EXHIBIT 10.28
[Material marked with an asterisk has been omitted from this
document pursuant to a request for confidential treatment
and has been filed separately with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.]
LICENSE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 9th day of May, 2001, in New York, New
York, by and between the Major League Baseball Players Association, an
unincorporated association under the laws of the State of New York, with offices
at 00 X. 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (hereinafter "MLBPA"), and
Ultimate Sports Entertainment, Inc. a Delaware corporation, with offices located
at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000 (hereinafter
"Licensee").
WHEREAS, MLBPA is acting on behalf of all of the active baseball players of
the National League and the American League who have entered into a Commercial
Authorization Agreement with the MLBPA (hereinafter "players"), and who, upon
being polled by the MLBPA, have not indicated they have granted a license for
products which would conflict with the license granted herein; and
WHEREAS, MLBPA in such capacity has the right to negotiate this Agreement
and to grant rights in and to the logo, name and symbol of MLBPA identified in
Schedule A hereto (the "Trademarks"), and the names, nicknames, numbers,
likenesses, signatures, pictures, playing records, and/or biographical data of
each player described in Schedule A hereto as part of a group (hereinafter "the
Rights"); and
WHEREAS, Licensee desires to use the Rights and/or the Trademarks on or in
association with the manufacture, offering for sale, sale, advertising,
promotion, and distribution of certain products identified in Schedule B (the
"Licensed Products") in the countries identified in Schedule B (the "Licensed
Territory"); and
WHEREAS, MLBPA is willing to grant Licensee such right to use the Rights
and/or the Trademarks on the Licensed Products in the Licensed Territory in
accordance with the terms and conditions recited herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and
conditions herein contained, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1. GRANT
(a) MLBPA hereby grants to Licensee and Licensee hereby accepts the
non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable license, without the right to
grant sublicenses, to use the Rights and Trademarks solely within the Licensed
Territory on the Licensed Products and/or in association with the manufacture,
offering for sale, sale, advertising, promotion, shipment and distribution of
the Licensed Products to jobbers, wholesalers and distributors for sale,
shipment and distribution to retail stores and merchants and/or to retail stores
and merchants for sale, shipment and distribution direct to the public. Licensee
shall not knowingly permit the Licensed Products to be sold or distributed
outside of the Licensed Territory.
(b) MLBPA represents and warrants that it has the authority to grant
the rights licensed herein. MLBPA makes no representation that it has the
authority to grant, nor does it grant herein, the right to utilize team symbols,
insignias or logos, or the name, symbol, or logo of any other licensee of MLBPA,
or reproductions of any products produced by or for any other licensee of MLBPA.
Accordingly, it is understood by the parties hereto that if any of the foregoing
are to be utilized in connection with the exercise of the license granted
hereunder, including without limitation the likenesses of players utilizing team
logos, symbols or insignias, it will be the responsibility of Licensee to obtain
all necessary permissions for the use of such material.
(c) Unless specifically authorized in advance by MLBPA in writing,
Licensee agrees to utilize with equal prominence the names and likenesses of a
minimum of one hundred (100) players or, at MLBPA's direction, a minimum of five
(5) players per Major League team, on Licensed Products during the initial
License Period (as defined herein) and during each additional License Period, if
any, as provided herein. Licensee must provide the MLBPA with thirty (30) days'
written notice of the names of all players Licensee intends to use on the
Licensed Products prior to manufacture of such Licensed Products, and Licensee
may not use the name or likeness of any player on the Licensed Products without
the prior written consent of MLBPA, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(d) The license granted by MLBPA to Licensee hereunder does not
include the right to, and Licensee shall not in any manner, use (or purport to
grant others the right to use) the Trademarks or the Rights for the purpose, in
whole or in part, of promoting any service or product other than the Licensed
Products. Nor does this license convey the right to feature or highlight any
individual player apart from the group. In the event Licensee is interested in
highlighting any player or in securing the personal endorsement or services of
any player, Licensee understands and agrees that such will require the personal
approval of the individual player involved and a separate payment to such
player, through the MLBPA, independent of and in addition to all payments due to
the MLBPA pursuant to this Agreement.
(e) Nothing contained in Section 1(d) above shall prevent Licensee
from utilizing the names and/or likenesses of the players in a non-endorsement
and/or non-testimonial manner in connection with the packages, cartons,
advertising, point-of-sale and/or promotional materials for the Licensed
Products (the "Promotional and Packaging Material") or require any separate
payment in connection therewith; provided, however, that unless specifically
authorized otherwise in advance by MLBPA in writing, the names and/or likenesses
of a minimum of eight (8) such players are utilized with equal prominence on the
Promotional and Packaging Material for all Licensed Products during the initial
License Period and during each additional License Period, if any, as provided
herein; and Licensee agrees to rotate the players who are utilized in connection
with such materials so as not to highlight any particular player or group of
players to the exclusion of others.
(f) All rights not expressly granted to Licensee in this Agreement
are specifically reserved to MLBPA.
2. TERM AND OPTIONS
(a) This Agreement shall be effective and shall continue for the
License Period set forth on Schedule B, unless sooner terminated pursuant to a
provision of this Agreement.
(b) MLBPA hereby grants to Licensee two (2) separately exercisable
options (the "Options") to extend the term of this Agreement for additional
one-year periods ("Second and Third License Periods," respectively). In order to
exercise each of the two Options, Licensee must provide MLBPA with written
notice of its intention to exercise each such Option and such written notice
must be received by MLBPA no earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days and no
later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the License Period then
in effect. The attempted exercise of any Option shall be void and of no effect
if Licensee (i) has breached or is then in breach of any of its obligations
under this Agreement, or (ii) fails during any License Period to make Net Sales
sufficient to generate Actual Royalties equal to or greater than the Guaranteed
Minimum Royalties as defined herein, or (iii) fails to make full and timely
royalty payments as provided herein. Licensee's performance in each License
Period shall be pursuant to the same terms and conditions recited in this
Agreement.
3. ROYALTIES
(a) Licensee agrees to pay MLBPA a royalty at the percentage set
forth on Schedule B based on Net Sales (as defined in Subsection 3(b) below) of
the Licensed Products employing the Rights and/or the Trademarks by Licensee
(the "Actual Royalty"). Such Actual Royalty shall accrue when the Licensed
Products are sold, shipped, distributed, billed and/or paid for, whichever
occurs earlier, to a third party not affiliated with Licensee. For purposes of
this Agreement, "affiliated" means related in any manner through direct or
indirect ownership or control and includes joint venture arrangements.
(c) "Net Sales" shall mean gross sales to third parties not
affiliated with Licensee at Licensee's regular wholesale price, less returns
actually credited. No other deductions shall be permitted. For example, there
shall be no deductions made for other discounts, commissions, uncollectible
accounts, taxes, fees, assessments, impositions, payments or expenses of any
kind which may be incurred or paid by Licensee in connection with the royalty
payments due to MLBPA hereunder, or for any costs incurred in the manufacture,
offering for sale, sale, advertising, promotion, shipment, distribution and/or
exploitation of the Licensed Products.
(d) Actual Royalty payments shall be made by Licensee to MLBPA on all
Licensed Products sold, shipped and/or distributed by Licensee, even if not
billed (such as in the case of introductory offers, samples, promotions and the
like and sales, shipments and/or distributions to individuals and/or companies
which are affiliates or subsidiaries of Licensee), or if billed at less than
Licensee's usual price for such Licensed Products, based upon Licensee's usual
Net Sales price for such Licensed Products sold to third parties not affiliated
with Licensee in the course of Licensee's normal distribution, shipment and
sales activities.
(e) Where the billed price for any Licensed Products is less than the
usual Net Sales price for such Licensed Products sold to third parties not
affiliated with Licensee in the course of Licensee's normal distribution,
shipment and sales activities, the Actual Royalty payment shall be based upon
Licensee's usual Net Sales price.
(f) For each License Period of this Agreement, Licensee agrees to pay
MLBPA a non-refundable guaranteed minimum royalty in the amount(s) and in the
manner set forth on Schedule B (the "Guaranteed Minimum Royalty"). Such
Guaranteed Minimum Royalty shall be paid in equal quarterly installments as set
forth on Schedule B, with the first such payment due immediately upon execution
of this Agreement. If, upon termination or expiration of this Agreement or any
License Period thereof, the total royalties paid and/or payable by Licensee to
MLBPA during each such License Period is less than the Guaranteed Minimum
Royalty, Licensee shall immediately pay the amount of such difference to MLBPA.
Actual Royalty payments based on Net Sales made during any Term of this
Agreement shall be credited against the Guaranteed Minimum Royalty due for the
License Period in which such Net Sales were made.
4. STATEMENTS AND PAYMENTS
(a) Licensee shall deliver to MLBPA, at its offices in New York, New
York, or to such other address as MLBPA may direct, on the fifteenth (15th) day
following the end of each calendar quarter during any License Period of this
Agreement, and on the fifteenth (15th) day of the month following termination or
expiration of this Agreement, a complete and accurate statement of its Net Sales
of Licensed Products, differentiated by country and product category, for the
immediately preceding calendar quarter (or portion thereof) (the "Royalty
Period"). Said statement shall be certified as accurate by an officer of
Licensee and shall include information as to the stock number, item description,
quantity shipped, and gross selling price of the Licensed Products shipped,
distributed and/or sold by Licensee during the Royalty Period, information as to
quantity discounts given and returns actually credited, computation of Net Sales
and royalty due, and any
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other information MLBPA may from time to time reasonably request. Such
statements shall be furnished to MLBPA whether or not any Licensed Products have
been shipped, distributed and/or sold, and whether or not Actual Royalties have
been earned during the Royalty Period. Statements shall be in a form acceptable
to MLBPA and consistent with Schedule C hereto.
(b) The amount in United States dollars shown in Licensee's royalty
statements as being due MLBPA shall be paid simultaneously with the submission
of such statements. In the event that the amount credited for returns during any
Royalty Period exceeds Licensee's royalty obligation to MLBPA for such period,
Licensee may use such amount as a credit against future royalty obligations of
Licensee during the Term of this Agreement. In no event, however, shall the
amount credited for returns during any Royalty Period be used upon termination
or expiration of this Agreement as a credit against past royalty obligations of
or royalty payments made by Licensee. In no circumstances shall MLBPA be
obligated to pay any amount to Licensee upon termination or expiration of this
Agreement on account of credits accrued by Licensee for returns.
(c) Licensee's royalty statements and all amounts payable to MLBPA by
Licensee shall be submitted to:
Major League Baseball Players Association
00 X. 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
or such other address as the MLBPA may direct.
(d) The receipt and/or acceptance by MLBPA of any of the statements
furnished or royalties paid hereunder to MLBPA (or the cashing of any royalty
checks paid hereunder) shall not preclude MLBPA from questioning the correctness
thereof at any time and, in the event that any inconsistencies or mistakes are
discovered in such statements or payments, they shall immediately be rectified
by Licensee and the appropriate payment shall be made by Licensee.
(e) All payments made hereunder shall be in United States dollars
drawn on a United States bank, unless otherwise specifically agreed upon by the
parties.
(f) Time is of the essence with respect to all payments to be made
hereunder by Licensee. Interest at a rate of the lesser of one and one-half
percent (1 1/2%) per month or the maximum rate allowed by law, compounded daily,
shall accrue on any amount due MLBPA hereunder from and after the date upon
which the payment is due until the date of receipt of payment.
5. AUDIT
(a) Licensee agrees to keep accurate books of account and records at
its principal place of business covering all transactions relating to the
license granted herein and pertaining to the items required to be shown in the
Licensee's royalty statements to be submitted pursuant hereto, including without
limitation, invoices, correspondence, banking, financial and other records.
MLBPA and its duly authorized representatives shall have the right, upon
reasonable notice, at all reasonable hours of the day, to audit Licensee's books
of account and records, and all other documents and material in the possession
or under the control of Licensee, with respect to the subject matter and the
terms of this Agreement and to make copies and extracts thereof. In the event
that any such audit reveals an underpayment by Licensee, Licensee shall
immediately upon demand remit payment to MLBPA in the amount of such
underpayment plus interest calculated at the rate of the lesser of one and
one-half percent (1 1/2%) per month or the maximum rate allowed by law,
compounded daily, calculated from the date such payment(s) were actually due
until the date such payment is actually made. In the event that any such
underpayment is greater than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000), or two percent (2%)
of the royalties due for the period audited, whichever is less, Licensee shall
reimburse MLBPA for the costs and expenses of such audit.
(b) All books of account and records of Licensee covering all
transactions relating to the license granted herein shall be retained by
Licensee for at least two (2) years after the expiration or termination of this
Agreement for possible inspection by MLBPA.
6. QUALITY, NOTICES, APPROVALS, AND SAMPLES
(a) The Licensed Products and the Promotional and Packaging Material
shall be of high quality in design, material and workmanship so as to be suited
to the favorable advantage, protection and enhancement of the Trademarks and the
Rights, in no event shall be of lesser quality than the best quality of similar
products and promotional, advertising, and packaging material presently shipped,
distributed, sold and/or used by Licensee in the Licensed Territory, shall be
safe and suitable for their intended purpose, and shall be manufactured, sold
and/or distributed in full conformance with all applicable laws and regulations.
(b) Licensee may not manufacture, use, offer for sale, sell,
advertise, promote, ship and/or distribute any Licensed Products, or any
Promotional and Packaging Material relating to the Licensed Products, until it
has received written approval of same in the manner provided herein from MLBPA.
Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Should MLBPA fail to approve
in writing any of the submissions furnished it by Licensee within fourteen (14)
business days from the date of submission thereof, such failure shall be
considered to be a disapproval thereof.
(c) Before commencing or authorizing third parties to commence the
design or development of Licensed Products or Promotional and Packaging Material
which have not been previously approved in writing by MLBPA, Licensee shall
submit at its own cost to MLBPA, for approval, a written description of the
concept of such Licensed Product and/or Promotional and Packaging Material,
including full information on the nature and function of the proposed item and
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a general description of how the Rights and/or the Trademarks and other material
will be used thereon. Licensee shall next submit at its own cost to MLBPA, for
approval, complete layouts and descriptions of the proposed Licensed Products
and/or Promotional and Packaging Material showing exactly how and where the
Rights and the Trademarks and all other artwork and wording will be used.
Thereafter, Licensee shall submit at its own cost to MLBPA, for approval,
pre-production models or prototype samples of the proposed Licensed Products
and/or Promotional and Packaging Material. Finally, Licensee shall submit at its
own cost to MLBPA, for approval, actual proofs or final pre-production samples
of the proposed Licensed Products and/or Promotional and Packaging Material.
Licensee shall not proceed beyond any of the above stages where approval is
required without first securing the express written approval of MLBPA.
(d) Upon commencement of manufacture, shipment and distribution of
the Licensed Products and/or Promotional and Packaging Material relating to the
Licensed Products after all required approvals have been given by MLBPA,
Licensee shall submit, at its own cost, to MLBPA an additional twelve (12) sets
of the Licensed Products and two (2) sets of the Promotional and Packaging
Material.
(e) MLBPA may periodically during any License Period of this
Agreement require that Licensee submit to MLBPA, at no cost to MLBPA, up to
twelve (12) additional sets of the Licensed Products, and the Promotional and
Packaging Material relating to the Licensed Products, for subsequent review of
the quality of and copyright and trademark usage and notice on same and for any
other purpose that MLBPA deems appropriate.
(f) After the required approval has been secured from MLBPA pursuant
to Section 6(c) above, Licensee shall not depart from the specifications,
quality or appearance thereof in any material respect without first obtaining
the express written approval of MLBPA. Licensee shall make submissions to MLBPA
and obtain approvals in the manner required above each time new or revised
concept, layouts, descriptions, artwork, models, prototype samples and/or
production samples are created, developed and/or adopted by and/or for Licensee.
(g) Subject to reasonable obligations of confidentiality by MLBPA, to
assure that the provisions of this Agreement are being observed, Licensee agrees
that it will allow MLBPA or its designees to enter Licensee's premises and/or
the premises where the Licensed Products are being manufactured during regular
business hours, and upon reasonable notice, for the purpose of inspecting the
Licensed Products and the Promotional and Packaging Material relating to the
Licensed Products and the facilities in which the Licensed Products are being
packaged.
(h) In order to ensure that the Licensed Products and the Promotional
and Packaging Materials are manufactured, offered for sale, sold, advertised,
promoted, shipped and/or distributed as set forth herein, in the event that the
quality standards and/or trademark and copyright usage and notice requirements
herein referred to are not met, or in the event that said quality standards
and/or trademark and copyright usage and notice requirements are not maintained
throughout the period of manufacture, offering for sale, sale, advertising,
promotion, shipment and/or distribution of any Licensed Products hereunder,
then, in addition to any other rights available to MLBPA under this Agreement or
otherwise, upon receipt of written notice from MLBPA, Licensee shall immediately
discontinue any and all manufacture, offering for sale, sale, advertising,
promotion, shipment and distribution of such Licensed Products and/or
Promotional and Packaging Material in connection with which the said quality
standards and/or trademark and copyright usage and notice requirements have not
been met.
7. ARTWORK
(a) The form and content of all artwork for use in any media shall be
subject to the express written approval of MLBPA prior to its use by Licensee in
connection with the Licensed Products. If Licensee desires to use artwork
previously approved by MLBPA on a different Licensed Product or on different
Promotional and Packaging Material, Licensee shall first submit samples of such
proposed use to MLBPA for approval thereof.
(b) Except as provided in Section 18(c) of this Agreement,
notwithstanding any rights otherwise granted to Licensee by state or federal
trademark or copyright laws or otherwise, Licensee shall not without express
written permission of MLBPA directly or indirectly use, or authorize others to
use, in any manner whatsoever, any of the artwork or designs or other material
involving the Rights and/or Trademarks, or any reproductions thereof, following
the expiration or termination of this Agreement, notwithstanding their invention
or use by Licensee, and Licensee shall destroy all such artwork and/or designs
and/or other material and furnish to MLBPA satisfactory evidence of their
destruction.
8. OWNERSHIP OF RIGHTS
(a) It is understood and agreed that MLBPA is the sole and exclusive
holder of all right, title and interest in and to the Rights and/or the
Trademarks for the duration of this Agreement.
(b) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as an
assignment to Licensee of any right, title and/or interest in or to the Rights
and/or the Trademarks, it being understood that all right, title and interest
relating thereto are expressly reserved by MLBPA except for the rights being
licensed hereunder.
(c) No license is being granted hereunder for any purpose or as to
any products, services or material other than the Licensed Products and only in
the Licensed Territory. MLBPA reserves for such use as it may determine all
rights of any kind other than the rights herein licensed to Licensee.
(d) Licensee shall not use the Rights and/or the Trademarks other
than as permitted herein and, in particular, shall not incorporate the Rights
and/or the Trademarks in Licensee's corporate or business name in any manner
whatsoever. Licensee agrees that in using the Rights and Trademarks, it will
in no way represent that it has any rights, title and/or interest in and/or
to the Rights and/or the Trademarks other than those expressly granted under
the terms of this Agreement. Licensee further agrees that it will not use
and/or authorize the use, either during or after the term of this
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Agreement, of any configuration, trademark, trade name or other designation
confusingly similar to the Rights and/or any of the Trademarks.
(e) Notwithstanding any rights otherwise granted to Licensee by state
or federal trademark or copyright laws or otherwise, Licensee shall not without
express written permission of MLBPA directly or indirectly use, or authorize
others to use, in any manner whatsoever, any artwork or designs or other
material involving the Rights and/or Trademarks, or any reproductions thereof
following the expiration or termination of this Agreement, notwithstanding their
invention or use by Licensee, and Licensee shall destroy all such artwork and/or
designs and/or other material and furnish to MLBPA satisfactory evidence of
their destruction.
9. GOODWILL AND PROMOTIONAL VALUE
(a) Licensee recognizes the value of the goodwill associated with the
Rights and/or the Trademarks and acknowledges that the Rights and/or the
Trademarks, and all rights therein and the goodwill pertaining thereto, belong
exclusively to MLBPA. Licensee further recognizes and acknowledges that the
Rights and/or the Trademarks have acquired secondary meaning in the mind of the
public. Licensee agrees that during any License Period of this Agreement, or
thereafter, it will not dispute or attack the title or any rights of MLBPA in
and to the Rights and/or the Trademarks or the validity of the license granted
herein.
(b) Licensee agrees that its use of the Rights and/or the Trademarks
shall inure to the benefit of MLBPA and that Licensee shall not, at any time,
acquire any rights in the Rights and/or the Trademarks by virtue of any use it
may make of the Rights and/or of the Trademarks. Licensee hereby assigns to
MLBPA any and all trademarks and trademark rights in the Trademarks and/or
Rights created by such use, together with the goodwill of the business in
connection with which such Trademarks are used.
(c) Licensee acknowledges that MLBPA is entering into this Agreement
not only in consideration of the royalties paid hereunder but also in
recognition of the intrinsic benefit to proper maintenance of the reputation of
MLBPA and the players as a result of the manufacture, offering for sale, sale,
advertising, promotion, shipment and distribution of the Licensed Products by
Licensee in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Licensee therefore
acknowledges that its failure to manufacture, offer for sale, sell, advertise,
promote, ship and distribute the Licensed Products in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation its obligations to
protect and enhance the value of the Trademarks and the Rights, will result in
immediate and irreparable damage to MLBPA in connection with promotion of the
Rights and/or the Trademarks and/or to its members, and that there will be no
adequate remedy at law for the failure by Licensee to abide by such provisions
of this Agreement. Accordingly, Licensee agrees that in the event of any breach
by Licensee, in addition to all other remedies available to it hereunder, MLBPA
may at its sole option commence an action in any court having jurisdiction or an
arbitration proceeding, and shall be entitled to injunctive relief against any
such breach as well as such other relief as any arbitrator(s) or court with
jurisdiction may deem just and proper.
10. PROMOTIONAL CONTRIBUTION
(a) Licensee agrees to spend a minimum of $5,000 annually on
marketing MLBPA Licensed Product to the trade and consumers and/or on the
promotion of Major League baseball players.
(b) The expenditure of marketing funds is in addition to any royalty
payments paid by Licensee pursuant to this Agreement. Expenditures may include,
but not be limited to:
(1) Television, radio and print advertising in hobby and non-
hobby publications;
(2) MLBPA integrated retail programs;
(3) Participation in MLBPA Players Choice catalogues, brochures
and advertisements created by MLBPA which includes
Licensee's products;
(4) Participation and support of MLBPA Player merchandising
point of sale materials;
(5) Sponsorship of player appearances at industry functions
which meet the above-mentioned objectives;
(6) Sponsorship of Players Choice Awards, Big League Challenge,
or other MLBPA events;
(7) Advertising and promotion in connection with MLB Players
Choice programs including but not limited to,
xxx.xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx, the Street and Xxxxx'x Baseball Annual
and other cooperative programs;
(8) Other youth-oriented programs proposed by Licensee.
11. TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
(a) The license granted herein is conditioned upon Licensee's full
and complete compliance with the provisions of the trademark and copyright laws
of the United States and any foreign country or countries in the Licensed
Territory.
(b) Licensee agrees to permanently affix to all Licensed Products
and all Promotional and Packaging Material the MLBPA logo and appropriate
legends, markings and/or notices as required by MLBPA, to give appropriate
notice to the consuming public of MLBPA's right, title and interest therein.
Licensee agrees that, unless otherwise specified in writing by MLBPA, each
usage of the Trademarks shall be followed by either the TM or the (C)
Trademark Notice symbol, as
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appropriate, and the following legends shall appear at least once on each
Licensed Product and on each piece of Promotional and Packaging Material:
Copyright or (C) MLBPA
Licensee also shall include on the Licensed Products, and on each piece of
Promotional and Packaging Material, the following notice:
Official Licensee --
Major League Baseball Players Association
(c) Licensee agrees that it will not use, distribute or sell any
Licensed Products or distribute any Promotional or Packaging Materials which do
not carry notices meeting the requirements of this Agreement.
(d) Licensee shall use no other markings, legends and/or notices on
or in association with the Licensed Products or on or in association with the
Promotional and Packaging Material other than those specified above and such
other markings, legends and/or notices as may be specified by MLBPA, without
first obtaining MLBPA's express written approval.
(e) MLBPA has the right, but not the obligation, to obtain at its own
cost, appropriate trademark and copyright protection for the Rights and/or the
Trademarks in association with the Licensed Products in any and all countries of
the Licensed Territory, in the name of MLBPA or in the name of any third party
selected by MLBPA.
(f) Licensee shall keep appropriate records (including copies of
pertinent invoices and correspondence), and advise MLBPA, relating to the dates
when each of the Licensed Products is first placed on sale or sold in each
country of the Licensed Territory, and the dates of first use in each country of
each different Trademark and/or of the Rights on the Licensed Products and
Promotional and Packaging Material. If requested to do so by MLBPA, Licensee
also agrees to supply MLBPA with samples, facsimiles or photographs of the
trademark usages in question and other information which will enable MLBPA to
complete and obtain trademark applications or registrations, or to evaluate or
oppose any trademark or design applications, registrations, or uses of third
parties.
(g) Licensee agrees that it shall not at any time within the Licensed
Territory or anywhere else in the world apply for any copyright or trademark
protection which would affect MLBPA's ownership of any rights in the Rights
and/or the Trademarks, nor file any document with any governmental authority or
assert directly or indirectly any right or take any other action which could
affect MLBPA's ownership of the Rights and/or the Trademarks, or the publicity
rights of the players, or knowingly aid or abet anyone else in doing so.
(h) Licensee agrees to cooperate in all reasonable respects with
MLBPA in protecting and defending the Rights and/or the Trademarks. In the event
Licensee becomes aware of any claim or problem arising with respect to the
protection of the Rights and/or the Trademarks in the Licensed Territory,
Licensee shall promptly advise MLBPA in writing of the nature and extent of
same. MLBPA has no obligation to take any action whatsoever in the event that
any claim or problem arises with respect to the protection of the Rights and/or
the Trademarks.
12. INFRINGEMENTS
(a) Licensee agrees to cooperate with MLBPA in the enforcement of
MLBPA's right in the Rights and/or the Trademarks. Licensee agrees to notify
MLBPA in writing of any infringements or imitations by third parties of the
Rights, the Trademarks, the Licensed Products and/or the Promotional and
Packaging Material which may come to Licensee's attention. MLBPA shall have sole
right to determine whether or not any action shall be taken on account of any
such infringement or imitation. MLBPA, if it so desires, may commence or
prosecute any claims or suits in its own name or in the name of Licensee, or
join Licensee as a party thereto; provided, however, that Licensee shall not be
required to incur more than nominal out-of-pocket expense as a consequence of
being joined as a party by MLBPA. Licensee agrees not to contact any third
party, not to make any demands or claims, and not to institute any suit or take
any other action on account of such infringements or imitations without
obtaining the prior express written permission of MLBPA.
(b) With respect to all claims and suits involving the Rights and/or
the Trademarks, including suits in which Licensee is joined as a party, MLBPA
shall have the sole right to employ counsel of its choosing and to direct the
handling of the litigation and any settlement thereof. MLBPA shall be entitled
to receive and retain all amounts awarded to MLBPA as damages, profits or
otherwise in connection with such suits.
13. INDEMNIFICATION
Licensee hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless MLBPA,
its members, officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any and
all claims, demands, causes of action and judgments ("Claims") arising out of or
in connection with
(a) Licensee's design, manufacture, distribution, shipment,
advertising, promotion, offering for sale and/or sale of the Licensed Products
and/or the Promotional and Packaging Material, including but not limited to any
allegedly unauthorized use by Licensee of any trademark, copyright, patent,
process, idea, method, device, logo, symbol, insignia, name, term or material
other than those licensed herein, and
(b) Licensee's use of any logos, symbols, insignias, names, terms or
other material claimed to be the property of any Major League Baseball club(s)
or any other entity affiliated directly or indirectly with any Major League
Baseball club(s), and
6
(c) Any alleged defect(s) of the Licensed Products. With respect to
the foregoing indemnity, Licensee agrees to defend and hold MLBPA and its
members harmless at no cost or expense to MLBPA whatsoever, including, but not
limited to, attorneys' fees and court costs. Under no circumstances shall
Licensee have the right to settle or otherwise compromise any claim without the
prior written consent of MLBPA. MLBPA and its members shall have the right to
defend themselves in any such action or proceeding with attorneys of MLBPA's
selection.
14. INSURANCE
Throughout the License Period and for three (3) years after expiration
or termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall obtain and maintain at its own
cost and expense from a qualified insurance company acceptable to MLBPA, or
self-insurance as authorized by law, a standard comprehensive general liability
insurance policy naming MLBPA and its members as an additional insured. Such
policy shall provide protection against any claims, demands and causes of action
arising out of: (a) any defect or failure to perform, alleged or otherwise, of
the Licensed Products or, (b) any material used in connection with the Licensed
Products; or (c) any advertising, sale or use of the Licensed Products. The
amount of primary and secondary coverage shall be a minimum of Two Million
Dollars ($2,000,000) for each single occurrence. The policy shall provide for
twenty (20) days notice to MLBPA from the insurer in the event of any
modification, cancellation or termination. The terms of such policy are subject
to MLBPA's prior written approval and such approval shall not be withheld
unreasonably. Licensee agrees to furnish MLBPA a certificate of insurance
evidencing same and a copy of any relevant additional insured endorsement or
satisfactory evidence of self-insurance within thirty (30) days after execution
of this Agreement, and in no event shall Licensee manufacture, offer to sell,
advertise, promote, ship and/or distribute the Licensed Products or Promotional
and Packaging Material prior to receipt by MLBPA of such evidence of insurance
and additional insured endorsement.
15. EXPLOITATION BY LICENSEE
(a) Licensee agrees to commence distribution, shipment and sale of
all of the Licensed Products in sufficient quantities to meet the reasonably
anticipated demand therefor throughout the Licensed Territory within six (6)
months after the Effective Date of this Agreement. In the event of Licensee's
failure to comply with this requirement, in addition to all other remedies
available to it, MLBPA shall have the option to terminate this Agreement upon
mailing notice of such termination to Licensee.
(b) Licensee agrees that during all License Periods of this
Agreement, Licensee will continue to diligently and continuously distribute,
ship and sell each of the Licensed Products throughout the Licensed Territory
and that it will use its best efforts to make and maintain adequate arrangements
for the distribution, shipment and sale necessary to meet the demand for all
such Licensed Products throughout the Licensed Territory. Licensee further
agrees to exercise all reasonable efforts to advertise and promote the Licensed
Products at its own expense throughout the term of this Agreement as widely as
practicable within the Licensed Territory, to the best advantage and enhancement
of the Trademarks and the Rights.
(c) Licensee will not discriminate against the Licensed Products by
granting commissions/discounts to salesmen, dealers and/or distributors in favor
of Licensee's other similar products.
16. PREMIUMS, PROMOTIONS AND SECONDS
(a) Under no circumstances shall Licensee have any right to sell or
otherwise utilize the Licensed Products as premiums or promotional items. MLBPA
shall have and retain the sole and exclusive right to utilize or license third
parties to utilize any of the rights granted herein in connection with any
premium, giveaway, mail order, fund raising, promotional arrangement or fan club
(collectively referred to as "Promotional Products"), which retained right may
be exercised by MLBPA concurrently with the rights granted to Licensee
hereunder.
(b) Licensee agrees not to offer for sale, sell, ship, advertise,
promote, distribute and/or use for any purpose whatsoever, and/or to permit any
third party to offer for sale, sell, ship, advertise, promote, distribute and/or
use for any purpose whatsoever, any Licensed Products and/or Promotional and
Packaging Material relating to the Licensed Products which are damaged,
defective, seconds or otherwise fail to meet the specifications and/or quality
standards and/or trademark and copyright usage and notice requirements of this
Agreement.
17. ASSIGNABILITY AND SUBLICENSING
The license granted hereunder is and shall be personal to Licensee and
shall not be assigned by any act of Licensee or by operation of law or otherwise
encumbered. Licensee shall not have the Licensed Products or any portion thereof
manufactured for Licensee by a third party unless Licensee first obtains the
express written approval of MLBPA, and such manufacturer shall have signed an
agreement in the form attached hereto as Schedule D. Licensee shall have no
right to grant any sublicenses without MLBPA's prior express written approval.
Any attempt on the part of Licensee to arrange for manufacture by a third party
or to sublicense (except as provided herein), assign, encumber or alter its
rights under this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise, including without
limitation entry by Licensee into any joint venture arrangement or any material
change in the ownership or key management of Licensee, without reasonable notice
to and written approval by MLBPA shall result in the automatic termination of
this Agreement, and all rights granted hereunder shall immediately revert to
MLBPA.
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18. TERMINATION
(a) MLBPA's Right of Termination.
(i) Immediate Right of Termination. In addition to the automatic
termination provisions and/or termination rights provided elsewhere in this
Agreement, and notwithstanding any attempts by Licensee to cure defaults, MLBPA
shall have the right immediately to terminate this Agreement by giving written
notice to Licensee if Licensee does any of the following:
a. Manufactures, offers for sale, sells, advertises,
promotes, ships, distributes and/or uses in any way any Licensed Product and/or
Promotional and Packaging Material without having the prior written approval of
MLBPA as provided for in this Agreement;
b. Continues to manufacture, offer for sale, sell,
advertise, promote, ship, distribute and/or use in any way any Licensed Product
and/or Promotional and Packaging Material after receipt of notice from MLBPA
disapproving same;
c. Fails to carry on the Licensed Products or Promotional
or Packaging Material the notices specified by MLBPA, as required herein;
d. Becomes subject to any voluntary or involuntary order
of any governmental agency involving the recall of any of the Licensed Products
and/or Promotion and Packaging Material because of safety, health or other
hazards or risks to the public;
e. Directly or indirectly through its controlling
shareholders or any of its officers, directors or employees, takes any action in
connection with the manufacture, offering for sale, sale, advertising,
promotion, shipment and/or distribution of the Licensed Products and/or the
Promotional and Packaging Material which damages or reflects adversely upon
MLBPA, the Rights and/or the Trademarks;
f. Breaches any of the provisions of this Agreement
relating to the unauthorized assertion of rights in the Rights and/or the
Trademarks;
g. Two or more times during a twelve-month period fails to
make timely payment of royalties when due or fails to make timely submission of
royalty statements when due;
h. Uses the Trademarks or the Rights for the purpose, in
whole or in part, of promoting any service or product other than the Licensed
Products without the express prior consent of MLBPA in writing; or
i. Fails to obtain or maintain insurance as required by
the provisions of this Agreement.
(ii) Curable Breaches by Licensee. If Licensee
a. commits a material breach of any other terms of this
Agreement, or
b. files a petition in bankruptcy or is adjudicated a
bankrupt or insolvent, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or
an arrangement pursuant to any bankruptcy law, or discontinues its business, or
if a receiver is appointed for it or its business and is not discharged within
thirty (30) days, and fails to cure such default and furnish reasonable proof of
its cure to MLBPA within fifteen (15) days after receiving written notice of
breach, MLBPA shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by giving written
notice to Licensee.
(b) Licensee's Right of Termination. If MLBPA commits a material
breach of any of the terms of this Agreement and fails to cure such default and
furnish reasonable proof of its cure to Licensee within fifteen (15) days after
receiving written notice of breach, Licensee shall have the right to terminate
this Agreement by giving written notice to MLBPA.
19. POST-TERMINATION AND EXPIRATION RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
(a) Except as provided in Section 19(c) below, upon termination of
this Agreement, Licensee and its receivers, representatives, trustees, agents,
administrators, successors and/or permitted assigns shall have no right to
manufacture, offer for sale, sell, ship, advertise, promote and/or distribute
Licensed Products or to use in any way the Rights, the Trademarks, or any
Promotional and Packaging Material relating to the Licensed Products.
(b) Upon expiration of this Agreement or termination by MLBPA,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all royalties on sales,
shipments and/or distributions theretofore made shall become immediately due and
payable and no Guaranteed Minimum Royalty paid to MLBPA shall be refunded.
(c) Upon expiration of this Agreement, or upon termination of this
Agreement for any reason except those set forth in Section 17 or Section 18(a)
above, subject to the requirements of this Agreement with respect to payment and
reporting of royalties, for a period of sixty (60) days, Licensee may dispose of
all finished Licensed Products which are on hand upon the expiration of the
License Period then in effect, provided that the royalties with respect to that
period are paid and the appropriate statements are furnished for that period.
During such sixty (60) day period, MLBPA itself may use or license the use of
the Rights and/or the Trademarks in any manner at any time anywhere in the world
as MLBPA sees fit.
(d) Subject to Section 19(c) above, after the expiration or
termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall refrain from further use of the
Rights and/or the Trademarks or any further reference to them, either directly
or indirectly, in connection with the manufacture, offering for sale, sale,
advertising, promotion, shipment and/or distribution of Licensee's products.
Licensee shall destroy all artwork, films, transparencies, separations, printing
plates, molds and other materials which reproduce the Licensed Products and/or
Promotional and Packaging Material relating to the Licensed Products, and shall
8
give evidence satisfactory to MLBPA of their destruction. Licensee shall be
responsible to MLBPA for any damages caused by the unauthorized use by Licensee
or by others of all such materials which are not destroyed pursuant to this
Agreement.
(e) Licensee acknowledges that its failure to cease the manufacture,
offering for sale, sale, advertising, promotion, shipment and/or distribution of
the Licensed Products and/or use in any way of the Promotional and Packaging
Material relating to the Licensed Products at the termination or expiration of
this Agreement will result in immediate and irreparable damage to MLBPA and/or
to the players and to the rights of other licensees of MLBPA. Licensee
acknowledges and admits that there is no adequate remedy at law for failure to
cease such activities and Licensee agrees that in the event of such failure, in
addition to all other remedies available to it hereunder, MLBPA at its sole
option may commence an action in any court having jurisdiction or an arbitration
proceeding, and shall be entitled to equitable relief by way of injunctive
relief and such other relief as any arbitrator(s) or court with jurisdiction may
deem just and proper.
20. FINAL STATEMENT UPON TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION
Within thirty (30) days after termination or expiration of this
Agreement, as the case may be, Licensee shall deliver to MLBPA a statement
indicating the number and description of the finished Licensed Products which it
had on hand as of the expiration or termination date. MLBPA shall have the
option upon prior written notice to Licensee of conducting a physical inventory
at the time of expiration or termination and/or at a later date in order to
ascertain or verify such statement. In the event that Licensee refuses to permit
MLBPA to conduct such physical inventory, Licensee shall forfeit any rights
hereunder to dispose of such inventory. In addition to such forfeiture, MLBPA
shall have recourse to all other remedies available to it.
21. NOTICES
All notices or other communications required or desired to be sent to
either party shall be in writing and sent by Registered or Certified Mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by facsimile or telegram, charges
prepaid. Such notices, including facsimile or telegram, shall be effective on
the date sent, provided that any notice sent by facsimile also shall be sent by
regular mail. The addresses for MLBPA and Licensee shall be as set forth on
Schedule B. Either party may change its address by notice in writing to the
other party.
22. RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES
This Agreement does not create a partnership or joint venture between
the parties and neither party shall have any power to obligate or bind the other
in any manner whatsoever.
23. APPLICABLE LAW
This Agreement is made within the State of New York and shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of New
York. Licensee hereby expressly waives any right to the benefits of remedial
legislation, if any, of Licensee's home state.
24. REMEDIES
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, any dispute or disagreement
between the parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be
settled by final and binding arbitration, in New York City, under the Commercial
Arbitration Rules then obtaining of the American Arbitration Association. The
parties hereto expressly stipulate that the arbitrator(s) shall have full
subpoena power and full powers to fashion appropriate remedies, including
without limitation the power to grant equitable and/or injunctive and/or
declaratory relief. Judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction.
(b) Licensee recognizes the unique nature of the Rights and the
Trademarks, and the possibility that breaches of this Agreement by Licensee may
require preliminary or extraordinary relief beyond that available in
arbitration, and the possibility that breaches of this Agreement may involve
third parties or witnesses or issues which are beyond the practical jurisdiction
of arbitrators. Accordingly, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 23(a),
MLBPA (but not Licensee) may, at its sole and exclusive option, elect as an
alternative to arbitration to commence an action or proceeding in any court of
competent jurisdiction to enforce this Agreement or protect the Rights and the
Trademarks. MLBPA may also require the termination of a previously-commenced
arbitration proceeding so as to permit a dispute between the parties to be
resolved in an action or proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction, so
long as MLBPA has theretofore not waived its right to do so by taking
substantial steps to prosecute or defend the arbitration proceeding.
25. CAPTIONS
The captions used in connection with the paragraphs and subparagraphs
of this Agreement are inserted only for purpose of reference. Such captions
shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any other manner affect the
scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of this Agreement or any part
thereof, nor shall such captions otherwise be given any legal effect.
9
26. CONFIDENTIALITY
Other than as may be required by any applicable law, governmental
order or regulation or by order or decree of any court of competent
jurisdiction, Licensee shall not publicly divulge or announce, or in any manner
disclose to any third party, any of the specific terms and conditions of this
Agreement, including without limitation amounts payable hereunder. MLBPA
acknowledges that all of the information relating to the creation, authorship,
production, manufacturing, advertising, marketing, sale and distribution of the
Licensed Products by Licensee which Licensee is, or may be, required to provide
to MLBPA under the terms and conditions of this Agreement and which is not
publicly disclosed by Licensee is confidential commercial information, which is
provided to MLBPA only to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement. MLBPA shall
maintain such information on a need to know basis only and may not disclose any
such information to any third party without Licensee's express written consent.
27. WAIVER
(a) No waiver by either party of a breach or a default hereunder
shall be deemed a waiver by such party of a subsequent breach or default of a
like or similar nature.
(b) Resort by either party to any remedies referred to in this
Agreement or arising by reason of a breach of this Agreement by the other party
shall not be construed as a waiver by such party of its right to resort to any
and all other legal and equitable remedies available to it.
28. SURVIVAL OF THE RIGHTS
Any rights and obligations created by this Agreement and which by
necessary implication continue after its expiration or termination shall
survive such expiration or termination.
29. SEVERABILITY
In the event that any term or provision of this Agreement shall for
any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect,
such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other
term or provision, and this Agreement shall be interpreted and construed as
if such term or provision, to the extent the same shall have been held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, had never been contained herein.
30. INTEGRATION
This Agreement represents the entire understanding between the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous
representations, understandings or agreements, oral or written, between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement cannot be
modified except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto.
By their execution below, the parties hereto have agreed to all of the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ULTIMATE SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Date: 5/14/01 Date: 05/09/01
10
SCHEDULE A
TRADEMARKS
MLBPA
Major League Baseball Players Association
MLBPA logo
MLB Players Choice logo
THE RIGHTS
The names, nicknames, numbers, likenesses, signatures, pictures, playing
records and/or biographical data of all active baseball players of the National
League and the American League who have entered into a Commercial Authorization
Agreement with the MLBPA.
[Material marked with an asterisk has been omitted from this
document pursuant to a request for confidential treatment
and has been filed separately with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.]
SCHEDULE B
LICENSED PRODUCTS
Comic books, measuring no smaller than six by ten inches (6" X 10") and not
larger than nine by twelve inches (9" X 12"), featuring animated cartoon
super-heroes based on Major League baseball players.
LICENSE PERIOD
First License Period: January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000 Second License Period
(if renewed): January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2001 Third License Period (if
renewed): January 1, 2002 - December 31, 0000
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, its territories and possessions, and Canada.
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
The International Addendum attached hereto and incorporated herein shall apply
to all sales of Licensed Products outside of the United States.
Licensee understands and agrees that during each License Period of the Agreement
it will market at least four (4) different comic books produced during that
License Period together as a group, so that no one (1) comic book or group of
Major League baseball players featured in any comic book shall receive greater
prominence or exposure than any other comic book or the Major League baseball
players featured in any other comic book(s) produced during that License Period.
Licensee understands and agrees that all content and graphics contained in the
Licensed Products or utilized in connection with the Licensed Products will be
solely of a "positive and wholesome" nature and convey messages and ideas
appropriate for children and positive in character. The parameters of what is
"positive and wholesome" shall be determined by MLBPA in consultation with
Licensee, but MLBPA shall be the final arbiter in this regard.
MLBPA, if it so chooses, will have the opportunity to promote itself, its
players, charities, web sites, and/or events with a full page in each issue of
the comic books at no charge to MLBPA.
In addition to the other financial obligations to MLBPA outlined herein,
Licensee must pay MLBPA an annual fee of * ($*) for the right to produce the
Licensed Product for up to five (5) in-stadium promotional giveaways at Major
League Baseball stadiums ("Promotions") per year. Any additional Promotions will
require a payment of * Dollars ($*) per Promotion by Licensee to MLBPA.
To the extent practicable, Licensee agrees to print the following notice on
packaging and promotional materials for the Licensed Products: "Visit
xxx.xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx, the players choice on the web."
In the event Licensee desires to utilize a web site in connection with the
Licensed Product, such utilization shall be subject to prior written approval of
MLBPA. Any revenues received by Licensee in connection with the Licensed
Products on the web site shall be treated as "Net Sales" and subject to a
royalty pursuant to this Agreement.
ACTUAL ROYALTY
* Percent (*%)
GUARANTEED MINIMUM ROYALTY
First License Period: * Dollars ($*) to be paid upon execution of this
Agreement.
Second License Period: * Dollars ($*) to be paid as follows:
$* upon execution of this agreement;
$* on or before April 15, 2001;
$* on or before July 15, 2001;
$* on or before October 15, 2001.
[Material marked with an asterisk has been omitted from this
document pursuant to a request for confidential treatment
and has been filed separately with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.]
Third License Period (if renewed): * Dollars ($*) to be paid as follows:
$* on or before January 15, 2002;
$* on or before April 15, 2002;
$* on or before July 15, 2002;
$* on or before October 15, 2002.
ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
Major League Baseball Players Ultimate Sports Entertainment, Inc.
Association 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attention: Xxxx Xxxxx
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Acknowledged and Approved:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ULTIMATE SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Date: 5/14/01 Date: 5/09/01
SCHEDULE C
Royalty Report for: Major League Baseball Players Association
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Licensee: Date:
--------------------------- ----------------------
--------------------------- ----------------------
WHOLESALE GROSS RETURN RETURN NET RLTY RLTY
SKU ITEM PLAYER(S) PRICE/UNIT QTY PRICE UNITS DOLLARS SALES RATE DUE
We had no sales for the period TOTAL ROYALTIES DUE: _________
but our product is scheduled LESS GUARANTEED
to start shipping:___________________ ROYALTIES PAID TO DATE: _________
{Date}
AMOUNT DUE: _________
THIS ROYALTY REPORT WAS CERTIFIED BY:
----------------------------
{Signature}
----------------------------
{Title}
SCHEDULE D
MANUFACTURER'S AGREEMENT
Licensee: Ultimate Sports Entertainment, Inc.
Licensed Territory: United States, its territories and possessions, and Canada.
Licensed Products: Comic books, measuring no smaller than six by ten inches (6"
X 10") and not larger than nine by twelve inches (9" X 12"),
featuring animated cartoon super-heroes based on Major
League baseball players.
The undersigned understands that the Major League Baseball Players
Association ("MLBPA") has authorized the above-named Licensee to manufacture the
above-named Licensed Products utilizing certain names, logos, symbols,
likenesses, signatures and pictures which are the property of MLBPA ("the
Rights"). In order to induce MLBPA to consent to the manufacture of the Licensed
Products by the undersigned, the undersigned agrees that it will not manufacture
the Licensed Products for anyone but the Licensee; that it will not sell the
Licensed Products to anyone but the Licensee; that it will not knowingly
manufacture the Licensed Products for distribution in any territory other than
the above-named Licensed Territory; that it will not (unless MLBPA otherwise
consents in advance in writing) manufacture any other merchandise utilizing any
aspect of the Rights; that it will permit such representatives as MLBPA may from
time to time designate to inspect the activities of the undersigned with
relation to its manufacture of the Licensed Products; and that whenever the
Licensee ceases to require the undersigned to manufacture the Licensed Products,
the undersigned will return to the Licensee or to MLBPA any molds, plates,
engravings, or other devices used to reproduce any of the Rights, or at the
direction of MLBPA or Licensee will give satisfactory evidence of the
destruction thereof. MLBPA shall be entitled to invoke any remedy permitted by
law for violation of this agreement by the undersigned.
[Name of Manufacturer]:
By:
------------------------------
Title:
---------------------------
INTERNATIONAL ADDENDUM
1. With respect to sales in any portion of the Licensed Territory outside
the United States, Licensee shall deliver its royalty statements and make
payments to MLBPA as required by Section 4 on the thirtieth (30th) day following
the end of each calendar month during which such royalties accrued and on the
thirtieth (30th) day of the month following termination or expiration of this
Agreement.
2. In calculating "Net Sales" with respect to sales in any portion of the
Licensed Territory outside the United States, there shall be no deduction made
in connection with the transfer of funds or royalties or with the conversion of
any currency into United States dollars.
3. If any tax is imposed on MLBPA by any foreign country with respect to
any amount payable to MLBPA, Licensee shall compute and pay the amount due to
MLBPA pursuant to this Agreement on the basis of the gross amount involved
before the deduction of any taxes. If Licensee is required to withhold from any
payment due to MLBPA an amount representing taxes imposed on MLBPA pursuant to
the laws of any foreign country, Licensee shall nevertheless have the obligation
to make up the amount of said tax in making its payment to MLBPA hereunder.
4. With respect to any countries in the Licensed Territory outside the
United States, the statements provided to MLBPA pursuant to this Agreement shall
be broken down by countries and all Net Sales shall be stated in U.S. currency
provided Licensee furnishes representations and documentation that all
international transactions are invoiced in U.S. dollars. If Licensee cannot
provide MLBPA with the representation and documentation referenced above, then
all Net Sales shall be stated in the currency of the country where they were
made, followed by the equivalent amount for such Net Sales in United States
currency, followed by the exchange rate applied. The rate of exchange shall be
the actual rate of exchange prevailing on the last day of the month prior to the
date on which payment is due to MLBPA. The parties agree to cooperate in
facilitating the exportation of royalties by legal means from any country which
imposes currency or other restrictions upon the payment of royalties; provided,
however, that upon the request of MLBPA, Licensee agrees to deposit the full
amount, or any portion, of any and all amounts due MLBPA, in United States or
foreign currency, in an account within such country for the benefit of MLBPA as
instructed by MLBPA. If several currencies are involved in any reporting
category, that category shall be broken down by each such currency.
5. With respect to those countries which require applications to register
Licensee as a Permitted User or Registered User of a trademark or trademarks
used on or in connection with the rights granted under this Agreement, or which
require the recordation of this Agreement, Licensee agrees to execute and
deliver to MLBPA such applications, agreements, or other documents as may be
necessary and as are furnished by MLBPA for such purposes. In the event such
agreements are entered into between MLBPA and Licensee, this Agreement rather
than such agreements will govern any disputes between MLBPA and Licensee and in
the event that this Agreement is terminated for any reason, any such Registered
User or Permitted User agreements also shall be deemed to be terminated.
6. It shall be Licensee's sole responsibility at its expense to obtain
all approvals of any foreign authorities which may be necessary in connection
with Licensee's performance under this Agreement in such portion(s) of the
Licensed Territory. Licensee shall take whatever steps may be reasonably
required to effect the remission of funds from abroad; to minimize or eliminate
the incidence of foreign taxes, fees, or assessments which may be imposed; to
protect its investments in foreign territories, to enable it to commence or
continue doing business in any foreign territory; and to comply in any and all
respects with all applicable laws and regulations.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ULTIMATE SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Date: 5/14/01 Date: 05/09/01
