License Agreement - Marvel Characters Inc. and Collectible Concepts Group
LICENSE AGREEMENT
License Agreement (this "Agreement"), when executed by both parties, is
effective as of the lst day of October, 1999, by and between Marvel Characters,
Inc., a Delaware corporation with an office at 10880 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite
1400, Los Angeles, California 90024 ("Marvel"), and the party identified below
("Licensee").
1. BASIC INFORMATION AND TERMS
The following information and terms appear for ease of reference in
this Section I and are set forth in greater detail in the indicated sections of
this Agreement which follow. This Section 1 is not itself a contract, but only a
part of this Agreement.
Licensee: Collectible Concepts Group
1600 Lower State Road
Chalfont, PA 18914
Attention: Paul Lipschutz
Tel: 888-801-5544, Fax: 215-491-1079 ("Licensee")
Characters: The following characters as they appear in the Marvel
"X-Men" theatrical motion picture: Professor X,
Wolverine, Magneto, Storm, Toad, Rogue, Mystique,
Sabretooth, Cyclops, Jean Grey. #2
Licensed Articles: Listed on Exhibit A #3(a)
Territory: United States and Canada #3(b)
Commencement Date: October 1, 1999 Expiration Date: December 31, 2002 #3(c)
Royalty Rates: Ten percent (10%) of Net Sales.
For Direct Sales and sales through Licensee's own Internet web-site a
royalty rate of ten percent (10%) of retail price. #5(a)
Calendar Period for royalty payments: Quarterly #5(a)
Royalty Report due with payment 30 days after end of
Calendar Period. #5(a),(d)
Minimum Royalty Guarantee: Forty Five Thousand Dollars ($45,000.00)
payable as follows: #5(b)
Advance: Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) payable upon signing of this
agreement. #5(b)
Remaining Balance: $15,000.00, payable on or before August 1, 2000;
$15,000.00, payable on or before June 1, 2001;
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Currency for all payments: United States Dollars #5(c)
Royalty Reports and payments sent to: Bank of America Remittance, File Number
54628, 1000 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, California 90071, Attn: Operations.
All payments must be made payable to Marvel Characters, Inc.
with a copy of reports to: Accounts Receivable, Marvel Entertainment Group,
Inc., 387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016 ("Marvel's New York
Office"). #5(d)
Examination/Audit Fee: $500.00 per diem.
Examination/Audit Maximum: $2,500.00 #5(e)
Trademark and Copyright Notices:
[Name(s) of character(s)] and Copyright (c) [year of first
the distinctive likeness(es) publication of Marvel material
thereof are Trademarks of by Licensee, in Arabic numerals]
Marvel Characters, Inc. Marvel Characters, Inc.
and are used with permission. All Rights Reserved. #7(b),(h)
Notice of Supervision:
This [identify the Licensed Article] is produced under
license from Marvel Characters, Inc. #7(c)
Product Development /Submission Date: November 1, 1999 #8(a)
Submission to Marvel's New York Office for approval:
Twelve (12) samples of each Licensed Article upon completion of first
production and each different piece of Associated Material therefor
prior to sale or publication. Twelve (12) samples of each finished
Licensed Article and each different piece of Associated Material
annually thereafter. #9(a)
Insurance: A Combined Single Limit of $3,000,000 per occurrence. #10(e)
Trade Introduction Date: March 1, 2000 #15(c)
Consumer Introduction Marketing Date: June 1, 2000 #15(d)
Post-Expiration Disposal Period: Ninety (90) days #16(e)
RECITALS
(a) 1 Marvel has rights in and to the names, characters, stories,
storylines, plots, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs,
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depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes, and graphic
photographic and other visual representations of, relating to and associated
with the Characters identified in Section 1 hereof (which names, characters,
etc. and/or each of the individual components thereof shall hereinafter be
referred to as the "Property"), said Property being known and recognized by the
general public and associated in the public mind with Marvel.
(b) Licensee desires to utilize the Property in the manner hereinafter
described.
3. GRANT OF LICENSE
(a) Licensed Articles. Upon the terms and conditions and with the
limitations and exceptions hereinafter set forth, Marvel hereby grants to
Licensee and Licensee hereby accepts the non-exclusive license right to utilize
the Property but solely upon and in connection with the sale and distribution of
the articles, products and/or services identified on Exhibit A ("Licensed
Articles").
(b) Territory. The license hereby granted extends only to the Territory
identified in Section 1. Licensee expressly acknowledges and agrees that it is
not licensed or authorized to use the Property, directly or indirectly, in any
other area, and that it is not licensed to and will not knowingly sell the
Licensed Articles to persons (excluding military exchanges for resale in such
exchanges abroad) who intend or are likely to sell them in any other area, to
the extent this provision is permitted by the applicable law at the time of such
use, license or sale.
(c) Term. The license hereby granted shall commence on the Commencement
Date and terminate automatically on the Expiration Date set forth in Section 1,
or the expiration of any renewal as provided herein, unless sooner terminated in
accordance with the provisions hereof. In the event Licensee commences any
activities in connection with the Property prior to the Commencement Date, all
provisions of this Agreement for the benefit and protection of Marvel shall
apply in full to such activities.
(d) Scope of License. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent Marvel from
granting any other licenses for the use of the Property, in connection with the
Licensed Articles, for the Territory to which this license extends, during the
Term of this license or from utilizing the Property in any manner whatsoever.
Licensee hereby acknowledges that the aforesaid licenses do not conflict with or
derogate from any rights being granted to Licensee hereunder.
4. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
(a) Marvel hereby reserves all rights not herein specifically granted
to Licensee, including but not limited to all rights with respect to the
Licensed Articles for any and all channels of trade, modes of distribution
and/or delivery, including but not limited to premiums or giveaways, direct
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mail, electronic sales (whether made through the Internet, a commercial online
service or otherwise), and vending machines and for sale at commercial venues
presenting a live stage show based upon the Property such as an arena show or a
touring mall show. As between the parties, such reserved rights are the sole and
exclusive property of, and may be used or exercised solely by, Marvel. Any use
or license by Marvel of such reserved rights, in any manner whatsoever, shall
not be deemed unfair competition with, interference with, breach of or
infringement of any of Licensee's rights hereunder. It is also understood that
Marvel is not required to itself continue the production of the Property or any
part thereof.
(b) Television, etc. Except only for the visual reproduction or
presentation of the actual Licensed Articles licensed hereunder or of the actual
packaging therefor or as may be expressly provided in this Agreement, Licensee
shall not use the Property or Licensed Articles identified with the Property on
or in connection with any manner of television, radio, motion picture,
filmstrip, sound and/or visual recording or transmission device or media or
anything similar to the foregoing now known or hereafter developed without
Marvel's prior written approval. The name and/or likeness of any performer
portraying any character included within the Property, on radio, television, or
in any other media or form shall not be deemed to be included in the
Property, and the use thereof is not licensed.
5. ROYALTIES, PAYMENTS, REPORTS AND RECORDS
(a) Royalties. Licensee agrees to pay Marvel royalties at the Royalty
Rate identified in Section 1. Royalties shall be calculated by applying the
Royalty Rate to Licensee's Net Sales (as herein defined). Net Sales shall mean
the number of units sold by Licensee, or its Related Entities from the sale or
other exploitation of the Licensed Articles or from any use of the Property
permitted hereunder multiplied by Licensee's established wholesale price as
published in its catalog, sales sheet and/or price sheet in force at the time of
sale. No set-offs or deductions of any kind may be taken in the determination of
Net Sales or the royalties due Marvel hereunder except only that Licensee may
deduct standard trade discounts actually given and actual returns for damaged
goods in the determination of Net Sales; notwithstanding the foregoing, the
total deduction for trade discounts and actual returns may not exceed seven
percent (7%) of Licensee's total gross sales for the Licensed Articles. In the
event that any sale or other exploitation of the Licensed Articles licensed
hereunder is made at a price lower than Licensee's ordinary charge for such
items, the royalty on any such sale or exploitation shall be calculated as if
the price were that ordinarily charged by Licensee, regardless of whether or not
Marvel has consented to such reduced price pursuant to Section 13 hereof.
Royalties as specified herein shall become due on the last day of each Calendar
Period specified in Section 1, for all Net Sales accruing in that Calendar
Period and shall be paid not later than the number of days thereafter specified
in Section 1, accompanied by the Royalty Report required herein. Net Sales shall
be deemed accrued for all purposes hereunder no later than ten (10) days after
the invoice to which they relate is issued or the goods to which they relate are
shipped, whichever is first to occur.
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(b) Advance and Minimum Royalty Guarantee - Licensee agrees to pay
Marvel the Minimum Royalty Guarantee specified in Section 1 as a minimum
guarantee against royalties to be paid Marvel during the Term of this license.
As the first installment of the Minimum Royalty Guarantee, upon the signing
hereof, Licensee shall pay Marvel the Advance specified in Section 1. Any unpaid
balance of said Minimum Royalty Guarantee shall be paid to Marvel as provided in
Section 1. No part of the Advance or Minimum Royalty Guarantee shall in any
event be repayable to Licensee.
(c) Currency and Taxes. All payments to Marvel shall be made in the
currency set forth in Section 1, which amounts shall be computed at the exchange
rate existing at noon on the last business day preceding the day payment is due
to be made hereunder. If payment is late, Marvel has the option to require that
payment be made at the exchange rate existing on the day preceding payment. All
taxes, levies, charges or duties imposed on license rights, artwork or similar
material, or payments therefor, shall be paid by Licensee and no deductions for
such taxes, levies, charges or duties shall be made from amounts owed Marvel
hereunder, it being the intent hereof that all royalties payable to Marvel be
free and clear of any taxes, levies, charges or duties of any kind whatsoever.
(d) Royalty Reports. For each Calendar Period specified in Section 1,
commencing with the end of the Calendar Period following the Commencement Date
of this license and continuing until a final certification of wind-up is
delivered, Licensee shall furnish Marvel with a detailed Royalty Report
certified to be accurate by an authorized officer of Licensee, showing all
information called for by the statement form annexed hereto as Exhibit B for
each Licensed Article or item licensed hereunder (whether or not there has been
any actual manufacture or sale of said Licensed Article), additional copies of
which may be obtained from Marvel. Each such Royalty Report shall be furnished
to Marvel to the attention of the persons designated in Section 1, within the
time specified in Section 1 after the end of the Calendar Period for which such
Royalty Report is made, and shall be accompanied by payment to Marvel of any and
all monies due Marvel and by Licensee's most current standard price (setting
forth Licensee's wholesale and suggested retail prices) for the Licensed
Articles. Such Royalty Report shall be furnished to Marvel whether or not there
are any Net Sales during the preceding Calendar Period, and whether or not any
monies are then due Marvel. The failure or refusal of Licensee to timely furnish
any such Royalty Report or payment shall be deemed a substantial and material
breach of this Agreement and shall entitle Marvel to terminate this license as
set forth in Section 15(a) hereof. The receipt or acceptance by Marvel of any of
the Royalty Reports furnished pursuant to this Agreement or of any payments made
hereunder (or the cashing of any checks paid hereunder) shall not preclude
Marvel from questioning its accuracy at any time, and in the event that any
inconsistencies or mistakes are discovered in such Royalty Reports or payments,
they shall immediately be rectified and the appropriate payment made by
Licensee, together with interest on any overdue payments at the rate specified
in Section 17(c) hereof.
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(e) Records. Licensee shall maintain at its expense, detailed,
accurate, full and complete records and books of account covering all
transactions by it relating to this Agreement, and Marvel and its duly
authorized representatives shall have the right, at least twice during each
calendar year during normal business hours, to examine and/or audit such records
and books of account and all other documents and materials in the possession or
under the control of Licensee relating or pertaining to the subject matter or
provisions of this Agreement and to make copies and/or extracts therefrom. In
the event that Marvel's duly authorized representatives shall discover a
deficiency for any accounting period of five percent (5%) or more by any such
examination and/or audit, Licensee shall pay to Marvel the cost of such
examination and/or audit. The Examination Audit Fee per diem shall be as set
forth in Section 1. In no event, however, shall Licensee be charged for any
individual examination in excess of the Examination Audit Maximum set forth in
Section 1. Upon Marvel's demand, Licensee shall at its own expense furnish
Marvel with a detailed report by an independent certified public accountant on
the accuracy and preparation of the aforesaid Royalty Reports. Licensee shall
keep all such books of account and records available to Marvel for at least two
(2) years after the termination or expiration of this license. If Licensee fails
to keep and disclose such records, Marvel shall have the right to estimate, and
have payment for, such additional royalty as may be indicated owing by such
trade information as may be available.
6. MARVEL'S TITLE AND GOODWILL
(a) General. Licensee acknowledges that Marvel is the owner of all
right, title and interest in and to the Property, and further acknowledges the
great value of the goodwill associated with the Property and that the Property
has acquired secondary meaning in the mind of the public and that the trademarks
and copyrights included in the Property, and the registrations therefor, are
valid and subsisting, and further agrees that it shall not during the Term of
this license or at any time thereafter dispute or contest directly or
indirectly, or do or cause to be done any act which in any way contests, impairs
or tends to impair Marvel's exclusive rights and title to the Property, as well
as any properties owned by Marvel which are not licensed hereunder, or the
validity thereof or the validity of this Agreement, and shall not assist others
in so doing.
(b) Representations of Ownership, etc. Licensee shall not in any manner
represent that it has any ownership in the Property, or in any properties owned
by Marvel which are not licensed hereunder, or in any trademarks or copyrights
included in the Property (or registrations therefor), but may, only during the
Term of this license, and only if Licensee has complied with all laws and
registration requirements within the Territory for so doing, represent that it
is a "licensee" or "official licensee" hereunder. Licensee shall not register or
attempt to register any copyright or trademark in the Property, or in any
properties owned by Marvel which are not licensed hereunder, in its own name or
that of any third party, nor shall it assist any third party in doing so.
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(c) Use for Benefit of Marvel. Licensee agrees that any and all uses
and sales by Licensee of the Property under this Agreement shall inure to
benefit of Marvel and that neither such uses or sales nor anything contained in
this Agreement shall give or assign Licensee or any other person or entity any
right, title or interest in the Property, or in any properties owned by Marvel
which are not licensed hereunder, except the right to use the Property
specifically in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
7. PROTECTION OF RIGHTS-INCLUDING COPYRIGHTS AND TRADEMARKS
(a) General. Licensee shall cooperate fully and in good faith with
Marvel for the purpose of Marvel's securing and preserving Marvel's (or any
grantor of Marvel's) rights in and to the Property. Upon creation of Licensed
Articles embodying the Property, Licensee shall be deemed to have automatically
assigned to Marvel all copyrights in the Property (and all adaptations,
compilations, modifications, translations and versions thereof) embodied in the
Licensed Articles. In addition, Licensee shall execute any instruments requested
by Marvel to accomplish or confirm the foregoing and hereby irrevocably appoints
Marvel as its attorney-in-fact to execute such instruments if Licensee does not
do so. Any such assignment shall be without other consideration than the mutual
covenants and considerations of this Agreement.
(b) Trademarks. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that the names,
characters, symbols, designs, likenesses, and visual representations, among
other things, comprising the Property are owned by Marvel, and that it shall
cause to appear on everything which uses, bears or displays the Property or any
part thereof, including all Licensed Articles, tags, labels and the advertising,
promotional, packaging and display material therefor, a notice proclaiming and
identifying the relevant portions of the Property appearing therein as
properties of Marvel, as, for example, by labeling each name and character
likeness with the notice specified in Section 1, or otherwise as Marvel may deem
appropriate.
(c) Notice of Supervision. Every Licensed Article and all advertising,
promotional, packaging and display material therefor shall also bear the notice
of supervision specified in Section 1 (or an equivalent if given prior written
approval by Marvel) in order to notify the public that Marvel's standards are
maintained.
(d) Reference to Source. It is agreed that all trademarks and other
references used by Licensee in connection with the Licensed Articles which might
suggest that they are indicias of source, shall, with all of the goodwill
relating thereto, inure to the benefit of and be the sole property of Marvel,
except only that Licensee may use a house mark upon the Licensed Articles
without being deemed to have assigned it to Marvel, provided it fairly appears
only as Licensee's house mark.
(e) Confusing Use. Licensee shall not use, and shall use its best
efforts to keep others from using, the Property in any manner likely to
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cause confusion or doubt in the mind of the public as to the ownership and
control thereof or in any manner that does not make clear that the Property
owned and controlled exclusively by Marvel. In addition, Licensee shall not use
or co-mingle with the Property, and shall use its best efforts to keep others
from using or co-mingling with the Property, any other trademarks, characters or
properties, whether owned by Licensee or another, so as to suggest that such
other trademarks, etc. may have been created or may be owned, controlled,
licensed or approved by Marvel or that they are in any way related to the
Property or Marvel.
(f) Registration. Licensee agrees to fully cooperate with and assist
Marvel in the prosecution of any copyright, trademark or service mark
applications concerning the Property that Marvel may desire to file, and for
that purpose, Licensee shall, upon request, supply to Marvel enough samples of
the Licensed Articles or other material as may be required in connection with
any such application. Furthermore, Licensee shall execute any instrument Marvel
shall reasonably deem necessary or desirable to record or cancel Licensee as a
registered user of the trademarks of Marvel included in the Property, it being
understood and agreed that Licensee's right to use the Property and the
trademarks included therein in any country for which the filing of a registered
user application is required, or is requested by Marvel, shall commence only
upon the filing of such registered user application, but shall continue only so
long as this license remains in effect.
(g) Customer Complaints. Licensee shall, in connection with its duty to
use the Property so as to promote the continuing goodwill thereof, give
immediate attention and take necessary action to satisfy all legitimate customer
complaints brought against Licensee in connection with the Licensed Articles or
other materials using the Property. Licensee shall give Marvel immediate notice
of all complaints that might affect the good standing of the Property or the
reputation of Marvel and also of all complaints that might result in legal
action between Marvel and any third party, and cooperate with Marvel upon
request to achieve as good a reputation and press for the Property as possible.
(h) Copyright Notice. It is a condition of this license that prior to
public distribution, Licensee shall cause to appear the copyright notice
specified in Section 1 on all Licensed Articles, tags, labels and the
advertising, promotional, packaging and display materials therefor, or otherwise
as Marvel may instruct in writing or approve upon request.
(i) Secure Copyrights, etc. Marvel may secure, in its name (or the name
of another, including Licensee, if desired by Marvel), to the fullest extent
possible, the copyrights in the Property and the registrations, renewals and
extensions thereof, embodied in the Licensed Articles, including all
adaptations, translations, modifications and versions of the property. It is
also a condition of this license that all Licensed Articles and other materials
produced under this Agreement shall be produced as works made for hire for
Marvel.
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(j) Claims by Licensee. Licensee shall not commence any court or
administrative action against Marvel or against any other licensee of Marvel
under the Property without giving Marvel thirty (30) days prior written notice
and an opportunity by Marvel and/or such licensee to cure or correct the matter
giving rise to the proposed action during said thirty (30) day period. In the
event of any such action, Licensee shall give Marvel at least fifteen (15) days
prior written notice before seeking any interim injunctive relief or restraining
order.
8. QUALITY OF MERCHANDISE AND SERVICES; LICENSEE NAME ON LICENSED ARTICLES
(a) Prior to the Product Development/Submission Date provided in
Section 1, Licensee agrees to send representatives responsible for product
development and marketing to Marvel's New York Office to attend an initial
product development and marketing meeting at a date and time to be specified by
Marvel.
(b) Licensee agrees that the Licensed Articles shall be of a high
standard and of such style, appearance and quality as shall, in the judgment of
Marvel, be adequate and suited to their exploitation to the best advantage and
to the protection and enhancement of the Property and the goodwill pertaining
thereto; that the Licensed Articles shall be manufactured, packaged, sold,
distributed, advertised and serviced in accordance with all applicable laws;
that the policy of sale, distribution and/or exploitation by Licensee shall be
of equivalent high standard and style; and that the same shall in no manner
reflect adversely upon the Property or Marvel. Licensee further agrees that all
rights granted herein shall be exploited and exercised so as not to interfere
with, detract from, or alter the concepts used by Marvel or known to the public
and that Licensee shall use its best efforts to preserve the concepts therein.
Accordingly, Licensee further specifically covenants and agrees to keep Marvel
informed of its plans for use of the Property, and to consult Marvel as the
Licensed Articles are being prepared, so that there will be full opportunity for
Marvel to deter Licensee from any use that would alter the successful concepts
associated with the Property, including any new concepts Marvel develops for the
Property. Licensee will consult with Marvel at every stage in designing the
Licensed Articles regarding the utilization of the Characters and the Property
and shall work with Marvel to obtain Marvel's creative input concerning the
Characters and the Property and the overall look and direction of the Licensed
Articles. In connection therewith, Licensee shall be faithful in the portrayal
of the Characters to the basic conceptualization of the Characters and the
Property as well as Marvel's most current style guide for such Characters. To
this end, before the first display of any kind of the Licensed Articles or such
other materials, but in no event later than the Product Development /Submission
Date provided in Section 1, Licensee shall submit to Marvel's New York Office,
for written approval without charge, and in a form acceptable to Marvel, all
rough designs, concepts and/or prototypes of each item, class, part or category
of the Licensed Articles and/or with respect to any Character licensed
hereunder. After such rough material has been approved by Marvel, and before any
public display, Licensee shall further submit to Marvel's New York Office, for
written approval without charge, and in a form acceptable to Marvel, a
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pre-production sketch or model of each item, class, part or category of the
Licensed Articles and/or with respect to any Character licensed hereunder. Any
item submitted to Marvel shall be deemed disapproved unless the same shall be
approved in writing within twenty (20) days of receipt of the item. Licensee
shall have ten (10) business days from receipt of Marvel's disapproval (or
approval subject to modifications) of any submission, to make such modifications
as Marvel may request and to re-submit the so revised material to Marvel for its
written approval. If Licensee fails to submit the modified materials for
approval within said ten (10) business day period on three occasions,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Marvel
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice with no
cure period being required. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8(b),
Licensee's failure to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall be
deemed a substantial and material breach of this Agreement and shall entitle
Marvel to terminate this license as set forth in Section 15(e) hereof.
(c) Revocation of Approval. In the event that the quality, appearance
or style of any Licensed Article previously approved by Marvel ceases to be
acceptable to Marvel, Marvel shall have the right, in its sole discretion to
withdraw its approval of such Licensed Article and to require that Licensee
redesign such Licensed Article in a manner consistent with Marvel's new
policies. In the event of such withdrawal, Licensee shall as soon a practicable
cease the production of the previously approved Licensed Article and shall have
a four (4) month sell-off period for such Licensed Article.
(d) The Marvel Comic's logo (or such other logo as Marvel designates)
and Licensee's name, trade name (or a trademark of Licensee which Licensee has
advised Marvel in writing that it is using) shall appear on permanently affixed
labeling on each Licensed Article and, if the Licensed Article is sold to the
public in packaging or a container, printed on such packaging or a container so
that the public can identify the supplier of the Licensed Articles. On soft
goods, "permanently affixed" shall mean sewn on. On hard goods, "permanently
affixed" shall mean molded into the product. On packaging, "permanently affixed"
shall mean printed on the package. Licensee shall advise Marvel in writing of
all trade names or trademarks it is using on Licensed Articles being sold under
this license if such names or marks differ from your corporate name as indicated
herein. In addition, each Licensed Article shall bear an official Marvel hang
tag, which Licensee shall purchase from a supplier designated by Marvel.
9. INSPECTION AND APPROVAL
(a) Samples for Approval. The nature, quality, style and labeling of
the Licensed Articles and the packaging, labels, advertising and promotional
material therefor as well as any press releases or public statements involving
the Licensed Articles or this License Agreement, shall have the prior written
approval of Marvel. To this end, before the first sale, distribution, display or
release of any kind or in any media of the Licensed Articles or such other
materials, Licensee shall submit to Marvel's New York Office, for Marvel's
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written approval without charge, the number of samples specified in Section 1 of
each Licensed Article manufactured hereunder upon completion of the first
production, and each different piece of advertising, promotional, packaging and
label material therefor as well as any proposed press releases or public
statements involving this License Agreement (the "Associated Material").
Annually thereafter, Licensee shall submit to Marvel's New York Office, free of
cost, for Marvel's written approval, the number of samples specified in Section
1 of each of the finished Licensed Articles and each different piece of
Associated Material therefor. Any item submitted to Marvel shall be deemed
disapproved unless the same shall be approved in writing within twenty (20) days
of receipt of the samples. Licensee shall have ten (10) business days from
receipt of Marvel's disapproval (or approval subject to modifications) of any
submissions to make such modifications as Marvel may request) and to re-submit
the so revised material to Marvel for its written approval. If Licensee fails to
submit the modified materials for approval within said ten (10) business day
period on three occasions, Marvel shall have the right, notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to terminate this Agreement upon
written notice with no cure period being required. After samples have been
approved pursuant to this section, Licensee shall not depart therefrom in any
respect without Marvel's prior written consent. No approval of any submitted
product or item by Marvel shall be construed to expand or enlarge the scope of
the license granted hereunder. Licensee shall use reasonable efforts to make
such changes as are reasonably requested by Marvel after an inadvertent approval
or a change of conditions. In the event that this license involves the
manufacture and/or sale of a food or drink product or a product intended for
human use in the manner of a soap, shampoo, or a similar product, then it is an
essential condition of this license, and Licensee covenants and agrees, that
there shall not be the slightest departure from the quality or the formula
approved by Marvel without the written consent of Marvel obtained in advance.
(b) Inspection. Marvel or its authorized agents or representatives
shall have access to Licensee's premises at all reasonable times, upon
reasonable notice, with the right to a full inspection of the production of the
Licensed Articles in order to satisfy itself that its standards are maintained,
and with the right to be supplied, on request, with a reasonable number of free
samples of all Licensed Articles in preparation and the raw materials and
ingredients used therein.
10. INDEMNIFICATION, LITIGATION AND INSURANCE
(a) In its use of the Property, or any element or portion thereof,
under this Agreement, Licensee shall exercise reasonable care, and shall
cooperate fully with Marvel, to avoid infringing any rights found to be owned by
others in the Territory. Upon learning of the existence or possible existence of
rights held by others which may be infringed by the use of any element or
portion of the Property under this Agreement, Licensee shall promptly notify
Marvel in writing.
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(b) Infringement. Licensee shall promptly notify Marvel, in writing, of
any imitations or infringements of the Property or the rights licensed hereunder
which may come to Licensee's attention. Marvel shall have the sole right to
determine whether or not any demand, suit or other action shall be taken on
account of or with reference to any such infringements or imitations, and
Licensee shall not institute any suit or take any action on account of any such
infringements or imitations without first obtaining the written consent of
Marvel to do so. Marvel, if it so desires, may commence or prosecute any suits
or make any such demands in its own name or in the name of Licensee or join
Licensee as a party thereto. Licensee shall cooperate with Marvel and in any
manner that Marvel may request in connection with any such demands, suits,
claims or other actions. If Marvel elects not to sue, Licensee may request
permission to bring suit and, with written permission, may bring suit at its own
expense, provided Licensee indemnifies Marvel against any loss or damage,
including any loss or damage to reputation or goodwill, and provided that trial
counsel is approved by Marvel, keeps Marvel fully informed, and further provided
that Marvel shall have the right to assume control of the litigation at any
time, but is thereupon responsible for its own further litigation expense.
Nothing herein shall be construed as imposing any obligation upon Marvel to take
action against any alleged infringer, nor to relieve Licensee from full
compliance with any of the terms of this Agreement in the event that Marvel does
not take such action.
(c) Indemnification of Licensee. Marvel shall defend, indemnify and
hold Licensee harmless of, from and against any charges, suits, damages, costs,
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, penalties, claims, liabilities
or losses of any kind or nature whatsoever, which may be sustained or suffered
by or secured against Licensee based upon or arising out of any actual or
alleged trademark or copyright infringement arising solely out of the use by
Licensee of the Property as authorized in this Agreement, provided that: prompt
notice is given to Marvel of any such claims or suits and provided further that:
Marvel shall have the option to undertake and conduct the defense and/or
settlement of any such claims or suits and that Licensee cooperates with Marvel
in the defense of any such claims or suits and Licensee acts to mitigate any
damages, and that no settlement of any such claims or suits is made without the
prior written consent of Marvel. Marvel does not warrant any present or future
commercial value of the Property.
(d) Indemnification of Marvel. Licensee shall defend, indemnify and
hold Marvel, its parents, subsidiaries, associated and affiliated companies,
harmless of, from and against any charges, suits, damages, costs, expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, penalties, claims, liabilities or losses
of any kind or nature whatsoever, which may be sustained or suffered by or
secured against Marvel in connection with the Licensed Articles, or based upon
or arising out of any actual or alleged unauthorized use of any patent, trade
secret, process, idea, method or device, or any copyright or trademark, other
than under this license, or the packaging, distribution, promotion, sale or
exploitation of the Licensed Articles, any actual or alleged defect in the
Licensed Articles or their packaging, whether latent or patent, including
failure of said Licensed Articles or their packaging, distribution, promotion,
sale or exploitation to meet any Federal, State or local laws or standards; or
any other actual or alleged unauthorized action of Licensee, including a breach
of any term of this Agreement.
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(e) Insurance. Licensee shall obtain at its own expense and maintain
during the Term of this Agreement and for seven (7) years thereafter, general
liability insurance including advertising, blanket contractual, product
liability and completed operations liability coverages. In the event the
Licensed Articles are books or other published materials or of an electronic
nature such as software, computer programs, etc., Licensee also shall obtain at
its own expense and maintain during the Term of this Agreement and for seven (7)
years thereafter (ten (10) years if the policy form is claims made) multi-media
liability insurance which provides coverage for claims arising out of the
published material and shall include but not be limited to the allegations of
defamation, copyright infringement, invasion of right of privacy, or other
personal injury and breach of implied contract. All insurance must be provided
by a recognized insurance company having a Best's Rating of no less than "A"
providing adequate protection at least in the amounts specified in Section 1 for
personal bodily injury and property damage for Marvel and also for Licensee.
Said insurance shall be primary and non-contributory with respect to any
insurance carried by Marvel. As proof of such insurance, a fully paid
certificate of insurance naming Marvel, its parent, subsidiary, associated and
affiliated companies is insured parties shall be submitted to Marvel's New York
Office by Licensee before any of the Licensed Articles are distributed or sold,
and at the latest within thirty (30) days after execution of this Agreement.
Said insurance coverage shall be effective as of the date first written above.
Any proposed change in the insurance policy(ies) affecting Marvel's coverage
shall be submitted for review as to the policy compliance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, to Marvel's New York Office. Marvel shall be
entitled, throughout the Term of this Agreement, to a copy of the prevailing
policy(ies) of insurance, which shall be furnished to Marvel's New York Office
by Licensee. The policy(ies) of insurance must be non-cancelable except after
thirty (30) days prior written notice to Marvel's New York Office. As used in
Section 10(b) and (d), "Marvel" shall also include the agents, employees,
assignees and any sponsor of Marvel, any advertising agency, and their
respective officers, directors, agents and employees. This provision shall
survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
11. ARTWORK
Marvel shall supply Licensee subject to availability, with reasonable
amounts of artwork from the Marvel Style Guide depicting the Property for use in
the Licensed Articles upon reasonable request by Licensee. The cost of providing
copies of such style guide artwork, and the cost of both producing and providing
copies of artwork, other than style guide artwork, which is specifically
requested by and specifically prepared for Licensee or the reproduction thereof
shall be paid by Licensee upon invoicing therefor. Licensee understands that in
the event any fees or royalties are due creators or artists as a result of
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certain artwork or storylines, Licensee shall be responsible for the payment of
such fees and/or royalties upon invoicing therefor. Payment of artwork and any
fees associated therewith shall not be credited against any guarantee or other
amount due Marvel. In addition, Licensee may produce within the Territory,
directly or through other persons approved by Marvel, any artwork Licensee needs
in connection with this license and, subject to obtaining Marvel's approval
pursuant to Section 9(a) hereof, may reproduce and use such artwork for the
purposes set forth in, and subject to the limitations imposed by, this
Agreement. No such artwork may be reproduced or used unless the notices required
under Section 7 are included thereon. All artwork involving the Property, or any
reproduction thereof, and all copyrights therein shall, notwithstanding its
creation or use by Licensee or other persons for Licensee, be and remain solely
the property of Marvel and Marvel shall be entitled to use the same and to
license the use of the same by others. Any reproduction or use of such artwork
shall be on a non-exclusive basis. Licensee shall obtain and promptly furnish to
Marvel's New York Office on the form annexed hereto as Exhibit C, an agreement
signed by each person who creates, prepares or produces for or on behalf of
Licensee (whether as an employee, an independent contractor or otherwise) any
artwork involving the Property or any reproduction thereof, stating that such
artwork is a work made for hire for Licensee under the U.S. Copyright Laws and
acknowledging that such person has no copyright or other rights of any kind in
or to such artwork. Licensee shall be deemed to have automatically assigned to
Marvel all copyrights in such artwork created by or for Licensee. Further,
Licensee shall execute any instruments requested by Marvel to accomplish or
confirm the foregoing assignment, and hereby irrevocably appoints Marvel as its
attorney-in-fact to execute such instruments if Licensee does not do so.
12. PROMOTION
Marvel shall have the right, but shall not be under any obligation, to
use the Property and/or the name of Licensee so as to give the Property,
Licensee, Marvel and/or programs connected with the Property full and favorable
prominence and publicity. If the Licensed Articles appear in film produced by or
under authority of Marvel, there shall be no obligation by Marvel to discontinue
use of such film or any part thereof at the expiration or termination of this
license and such continued use shall in no way be construed as an extension of
the Term hereof or of this license.
13. DISTRIBUTION AND ADVERTISING
(a) Licensee shall diligently and continuously use its best efforts
throughout the entire Territory licensed hereunder and during the entire Term of
this license to distribute and sell the Licensed Articles, to make and maintain
adequate arrangements for the distribution of the Licensed Articles, to promote
and expand its sales hereunder to achieve the highest gross Revenues practicably
obtainable and to compete with any similar businesses, products or services.
Licensee shall sell and distribute the Licensed Articles at a competitive price
and not on an approval, tie-in, consignment or 'sale or return' basis, and only
to jobbers, wholesalers and distributors for sale and distribution to retail
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stores and merchants, and to retail stores and merchants for sale and
distribution direct to the public. Licensee shall also have the right to
distribute and sell the Licensed Articles on home shopping television programs
provided Marvel's prior written approval of the dates for the shows, and the
Marvel product to be featured thereon, is obtained so that Marvel may avoid any
conflicts with any previously scheduled home shopping television shows featuring
Marvel product. Failure to submit for prior written approval the dates of the
show or the product shall be considered a breach of this Agreement for which
Marvel shall have the right, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this Agreement, upon written notice to Licensee, to terminate Licensee's
rights to distribute and sell the Licensed Articles on home shopping television
programs. Licensee acknowledges that it has no right to and shall not, without
prior written consent of Marvel, sell or distribute the Licensed Articles to
anyone whose sales or distribution are or will be made for publicity,
promotional or tie-in purposes, combination sales, premiums, giveaways, vending
machines, or similar methods of merchandising, or whose business methods are or
are reported to be questionable. Licensee shall not sell any of the Licensed
Articles at a price twenty-five percent (25%) or more below Licensee's
established price for such Licensed Article, without obtaining Marvel's prior
written consent.
(b) Licensee shall commit a minimum of five percent (5%) of Licensee's
net revenues derived from sales of the Licensed Articles for the purpose of
establishing a fund for the promotion of the Licensed Articles during each year
of the Term of this Agreement (the "Advertising and Promotion Commitment Fund").
The amount of the Advertising and Promotion Commitment Fund shall not be
deducted from royalties owed Marvel or applied to any trade discounts permitted
under Section 5(a). The Advertising and Promotion Commitment Fund shall be used
solely for fixtures, displays, retail promotions, sales materials and catalogs
promoting the Licensed Articles. All such use shall be subject to the approval
provisions set forth in Section 9 (a). Any other materials for which Licensee
desires to use the Fund must be first approved by Marvel in writing. Licensee
shall be responsible for maintaining the Advertising and Promotion Commitment
Fund; however, the Fund (or a portion thereof) shall be made available to Marvel
upon request for use by Marvel in the advertisement and promotion of the
Licensed Articles. Licensee shall report its expenditures from the Advertising
and Promotion Commitment Fund every twelve (12) months to Marvel's New York
Office accompanied by supporting documentation.
14. SALE TO MARVEL
(a) Licensee agrees to sell to Marvel the Licensed Articles at
Licensee's cost for such Licensed Articles, and shall deliver the Licensed
Articles to Marvel at Marvel's expense, and in any quantity Marvel orders,
provided that (i) the Licensed Articles so purchased shall not be resold by
Marvel and (ii) the Licensed Articles so purchased shall be on a royalty-free
basis.
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(b) In the event Marvel wishes to purchase the Licensed Articles for resale
purposes, Licensee shall sell to Marvel the Licensed Articles in any quantity
Marvel desires at no greater than Licensee's lowest wholesale selling price
offered to third parties for such quantities, and Licensee shall pay royalties
on all such sales to Marvel in accordance with the provisions hereof.
15. TERMINATION
(a) In the event of failure by Licensee to furnish the royalty payments
and/or Royalty Reports required hereunder in accordance with Section 5 hereof or
to timely pay the Minimum Royalty Guarantee payments in accordance with Section
1 of the Agreement, Marvel shall have the right to terminate this license upon
ten (10) days' notice in writing, and such notice of termination shall become
effective unless, within such ten (10) day period, Licensee shall completely
remedy the breach and furnish the required payments and/or Royalty Reports. In
the event Licensee fails to submit samples prior to production or sale of the
Licensed Articles in accordance with Section 9(a) hereof, or failure by Licensee
to obtain Marvel's written approval of the samples submitted by Licensee in
accordance with Section 9(a) hereof, this Agreement will automatically terminate
with no prior notice to Licensee being required.
(b) Change in Character of Licensee. It is understood that the grant of
the license herein by Marvel is premised upon the present character and
composition of Licensee's management and Licensee's general good standing and
reputation in the business community, and is therefore personal to Licensee. In
the event of the sale or transfer of a substantial portion of the assets of
Licensee's business or of a change in the controlling interest in Licensee's
business or of a merger or consolidation of Licensee's business with any other
entity, or in the event of substantial change in the management of Licensee or
of Licensee's property being expropriated, confiscated or nationalized by the
government, or in the event of the de facto control of Licensee or of any its
subdivisions or agencies being assumed by a government, or government agency or
representative, Marvel may, at its option, terminate this license on thirty (30)
days' written notice to Licensee.
(c) Trade Introduction. In the event of failure by Licensee to introduce the
Licensed Articles to retail accounts constituting eighty percent (80%) of
Licensee's anticipated Net Sales by the Trade Introduction Date provided in
Section 1, Marvel shall have the right to terminate this license upon thirty
(30) days notice in writing, and such notice of termination shall become
effective unless, within said thirty (30) day period, Licensee shall remedy the
violation and comply with all conditions, and reasonably satisfy Marvel that it
has done so.
(d) Diligent Distribution. If within three (3) months from the applicable
Consumer Introduction Marketing Date or if no such date is specified, within
six (6) months after the effective date of this Agreement, or thereafter if in
any three (3) consecutive months, Licensee fails to
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manufacture and sell substantial quantities of each item, class, part o category
of the Licensed Articles within the Territory, or fails to so manufacture and
sell Licensed Articles using each of the Characters included in the Property,
Marvel, in addition to all other options and remedies available to it hereunder,
may terminate this license on written notice with respect to any such item,
class, part or category of the Licensed Article: and/or with respect to any
Characters which have not been so used, sold and distributed. Such notice shall
be effective when mailed to Licensee with no prior notice to Licensee being
required.
(e) Other Breach. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement,
if Licensee shall violate, breach or be in default of any of its covenants or
obligations under this Agreement or shall use bad faith in carrying out the
provisions of this Agreement, Marvel, in addition to all other rights, also
shall have the right to terminate this license upon thirty (30) days written
notice, and such notice of termination shall become effective within said thirty
(30) day period, unless Licensee shall completely remedy the violation and
satisfy Marvel that all reasonable steps have been taken to prevent
reoccurrence.
(f) Other Licenses and Properties. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that if
Licensee violates any of its obligations under this Agreement, Marvel shall have
the right to terminate any other License Agreement with Licensee (or any
affiliate of Licensee). In addition, Licensee acknowledges and agrees that if
Licensee violates its obligations under any other License -agreement between
Marvel and Licensee (or any affiliate of Licensee), or if Licensee (or any
affiliate of Licensee) uses the Property or any part thereof beyond the scope of
the license granted herein or uses any properties owned by Marvel which are not
licensed to Licensee, Marvel shall have the right to terminate this License
Agreement. In either event, Marvel's right to terminate shall be effective upon
ten .(10) days notice in writing and such notice shall become effective unless
Licensee shall completely remedy the violation within the ten (10) day period
and satisfy Marvel that such violation has been remedied.
16. OBLIGATIONS ON EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION
(a) Reversion of Right. Immediately upon the expiration or termination of
this license for any cause whatsoever, all the rights granted to Licensee
hereunder shall cease and revert to Marvel, who shall be free to license others
to use any or all of the rights granted herein effective on and after such date
of expiration or termination. To this end, Licensee will be deemed to have
automatically assigned to Marvel upon such expiration or termination, all
copyrights, trademark and service mark rights, equities, good will, titles and
other rights in or to the Property and all adaptations, compilations,
modifications, translations and versions thereof, and (except for Licensee's
house mark) all other trademarks and service marks used in connection therewith
which have been or may be obtained by Licensee or which may vest in Licensee and
which have not already been assigned to Marvel. Licensee shall upon the
expiration or termination of this license execute any instruments requested by
Marvell to accomplish or
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confirm the foregoing, and hereby irrevocably appoints Marvel as its
attorney-in-fact to execute such instruments if Licensee does not do so. Any
such assignment shall be without other consideration than the mutual covenants
and considerations of this Agreement. In addition, upon and after such
expiration or termination of this license for whatever reasons, Licensee will,
except as specifically provided in Section 16(e) hereof, forthwith refrain from
further use of the Property or Marvel's name, or any further reference to any of
them, direct or indirect, or of anything deemed by Marvel to be similar to the
Property.
(b) Return of Artwork. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement for
any reason whatsoever, Licensee shall return to Marvel's Nev York Office all
artwork, including but not limited to all reproductions and all artwork
specially produced for Licensee by Marvel or others, whether or not paid for by
Licensee.
(c) No Release. The termination or expiration of this license shall not
release any party of any obligation to pay any monies that became due or owing
or arose out of any transaction prior to the date of termination or expiration,
and all royalties on sales or shipments theretofore made shall become
immediately due and payable with no part of the minimum royalty guarantee being
repayable, and any balances of the minimum royalty guarantee owed to Marvel
shall be immediately due and payable.
(d) Inventory. Fifteen (15) days before the expiration of this license and,
in the event of its termination, fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice of
termination or the happening of the event which terminates this license where no
notice is required, a statement executed by an officer of Licensee certifying
the number and description of the Licensed Articles in inventory or in process
shall be furnished by Licensee to Marvel's New York Office. Marvel shall have
the right to take a physical inventory to ascertain or verify such inventory and
statement, and Licensee's failure to furnish such statement or the refusal by
Licensee to submit to such physical inventory shall forfeit Licensee's right to
dispose of such Licensed Articles as provided in Section 16(e), hereof.
(e) Disposal. After expiration of this license, for the Post-Expiration
Disposal Period specified in Section 1, Licensee may, except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement', dispose of, on a nonexclusive basis, and in
compliance with all of the terms and conditions hereof, including Section 13,
those Licensed Articles which are on hand or in process at expiration or
termination, provided royalties with respect to such Calendar Period are paid
and Royalty Reports are furnished for such Calendar Period in accordance with
Section 5 hereof. Royalties on Net Sales during the Disposal Period may not be
applied against any unearned balance of the Minimum Royalty Guarantee.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Licensee shall not sell or
dispose of any Licensed Articles after detrmination of this Agreement pursuant
to Section 15.
(f) Undisposed Licensed Articles. Upon expiration or termination of this
license, or upon the expiration of the period for disposal where
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permitted under the previous subsection, title to all remaining License
Articles, if any, and all tags, labels, packaging, advertising? promotional and
display materials therefor, and all molds, plates, engravings and/or mechanicals
used to make any of the Licensed Articles or any of the aforesaid materials,
shall be deemed to have automatically vested in Marvel Licensee shall
immediately deliver such remaining Licensed Articles materials, and items to
Marvel's New York Office at no expense to Marvel and Marvel shall have the right
to enter the business premises of Licensee and take possession of them or
Licensee shall destroy such License, Articles, materials and items if so
requested by Marvel, and shall furnish Marvel's New York Office with a
certificate of destruction executed by an officer of Licensee.
17. REMEDIES
(a) General. In addition to the right to terminate, Marvel may, upon any
default by Licensee, take whatever action it deems reasonably necessary to
protect its rights and interests hereunder, and termination of this license
shall be without prejudice to any rights or remedies which Marvel may otherwise
have against Licensee.
(b) Use after Termination, etc. Licensee acknowledges that its failure to
cease the use of the Property or to cease sale or distribution of the Licensed
Articles at the termination or expiration of this license, except as expressly
provided herein, will result in immediate and irreparable damage to Marvel and
to the rights of any subsequent licensee. Licensee acknowledges and admits that
there is no adequate remedy at law for such failure, and Licensee agrees that in
the event of such failure, Marvel shall be entitled to injunctive relief and
such other and further relief as any court with jurisdiction may deem just and
proper.
(c) Interest, Damages and Cost. In the event Licensee shall default in the
payment of monies required to be paid to Marvel hereunder, in addition to any
remedies which Marvel may have at law or in equity to recover any such monies as
may be due and owing, Marvel shall be entitled to receive from Licensee interest
on such monies as may be owing from the date of default at a rate equal to three
percent (3%) above the prime lending rate charged by Marvel's bank in New York
on the date of default. In the event that Licensee is in breach or default
hereof, then Licensee shall be responsible for the damages and expenses caused
Marvel thereby, including attorneys' fees, incurred by Marvel to enforce any of
its rights hereunder, such as, for example, the seeking of a temporary
restraining order or an injunction, or the obtaining of damages.
18. SUBCONTRACT MANUFACTURE
Licensee may utilize a third party subcontract manufacturer approved in
writing by Marvel in connection with the manufacture and production of the
Licensed Articles, provided that such subcontractor shall execute a letter in
the form of Exhibit D attached hereto and by this reference made a part hereof.
In such event, Licensee shall remain primarily obligated under all
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of the provisions of this Agreement. In no event shall any such subcontract
manufacturer agreement include the right to grant any further sublicenses.
19. GENERAL
(a) Integrity of Agreement. This Agreement contains and embodies the entire
agreement and understanding of the parties concerning the subject matter hereof.
No warranties, representations, understandings, inducements promises,
guarantees, agreements or conditions, express or implied, not expressly
contained herein, have been made or shall be enforceable by either party
concerning the subject matter hereof or any relationship between the parties.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed an express or implied warranty on the
part of Marvel that efforts to gain copyright, trademark or service mark
registration will be successful, or that the Property has or will in the future
have any commercial value, and it is understood that no liability shall attach
to Marvel for any failure to secure such registration, nor shall there be any
modification hereof for such reason.
(b) Relationship Between the Parties. The relationship between the parties
hereto is that of licensor and licensee, and this Agreement is not to be
construed as creating a partnership, joint venture, master-servant, principal
-agent, or other relationship for any purpose whatsoever. Except as may be
expressly provided herein, neither party may be held for the acts either of
omission or commission of the other party, and neither party is authorized to
or has the power to obligate or bind the other party by contract, agreement,
warranty, representation or otherwise in any manner whatsoever.
(c) Force Majeure. Licensee and Marvel shall be released from their
obligations hereunder and this license shall terminate with respect to such
territory, field or part thereof as to which governmental regulations or other
causes arising out of a state of national emergency renders performance
impossible and one party so informs the other in writing of such causes and its
desire to be released. In such event, all royalties on sales theretofore made
with respect to such territory, field or part and all guarantees, prorated until
the time of termination, shall, become immediately due and payable and no part
of any Advance or Minimum Royalty Guarantee shall be repayable.
(d) Mailing Addresses. All notices, reports and statements to be given and
all payments to be made hereunder, shall be given or made by first class,
Registered or Certified mail at the respective addresses of the parties as set
forth above, unless notification of a change of address is given in writing, and
the date of mailing, as post-marked, shall be deemed the date the notice, report
or statement is given. The mailing of a notice by Registered or Certified mail
shall constitute notice hereunder even in the event of non-receipt or refusal
to accept by addressee.
(e) Survival and Separability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
herein, all provisions hereof are hereby limited to the extent mandated by any
applicable law or decisions. If any one or more paragraphs,
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clauses or other portions hereof should ever be determined to be illegal invalid
or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or be
illegal, invalid or invalidated or unenforceable within any jurisdiction by
reason of any existing law or statute, then to that extent and within the
jurisdiction in which it is illegal, invalid or unenforceable it shall be
limited, construed or severed and deleted herefrom, and the remaining extent
and/or remaining portions hereof shall survive, remain in full force and effect
and continue to be binding and shall not be affected except insofar as may be
necessary to make sense hereof, and shall be interpreted to give effect to the
intention of the parties insofar as that is possible.
(f) Assignment or Sublicense. This Agreement and the license rights granted
hereunder are personal to Licensee and shall not in any manner whatsoever be
assigned, sublicensed, hypothecated, mortgaged, divided or otherwise encumbered
by Licensee to or with any other person or entity without Marvel's prior written
consent which it may withhold in its sole discretion but no such assignment by
Licensee shall release Licensee from any of its obligations or liabilities
hereunder. This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding at all
times upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their successors and
permitted assigns. Any attempted assignment in violation of the provisions
hereof shall be void ab initio and the assignee shall obtain no rights by reason
thereof.
(g) Construction and Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applying to
contracts fully executed and performed in New York. Licensee agrees to submit to
jurisdiction in the courts (both Federal and State) of New York State for any
action brought by Marvel or Licensee hereunder, to bring no action in any other
Court, and Licensee further agrees to accept service of process by mail at its
above written address, and Licensee also designates the Secretary of State of
New York and the state of Licensee's incorporation to accept service of process
by mail on behalf of Licensee. The titles and headings of the sections,
subsections and other divisions of this Agreement are inserted merely for
convenience and identification and shall not be used or relied upon in
connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(h) No Waiver. None of the provisions hereof shall be deemed to be waived or
modified, nor shall they be renewed, extended, altered, changed or modified in
any respect except by an express agreement in writing duly executed by the party
against whom enforcement of such waiver, modification, etc. is sought. The
failure of either party hereto to object to the failure on the part of the other
party to perform any of the terms, provisions or conditions hereof or to
exercise any option herein given or to require performance on the part of the
other party of any term, provision or condition hereof, or any delay in doing
so, or any custom or practice of the parties at variance therewith, shall not
constitute a waiver or modification hereof or of any subsequent breach or
default of the same or a different nature, nor affect the validity of any part
hereof, nor the right of either party thereafter to enforce the same, nor
constitute a novation or laches.
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ATTEST
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound thereby the
parties hereto have caused this instrument to be duly executed as of the day and
year first above written.
MARVEL CHARACTERS, INC.
By: /s/ William H. Hardic, III
-------------------------------
Name: William H. Hardic, III
-----------------------------
Title: Vice President
----------------------------
Date: 11/22/99
-----------------------------
LICENSEE: Collectible Concepts Group
By: /s/ Paul S. Lipschutz
-------------------------------
Name: Paul S. Lipschutz
-----------------------------
Title: President
----------------------------
Date: 11/8/99
-----------------------------
Attachments:
Licensed Articles List (Exhibit A)
Royalty Report Form (Exhibit B)
Work Made For Hire Letter Form (Exhibit C)
Subcontract Manufacturer Letter Form (Exhibit D)
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Exhibit A D99060
LICENSED ARTICLES
Novelty Items: Graduation Rings, dog tags, pins, and belt buckles.
Collectible items: Resin replicas of the featured motorcycle, and black jet
(with a retail price of not less than $150 each). Resin or metal replicas of
Cyclops's visor, Magneto's helmet, Professor X's computer (Cerebro), and
Wolverine's adamantium claws and skeleton.
Collector's Club: A marketing continuity program offer to consumers for under
$29.99. The collector's club will be offered electronically and through direct
mail and will offer Licensee's own "X-Men" product.
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EXHIBIT B
MARVEL CHARACTERS, INC.
ROYALTY REPORT
Contract #: D99060
Licensee Name: _______________________ All Product Codes:
Contact Person: _______________________
Phone Number: _______________________ All Character Codes:
Fax Number: _______________________ Period Covered: From:_______________ To: _______________
ROYALTY INFORMATION
==================================================================================================================================
Licensee Marvel All Characters & Product Units Unit Price Gross Actual Net Royalty Royalty
SKU # Job Jkt# Respective Codes Code Sold By Item Sales Returns Sales % Earned
On SKU Dollars
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==================================================================================================================================
Total Royalties Earned _________________________
Less Unrecouped Advance _________________________
Balance Due Marvel _________________________
Prepared By: ___________________________
(please print)
Check Enclosed For: $__________________________
PLEASE REMIT TO: Bank of America Remittance Duplicate copy to: Accounts Receivable
File Number 54628,1000 West Temple Street Marvel Entertainment Group Inc.
Los Angeles, CA 90071 387 Park Avenue South
Attn: Operations New York, NY 10016
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Exhibit C
AGREEMENT made this day of , 19 , between residing at (herein
"Supplier") and Collectible Concepts Group residing at Collectible Concepts
Group (herein "Licensee").
Licensee has been licensed by Marvel Characters, Inc. (herein "Marvel")
to produce and/or market certain merchandise based upon and utilizing literary
and/or artistic properties owned by Marvel. Supplier wishes to have Licensee
order or commission either written material or art work as a contribution to a
collective Work to be used by Licensee pursuant to the license from Marvel.
Marvel has informed Licensee that Marvel will permit the preparation of such
written material or art work only if it is commissioned on a work made-for-hire
basis.
THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
In consideration of Licensee's commissioning and ordering from Supplier
written material or art work and paying therefor, Supplier acknowledges, agrees
and confirms that any and all work, writing, art work material or services,
including all notes, sketches, drafts, etc. therefor (the "Work") which have
been or are in the future created, prepared or performed by or on behalf of
Supplier for Licensee involving, based upon, utilizing, derived from,
incorporating or referring to any properties, characters or materials of Marvel
have been and will be specially ordered or commissioned for use as a
contribution to a collective work; that the Work was produced under the
supervision and control and pursuant to the direction of Licensee; and that as
such, the Work was and is expressly agreed to be considered a work made for hire
pursuant to all copyright laws applicable to the Work.
Supplier expressly grants to Licensee forever all worldwide rights of
any kind and nature in and to the Work and agrees that as between Supplier and
Licensee, Licensee is the sole and exclusive copyright proprietor thereof
throughout the world. Supplier perpetually agrees (i) not to contest Licensee's
or Marvel's exclusive, complete and unrestricted ownership in and to the Work,
(ii) not to claim any ownership in the Work; (iii) not to use or exploit or
claim the right to use or exploit the Work in any manner; and (iv) not to object
to any exploitation or use of the Work or to any changes, modifications, or
revisions to the Work made by or on behalf of Licensee or Marvel, and Supplier
hereby waives any moral rights of any kind or nature in the Work.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and to the benefit of Marvel, and their respective heirs,
successors, administrators and assigns.
-25-
<PAGE>
In WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
the date first above written.
Supplier: Licensee: Collectible Concepts
Group
By:_________________________________ By:______________________________________
Name:_______________________________ Name:____________________________________
Title:______________________________ Title:___________________________________
Date:_______________________________ Date:____________________________________
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<PAGE>
Exhibit D
Dated __________ 19__
Marvel Characters, Inc.
c/o Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
387 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
This letter will serve as notice to you that pursuant to Section 18 of
the License Agreement dated October 1, 1999 between you and Collectible Concepts
Group, we have been engaged as the subcontract manufacturer for Collectible
Concepts Group in connection with the manufacture of the Licensed Articles
defined in the aforesaid License Agreement. We hereby acknowledge that we have
received a copy and are cognizant of the terms an conditions set forth in said
License Agreement and hereby agree to be bound by those provisions of said
License Agreement which are applicable to our function as manufacturer of the
Licensed Articles, including but not limited to the right of Marvel, pursuant to
Section 5(e) of the License Agreement to examine our Books of Account Records
with respect to the manufacture of the Licensed Articles. It is understood that
this engagement as subcontract manufacturer is on a royalty-free basis, and that
we have no right to sublicense or subcontract thereunder.
We understand that our engagement as the subcontract manufacturer for
Collectible Concepts Group is subject to your approval. We request, therefore,
that you sign in the space below, thereby showing your acceptance of our
engagement as aforesaid.
Very truly yours,
___________________________________________
(Manufacturer)
By:________________________________________
Name:______________________________________
Title:_____________________________________
Date:______________________________________
Accepted:
Marvel Characters, Inc.
By:________________________________________
Name:______________________________________
Title:_____________________________________
-27-