JASPER VENTURES INC. INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.2
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of
,
, between Jasper Ventures Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and
(“Indemnitee”).
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve corporations as
directors and officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection
through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions
against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to
attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis,
at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its
subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a
customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business
enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance
may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same
time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are
being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other
things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business
enterprise itself. The Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”) also require indemnification of the
officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant
to the Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”). The Bylaws and the NRS expressly provide
that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate
that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors,
officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;
WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased
the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining
such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the
Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection
in the future;
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate
itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from
undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws and any
resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to
diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;
WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the current protection available under the Company’s
Bylaws and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as
an officer or a director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve
in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional
service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee’s agreement to serve as an officer or a
director after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Indemnity of Indemnitee. The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and
indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to
time. In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality
thereof.
(a) Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee
shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section l(a) if, by
reason of his Corporate Status (as hereinafter defined), the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be
made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) other than a Proceeding
by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(a), Indemnitee shall be
indemnified against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him, or on his behalf, in connection with
such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in
a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the
Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to
the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(b) if, by reason of his Corporate
Status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding
brought by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this
Section 1(b), Indemnitee shall
be indemnified against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee, or on the Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection
with such Proceeding if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company; provided,
however, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such Expenses, judgments,
penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter in such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged in a final,
non-appealable judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company unless and
to the extent that the Supreme Court of the State of Nevada shall determine that such
indemnification may be made.
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(c) Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason
of his Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or
otherwise, in any Proceeding, he shall be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law,
as such may be amended from time to time, against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection
therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the
merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such
Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in
connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this
Section 1(c) and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such
a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as
to such claim, issue or matter.
2. Additional Indemnity. In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on,
the indemnification provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Company shall and
hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if,
by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant
in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without
limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of
Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this
Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that
is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in
Sections 6 and 7 hereof) to be unlawful.
3. Contribution.
(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof is
available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which
the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee, the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the
entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such action, suit or proceeding without requiring
Indemnitee to contribute to such payment and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right
of contribution it may have against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of
any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee unless such
settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(b) Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding
subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion
of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding in which the
Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee, the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses,
judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and
paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and
all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable
with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from
which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on
the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted
by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the
Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and
Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection
with the events that resulted in such Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines or settlement
amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which the law may require to be considered.
The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other
than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the
other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their
actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their
liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.
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(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims
of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than
Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
(d) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided
for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu
of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for
judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in
connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such
proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding
in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of
the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving rise to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault
of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection
with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness
in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all
Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
5. Advancement of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
the Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with
any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status within thirty (30) days after the
receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or
advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such
statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall
include or be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay
any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified against such Expenses. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this
Section 5 shall be unsecured and interest free.
6. Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.
It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as
favorable as may be permitted under the NRS and public policy of the State of Nevada.
Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the
event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this
Agreement:
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a
written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably
available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon
receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has
requested indemnification.
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(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of
Section 6(a) hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to
Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following four
methods, which shall be at the election of the Board: (1) by a majority vote of the Disinterested
Directors (as hereinafter defined), even though less than a quorum; (2) by a committee of
Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though
less than a quorum; (3) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if the Disinterested Directors
so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be
delivered to the Indemnitee; or (4) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the
Company.
(c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent
Counsel pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel initially shall be
selected as provided in this Section 6(c). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by
the Board. Indemnitee may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have
been given, deliver to the Company, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection;
provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent
Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in
Section 13 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the
factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected
shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the
Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection
is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty
(20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to
Section 6(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to,
either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Supreme Court of the State of Nevada or other
court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the
Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as
Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall
designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so
appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6(b) hereof. The Company shall
pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent
Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, and the Company shall
pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6(c),
regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
(d) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the
person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the
burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence. Neither the failure
of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Legal Counsel) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of any
action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because
Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company
(including by its directors or Independent Legal Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such
applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that
Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
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(e) Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on
the records or books of account of the Enterprise (as hereinafter defined), including financial
statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the
course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or
records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by
an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. In addition, the
knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the
Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to
indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section
6(e) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the
burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(f) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 6 to
determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination
within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite
determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee
shall be entitled to such indemnification absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material
fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially
misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such
indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended
for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or
entity making such determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith
requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate documentation and/or information relating
thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(f) shall
not apply if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders
pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement so long as (A) within fifteen (15) days after
receipt by the Company of the request for such determination, the Board or the Disinterested
Directors, if appropriate, resolve to submit such determination to the stockholders for their
consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such
receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called
within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such
meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such
determination is made thereat.
(g) Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination
with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person,
persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not
privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee
and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel, member of the Board or
stockholder of the Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination
regarding the Indemnitee’s entitlement to
indemnification under this Agreement. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and
disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making
such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to
Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold
Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
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(h) The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment
may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and
uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is
resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without
limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or without payment of money or
other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in such action, suit or proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall
have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(i) The termination of any Proceeding (as hereafter defined) or of any claim, issue or matter
therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself
adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee
did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
7. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 6 of this
Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement
of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, (iii) no
determination of entitlement to indemnification is made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this
Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification,
or (iv) payment of indemnification is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been
made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been
made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an
adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Nevada, or in any other court of competent
jurisdiction, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification. Indemnitee shall commence such
proceeding seeking an adjudication within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has
the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 7(a) or Indemnitee shall be
deemed to have waived his rights to indemnification hereunder. The Company shall not oppose
Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of
this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding
commenced pursuant to this Section 7 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial
on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of the adverse determination under
Section 6(b).
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(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement
that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in
any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7, absent (i) a misstatement by
Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s
misstatement not materially misleading, in connection with the application for indemnification, or
(ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
(d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7, seeks a judicial
adjudication of his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, or to
recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company,
the Company shall pay on his behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types described in
the definition of Expenses in Section 13 of this Agreement) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is
determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance recovery.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced
pursuant to this Section 7 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not
valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by
all the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all
Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company
of a written request therefore) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such expenses to
Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee
for indemnification or advance of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of
whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of
Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to
entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final
disposition of the Proceeding.
8. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of
any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the
certificate of incorporation of the Company, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a
resolution of directors or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of
any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in
respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such
amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in the NRS, whether by statute or
judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the
Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by
this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein
conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and
remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now
or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
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(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing
liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of the Company or
of any other Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with
its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director, manager,
officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the
receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer
liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such
proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.
The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay,
on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with
the terms of such policies.
(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the
extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers
required and take all action necessary (at the expense of the Company) to secure such rights,
including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to
enforce such rights.
(d) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts
otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually
received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is
or was serving as a director, manager, officer, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be
reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of
Expenses from such other Enterprise.
9. Exception to Right of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any provision in this
Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in
connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance
policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under
any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by
Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of state statutory law or common
law; or
(c) in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee,
including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the
Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized
the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its
initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant
to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.
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10. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained
herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer or director of the Company (or
is or was serving as a director, manager, officer, employee or agent of another Enterprise) and
shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding (or any
proceeding commenced under Section 7 hereof) by reason of his Corporate Status, whether
or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is
incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company),
assigns, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives.
11. Security. To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the
Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s
obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other
collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released
without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.
12. Enforcement.
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and
assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as an officer
or director of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this
Agreement in serving as an officer or director of the Company.
(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to
the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and
implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, manager,
officer, employee, representative, agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any other Enterprise.
(b) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to
the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(c) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that Indemnitee is or
was serving at the express request of the Company as a director, manager, officer, employee, agent
or fiduciary.
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(d) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs,
transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and
binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other disbursements or
expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to
prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a
Proceeding. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting
from any Proceeding, including without limitation, the premium, security for, and other costs
relating to any cost bond, supersede as bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses,
however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or
fines against Indemnitee.
(e) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in
matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained
to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other
than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees
under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to
a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent
Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct
then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee
in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the
reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel
against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
(f) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration,
alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other
actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or
otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which Indemnitee was, is
or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an
officer or director of the Company, by reason of any action taken by him or of any inaction on his
part while acting as an officer or director of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or
was serving as a director, manager, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another Enterprise; in
each case whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or
expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement; including one
pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one initiated by an Indemnitee
pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement.
14. Severability. The invalidity of unenforceability of any provision hereof shall
in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, this Agreement is intended to confer upon Indemnitee indemnification
rights to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws. In the event any provision hereof
conflicts with any applicable law, such provision shall be deemed modified, consistent with the
aforementioned intent, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict and any court of
competent jurisdiction is hereby authorized and directed to make any such modifications as
necessary.
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15. Modification and Waiver. Except as set forth in Section 14, no supplement,
modification, termination or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in
writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not
similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
16. Notice By Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in
writing upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint,
indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be
subject to the indemnification provided hereby. The failure to so notify the Company shall not
relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or
otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay actually and materially
prejudices the Company.
17. Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal delivery
to the party to be notified; (ii) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent
during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed, then on the next business
day; (iii) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid; or (iv) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized
overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All
communications shall be sent:
(a) To Indemnitee at the address set forth below Indemnitee signature hereto.
(b) To the Company at:
Jasper Ventures Inc.
c/o DesignLine International Corporation
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
c/o DesignLine International Corporation
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the
Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature and in two
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
19. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the
construction thereof.
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20. Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal
relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to its conflict of laws
rules. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (i) agree that any
action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in
the Supreme Court of the State of Nevada (the “Nevada Court”), and not in any other state or
federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (ii) consent to
submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Nevada Court for purposes of any action or proceeding
arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is
not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Nevada, irrevocably Val-U-Corp
Services, Inc., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ City, 89701 as its
agent in the State of Nevada as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection
with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as
if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware; (iv) waive any objection to
the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Nevada Court; and (v) waive, and
agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Nevada
Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of the day and
year first above written.
| COMPANY |
||||
| By: | ||||
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | ||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||
| INDEMNITEE
|
||||
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