Distributor Agreement - Media General Financial Services Inc. and Axxess Inc.
DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT
Agreement between MEDIA GENERAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., a Virginia
Corporation with its principal place of business at 333 East Grace Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219 ("Media"), and AXXESS, INC., a Nevada Corporation, with
its principal place of business at 201 Park Place, #321, Altamonte Springs,
Florida 32701 ("AXXESS").
1. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Media hereby
grants to AXXESS a non-exclusive license to install, market, and distribute the
QuickSource dataset of selected elements of Media's common stock database
through AXXESS's www.rapidresearch.com Web site described in EXHIBIT I attached
hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The QuickSource data elements
licensed, hereinafter referred to as "Media data", are shown in EXHIBIT II,
attached hereto and made a part hereof. The licensed Media data shown in EXHIBIT
II of this Agreement may be utilized in part or in whole by the AXXESS Web site
under the terms and conditions shown in EXHIBIT III. In addition, AXXESS may
build a screening module for its WEB site under the terms and conditions shown
in EXHIBIT IV. In addition to the license granted hereunder for use of the Media
data through AXXESS's www.rapidresearch.com Web site, AXXESS may develop and
market such other products utilizing the Media data as the parties mutually
agree to add to this Agreement by additional specific Amendments, subject to the
provisions of Paragraph 14 hereof.
Media reserves the right to modify its databases from time to time in
its sole discretion. Media shall give AXXESS sixty (60) days prior written
notice if any such change will affect the Media data.
The Media data will be made available to AXXESS via such media and in
such format as shall be mutually agreed upon. Frequency of delivery of the Media
data to AXXESS will be daily according to a production schedule as shall be
mutually agreed upon.
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DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT Page 2
Media shall have no liability for delays or non-performance occasioned
by causes beyond its control, including but not limited to acts of God, fires,
inability to obtain materials, strikes or other labor actions, breakdown of
equipment, delays or shutdowns of carriers or suppliers, and government acts or
regulations.
2. (a) Media represents and warrants to AXXESS that the Media data as
delivered to AXXESS does not and will not infringe upon or violate any patent,
copyright, trade secret or any other proprietary rights of any third-party, or
otherwise subject AXXESS to liability. In the event of any claim, suit or action
by any third party against AXXESS arising out of Media's alleged breach of the
foregoing representation and warranty, AXXESS shall promptly notify Media, and
Media shall defend such claim, suit or action in AXXESS's name but at Media's
expense under Media's control. Media shall indemnify and hold harmless AXXESS
against any loss, cost or damage, expense or liability arising out of such
claim, suit or action (including litigation costs and reasonable attorneys fees)
whether or not such claim, suit or action is successful. Should any material
and/or information constituting Media data become, or in Media's opinion be
likely to become, the subject of a claim for infringement, Media may authorize
the continued use of, replacement, removal, or modification of such material
and/or information to render it non-infringing.
(b) AXXESS represents and warrants to Media that neither the
reformatting nor the means of presentation on or through the AXXESS service will
cause the Media data to infringe upon or violate any patent, copyright, trade
secret or any other proprietary rights of any third party, or otherwise subject
Media to liability. In the event of any claim, suit or action by any third party
against Media arising out of AXXESS's alleged breach of the foregoing
representation and warranty, Media shall promptly notify AXXESS, and AXXESS
shall defend such claim, suit or action in Media's name but at AXXESS's expense
under AXXESS's control. AXXESS shall indemnify and hold harmless Media against
any loss, cost or damage, expense or liability arising out of such claim, suit
or action (including litigation costs and reasonable attorneys fees) whether or
not such claim, suit or action is successful.
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DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT Page 3
(c) Media bases its data input on sources believed by it to be reliable
and will endeavor to ensure that the data contained in the licensed Media data
are complete, accurate and timely. However, Media does not represent, warrant,
or guarantee such completeness, accuracy or timeliness, and it shall have no
liability of any kind whatsoever to AXXESS, to any of AXXESS's customers, or to
any other party, on account of any incompleteness of, inaccuracies in or
untimeliness of the Media data provided hereunder, or for any delay in reporting
such data. Media expressly disclaims all warranties of fitness of the Media data
or computations and analyses thereof for a particular purpose or use. With
regard to the subject matter of this Paragraph 2(c), in no event shall Media
have any liability of any kind for any damages even if notified of the
possibility of such damages. Except as specifically set forth in this Agreement,
neither party makes any warranties and each party hereto specifically disclaims
any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
(d) AXXESS shall insure that the Media data displayed in web pages,
individual reports and in a screening module shall be clearly identified as
provided by Media with the following source: "Data provided by Media General
Financial Services, Inc., Richmond, VA". In addition, in materials that describe
the sources of data in the AXXESS service, AXXESS must provide an appropriate
disclaimer approved by Media and containing a paraphrase of the language
contained in subparagraph 2(c) above. In addition, AXXESS shall include in its
www.rapidresearch.com service, at the request of Media, a hyperlink to the Media
Web site.
3. The purpose of providing the Media data to AXXESS is to disseminate
the Media data in the markets served by AXXESS. Any other use of the Media data
by AXXESS not expressly authorized herein must be approved in advance in writing
by Media in its sole discretion.
4. (a) AXXESS will perform all necessary accounting, billing and
collection for use of the Media data. For the license hereby granted to AXXESS
by Media to offer the Media data through the product set forth in EXHIBIT I,
AXXESS shall pay to Media a monthly royalty fee calculated as follows:
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DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT Page 4
Monthly fee which shall be the greater of:
. 30% of the net advertising revenue realized by any page that contains
MGFS data (net advertising revenue will be the gross receipts of any
advertisements contained on any page of Media data, less agency fees
or commissions).
or
. 40% for any non-advertising based components of the Media data (e.g.,
subscription or pay-per-view data).
or
. $500 per month for months 1 and 2....................($ 1,000)
. $1,000 per month for months 3 and 4....................($ 2,000)
. $1,500 per month for months 5 and 6....................($ 3,000)
. $2,000 per month for months 7 and 8....................($ 4,000)
. $3,000 per month for months 9 and 10...................($ 6,000)
. $4,000 per month for months 11 and 12..................($ 8,000)
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($24,000)
These royalty payments will begin with the earlier of: (i) the first month in
which the Media data is made available on the www.rapidresearch.com Web site or
(ii) November 1, 1997.
(b) AXXESS shall pay such royalties to Media on or before the thirtieth
(30th) day after the month in which the royalties shall accrue, and if any
payment due hereunder is not received by Media within that period, Media shall
have the option to discontinue providing the Media data and of terminating this
Agreement should such payment not be received within 30 days after written
notice to AXXESS. Each royalty payment by AXXESS for use of the Media data shall
be accompanied by a royalty statement showing detailed computation (including
agency and advertising sales commission) of monthly royalty fees due Media, if
necessary. AXXESS also agrees to provide Media with monthly figures on the
number of hits or "page views" of the Media data on its service.
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(c) At Media's option and no more than once per year, an independent
auditor selected by Media may inspect, audit and copy, during regular business
hours and with advance notice of at least five (5) days, those records of AXXESS
that specifically relate to usage of the Media data hereunder, for the purpose
of verifying the accuracy of the royalty payments made to Media and the accuracy
of AXXESS's reports specified in Paragraph 4(b). Such right of inspection shall
exist during the terms of this Agreement and for twelve (12) months thereafter.
Media shall pay the fees of any auditor selected pursuant to this subparagraph,
unless the results of the audit show a deficiency of more than five percent (5%)
in royalty payments made to Media hereunder, in which case, in addition to the
deficiency, which shall be due immediately in any event, AXXESS shall pay the
costs of such audit.
5. AXXESS agrees that its user agreements do and will contain provisions
prohibiting its customers accessing the Media data for resale and redistribution
of the data obtained from the AXXESS service (which will include the Media data)
in any form. A current copy of the AXXESS User Agreement is attached and hereto
and made a part hereof in EXHIBIT IV. AXXESS represents and warrants to Media
that it assumes all responsibility for the accuracy, integrity and support of
its software which utilizes the Media data. Specific references by AXXESS that
the Media data has any predictive value for the purpose of enhancing investment
returns are strictly prohibited.
6. AXXESS represents and warrants that the Media data supplied hereunder
shall be used and released from its data system only in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and in furtherance thereof. The license granted under
Paragraph 1 hereof does not permit AXXESS to use, sell or distribute the Media
data for any use or purpose other than those specifically set forth in the
EXHIBITS attached hereto and made a part hereof.
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DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT Page 6
7. Any use of the names or marks or either party in connection with
promotional activities, advertising, or other use outside the ordinary course of
business in performing this Agreement shall be subject to the prior written
approval of the other party. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, both parties shall have the right to disclose that it has entered into
this Agreement.
8. AXXESS acknowledges that the Media data in the form delivered
represent confidential proprietary business information and that its utilization
of the Media data is strictly limited in accordance with this Agreement. Media
acknowledges that any AXXESS software used for the access, delivery and
manipulation of Media data represents confidential proprietary business
information and utilization of such software by Media or any of its employees or
agents is strictly limited in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
9. AXXESS acknowledges that the Media data consist of factual
information gathered, selected and arranged by Media by special methods and at
considerable expense; that the Media data, and all titles, formats and other
descriptive headings associated herewith, are and at all times shall be, the
sole property of Media, and that neither AXXESS nor any of its agents in any
capacity shall sell or otherwise dispose of or distribute the Media data, or any
portion thereof, to others at any time, either during or after the expiration
of this Agreement, except as permitted by the terms hereof. Upon notice thereof,
AXXESS will act promptly to prevent any breach or continuation of a breach by a
subscriber or any of its agents of the provisions of this Agreement, or its
subscriber agreements, such action to include termination of services, if
required by Media.
10. AXXESS expressly recognizes and acknowledges that its covenants set
forth in Paragraphs 6, 7, 8, and 9 are reasonable requirements of Media in the
protection of substantial business interests. AXXESS further acknowledges that
the remedy at law for breach of any of its undertaking in said paragraphs would
be inadequate and that, in
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DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT Page 7
addition to all other remedies provided by law, Media shall be entitled to
injunctive relief restraining any breach or threatened breach. AXXESS's
liability for breach of this Agreement and for sums due to Media hereunder shall
survive any termination hereof. Except for amounts payable to third parties
pursuant to the indemnification provision of Section 2 hereof, and to the extent
permitted by applicable law, neither Media nor AXXESS shall have any liability
for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages even if advised
of the possibility thereof. The foregoing limitation of liability shall apply
regardless of the cause of action under which such damages are sought,
including, without limitation, breach of contract, negligence, or other tort.
11. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions described below, the term of
this Agreement shall be for a period of one (1) year from the effective date of
this Agreement, specified in Paragraph 18. Notwithstanding the termination or
expiration of this Agreement, the right and obligations under Paragraphs 2, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and of this Paragraph 11 shall survive and continue and bind
the parties and their legal representatives and permitted assigns.
(b) Promptly following termination or expiration of this Agreement for
any reason, AXXESS shall use all reasonable efforts to purge all Media data from
its systems and return any tapes or other media on which the Media data or any
other Media information may have been provided, together with all copies
thereof, whether in printed or machine-readable form, to Media. AXXESS shall
certify to Media in writing that the requirements of this paragraph have been
met within ten (10) days of termination.
(c) Either Media or AXXESS may terminate this Agreement and the license
conferred hereunder as follows:
(i) Media may terminate as specified in Paragraph 4(b).
(ii) Either party may terminate if the other breaches any other term or
covenant of this Agreement, and such breach continues unremedied for sixty (60)
days after written notice to the party in breach by the other party. Either
party may seek liability for breach of this Agreement by the other party.
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DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT Page 8
12. All marketing and promotional references to the Media data to be
used by AXXESS in its efforts to market AXXESS's service involving use of the
Media data shall be subject to the prior written approval of Media. In the event
that Media advertises its connection with AXXESS's service, or in the event
Media or any Media agent promotes the availability of the Media data on AXXESS's
service, AXXESS shall have the right to prior approval of all materials used in
such efforts. If the approving party does not respond within five (5) days, the
other party may consider the materials approved.
13. All notices, payments and other communications permitted or required
by this Agreement shall be in writing addressed as follows:
(a) MEDIA GENERAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
333 EAST GRACE STREET
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219
ATTN: Dennis H. Cartwright, President & CEO
(b) AXXESS, INC.
201 PARK PLACE, #321
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FLORIDA 32701
ATTN: Kevin Lichtman, President
Either party may change its address for such matters by notice given in
the manner prescribed above. If sent by certified or registered mail, notices
shall be effective three business days after posting; otherwise, notices shall
be effective upon receipt by the other party.
14. This Agreement represents the entire understanding between AXXESS
and Media as to the subject matter hereof. Any amendments or additions hereto
shall be only in writing executed by the parties.
15. This Agreement is made in, and shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of, the State of Virginia.
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16. No rights or duties hereunder may be transferred or assigned by
either party in any manner without the written approval of the other party in
its sole discretion, other than to a subsidiary, parent or other affiliate of
the transferring or assigning party. Media may not transfer or assign this
Agreement without the consent of AXXESS, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
17. No waiver of any breach of any term or condition herein shall be
deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of any term or condition. Failure
or delay by either party in exercising any right or authority hereunder shall
not be construed as a waiver of such right or authority.
18. This Agreement shall become effective on the date it is signed by
the last party to execute the Agreement, as shown below.
MEDIA GENERAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AXXESS, INC.
333 EAST GRACE STREET 201 PARK PLACE, #321
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219 ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FLORIDA 32701
/s/ Dennis H. Cartwright /s/ [SIGNATURE APPEARS HERE]
By: ____________________________ By: ____________________________
President & CEO President
Title: _________________________ Title: _________________________
October 6, 1997 September 17, 1997
Date: __________________________ Date: __________________________