PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT RACKABLE SYSTEMS, INC. EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.1

January 5, 2007

Tom Gallivan

Dear Tom:

This letter sets forth the substance of the separation agreement (the “Agreement”) that Rackable Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) is offering to you to aid in your employment transition.

1.	Separation. Your last day of work with the Company and your employment termination date will be January 5, 2007 (the “Separation Date”).

2.	Accrued Salary And Paid Time Off. On the Separation Date, the Company will pay you all accrued salary, commission and all accrued and unused PTO earned through January 5, 2007, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings. You are entitled to these payments by law.

3.	Severance Payment. Although the Company has no obligation to do so, if you sign this Agreement, then the Company will pay you, as severance, the following:

Three monthly severance payments of $56,666.67, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings. These monthly severance payments shall cease upon you obtaining fulltime employment. You agree to promptly notify the Company if you obtain fulltime employment.

The first severance payment will be paid within ten (10) days after the Effective Date (as defined in paragraph 14 below) and subsequent severance payments on the first day of each month thereafter.

4.

Health Insurance. To the extent provided by the federal COBRA law or, if applicable, state insurance laws, and by the Company’s current group health insurance policies, you will be eligible to continue your group health insurance benefits at your own expense following January 31, 2007. Later, you may be able to convert to an individual policy through the provider of the Company’s health insurance, if you wish. You will be provided with a separate notice describing your rights and obligations under COBRA. If you elect continued coverage under COBRA, as part of this Agreement, the Company will pay your COBRA premiums through July 31, 2007.

5.

Stock Options. Under the terms of your stock option agreement and the applicable plan documents, vesting of your stock options will cease as of the Separation Date. Your right to exercise any vested shares, and all other rights and obligations with respect to your stock options(s), will be as set forth in your stock option agreement, grant notice and applicable plan documents.

6.	Other Compensation Or Benefits. You acknowledge that, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, you will not receive any additional compensation, severance, or benefits after the Separation Date.

7.

Expense Reimbursements. You agree that, within ten (10) days of the Separation Date, you will submit your final documented expense reimbursement statement reflecting all business expenses you incurred through the Separation Date, if any, for which you seek reimbursement. The Company will reimburse you for these expenses pursuant to its regular business practice.

8.

Return Of Company Property. You agree that, within five (5) days of the Separation Date, you agree to return to the Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company property that you have had in your possession at any time, including, but not limited to, Company files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and forecasts, financial information, specifications, computer-recorded information, tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges, and keys; and, any materials of any kind that contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company (and all reproductions thereof). Your timely return of all such Company documents and other property is a condition precedent to your receipt of the severance benefits provided under this Agreement.

9.	Proprietary Information Obligations. You acknowledge your continuing obligations under your Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

10.

Confidentiality. The provisions of this Agreement will be held in strictest confidence by you and the Company and will not be publicized or disclosed in any manner whatsoever; provided, however, that: (a) you may disclose this Agreement in confidence to your immediate family; (b) the parties may disclose this Agreement in confidence to their respective attorneys, accountants, auditors, tax preparers, and financial advisors; (c) the Company may disclose this Agreement as necessary to fulfill standard or legally required corporate reporting or disclosure requirements; and (d) the parties may disclose this Agreement insofar as such disclosure may be necessary to enforce its terms or as otherwise required by law. In particular, and without limitation, you agree not to disclose the terms of this Agreement to any current or former Company employee.

11.

Nondisparagement. You agree not to disparage the Company, its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, and agents, in any manner likely to be harmful to its or their business, business reputation, or personal reputation; provided that you will respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process.

12.	No Admissions. You understand and agree that the promises and payments in consideration of this Agreement shall not be construed to be an admission of any liability or obligation by the Company to you or to any other person, and that the Company makes no such admission.

13.

Release of Claims. In exchange for the consideration under this Agreement to which you would not otherwise be entitled, you hereby generally and completely release the Company and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date you sign this Agreement. This general release includes, but is not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to your employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to your compensation or benefits from the Company, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended).

14.

ADEA Waiver. You acknowledge that you are knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights you may have under the ADEA (“ADEA Waiver”). You also acknowledge that the consideration given for the ADEA Waiver is in addition to anything of value to which you were already entitled. You further acknowledge that you have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (a) your ADEA Waiver does not apply to any rights or claims that arise after the date you sign this Agreement; (b) you should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement; (c) you have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Agreement (although you may choose to voluntarily sign it sooner); (d) you have seven (7) days following the date you sign this Agreement to revoke the ADEA Waiver (in a written revocation sent to me); and (e) the ADEA Waiver will not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which will be the eighth day after you sign this Agreement (the “Effective Date”). Nevertheless, your general release of claims, except for the ADEA Waiver, is effective immediately and not revocable.

15.

Section 1542 Waiver. In granting the release herein, which includes claims which may be unknown to you at present, you acknowledge that you have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.” You hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law or legal principle of similar effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the releases granted herein, including but not limited to the release of unknown and unsuspected claims granted in this Agreement.

16.

Miscellaneous. This Agreement, including Exhibit A, constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between you and the Company with regard to its subject matter. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or representations. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. This Agreement will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of both you and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination will not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question will be modified so as to be rendered enforceable. This Agreement will be deemed to have been entered into and will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California as applied to contracts made and to be performed entirely within California. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed against either party as the drafter. Any waiver of a breach of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any successive breach. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and facsimile signatures will suffice as original signatures.

If this Agreement is acceptable to you, please sign below and return the original to me.

We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

By: /s/ Tom Barton                                             

Tom Barton

Chief Executive Officer

I have read, understand and agree fully to the foregoing Agreement:

By: /s/ Tom Gallivan                                          

Tom Gallivan

Date: December 7, 2006                                     

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT 

In consideration of my employment by Rackable Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), I hereby agree to the following with respect to my use and development of information and technology of the Company, as more fully set out below.  

Proprietary Information.  

Confidential Restrictions. I agree to hold in strict confidence and in trust for the sole benefit of the Company all Proprietary Information (as defined below) that I may have access to during the course of my employment with the Company and will not disclose any Proprietary Information, directly or indirectly, to anyone outside of the Company, or use, copy, publish, summarize, or remove from Company premises such information (or remove from the premises any other property of the Company) except (i) during my employment to the extent necessary to carry out my responsibilities as an employee of the Company or (ii) after termination of my employment, as specifically authorized by the President of the Company. I further understand that the publication of any Proprietary Information through literature or speeches must be approved in advance in writing by the President of the Company. "Proprietary Information" shall mean all information and any idea in whatever form, tangible or intangible, whether disclosed to or learned or developed by me, pertaining in any manner to the business of the Company (or any affiliate of it that might be formed) or to the Company's customers, suppliers, licensors and other commercial partners unless: (i) the information is or becomes publicly known through lawful means; (ii) the information was rightfully in my possession or part of my general knowledge prior to my employment by the Company; or (iii) the information is disclosed to me without confidential or proprietary restriction by a third party who rightfully possesses the information (without confidential or proprietary restriction) and did not learn of it, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

Third Party Information. I recognize that the Company has received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company's part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. I agree that I owe the Company and such third parties, during the term of my employment and thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm, or corporation (except as necessary in carrying out my work for the Company consistent with the Company's agreement with such third party) or to use it for the benefit of anyone other than for the Company or such third party (consistent with the Company's agreement with such third party) without the express written authorization of the President of the Company.

Interference with Business. I hereby acknowledge that pursuit of the activities forbidden by this Section 1(c) would necessarily involve the use or disclosure of Proprietary Information in breach of Section 1, but that proof of such breach would be extremely difficult. To forestall such disclosure, use, and breach, I agree that for the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year after termination of my employment with the Company, I shall not, for myself or any third party, directly or indirectly (i) divert or attempt to divert from the Company (or any affiliate of it that might be formed) any business of any kind in which it is engaged, including, without limitation, the solicitation of or interference with any of its suppliers or customers; (ii) employ, solicit for employment, or recommend for employment any person employed by the Company (or by any affiliate of it that might be formed) during the period of such person's employment and for a period of one (1) year thereafter; or (iii) engage in any business activity that is or may be competitive with the Company (or any affiliate of it that might be formed). I understand that none of my activities will be prohibited under this Section 1(c) if I can prove that the action was taken without the use in any way of Proprietary Information.

Defined; Statutory Notice. I understand that during the term of my employment, there are certain restrictions on my development of technology, ideas, and inventions, referred to in this Agreement as "Invention Ideas." The term Invention Ideas means any and all ideas, processes, trademarks, service marks, inventions, technology, computer programs, original works of authorship, designs, formulas, discoveries, patents, copyrights, and all improvements, rights, and claims related to the foregoing that are conceived, developed, or reduced to practice by me alone or with others except to the extent that California Labor Code Section 2870 lawfully prohibits the assignment of rights in such ideas, processes, inventions, etc. I understand that Section 2870(a) provides:

Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer's equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either:

Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer.

Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.

Records of Invention Ideas. I agree to maintain adequate and current written records on the development of all Invention Ideas and to disclose promptly to the Company all Invention Ideas and relevant records, which records will remain the sole property of the Company. I further agree that all information and records pertaining to any idea, process, trademark, service mark, invention, technology, computer program, original work of authorship, design, formula, discovery, patent, or copyright that I do not believe to be an Invention Idea, but is conceived, developed, or reduced to practice by me (alone or with others) during my period of employment or during the one-year period following termination of my employment, shall be promptly disclosed to the Company (such disclosure to be received in confidence). The Company shall examine such information to determine if in fact the idea, process, or invention, etc., is an Invention Idea subject to this Agreement.

Assignment. I agree to assign to the Company, without further consideration, my entire right, title, and interest (throughout the United States and in all foreign countries), free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, in and to each Invention Idea, which shall be the sole property of the Company, whether or not patentable. In the event any Invention Idea shall be deemed by the Company to be patentable or otherwise registrable, I will assist the Company (at its expense) in obtaining letters patent or other applicable registrations thereon and I will execute all documents and do all other things (including testifying at the Company's expense) necessary or proper to obtain letters patent or other applicable registrations thereon and to vest the Company with full title thereto. Should the Company be unable to secure my signature on any document necessary to apply for, prosecute, obtain, or enforce any patent, copyright, or other right or protection relating to any Invention Idea, whether due to my mental or physical incapacity or any other cause, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and each of its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in my behalf and stead, to execute and file any such document, and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution, issuance, and enforcement of patents, copyrights, or other rights or protections with the same force and effect as if executed and delivered by me.

Exclusions. Except as disclosed in Exhibit A, there are no ideas, processes, trademarks, service marks, inventions, technology, computer programs, original works of authorship, designs, formulas, discoveries, patents, copyrights, or improvements to the foregoing that I wish to exclude from the operation of this Agreement.

Post-Termination Period. I acknowledge that because of the difficulty of establishing when any idea, process, invention, etc., is first conceived or developed by me, or whether it results from access to Proprietary Information or the Company’s equipment, facilities and data, I agree that any idea, process, trademark, service mark, invention, technology, computer program, original work of authorship, design, formula, discovery, patent, copyright, or any improvement, rights, or claims related to the foregoing shall be presumed to be an Invention Idea if it is conceived, developed, used, sold, exploited, or reduced to practice by me or with my aid within one (1) year after my termination of employment with the Company. I can rebut the above presumption if I prove that the invention, idea, process, etc., is not an Invention Idea as defined in paragraph 2(a). I hereby acknowledge that pursuit of the activities forbidden by this Section 1(c) would necessarily involve the use or disclosure of Proprietary Information in breach of Section 1, but that proof of such breach would be extremely difficult. To forestall such disclosure, use, and breach, I agree that for the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years after termination of my employment with the Company, I shall not, for myself or any third party, directly or indirectly (i) divert or attempt to divert from the Company (or any affiliate of it that might be formed) any business of any kind in which it is engaged, including, without limitation, the solicitation of or interference with any of its suppliers or customers; (ii) employ, solicit for employment, or recommend for employment any person employed by the Company (or by any affiliate of it that might be formed) during the period of such person's employment and for a period of one (1) year thereafter; or (iii) engage in any business activity that is or may be competitive with the Company (or any affiliate of it that might be formed). I understand that none of my activities will be prohibited under this Section 1(c) if I can prove that the action was taken without the use in any way of Proprietary Information.

I understand that nothing in this Agreement is intended to expand the scope of protection provided me by Sections 2870 through 2872 of the California Labor Code.

Former or Conflicting Obligations. During my employment with the Company, I will not disclose to the Company, or use, or induce the Company to use, any proprietary information or trade secrets of others. I represent that my performance of this Agreement will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment by the Company. I certify that I have no outstanding agreement or obligation that is in conflict with any of the provisions of this Agreement, or that would preclude me from complying with the provisions hereof. I further certify that during the term of my employment with the Company, I will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of such employment.

Government Contracts. I understand that the Company has or may enter into contracts with the government under which certain intellectual property rights will be required to be protected, assigned, licensed, or otherwise transferred and I hereby agree to execute such other documents and agreements as are necessary to enable the Company to meet its obligations under any such government contracts.

Termination. I hereby acknowledge and agree that all personal property, including, without limitation, all books, manuals, records, models, drawings, reports, notes, contracts, lists, blueprints, and other documents or materials or copies thereof, Proprietary Information, and equipment furnished to or prepared by me in the course of or incident to my employment, belong to the Company and will be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of my employment with the Company. Following my termination, I will not retain any written or other tangible material containing any Proprietary Information or information pertaining to any Invention Idea. I understand that my obligations contained herein will survive the termination of my employment. In the event of termination of my employment, I agree to sign and deliver to the Company a Termination Certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

Assignment. I agree that the Company may assign to another person or entity any of its rights under this Agreement, including, without limitation, any successor in interest to the Company or its business operations. This Agreement shall be binding upon me and my heirs, executors, administrators, and successors, and shall inure to the benefit of the Company's successors and assigns.

Governing Law; Severability. The validity, interpretation, enforceability, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. If any provision of this Agreement, or application thereof to any person, place, or circumstance, shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, the remainder of this Agreement and such provisions as applied to other persons, places, and circumstances shall remain in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement. The terms of this Agreement are the final expression of my agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of its terms and no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal proceeding involving this Agreement.

Application of this Agreement. I hereby agree that my obligations set forth in Sections 1 and 2 hereof and the definitions of Proprietary Information and Invention Ideas contained therein shall be equally applicable to Proprietary Information and Invention Ideas relating to any work performed by me for the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement.

 

 

Date: 9/13/04

/s/ Tom Gallivan                           Signature Tom Gallivan                                  Printed Name

 

Except as set forth below, there are no ideas, processes, trademarks, service marks, inventions, technology, computer programs, original works of authorship, designs, formulas, discoveries, patents, copyrights, or any claims, rights, or improvements to the foregoing that I wish to exclude from the operation of this Agreement:

This is to certify that I have returned all personal property of the Company, including, without limitation, all books, manuals, records, models, drawings, reports, notes, contracts, lists, blueprints, and other documents and materials, Proprietary Information, and equipment furnished to or prepared by me in the course of or incident to my employment with the Company, and that I did not make or distribute any copies of the foregoing.

I further certify that I have reviewed the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement signed by me and that I have complied with and will continue to comply with all of its terms, including, without limitation, (i) the reporting of any invention, process, or idea, etc. conceived or developed by me and covered by the Agreement and (ii) the preservation as confidential of all Proprietary Information pertaining to the Company. This certificate in no way limits my responsibilities or the Company’s rights under the Agreement.

On termination of my employment with the Company, I will be employed by [name of new employer] ________________________________________________ [in the ________ division] and I will be working in connection with the following projects:

[generally describe the projects]

 

 

Dated: ________________________

__________________________________ Signature __________________________________ Printed Name