PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR BIBSTERS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

EX-2.1 2 c01802exv2w1.htm EXHIBIT 2.1 Exhibit 2.1
Exhibit 2.1
FINAL EXECUTION COPY
PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR BIBSTERS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
This Purchase Agreement for Bibsters Intellectual Property, including its Attachments (altogether, the “Agreement”), is by and between The Procter & Gamble Company, a corporation of the state of Ohio, with offices located at One Procter & Gamble Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, United States (hereinafter referred to along with its Affiliates (as hereinafter defined) as “P&G”), and Hamco, Inc., a corporation of the state of Louisiana, with offices located at 916 S. Burnside Avenue, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737, United States (hereinafter referred to along with its Affiliates as “Hamco”), each individually referred to herein as “Party” and collectively referred to herein as “Parties”.
WHEREAS, P&G is the owner of certain patents specific to disposable bibs as set forth in Attachment 2 (the “Bibsters Patents”) and certain BIBSTERS trademarks set forth in Attachment 4 (the “Bibsters Trademarks”) (altogether, the “Bibsters Intellectual Property”);
WHEREAS, Hamco wishes to purchase the Bibsters Intellectual Property from P&G; and
WHEREAS, P&G wishes to sell the Bibsters Intellectual Property to Hamco;
NOW, THEREFORE, in light of the recitals provided above, and in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Parties hereby agree to be bound as follows:
  1.  
Limitations. The Parties agree that this Agreement is limited to P&G’s sale of the Bibsters Intellectual Property to Hamco. Each Party agrees that this Agreement does not carry with it any express or implied license to any other intellectual property rights of either Party.
 
  2.  
Representations by P&G. P&G represents to Hamco that, as of the Effective Date (as hereinafter defined):
  a.  
P&G has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement;
 
  b.  
The Bibsters Patents are all of the active United States and foreign patents and patent applications owned by P&G that claim disposable bibs;
 
  c.  
All of the original inventors of the Bibsters Patents have assigned to P&G all of their right, title and interest in and to the Bibsters Patents;
 
  d.  
The Bibsters Trademarks are all of the active United States and foreign trademark applications and registrations owned by P&G that relate to disposable bibs;
 
  e.  
P&G is the sole owner of all right, title and interest in and to all of the Bibsters Intellectual Property;
 
  f.  
P&G has good and marketable title to all of the Bibsters Intellectual Property, free and clear of any encumbrances;
 
  g.  
P&G will have paid all annuity and maintenance fees for the Bibsters Intellectual Property that were due, are due, or will be due through September 30, 2010;

 

 


 

  h.  
To the knowledge of P&G, none of the Bibsters Patents are currently being re-examined;
 
  i.  
None of the Bibsters Intellectual Property will be subject to any license, royalty, or other obligation to any third party, and P&G has rightfully terminated (or allowed to expire by its terms) any license with The oneCARE Company relating to any Bibsters Intellectual Property;
 
  j.  
None of the Bibsters Intellectual Property is currently the subject of any pending or, to the knowledge of P&G, threatened litigation; and
 
  k.  
P&G has no current plans to file any additional patent applications that would claim disposable bibs.
  3.  
Representation by Hamco. Hamco represents to P&G that, as of the Effective Date, it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement.
 
  4.  
Covenants by P&G. P&G agrees:
  a.  
To execute the General Patent Assignment in Attachment 1 and the General Trademark Assignment in Attachment 3 on or before the Effective Date;
 
  b.  
To hold in confidence, with at least reasonable care, the existence of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the proprietary information shared by Hamco in relation to this Agreement, unless P&G receives prior written approval for disclosure from an authorized representative of Hamco;
 
  c.  
To deliver to Hamco’s designated representative(s), within the 45 days following the Effective Date, originals or copies of all documentation related to the filing, prosecuting, and granting of the Bibsters Intellectual Property that is in P&G’s possession or control;
 
  d.  
To deliver to Hamco’s designated representative(s), within the one-month period following the Effective Date, originals or copies of all business and technical documentation related to P&G’s current Bibsters products that is in P&G’s possession or control; and
 
  e.  
Upon request, to cooperate with Hamco after the Effective Date to execute other documents and/or take other actions reasonably necessary or desirable for Hamco to establish Hamco’s ownership of the Bibsters Intellectual Property.
  5.  
Covenants by Hamco. Hamco agrees:
  a.  
To fully pay the Bibsters Intellectual Property Purchase Price (as hereinafter defined) on the Effective Date;
 
  b.  
To execute the General Patent Assignment in Attachment 1 and the General Trademark Assignment in Attachment 3 on or before the Effective Date;

 

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  c.  
At Hamco’s expense, to promptly comply with all applicable laws and regulations to record the General Patent Assignment and General Trademark Assignment in all geographies;
 
  d.  
To timely pay all applicable taxes related to Hamco’s purchase of the Bibsters Intellectual Property;
 
  e.  
To be solely responsible for all annuity and maintenance fees for the Bibsters Intellectual Property that will be due on or after September 30, 2010;
 
  f.  
To be solely responsible for all costs for any and all of Hamco’s activities associated with the Bibsters Intellectual Property from and after the Effective Date;
 
  g.  
To comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations in marking any product with any patent or trademark number of any of the Bibsters Intellectual Property;
 
  h.  
To hold in confidence, with at least reasonable care, the existence of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the proprietary information shared by P&G in relation to this Agreement, unless Hamco receives prior written approval for disclosure from an authorized representative of P&G or unless otherwise required by law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties acknowledge and agree that Hamco will be required to, and will, issue a press release promptly following the execution of this Agreement that discloses that the Parties have entered into this Agreement; and
 
  i.  
To reasonably determine the allocation of the Bibsters Intellectual Property Purchase Price between the two categories Bibsters Patents and Bibsters Trademarks, and to communicate that allocation to P&G in writing, within the three-month period following the Effective Date.
  6.  
Disclaimers.
  a.  
Freedom to Practice. P&G does not warrant Hamco’s freedom to practice the inventions claimed in the Bibsters Patents or trademarks listed in the Bibsters Trademarks. In the event that any Bibsters Trademark or any Hamco Bibsters product is subject to the intellectual property rights of a third party, there will be no refund to Hamco of any portion of the Bibsters Intellectual Property Purchase Price.
 
  b.  
Implied Warranties. P&G is not providing any implied warranties in this Agreement.
 
  c.  
Practicing the Inventions. P&G is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, damage, or other liability incurred by Hamco in practicing any of the inventions claimed in the Bibsters Patents or using any of the Bibsters Trademarks.
 
  d.  
Validity of the Intellectual Property. P&G does not warrant the validity or enforceability of any of the Bibsters Intellectual Property. In the event that a

 

3


 

     
government agency or authority declares any of the Bibsters Intellectual Property to be invalid or unenforceable, there will be no refund to Hamco of any portion of the Bibsters Intellectual Property Purchase Price.
  7.  
Effective Date. The “Effective Date” shall be last date of signing of this Agreement.
 
  8.  
Purchase and Sale of Bibsters Intellectual Property. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, on the Effective Date, P&G shall sell the Bibsters Intellectual Property and Hamco shall purchase the Bibsters Intellectual Property by the Parties’ full execution of the General Patent Assignment in Attachment 1 and General Trademark Assignment in Attachment 3, and by Hamco’s full payment of the Bibsters Intellectual Property Purchase Price, as described herein.
 
  9.  
Purchase Price for Bibsters Intellectual Property. The “Bibsters Intellectual Property Purchase Price” shall be $1,800,000.
 
  10.  
Payment of Purchase Price. Hamco shall pay the Bibsters Intellectual Property Purchase Price in United States dollars, by wire transfer to P&G’s account as designated below:
Citibank, New York
US Dollar Account #0000-1986
ABA #021000089.
Swift Code CITIUS33
With a fax confirmation sent to:
The Procter & Gamble Company
ATTN: Contract Administration
P.O. Box 330176
West Hartford, CT 06133-0176
Ph: (860)  ###-###-####
Fax: (860)  ###-###-####
Email: ***@***
  11.  
No Further Rights. Subsequent to the Effective Date, P&G shall have no further right, title or interest in any of the Bibsters Intellectual Property and P&G shall not have any license from Hamco to practice any of the inventions claimed in any of the Bibsters Patents or use of any of the Bibsters Trademarks.
 
  12.  
Miscellaneous.
  a.  
Affiliates. As used herein, the term “Affiliates” refers to any corporation, association, or other entity that directly or indirectly owns, is owned by, or is under common ownership with The Procter & Gamble Company or Hamco, Inc., respectively, either currently or during the term of this Agreement. As used in this definition, the terms “owns,” “owned,” or “ownership” mean the direct or indirect possession of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities, income interest or a comparable equity in such business entity.

 

4


 

  b.  
Notices. All notices, authorizations, etc., relevant to this Agreement will be in writing and personally served or sent by first class mail, postage pre-paid, to the respective Party at the following addresses:
         
 
  P&G:   Michael K. Lynch
 
      The Procter & Gamble Company
 
      GO — Tower Building — East
 
      Two Procter & Gamble Plaza
 
      Cincinnati, OH ###-###-####
 
      United States
 
       
 
  CC:   The Procter & Gamble Company
 
      Central Contracts
 
      Global Intellectual Property Division
 
      299 E. Sixth St., Floor 9
 
      Cincinnati, OH 45202
 
      United States
 
       
 
  Hamco:   E. Randall Chestnut
 
      Hamco, Inc.
 
      916 S. Burnside Avenue
 
      Gonzales, LA 70737
 
      United States
 
       
 
  CC:   Steven E. Fox, Esq.
 
      Rogers & Hardin LLP
 
      2700 International Tower
 
      229 Peachtree Street, NE
 
      Atlanta, GA 30303
 
      United States
  c.  
Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms hereof will not be affected but will be valid and enforced.
 
  d.  
Force Majeure. No Party will be liable for a delay in performance or failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement if such delay or failure is due to acts of God or any other event beyond the control of the Parties, including, without limitations, fire, explosion, weather, disease, war, insurrection, civil strife, riots, government action or power failure, provided, however, that the Party who is unable to perform resumes performance as soon as possible following the end of the event causing delay or failure.
 
  e.  
Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties with respect to the sale of the Bibsters Intellectual Property and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements whether oral or written between the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof, except as expressly set forth herein.
 
  f.  
No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the Parties and is not intended to confer upon any other person any rights or remedies hereunder.

 

5


 

  g.  
No Oral Modification. Nothing in this Agreement may be changed or modified, nor may anything be added to this Agreement, except as may be specifically agreed to in a subsequent writing executed with the same formalities as this Agreement.
 
  h.  
Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, United States of America.
 
  i.  
Headings. The headings or titles of sections or paragraphs appearing in this Agreement are provided for convenience and are not to be used in construing this Agreement.

 

6


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Parties by their duly authorized representatives, hereby execute this Purchase Agreement for Bibsters Intellectual Property in duplicate; with each Party receiving one (1) of the executed originals hereof.
           
For P&G:
 
     
By:   /s/ Jeffrey D. Weedman   State of  
           ) SS
  Name:   Jeffrey D. Weedman   County of  )
          
  Title:   Vice President,
Global Business Development
   
         On this 26th day of May, 2010, before me personally appeared Jeffrey D. Weedman, to me known to be the person named in and who executed the above instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the uses and purposes therein set forth.
         
     
  By:   /s/ Susan S. Felder    
  Name:   Susan S. Felder
    Notary Public, State of Ohio
My Commission Expires 09-26-10
 
           
For Hamco:
 
     
By:   /s/ Olivia Elliott     State of Louisiana
           ) SS
  Name:   Olivia Elliott     County of Ascension 
          
  Title:   Vice President & CFO        
         On this 27th day of May, 2010, before me personally appeared Olivia Elliott, to me known to be the person named in and who executed the above instrument, and acknowledged to me that she executed the same for the uses and purposes therein set forth. 
         
     
  By:   /s/ Neal R. Elliott, Jr.   
  Name:   Neal R. Elliott, Jr. 
    Bar Roll #24084
Notary Public, State of Louisiana
My Commission is for Life 
 

 

7


 

ATTACHMENT 1
GENERAL PATENT ASSIGNMENT
FOR PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR BIBSTERS PATENTS
WHEREAS, The Procter & Gamble Company, a corporation of the State of Ohio, having its principal place of business at One Procter & Gamble Plaza, Cincinnati, OH, USA (hereinafter, together with its Affiliates (as defined in the Purchase Agreement for Bibsters Intellectual Property between ASSIGNOR and ASSIGNEE), referred to as “ASSIGNOR”), owns, by assignment, all right, title, and interest in and to the Patents and Patent Applications contained in ATTACHMENT 2, which is attached and hereby incorporated into and forms a part of this Assignment, and any inventions claimed therein; and Hamco, Inc., a corporation of the state of Louisiana having offices at 916 S. Burnside Avenue, Gonzales, LA 70737, United States (hereinafter, together with its Affiliates, referred to as “ASSIGNEE”), desires to own ASSIGNOR’s entire right, title, and interest in and to the Patents and Patent Applications contained in ATTACHMENT 2 and to the inventions claimed therein.
NOW THEREFORE, be it known that, for good and valuable consideration, receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, ASSIGNOR hereby sells, assigns, transfers, and sets over to ASSIGNEE, its lawful successors and assigns, ASSIGNOR’s entire right, title, and interest in and to the Patents and Patent Applications contained in ATTACHMENT 2, and the inventions claimed therein. ASSIGNOR hereby authorizes and requests the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks of the United States, and any official of any foreign country whose duty it is to issue patents on applications as described above, to issue all Letters Patent for such inventions to ASSIGNEE, its successors and assigns, in accordance with the terms of this Assignment;
This Assignment is effective as of the date of execution shown below.
           
ASSIGNOR, The Procter & Gamble Co.
 
     
By:   /s/ Jeffrey D. Weedman   State of  
           ) SS
  Name:   Jeffrey D. Weedman   County of  )
          
  Title:   Vice President,
Global Business Development 
   
         On this 26th day of May, 2010, before me personally appeared Jeffrey D. Weedman, to me known to be the person named in and who executed the above instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the uses and purposes therein set forth.
         
     
  By:     /s/ Susan S. Felder    
  Name:   Susan S. Felder  
    Notary Public, State of Ohio
My Commission Expires 09-26-10
 
           
 
ASSIGNEE, Hamco, Inc.
 
     
By:   /s/ Olivia Elliott     State of Louisiana
           ) SS
  Name:   Olivia Elliott    County of Ascension 
          
  Title:   Vice President & CFO        
         On this 27th day of May, 2010, before me personally appeared Olivia Elliott, to me known to be the person named in and who executed the above instrument, and acknowledged to me that she executed the same for the uses and purposes therein set forth. 
 
         
     
  By:     /s/ Neal R. Elliott, Jr.    
  Name:   Neal R. Elliott, Jr.   
    Bar Roll #24084
Notary Public, State of Louisiana
My Commission is for Life 
 

 

 


 

ATTACHMENT 2
LIST OF BIBSTERS PATENTS
                             
                           
P&G Case   Co.   Status   Appln. #   Appln. Dt.   Patent #     Grant Dt.
—05789CL
  US   Granted   08/877734   06/17/1997     6058506     05/09/2000
—05790L
  MX   Granted   981096   07/30/1996     227813     05/16/2005
—05790CL
  US   Granted   08/902864   07/30/1997     5822792     10/20/1998
—05791L
  DE   Granted   96926188.2   07/30/1996     69631590.4     02/18/2004
—05791L
  FR   Granted   96926188.2   07/30/1996     0843521     02/18/2004
—05791L
  GB   Granted   96926188.2   07/30/1996     0843521     02/18/2004
—05791L
  US   Granted   08/667155   06/20/1996     5715542     02/10/1998
—06306CL
  US   Granted   08/963228   11/03/1997     5819314     10/13/1998
—06471L
  US   Granted   08/948572   10/10/1997     6363530     04/02/2002
—06503L
  US   Granted   08/792332   01/31/1997     5887278     03/30/1999
—06742L
  US   Granted   08/884374   06/27/1997     5918311     07/06/1999
—06927L
  DE   Granted   98959458.5   11/16/1998     69816869.0     07/30/2003
—06927L
  FR   Granted   98959458.5   11/16/1998     1052913     07/30/2003
—06927L
  GB   Granted   98959458.5   11/16/1998     1052913     07/30/2003
—06927L
  MX   Granted   004728   11/16/1998     216809     10/08/2003
—06927L
  US   Granted   08/969868   11/14/1997     6128780     10/10/2000
—07050L
  US   Granted   09/036562   03/09/1998     6061827     05/16/2000
—07092L
  US   Granted   09/060133   04/14/1998     6125471     10/03/2000
—07093L
  US   Granted   09/059884   04/14/1998     6266820     07/31/2001
—08678RL
  DE   Granted   02761378.5   08/14/2002     60218862.8     03/14/2007
—08678RL
  FR   Granted   02761378.5   08/14/2002     1416816     03/14/2007
—08678RL
  GB   Granted   02761378.5   08/14/2002     1416816     03/14/2007
—08678RL
  JP   Granted   2003/520315   08/14/2002     4118806     05/02/2008
—08678L
  US   Granted   09/932348   08/17/2001     6381751     05/07/2002
—08678RL
  US   Granted   10/085286   02/28/2002     6499140     12/31/2002
D-00698L
  US   Granted   29/127449   08/04/2000     D442352     05/22/2001

 

 


 

ATTACHMENT 3
GENERAL TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT
FOR PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR BIBSTERS TRADEMARKS
WHEREAS, The Procter & Gamble Company, a corporation of the State of Ohio, having its principal place of business at One Procter & Gamble Plaza, Cincinnati, OH, USA (hereinafter, together with its Affiliates (as defined in the Purchase Agreement for Bibsters Intellectual Property between ASSIGNOR and ASSIGNEE), referred to as “ASSIGNOR”), owns, by assignment, all right, title, and interest in and to the Trademark Applications and Registrations contained in ATTACHMENT 4, which is attached and hereby incorporated into and forms a part of this Assignment; and Hamco, Inc., a corporation of the state of Louisiana having offices at 916 S. Burnside Avenue, Gonzales, LA 70737, United States (hereinafter, together with its Affiliates, referred to as “ASSIGNEE”), desires to own ASSIGNOR’s entire right, title, and interest, and the goodwill associated therewith, in and to the Trademark Applications and Registrations contained in ATTACHMENT 4.
NOW THEREFORE, be it known that, for good and valuable consideration, receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, ASSIGNOR hereby sells, assigns, transfers, and sets over to ASSIGNEE, its lawful successors and assigns, ASSIGNOR’s entire right, title, and interest, and the goodwill associated therewith, in and to the Trademark Applications and Registrations contained in ATTACHMENT 4. ASSIGNOR hereby authorizes and requests the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks of the United States, and any official of any foreign country whose duty it is to issue trademarks as described above, to issue all trademark registrations to ASSIGNEE, its successors and assigns, in accordance with the terms of this Assignment;
This Assignment is effective as of the date of execution shown below.
           
ASSIGNOR, The Procter & Gamble Co.
 
     
By:   /s/ Jeffrey D. Weedman   State of  
           ) SS
  Name:   Jeffrey D. Weedman    County of  )
          
  Title:   Vice President,
Global Business Development 
   
         On this 26th day of May, 2010, before me personally appeared Jeffrey D. Weedman, to me known to be the person named in and who executed the above instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the uses and purposes therein set forth. 
         
     
  By:     /s/ Susan S. Felder    
  Name:   Susan S. Felder  
    Notary Public, State of Ohio
My Commission Expires 09-26-10
 
           
ASSIGNEE, Hamco, Inc.
 
     
By:   /s/ Olivia Elliott     State of Louisiana
           ) SS
  Name:   Olivia Elliott     County of Ascension 
          
  Title:   Vice President & CFO        
         On this 27th day of May, 2010, before me personally appeared Olivia Elliott, to me known to be the person named in and who executed the above instrument, and acknowledged to me that she executed the same for the uses and purposes therein set forth. 
         
     
  By:   /s/ Neal R. Elliott, Jr.    
  Name:   Neal R. Elliott, Jr.   
    Bar Roll #24084
Notary Public, State of Louisiana
My Commission is for Life 
 

 

 


 

ATTACHMENT 4
LIST OF BIBSTERS TRADEMARKS
                             
        Application   Application   Registration   Registration      
Trademark   Country   No   Date   No   Date     Status
BIBSTERS
  Australia   700052   3-Jan-96   700052   3-Jan-96   Registered
BIBSTERS
  Canada   812050   7-May-96   TMA553,079   29-Oct-01   Registered
BIBSTERS
  European Union   259002   20-May-96   259002   7-Jan-99   Registered
BIBSTERS
  Japan   107798/95   18-Oct-95   4057804   19-Sep-97   Registered
BIBSTERS
  Mexico   494302   5-Jul-01   721952   31-Oct-01   Registered
BIBSTERS
  New Zealand   257561   8-Jan-96   257561   8-Jan-96   Registered
BIBSTERS
  Nigeria   TP95563   15-Nov-04               Pending
BIBSTERS
  Nigeria   TP95562   29-Nov-04               Pending
BIBSTERS
  Norway   960108   8-Jan-96   179941   13-Feb-97   Registered
BIBSTERS
  Saudi Arabia   93186   21-Nov-04   799/78   31-Aug-05   Registered
BIBSTERS
  Saudi Arabia   93187   21-Nov-04   799/79   31-Aug-05   Registered
BIBSTERS
  Switzerland   03450/1996   14-May-96   436594   14-May-96   Registered
BIBSTERS
  Turkey   96/11711   8-Aug-96   175510   8-Aug-96   Registered
BIBSTERS
  United Arab Emirates   65009   21-Nov-04   52700   8-May-05   Registered
BIBSTERS
  United Arab Emirates   65010   21-Nov-04   52691   8-May-05   Registered
BIBSTERS
  United States of America   74673256   12-May-95   2024621   17-Dec-96   Registered
BIBSTERS DE PAMPERS
  Chile   632884   2-Jan-04   698914   26-Jul-04   Registered
POCKET BIBSTERS
  Canada   1139842   10-May-02   TMA652,764   15-Nov-05   Registered
POCKET BIBSTERS
  United States of America   78/129880   20-May-02   2,783,261   11-Nov-03   Registered