the notice and cure requirements of this Section 6.
7. SEVERANCE PAYMENT.
(a) Definitions.
(i) Change in Control shall have the meaning set forth in the Companys 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
(ii) Cause means: (a) Executives commission of a felony or any other crime that has a material adverse effect on the Company, its standing or reputation; (b) Executives theft or embezzlement of the intellectual or physical property of the Company or any of its customers, clients, agents or employees; (c) Executives fraudulent or dishonest act with respect to any business of the Company; or (d) Executives material breach of his fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty to the Company or of any agreement made between Executive and the Company, including, without limitation, the Confidentiality Agreement; and in the case of (ii)(d), such condition remains uncured by the Executive after receipt of thirty (30) business days prior written notice of the existence of such condition. Notwithstanding any other part of this Section 7(a)(ii), Cause shall not include or be based upon, in whole or in part, any action or omission by Executive which Executive commits based on a directive of the Board of Directors, or in the good faith belief that it is in the best interests of the Company or if it is required by law, court order or subpoena.
(iii) Good Reason means: (a) the Companys imposition of material and adverse changes, without the Executives consent, in the Executives principal duties, responsibilities, status, reporting relationship, title or authority, or the Companys assignment of duties inconsistent with the Executives position; (b) a reduction in the Executives annual base salary or target annual incentive compensation opportunity (it being understood that any uncured reduction in the Executives annual base salary or target annual incentive compensation opportunity, without the Executives consent, is a material breach of this Agreement); (c) the Company moving its principal executive offices more than 50 miles from its current location without the Executives consent; or (d) the Companys material breach of this Agreement; and in the case of each of (iii)(a) - (d), such condition remains uncured by the Company after receipt of thirty (30) business days prior written notice of the existence of such condition.
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(b) Following Any Termination of Employment. Upon any termination of the Executives employment with the Company, the Company will pay to the Executive (or his estate, as appropriate) on Executives Termination Date: (i) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the Termination Date; (ii) any accrued but unpaid Bonus/Incentive/Commissions/Other Variable Comp through the Termination Date; (iii) any accrued but unused PTO days as of the Termination Date; (iv) any other accrued or vested benefits or reimbursements up to and including the Termination Date to which the Executive is entitled by operation of contractual or statutory law; and (v) any expenses required to be reimbursed pursuant to Section 3(f), (g) or (h).
(c) Following a Termination by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason. If the Executives employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause, or if the Executive terminates his employment with Good Reason (each a Qualifying Termination), in addition to the payments set forth in Section 7(b), the Executive will be entitled to compensation pursuant to following terms and conditions.
(i) | continued payment of the Base Salary for a period of twelve (12) months (the Severance Period); |
(ii) | an amount equal to Executives last established Target Bonus, to be paid no less than thirty (30) days following the Termination Date; |
(iii) | during the Severance Period, if the Executive qualifies for and timely elects continued coverage under the Companys group medical plan and/or group dental plan pursuant to Section 4980B of the Code (COBRA), the Company will reimburse the Executive, on a monthly basis, the amount the Executive pays for such COBRA continuation coverage. |
The Company shall have no obligation to make any payment under this Section 6(c) if and so long as the Executive is in material breach of this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement.
(d) Following a Termination Due to Death or Disability of Executive. If Executives employment with the Company is terminated due to Executives death or disability pursuant to Section 6(b) or 6(c) of this Agreement, in addition to the payments set forth in Section 7(b), the Executive (or his estate) will be entitled to an amount equal to Executives last established Target Bonus, to be paid no less than thirty (30) days following the Termination Date.
(e) Release Required. Payment of severance compensation shall be subject to and contingent upon the Executives execution of a full and final Release of Claims in the form attached as Exhibit B. Such payments will not commence until after the expiration of all applicable revocation periods set forth in the Release.
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8. SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE. The payments under this Agreement are intended to be exempt from the requirements of sections 409A(a)(2), (3), and (4) of the Code as (i) non-taxable benefits, (ii) welfare benefits within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(a)(5), and (iii) short-term deferrals under Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(4) or separation pay under Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(9); provided, however, if any payment is or becomes subject to the requirements of Code section 409A, the Agreement as it relates to such payment is intended to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code. For all purposes under section 409A of the Code, each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, if, at the time of Executives termination of employment, Executive is a specified employee (within the meaning of section 409A of the Code), then to the extent any payment under this Agreement is determined by the Company to be deferred compensation subject to the requirements of section 409A of the Code, payment of such deferred compensation shall be suspended and not made until the first day of the month next following the end of the 6-month period following Executives termination, or, if earlier, upon Executives death.
9. EXCISE TAX. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement and benefits provided to, or for the benefit of, the Executive under any other Company plan or agreement (such payments or benefits are collectively referred to as the Payments) would be subject to the excise tax (the Excise Tax) imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, the Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) if and to the extent necessary so that no Payment to be made or benefit to be provided to Executive shall be subject to the Excise Tax (such reduced amount is hereinafter referred to as the Limited Payment Amount). Unless the Executive shall have given prior written notice specifying a different order to the Company to effectuate the foregoing, the Company shall reduce or eliminate the Payments, by first reducing or eliminating the portion of the Payments which are not payable in cash and then by reducing or eliminating cash payments, in each case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits which are to be paid the farthest in time from the Determination (as hereinafter defined). Any notice given by Executive pursuant to the preceding sentence shall take precedence over the provisions of any other plan, arrangement or agreement governing the Executives rights and entitlements to any benefits or compensation.
10. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be construed and enforced as if it had been more narrowly drawn so as not to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, and such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall have no effect upon and shall not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges the uncertainty of the law in this respect and expressly stipulates that this Agreement be given the construction which renders its provision valid and enforceable to the maximum extent (not exceeding its express terms) possible under applicable law.
11. ATTORNEYS FEES AND COSTS. If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which he or it may be entitled.
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12. WAIVER OF BREACH. Any waiver by either Party of compliance with any provision of this Agreement by the other Party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by such Party of a provision of this Agreement.
13. AMENDMENT. No provision in this Agreement may be modified, amended, waived or terminated unless done in writing, manually signed by both Parties. No course of dealing between the parties will modify, amend, waive or terminate any provision of this Agreement or any rights or obligations of any party under or by reason of this Agreement. No delay on the part of the Company in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such right. No waiver, express or implied, by the Company of any right or any breach by Executive shall constitute a waiver of any other right or breach by the Executive.
14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Parties with regard to all matters contained herein. Other than those agreements referred to in this Agreement, there are no other agreements, conditions or representations, oral or written, expressed or implied, with regard thereto. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements, if any, relating to the employment of Executive by the Company.
15. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns. The Company will require any successor of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure by the Company to obtain such an assumption prior to the effectiveness of any such succession will be a material breach of this Agreement.
16. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed as conferring upon or giving to any person, firm or corporation other than the Parties hereto any rights or benefits under or by reason of this Agreement.
17. NOTICES. Any notice to be given under this Agreement by either Executive or the Company shall be in writing and shall be effective upon personal delivery, or delivery by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested. Mailed notices shall be addressed to the Party at the Partys last known address of record. Notice delivered personally shall be deemed given as of actual receipt and mailed notices shall be deemed given as of three business days after mailing.
18. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute but one and the same agreement.
19. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, without giving effect to conflict of law principles of any jurisdiction. In the event of any controversy, claim or dispute between the Parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement, such controversy, claim or dispute must be filed exclusively in state or federal court in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above:
COGENTIX MEDICAL, INC. | EXECUTIVE: | |||||||
By: | /s/ Howard Zauberman | By: | /s/ Darin Hammers | |||||
July 11, 2016, Chairman | Darin Hammers |
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Exhibit B
TEAM MEMBER
CONFIDENTIALITY, INVENTIONS, NON-COMPETE AND
NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
In consideration of the receipt of future payments from Cogentix Medical and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates (CGNT or the Company) in the form of compensation for employment services or otherwise, and/or the opportunity to purchase stock of the Company, and/or the receipt of stock of the Company, and/or other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned (the Undersigned) hereby agrees as follows:
1. Compensation for Services Performed. The Undersigned acknowledges and agrees that for the consideration above stated, the Undersigned will from time to time in the future work, consult and/or perform services with, for, on behalf of or in conjunction with the Company.
2. Prior Agreements. The Undersigned and the Company agree that this Team Member Confidentiality, Inventions, Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreement shall supersede as of the effective date written below, any prior agreements entered into between the Undersigned and the Company relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, specifically, but not limited to, the Team Member Patent and Confidential Information Agreement, if applicable.
3. Definitions.
a. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION means information developed by the Undersigned as a result of the Undersigneds consultation, work or services with, for, on behalf of or in conjunction with the Company, and any information relating to the Companys processes and products, including, but not limited to, information relating to research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing, customer lists and other customer-specific information such as pricing and purchasing history, know-how, formulas, product ideas, product development, inventions, trade secrets, patents, patent applications, systems, products, programs and techniques and any secret, proprietary or confidential information, knowledge or data of the Company. All information disclosed to the Undersigned, or to which the Undersigned obtains access, whether originated by the Undersigned or by others, which is treated by the Company as CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, or which the Undersigned has reasonable basis to believe is CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, will be presumed to be CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
The term CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION will not apply to information which (1) the Undersigned can establish by documentation known to the Undersigned prior to receipt by the Undersigned from the Company; (ii) is lawfully disclosed to the Undersigned by a third party not deriving the same from the Company; or (iii) is presently in the public domain or becomes a part of the public domain through no fault of the Undersigned.
b. INVENTIONS means discoveries, improvements, inventions, ideas and works of authorship (whether patentable or copyrightable) conceived or made by the Undersigned, either solely or jointly with others, relating to any consultation, work or services performed by the Undersigned with, for, on behalf of or in conjunction with the Company or based on or derived from CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. If Undersigned requests exclusion from this Agreement of any ideas, concepts, processes, improvements, INVENTIONS and copyrightable material, provided that he/she conceived or originated the same prior to his/her employment with the Company, the Undersigned shall list all such ideas, concepts, etc., in the attached Addendum.
4. Inventions. With respect to INVENTIONS, as defined above, (irrespective of whether such INVENTIONS are made on particular days during which the Undersigned consults, works or renders any service with, for, or to the Company), the Undersigned agrees that any INVENTION shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and further agrees:
a. | during the period of employment and for the six (6) months thereafter, to promptly and fully inform the Company in writing of such INVENTIONS, and will hold such INVENTIONS in trust for the Companys sole right and benefit; |
b. | to assign and hereby does assign to the Company all of the Undersigneds rights to such INVENTIONS, and to applications for patents and/or copyright registrations, to patents and/or copyright registrations granted, and to any other registration of intellectual property upon such INVENTIONS in the United States or in any country foreign thereto; |
c. | to acknowledge and deliver promptly to the Company (without charge to the Company but at the expense of the Company) such written instruments and do such other acts as may be necessary, in the opinion of the Company, to obtain and maintain patents and/or copyright registrations and to vest the entire right and title thereto in the Company. |
d. | to acknowledge that any documents, drawings, computer software or other work of authorship prepared by Undersigned while a team member of the Company shall be deemed to be Works Made for Hire within the meaning of 17 U.S.C. 201(b) and that, accordingly, the Company exclusively owns all copyright rights in such works of authorship; provided, however, that works made for hire does not include works of authorship that (i) do not relate in any way to any subject matter pertaining to the Undersigneds employment or other engagement; (ii) do not relate in any way to the existing or reasonably foreseeable business, products, services, projects or CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION of the Company; or (iii) do not involve the use of any time, material or facility of the Company; |
e. | that in the event any such works cannot be deemed Works Made for Hire, the Undersigned hereby assigns any rights the Undersigned may have in them to the Company and hereby forever waives and agrees never to assert any and all Moral Rights the Undersigned may have in or with respect to any such works. Moral Rights means any rights to claim authorship of a work, to object to or prevent any distortion or other modification of a work, or to withdraw from circulation or control the publication or distribution of a work, and any similar right, now or in the future existing under the law of any country in the world, regardless of whether or not such right is denominated or generally referred to as a Moral Right; and |
f. | that in the event of any dispute, arbitration or litigation concerning whether an invention, improvement or discovery made or conceived by the Undersigned is the property of the Company, such invention, improvement or discovery will be presumed the property of the Company and the Undersigned will bear the burden of establishing otherwise. |
Notice. This is to notify the Undersigned that this Agreement does not apply to an INVENTION for which no equipment, supplies, facility, trade secret or CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on the Undersigneds own time, and (1) which does not relate (a) directly to the business of the Company or (b) to the Companys actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (2) which does not result from any work performed by the Undersigned for the Company.
5. Confidential Information.
a. Except as required by the Undersigneds consultation, work or services with, for, on behalf of or in conjunction with the Company, the Undersigned will hold any CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION in the strictest of confidence and never use, disclose or publish any CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION without the prior written express permission of the Company. The Undersigned agrees to maintain control over any CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION obtained and restrict access thereto to those of the Undersigneds fellow team members, agents or other associated parties who have a need to use such CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION for the intended purpose. The Undersigned agrees to advise and inform any party to whom Undersigned has provided access to the CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION of its confidential nature and the Undersigned agrees to ensure that such associated parties be bound by the terms and obligations of this Agreement.
b. The Undersigned further agrees that the Company will have the right to refuse publication of any papers prepared by the Undersigned as a result of the Undersigneds consultation, work or services with, for, on behalf of or in conjunction with the Company. Proposed publications referring to the Undersigneds consultation, work, services and activities with, for, on behalf of or in conjunction with the Company, or referring to any information developed therefrom, will be submitted by the Undersigned to the Company prior to publication, for approval and review to insure that the Companys position with respect to patent applications, trade secrets, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, INVENTIONS, marketing programs, etc., are not adversely affected by publication disclosures. The Undersigned agrees to abide by the Companys decisions in these matters.
6. Return of Company Property. All documents and tangible items provided to Undersigned by the Company or created by Undersigned for use in connection with his/her employment by or association with the Company. whether CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION or not, are the property of the Company and shall be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of employment or association with the Company, or at any prior time at the Companys request, together with all copies, recordings, notes or reproductions of any kind made from or about the documents and tangible items or the information they contain. The Undersigned acknowledges and agrees that all such documents and tangible materials, and copies or duplicates thereof, including the Undersigneds own notes, are the Companys property. After returning these documents and tangible items, the Undersigned will immediately and permanently delete from any electronic media in the Undersigneds possession, custody, or control (such as computers, mobile phones, hand-held devices, tablets, back-up devices, zip drives, MP3 players, PDAs, etc.) or to which the Undersigned has access (such as the cloud, remote e-mail exchange servers, back-up servers, off-site storage, etc.), all Company documents or electronically stored images and other data or data compilations stored in any medium from which such information can be obtained. Undersigned also agrees to provide the Company with list of any documents that the Undersigned created or is otherwise aware that are password-protected and the password(s) necessary to access such password-protected documents.
7. Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation. The Undersigned agrees that during the period the Undersigned is employed by or otherwise associated with the Company and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, engage in any of the following actions:
a. Render services, advice, or assistance to any corporation, person, organization or other entity which engages in the marketing, selling, production, design or development of any concepts, products or services which are in competition with the Company in an area in which the Undersigned has performed work, has been provided information about, or has had access to (including products, goods, services or procedures currently being researched or under development by the Company), or engage in any such activities in any capacity whatsoever, directly or indirectly, alone or with another person or entity, including, without limitation, as an employee, a team member, independent contractor, consultant, advisor, officer, director, manager, beneficial owner, partner, member or greater than 3% shareholder. The restrictions contained in this Section 7 will not prevent the Undersigned from becoming employed with or providing consulting services to a large diversified organization with separate and distinct divisions that do not compete, directly or indirectly, with the Company, but only if: (i) the Company first receives written assurances from the prospective employer and the Undersigned, satisfactory to the Company in its reasonable discretion, confirming that the Undersigned will render no services, directly or indirectly, to any divisions or business units that compete with the business of the Company and (ii) the Companys Chief Executive Officer gives written approval for the Undersigned to provide the proposed employment or consulting services. By signing this Agreement, Employee acknowledges and agrees that should the Undersigneds employment with the Company end, the restrictions on the Undersigneds activities referenced in this Agreement will not prevent the Undersigned from earning a living.
b. Induce, solicit, endeavor to entice or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor or other business relation of the Company to cease doing business with the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, vendor, licensee, licensor or other business relation and the Company.
c. Induce, solicit, hire, encourage, endeavor to entice or attempt to induce any team member of the Company to leave the employ of the Company, or to work for, render services or provide advice to or supply confidential business information or trade secrets of the Company to any third person or entity, or to in any way interfere adversely with the relationship between any such team member and the Company. If the Undersigned is approached by a team member regarding potential employment at a new employer, the Undersigned will inform the team member of this non-solicitation obligation and refrain from engaging in any communication with the team member regarding such opportunities.
8. Conflict of Interest/Duty of Loyalty. The Undersigned agrees not to engage in any conduct which might result in, or create the appearance of using the Undersigneds position for private gain, or otherwise create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest with the Company. Such conduct includes without limitation having an undisclosed financial interest in any vendor or supplier of the Company, accepting payments of any kind or gifts other than of a nominal value from vendors, customers or suppliers, or having an undisclosed relationship with a family member or other individual who is employed by any entity in active or potential competition with the Company, and which creates a conflict of interest.
While still employed at the Company, the Undersigned may not: (1) engage in any activity that deprives or could potentially deprive the Company of a business opportunity; (2) establish, operate, participate in advise or assist to establish in an manner whatsoever any business that does or would compete with the Company; (3) take any preliminary or preparatory steps toward establishing or operating such a business; or (4) otherwise engage in activities detrimental to the Company.
9. Remedies. The Undersigned recognizes that harm may result to the Company and its business if Undersigned breaches any provision of this Agreement, and that CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION and INVENTIONS are among CGNTs most valuable assets and their value may be unwittingly destroyed by casual dissemination. Therefore, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of any provision of this Agreement, the Company shall have the right, in addition to any other remedies available to it, to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief restraining the Undersigned from violating the terms of this Agreement, it being acknowledged that other remedies at law are inadequate. The Company shall also be entitled to an equitable accounting of all profits or benefits arising out of such violation, and to the repayment of all profits, compensation, commissions, fees, royalties, or other financial rewards which the Undersigned or any other entity or person may realize as a result of the Undersigneds violations of this Agreement. These rights and remedies shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which CGNT may be entitled. CGNT may also recover from Undersigned its attorneys fees and costs in any action for breach of this Agreement in which the Company substantially prevails.
10. Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted so that it is valid under applicable law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be construed and enforced as if it had been more narrowly drawn so as not to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, and such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall have no effect upon and shall not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
11. Authority. The Undersigned warrants to the Company that (a) the Undersigned has the right to enter into this Agreement; (b) the Undersigned has no obligations to any other person or entity which are in conflict with the Undersigneds ability to perform service to the Company or the Undersigneds obligations under this Agreement; (c) the Undersigned has not brought and will not bring to the Company any trade secret, confidential information, or any other property belonging to a third party including any former employer; and (d) in the event the Undersigned has disclosed information to the Company, created any original materials or used any proprietary information in consulting, working or rendering services with, for or to the Company, the Undersigned has the right to disclose, create or use such information or materials, as applicable, and such disclosure, creation or use will not violate any privacy, proprietary or other rights of others. The Undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless against any expenses, damages, costs, losses or fees (including legal fees) incurred by the Company in any suit claim or proceeding brought by a third party and which is based on facts which constitute a breach of the above warranties.
12. Miscellaneous. This Agreement may only be amended or waived in a written document manually signed both by the Undersigned and the Companys Chief Executive Officer. No failure or delay in enforcing any right will be deemed a waiver. The obligations of the Undersigned set forth in this Agreement shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement or any relationship between the undersigned and the Company, regardless of the reason for termination. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Undersigned and his or her personal representative, successors and assigns and shall run to the benefit of CGNT, its successors and assigns. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota. In the event of any controversy, claim or dispute between the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement, such controversy, claim or dispute must be filed and litigated exclusively in state or federal court in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
13. Acknowledgments. If the Undersigned is an employee, the Undersigned acknowledges and agrees that he/she is an employee at will and such employment may be terminated by the Company or the Undersigned at any time with or without cause or advance notice. The Undersigned acknowledges that the Company has advised the Undersigned to seek counsel regarding this Agreement. The Undersigned has not executed this Agreement in reliance upon any representation or promise except those contained in this Agreement. The Undersigned has read and understands this Agreement and agrees to all its terms and conditions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Undersigned have executed this Agreement effective as of hire date: , 2017.
COGENTIX MEDICAL AND SUBSIDIARIES UNDERSIGNED
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Print Name: | Karly Sybrant | Print Name: |
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Title: | Director, Human Resources | Address: |
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TEAM MEMBER CONFIDENTIALITY, INVENTIONS,
NON-COMPETE AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
ADDENDUM
INVENTIONS COPYRIGHTABLE AND CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS FOR WHICH TEAM MEMBER
CLAIMS EXCLUSION FROM THIS AGREEMENT
In order to identify the Undersigneds claim of ownership, the Undersigned shall list below all of his/her present ideas, concepts, processes, improvements, INVENTIONS and copyrightable material which he/she has conceived or originated prior to his/her employment with the Company, which have not yet been patented or covered by pending applications or patent, or which have not yet been registered or covered by pending applications for registration and which he/she claims are excluded from this Agreement.
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The Undersigned agrees that the Company is under no obligation based on any claim of proprietary right made by the Undersigned in above listing.
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