Employment Agreement - eLiberation.com Corp. and Douglas Norman
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated as of February 03, 2003 (the
"Date of this Agreement"), is made by and between eLiberation.com Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Employer"), and Douglas Norman (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Employer wishes to employ the Executive on the terms set
forth below.
WHEREAS, Executive wishes to accept such employment.
Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Term. The Employer hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive
hereby accepts such employment, for an initial term commencing as of the Date of
this Agreement and ending on the second anniversary of such date, unless sooner
terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 or Section 5; with
such employment to continue thereafter for successive one-year periods in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement on each anniversary of the Date of
this Agreement (subject to termination as aforesaid) unless either party
notifies the other party in writing not less than thirty (30) days before
expiration of the initial term and each annual renewal thereof (the period
during which the Executive is employed hereunder being hereinafter referred to
as the "Term") of an intent not to renew this Agreement.
2. Duties. During the Term, the Executive shall be employed by the
Employer as its Chief Financial Officer, and as such, the Executive shall
faithfully perform for the Employer the duties and have the powers customary for
such position, including general financial oversight of the Employer's
operations and preservation of the Company's assets. During the Term, the
Executive shall be required to report to the CEO of the Employer (the "CEO").
The Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time and effort to
the performance of his duties hereunder, and shall work primarily at the
Employer's main business offices.
3. Compensation.
3.1 Salary. The Employer shall pay the Executive during the Term a
salary at the rate of One Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($140,000) per annum
(the "Annual Salary"), in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the
Employer applicable to senior executives, provided the payments are no less
frequent than monthly (or, if there is no such policy, payments shall be
semi-monthly). The Annual Salary shall be annually reviewed by the Employer for
possible increases. The Annual Salary shall be subject to possible further
increase from time to time in the discretion of the CEO or such committee of the
Board as they shall designate for such purpose from time to time. Any increased
Annual Salary shall thereupon be the "Annual Salary" for the purposes hereof.
The Executive's Annual Salary shall not be decreased without his prior written
consent at any time during the Term.
3.2 Incentive Compensation. During the Employment Term, the
Executive shall be eligible to receive, in addition to his Annual Salary, an
annual bonus (the "Bonus") of up to 30% of the Annual Salary. The amount of such
Bonus and any performance standards or goals
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required to be attained in order to receive such Bonus shall be set by the CEO
or such committee of the Board as they shall designate for such purpose from
time to time based on, but not limited to, any of the following criteria: (i)
amount of capital raised for the Employer; (ii) positioning of the Employer for
an initial public offering of the Employer's common stock; (iii) valuation
attained for the Employer, as measured by arm's length investment transactions
or market capitalization; (iv) periodic revenues as measured by total
transaction dollars; and (v) entering into key strategic relationships. The
Bonus shall be declared on or before the thirtieth day following each quarterly
period, and paid not later than the last business day of the quarter following
the quarter for which the Bonus is being paid.
3.3 Stock Options. The Executive shall be granted options (the
"Options") to purchase Two Hundred Fifty Thousand (250,000) shares of the common
stock of the Employer pursuant to the Employer's 2000 Equity Incentive Plan
which, at the option of the Executive as of their date of grant, may be intended
to qualify as "incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Such options shall have an exercise
price per share of $0.50, the agreed fair market value of shares of Employer's
stock as of the date hereof. Such Options shall vest as to 25% of the shares on
March 4, 2004, and 3.41% each month thereafter until the Options are fully
vested, provided that the Executive is employed by the Employer as of each such
Option vesting date. The vesting period shall be subject to possible
acceleration in the discretion of the CEO or such committee of the Board as they
shall designate for such purpose from time to time. Such options shall become
fully vested immediately upon (i) a Change of Control, defined below, of the
Employer, or (ii) a termination of the executive by Employer without Cause
(defined in Section 5.1(a) below, or a termination by Executive for Good Reason
(defined in Section 5.2(a) below), if the same occurs within 120 days prior to
the execution and delivery of an acquisition, merger, consolidation or other
agreement which results in a Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement
"Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if, as a result of a tender
offer, other acquisition, merger, consolidation or sale or transfer of assets,
any person(s) (as used in Sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 ("SEA")) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13(d)-3 of the
SEA) of a total of fifty percent (50%) or more of either the outstanding shares
of Employer's stock or Employer's assets; provided, however, that a change of
control shall not be deemed to have occurred if a person who beneficially owned
50% or more of the Employer's stock as of the effective date of this Agreement
continued to do so during the term of this Agreement. The terms of this Section
3.3 shall be included in the applicable stock option agreement between Employer
and Executive relating to the issuance of the Options.
3.4 Benefits. Except otherwise provided herein, the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in any group life, medical or disability
insurance plans, health programs, retirement plans, fringe benefit programs and
similar benefits that may be available to other senior executives of the
Employer generally, on the same terms as such other executives, to the extent
that the Executive is eligible under the terms of such plans or programs as they
may be in effect from time to time. Employer will provide coverage for the
Executive under the Employer's health benefits plan and will pay 100% of the
cost of spouse or dependent coverage up to a total of $500 per month. Coverage
under the health benefits plan will be in effect commencing with the first month
following ninety (90) days of employment.
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3.5 Expenses. The Employer shall pay or reimburse the Executive
for all ordinary and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred (and,
in the case of reimbursement, paid) by the Executive during the Term in the
performance of the Executive's services under this Agreement, provided that the
Executive submits proof of such expenses, with the properly completed forms as
prescribed from time to time by the Employer, no later than 30 days after the
end of the monthly period in which such expenses have been so incurred. In
addition, the Employer will pay the Executive's reasonable basic relocation
expenses, if any, which shall consist of airfare, moving company expenses and
hotel stays during the transition period, such expenses to be approved in
advance, in writing, by the Company.
4. Termination upon Death or Disability. If the Executive dies during
the Term, the Term shall terminate as of the date of death, and the obligations
of the Employer to or with respect to the Executive shall terminate in their
entirety upon such date except as otherwise provided under this Section 4. If
the Executive becomes disabled for purposes of the long-term disability plan of
the Employer for which the Executive is eligible, or, in the event that there is
no such plan, if the Executive by virtue of ill health or other disability is
unable to perform substantially and continuously the duties assigned to him for
more than 180 consecutive or non-consecutive days out of any consecutive
12-month period, then the Employer shall have the right, to the extent permitted
by law, to terminate the employment of the Executive upon notice in writing to
the Executive. Upon termination of employment due to death or disability, (i)
the Executive (or the Executive's estate or beneficiaries in the case of the
death of the Executive) shall be entitled to receive any Annual Salary and other
benefits earned and accrued under this Agreement prior to the date of
termination (and reimbursement under this Agreement for expenses incurred prior
to the date of termination), including, but not limited to a pro-rata Bonus for
the year of termination (which in no event shall be less than a similar pro-rata
portion of the Executive's bonus for the preceding year) to be paid at such time
as Bonuses are ordinarily paid; (ii) in the case of termination due to
disability, the Executive shall be entitled to receive his Annual Salary for the
lesser of six (6) months following such termination, or the period until long
term disability insurance benefits commence under disability coverage furnished
by the Employer to the Executive; and (iii) the Executive (or, in the case of
his death, his estate and beneficiaries) shall have no further rights to any
other compensation or benefits hereunder on or after the termination of
employment, or any other rights hereunder, except as otherwise provided in the
plans and policies of the Employer.
5. Certain Terminations of Employment.
5.1 Termination for Cause; Termination of Employment by the
Executive without Good Reason.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean the
Executive's:
(i) conviction of (or pleading nolo contendere to) a felony
involving the crime of theft or a related or similar act of unlawful
taking, or a felony involving the federal or California securities or
pension laws, or any felony , which results in material economic harm to
the Employer;
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(ii) engagement in the performance of his duties hereunder or
otherwise to the material and demonstrable detriment of the Employer, in
willful misconduct, willful or gross neglect, fraud, misappropriation or
embezzlement;
(iii) After notice from the Board of Directors, and, if
requested by Executive, the opportunity to be heard by the Board of
Directors, the failure to adhere to the lawful and reasonable directions
of the Board that are consistent with the terms of this Agreement, or the
failure to devote substantially all of the business time and effort to the
Employer (except for any activities expressly authorized by the Employer);
(iv) material breach of any of the provisions of Section 6,
other than inadvertent breaches; or
(v) breach in any material respect of the terms and
provisions of this Agreement and failure to cure such breach within thirty
(30) days following written notice from the Employer specifying such
breach; provided however, if Executive delivers written notice to Employer
during the 30 day cure period requesting to be heard at a meeting of the
Board of Directors, his termination under this Section 5.2(a)(v) shall not
be effective until such Board of Directors meeting at which Executive had
an opportunity to be heard.
provided that Cause shall not exist except on written notice given to the
Executive at any time not more than 60 days following the occurrence of any of
the events described above (or, if later, the Employer's knowledge thereof),
which events in any case must have occurred after the effective date of this
Agreement.
(b) The Employer may terminate the Executive's employment
hereunder for Cause, and the Executive may terminate his employment for any or
no reason on at least 30 days' and not more than 60 days' written notice given
to the Employer. If the Employer terminates the Executive for Cause, or the
Executive terminates his employment and the termination by the Executive is not
covered by Section 4 or 5.2, (i) the Executive shall receive Annual Salary and
other benefits earned and accrued under this Agreement prior to the termination
of employment (and reimbursement under this Agreement for expenses incurred
prior to the termination of employment); and (ii) the Executive shall have no
further rights to any other compensation or benefits hereunder on or after the
termination of employment, or any other rights hereunder, except as otherwise
provided in the plans and policies of the Employer.
5.2 Termination by the Employer without Cause; or by the Executive
for Good Reason.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean,
unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Executive;
(i) a reduction in Annual Salary or in benefits of the
Executive, or the failure of the Employer timely to make any Annual Salary
payment due to the Executive,
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provided that such deferral or failure to pay continues unremedied for
more than thirty (30) days;
(ii) any action by the Employer that results in a material
diminution in the Executive's position, authority, duties or
responsibilities; provided that the appointment to the office of Chief
Financial Officer of another person approved by the Executive shall be
deemed not to be a material diminution in the Executive's position,
authority, duties or responsibilities;
(iii) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement by
the Employer or;
(iv) a failure of the Employer to have a successor entity
specifically assume this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist
unless notice of termination on account thereof (specifying a termination date
no later than 30 days from the date of such notice) is given no later than 60
days after the time at which the event or condition purportedly giving rise to
Good Reason first occurs or arises (or when the Executive first becomes aware of
such circumstances); and (ii) if there exists (without regard to this clause
(ii)) an event or condition that constitutes Good Reason, the Employer shall
have 30 days from the date notice of such a termination is given to cure such
event or condition and, if the Employer does so fully cure such event or
condition, such event or condition shall not constitute Good Reason hereunder.
(b) The Employer may terminate the Executive's employment at any
time for any reason or no reason and the Executive may terminate the Executive's
employment with the Employer for Good Reason. A notice of non-renewal shall
constitute a termination of employment by the Employer without Cause.
(c) If the Employer terminates the Executive's employment and the
termination is not covered by Section 4 or 5.1, or the Executive terminates his
employment for Good Reason, the Executive shall receive:
(i) Annual Salary and other benefits earned and accrued
under this Agreement prior to the termination of employment (and
reimbursement under this Agreement for expenses incurred prior to the
termination of employment);
(ii) the greater of (A) the Annual Salary for the unexpired
Term of this Agreement, payable over such Term, and (B) one (1) times the
Annual Salary payable in accordance with standard payroll practices of the
Company;
(iii) an amount equal to the average of all Bonuses earned
during the Term, payable in accordance with standard bonus payment
practices of the Company, or (B) immediately, if and to the extent the
same will be used by Executive to exercise his stock option as provided in
clause (v) below;
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(iv) reimbursement for COBRA payments equal to employee's
regular monthly contributions toward the Executive's health insurance
benefits for the twelve (12) month period following the termination date
if the Executive elects COBRA benefits, and;
(v) the right to exercise any or all vested stock options
for a period of twelve (12) months after the effective date of termination
of Executive's employment; provided however, (A) in the event the
termination occurs within 120 days of the execution of a Change of Control
agreement as provided in Section 3.3 above, vesting of all options shall
be accelerated as provided in Section 3.3 above, and (B) in the event the
termination occurs at a time not within such 120 day period, for purposes
of this provision, all unvested options that would have vested had this
Agreement remained in force through the end of the initial Term, shall be
fully vested immediately prior to the termination under this Section
5.2(c); The provisions of this subparagraph (v) shall be included in any
stock option agreement between the Employer and the Executive.
In order to be eligible to receive the benefits specified under sections
5.2(c)(ii) - (iv), the Executive must execute a general release of claims in a
form acceptable to the Employer, which shall not apply to the Employer's
obligations described above in this Section 5.2(c).
6. Invention, Non-Disclosure and Non-Competition.
6.1 Inventions and Patents.
(a) The Executive will promptly and fully disclose to the Employer
any and all inventions, discoveries, improvements, ideas, developments, designs,
products, formulas, software programs, processes, techniques, technology,
know-how, negative know-how, data, research, technical data and original works
of authorship (whether or not patentable or registrable under patent, copyright
or similar statutes and including all rights to obtain, register, perfect and
enforce those proprietary interests) that are related to or useful in the
Employer's present or future business or result from use of property owned,
leased, or contracted for by the Employer and which the Executive develops,
makes, conceives or reduces to practice during the Executive's employment by the
Employer, either solely or jointly with others (collectively, the
"Developments"). All such Developments shall be the sole property of the
Employer, and the Executive hereby assigns to the Employer, without further
compensation, all of the Executive's right, title and interest in and to such
Developments and any and all related patents, patent applications, copyrights,
copyright applications, trademarks, service marks and trade names in the United
States and elsewhere.
(b) The Executive shall disclose promptly to an officer or to
attorneys of the Employer in writing any inventions, discoveries, improvements,
ideas, developments, designs, products, formulas, software programs, processes,
techniques, technology, know-how, negative know-how, data, research, technical
data and original works of authorship, whether or not patentable or registrable
under patent, copyright or similar statutes, the Executive may conceive, make,
develop or work on, in whole or in part, solely or jointly with others during
the
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Executive's employment, for the purpose of permitting the Employer to determine
whether they constitute Developments. The Employer shall receive such
disclosures in confidence.
(c) The Executive will keep and maintain adequate and current
written records of all Developments (in the form of notes, sketches, drawings
and as may be specified by the Employer), which records shall be available to
and remain the sole property of the Employer at all times.
(d) The Executive will assist the Employer in obtaining and
enforcing patent, copyright, trademark, service marks and other forms of legal
protection for the Developments in any country. Upon request, the Executive will
sign all applications, assignments, instruments and papers and perform all acts
necessary or desired by the Employer to assign all such Developments fully and
completely to the Employer and to enable the Employer, its successors, assigns
and nominees, to secure and enjoy the full and exclusive benefits and advantages
thereof.
(e) The Executive understands that the Executive's obligations
under this section will continue after the termination of the Executive's
employment with the Employer and that during the Executive's employment the
Executive will perform such obligations without further compensation, except for
reimbursement of expenses incurred at the request of the Employer. The Executive
further understands that if the Executive is not employed by the Employer as an
employee at the time the Executive is requested to perform any obligations under
this section, the Executive shall receive for such performance a reasonable per
diem fee, as well as reimbursement of any expenses incurred at the request of
the Employer.
(f) Any provision in this Agreement requiring the Executive to
assign the Executive's rights in all Developments shall not apply to an
invention that qualifies fully under the provisions of California Labor Code
section 2870, the terms of which are set forth below:
(i) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides
that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her
rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an
invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time
without using the employer's equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade
secret information except for those inventions that either:
(1) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to
practice of the invention to the employer's business, or actual or
demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer; or
(2) Result from any work performed by the employee for
the employer.
(ii) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement
purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded
from being required to be assigned under subdivision (i), the provision is
against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.
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6.2 Proprietary Information.
(a) The Executive recognizes that the Executive's relationship
with the Employer is one of high trust and confidence by reason of the
Executive's access to and contact with the trade secrets and confidential and
proprietary information of the Employer including, without limitation,
information not previously disclosed to the public regarding current and
projected revenues, expenses, costs, profit margins and any other financial and
budgeting information; marketing and distribution plans and practices; business
plans, opportunities, projects and any other business and corporate strategies;
product information; names, addresses, terms of contracts and other arrangements
with customers, suppliers, agents and employees of the Employer; confidential
and sensitive information regarding other employees, including information with
respect to their job descriptions, performance strengths and weaknesses, and
compensation; and other information not generally known regarding the business,
affairs and plans of the Employer (collectively, the "Proprietary Information").
The Executive acknowledges and agrees that Proprietary Information is the
exclusive property of the Employer and that the Executive shall not at any time,
either during the Executive's employment with the Employer or thereafter
disclose to others, or directly or indirectly use for the Executive's own
benefit or the benefit of others, any of the Proprietary Information.
(b) The Executive acknowledges that the unauthorized use or
disclosure of Proprietary Information would be detrimental to the Employer and
would reasonably be anticipated to materially impair the Employer's value.
(c) The Executive's undertakings and obligations under this
Section 6.2 will not apply, however, to any Proprietary Information which: (a)
is or becomes generally known to the public through no action on the Executive's
part, (b) is generally disclosed to third parties by the Employer without
restriction on such third parties, (c) is approved for release by written
authorization of the Board, (d) is known to the Executive other than as a result
of work performed for the Employer, or (e) is required to be disclosed by law or
governmental or court process or order.
(d) Upon termination of the Executive's employment with the
Employer or at any other time upon request, the Executive will promptly deliver
to the Employer all notes, memoranda, notebooks, drawings, records, reports,
written computer code, files and other documents (and all copies or
reproductions of such materials) in the Executive's possession or under the
Executive's control, whether prepared by the Executive or others, which contain
Proprietary Information. The Executive acknowledges that this material is the
sole property of the Employer.
6.3 Covenant Not to Compete
(a) During the time that this Agreement is in effect, the
Executive shall not directly or indirectly:
(i) own, engage in, conduct, manage, operate, participate
in, be employed by, be connected in any manner whatsoever with, or render
services or advice
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to (whether for compensation or without compensation), any other person or
business entity which, in the sole judgment of the Employer, directly or
indirectly competes with the Business of the Employer (as hereinafter
defined); or
(ii) recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee of
the Employer to terminate his or her employment with, or otherwise cease
his or her relationship with, the Employer in order to join any person or
entity which, in the sole judgment of the Employer, competes with the
Business of the Employer.
(b) For a period of 12 months after the expiration or termination
of this Agreement, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly recruit or
otherwise solicit or induce any employee of the Employer to terminate his or her
employment with, or otherwise cease his or her relationship with, the Employer
in order to join any person or entity which, in the sole judgment of the
Employer, competes with the business of the employer as engaged in at the
expiration or termination of this Agreement.
(c) The obligations set forth in paragraphs 6.3(a) and (b) above
shall not restrict the Executive's right to invest in the securities (not to
exceed 1% of the outstanding securities of any class) of any publicly-held
corporation in the management of which the Executive does not participate.
(d) For purposes of Section 6.3(a), "Business of the Employer"
means the business of Employer as engaged in paid-search from time to time
during the term] of this Agreement.
6.4 Absence of Restrictions Upon Disclosure and Competition.
(a) The Executive hereby represents that, except as the Executive
has disclosed in writing to the Employer on Exhibit A attached hereto, the
Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer
or other party to refrain from using or disclosing any trade secret or
confidential or proprietary information in the course of the Executive's
employment with the Employer or to refrain from competing, directly or
indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or any other party.
(b) The Executive further represents that the Executive's
performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an employee of the
Employer does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence
proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by the Executive in
confidence or in trust prior to his employment with the Employer, and the
Executive will not disclose to the Employer or induce the Employer to use any
confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous
employer or others.
6.5 Other Obligations. The Executive acknowledges that the
Employer from time to time may have agreements with other persons or with the
U.S. Government or agencies thereof, which impose obligations or restrictions on
the Employer regarding inventions made during the course of work under such
agreements or regarding the confidential nature of such work. The Executive
agrees to be bound by all such obligations and restrictions which are made
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known to the Executive and to take all action necessary to discharge the
obligations of the Employer under such agreements.
6.6 Rights and Remedies upon Breach. The Executive acknowledges
and agrees that any breach by him of any of the provisions of Section 6 (the
"Restrictive Covenants") would result in irreparable injury and damage for which
money damages may not provide an adequate remedy. Therefore, if the Executive
breaches any of the provisions of Section 6, the Employer shall have the
following rights and remedies, each of which rights and remedies shall be
independent of the other and severally enforceable, and all of which rights and
remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and
remedies available to the Employer under law or in equity (including, without
limitation, the recovery of damages) the right and remedy to have the
Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced (without posting bond and without
the need to prove damages) by any court having equity jurisdiction, including,
without limitation, the right to an entry against the Executive of restraining
orders and injunctions (preliminary, mandatory, temporary and permanent) against
violations, threatened or actual, and whether or not then continuing, of such
covenants.
7. Other Provisions.
7.1 Severability. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i)
he has had an opportunity to seek advice of counsel in connection with this
Agreement and (ii) the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable in geographical and
temporal scope and in all other respects. If it is determined that any of the
provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any of the
Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the
remainder of the provisions of this Agreement shall not thereby be affected and
shall be given full effect, without regard to the invalid portions.
7.2 Duration and Scope of Covenants. If any court or other
decision-maker of competent jurisdiction determines that any of the Executive's
covenants contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, any of the
Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the
duration or geographical scope of such provision, then, after such determination
has become final and unappealable, the duration or scope of such provision, as
the case may be, shall be reduced so that such provision becomes enforceable
and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be
enforced.
7.3 Resolution of Differences Over Breaches of Agreement. The
parties shall use good faith efforts to resolve any controversy or claim arising
out of, or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof. If, despite their
good faith efforts, the parties are unable to resolve such controversy or claim
through the Employer's internal review procedures, then such controversy or
claim shall be resolved by binding arbitration before a single, mutually
acceptable arbitrator under the rules of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation
Service in Orange County, California and judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. If any
contest or dispute shall arise between the Employer and the Executive regarding
any provision of this Agreement, the prevailing party, as determined by the
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Arbitrator, shall be entitled to an award of all legal fees, costs, and expenses
reasonably incurred in connection with such contest or dispute.
7.4 Notices. All notices or deliveries authorized or required
pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when in writing
and when (i) deposited in the U.S. mail, certified, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, or (ii) otherwise delivered by hand or by overnight delivery,
against written receipt, by a common carrier or commercial courier or delivery
service addressed to the parties at the following addresses or to such other
addresses as either may designate in writing to the other party:
to the Employer: eLiberation.com Corporation
24422 Avenida de la Carlotta
Suite 120
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Attention: Heath Clarke, CEO
to the Executive: Mr. Douglas Norman
202 Termino Avenue
Long Beach CA 90803
7.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Option
Agreement described in Section 3.3, contains the entire agreement between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.
7.6 Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may be amended,
superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived,
only by a written instrument signed by the parties or, in the case of a waiver,
by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising
any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor
shall any waiver on the part of any party of any such right, power or privilege
nor any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such
right, power or privilege.
7.7 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITHOUT REGARD
TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.
7.8 Assignment. This Agreement, and the Executive's rights and
obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Executive; any purported
assignment by the Executive in violation hereof shall be null and void. In the
event of any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the Employer's assets or business, whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise, the Employer may assign this Agreement and its rights hereunder;
provided that such assignment shall not limit the Employer's liability under
this Agreement to the Executive.
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7.9 Withholding. The Employer shall be entitled to withhold from
any payments or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding required by law.
7.10 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, permitted
assigns, heirs, executors and legal representatives.
7.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered
shall be an original but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and
the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of two copies hereof each
signed by one of the parties hereto.
7.12 Survival. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, the provisions of Sections 6, 7. 3, 7. 9 and 7.14, and the
other provisions of this Section 7 (to the extent necessary to effectuate the
survival of Sections 6, 7.3, 7.9 and 7.14), shall survive termination of this
Agreement and any termination of the Executive's employment hereunder.
7.13 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference
only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
7.14 Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance. To the
fullest extent permitted by law, the Employer shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Executive from and against all actual or threatened actions, suits
or proceedings, whether civil or criminal, administrative or investigative,
together with all attorneys' fees and costs, fines, judgments or settlements
imposed upon or incurred by the Executive in connection therewith, that arise
from the Executive's employment by, or serving as an officer of, the Employer,
so long as the Executive acted or refrained from acting legally and in good
faith or reasonably believed that his actions or refraining from acting were
legal and performed or omitted in good faith. Employer currently has directors
and officers liability insurance and will use reasonable efforts to maintain
such insurance coverage during the term of this Agreement.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed their names as of the
day and year first above written to this Executive Agreement.
EMPLOYER
ELIBERATION.COM CORPORATION,
a Delaware corporation
By:/s/ Heath Clarke
-------------------
EXECUTIVE
/s/ Douglas Norman
----------------------
Douglas Norman
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