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EXHIBIT 10.9
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Xxxx X. Le Doux ("Employee") hereby accepts the offer of Natural
Alternatives International, Inc. ("NAI") for employment as Chief Executive
Officer and President beginning October 1, 1999. Collectively, NAI and Employee
will be referred to herein as the "Parties."
1. The Parties anticipate that Employee will be employed through
September 30, 2000 (the "Term"). During the Term, Employee's employment will be
at-will and may be terminated by either Employee or NAI at any time for any
reason or no reason, with or without cause upon written notice to the other. The
at-will status of the employment relationship may not be modified except in
writing authorized in advance by the Board of Directors of NAI and signed by the
Executive Vice President of NAI and Employee.
2. Employee and NAI further understand and agree that nothing in the NAI
Employee Handbook is intended to be, and nothing in it should be construed to
be, a limitation of NAI's right to terminate, transfer, demote, suspend and
administer discipline at any time for any reason. Employee and NAI understand
and agree nothing in the Handbook is intended to, and nothing in the Handbook
should be construed to, create an implied or express contract of employment
contrary to this agreement.
3. A. While Employee is employed by NAI, Employee's rate of
compensation will be at least $260,000 per year, payable no less frequently than
monthly, which will be reviewed at least annually to determine, based upon
Employee's performance and the performance of NAI, the amount of increase, (if
any), in the rate of compensation. The compensation set forth in this Section 3
will be Employee's only compensation except standard employee benefits available
to the level one executives of NAI or any other written compensation arrangement
approved by the Board of Directors of NAI. NAI is currently evaluating a system
of bonus compensation for certain of its employees. Employee will be entitled to
participate in any such bonus compensation in a manner and at a level consistent
with the level one executives of NAI. Currently, the level one executives of NAI
include all of the Corporate Officers of NAI, except for the Chief Executive
Officer.
B. Employee shall receive during the Term a monthly amount equal
to $1,500.00 to reimburse Employee for actual expenses incurred in ownership and
operation of one (1) automobile that Employee shall make and maintain available
for Employee's use on any matter required by or for the benefit of the Company.
4. If Employee continues working for NAI past the end of the Term, and
if NAI still desires Employee's services, then the following terms and
conditions will apply:
(a) Employee shall be an at-will employee and either Employee or
NAI will be entitled to terminate the employment relationship for any
reason or for no reason, with or without cause and with or without
notice.
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(b) Employee will be compensated at the rate set forth in section
3 herein above unless another rate is mutually agreed upon; and
(c) As to benefits and other terms of employment, Employee shall
be subject to the same policies and procedures as other employees of NAI
in similar positions.
5. During the Term, and any extension thereof, Employee shall have such
responsibilities, duties and authority as NAI through its Board of Directors may
from time to time assign to Employee, and that are normal and customary duties
of a Chief Executive Officer and President of a publicly held corporation.
Employee's initial title shall be Chief Executive Officer and President.
6. In the event this Agreement is terminated by NAI without cause,
whether during or at the end of the Term (and any renewals thereof), Employee
shall be entitled to severance pay, including standard employee benefits
available to the level one executives of NAI, in an amount equivalent to his
then current compensation rate for the period set forth below opposite the
number of complete calendar months which have elapsed from the beginning date of
Employee's employment by NAI at the time of termination. One half of such amount
shall be paid upon termination and the balance shall be paid on a bi-weekly
basis during said severance period:
MONTHS OF SEVERANCE
EMPLOYMENT PERIOD
---------- ------
1 through 6 months 2 months
7 through 12 months 6 months
13 through 24 months 9 months
more than 24 months 12 months
NAI may terminate this Agreement with cause, which shall be limited to
the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) the Employee's
commission of any fraud against NAI; (ii) Employee's intentional appropriation
for his personal use or benefit the funds of the Company not authorized by the
Executive Vice President or the Board of Directors, (iii) Employee's conviction
of any crime involving moral turpitude, (iv) Employee's conviction of a
violation of any state or federal law which could result in a material adverse
impact upon the business of NAI; or (v) Employee's material violation of this
Agreement, provided that Employee shall be given written notice by NAI of any
alleged material violation of the Agreement and an opportunity within 60 days,
to cure the alleged breach, which Employee must diligently pursue to completion.
No severance pay shall be due to Employee if Employee is terminated for cause.
7. In the event of any Change in Control, the following provisions will
apply.
Any of the following shall constitute a "Change in Control" for
the purposes of this Section 7:
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A. A "person" (meaning an individual, a partnership, or other
group or association as defined in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) acquires fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined
voting power of the outstanding securities of NAI having a right to vote in
elections of directors; or
B. The members of the Board of Directors of the Company who were
members of the Board of Directors on the commencement date hereof, shall for any
reason cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company;
or
C. All, or substantially all of the business of NAI is disposed
of by NAI to a party or parties other than a subsidiary or other affiliate of
NAI, in which NAI owns less than a majority of the equity, pursuant to a partial
or complete liquidation of NAI, sale of assets (including stock of a subsidiary
of NAI) or otherwise.
In the event of any such Change in Control, this Agreement shall
continue in effect unless the Employee at his sole option, and at any time
elects voluntarily to terminate this Agreement. In such case, NAI shall pay
Employee as severance pay or liquidated damages, or both, a lump sum payment
("Change in Control Severance Payment") equal to one hundred fifty percent
(150%) of the Employee's annual salary and bonus specified in Section 3 above or
such greater amount as the Board of Directors determines from time to time
pursuant to terms which may not be revoked or reduced thereafter.
In the event this Agreement is terminated following a Change in Control
by NAI, and/or the surviving or resulting corporation, without cause, Employee
shall be entitled to a Change in Control Severance Payment equal to one hundred
fifty percent (150%) of the Employee's annual salary specified in Section 3
above or such greater amount as the Board of Directors determines from time to
time pursuant to terms which may not be revoked or reduced thereafter.
Any Severance Payment shall be made not later than the fifteenth (15th)
day following the effective date of the voluntary or involuntary termination of
this Agreement in connection with a Change in Control; provided, however, that
if the amount of such payments cannot be finally determined on or before such
date, NAI shall pay to Employee on such date a good faith estimate of the
minimum amount of such payments, and shall pay the remainder of such payments
(together with interest at the rate provided in Internal Revenue Code Section
1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code), as soon as the amount thereof can be determined, but
in no event later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the applicable termination
date. In the event the amount of the estimated payments exceeds the amount
subsequently determined to have been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by
NAI payable on the fifteenth (15th) day after receipt by Employee of a written
demand for payment from NAI (together with interest calculated as above). The
total of any payment pursuant to this Section 7 shall be limited to the extent
necessary, in the opinion of legal counsel acceptable to Employee and NAI, to
avoid the payment of an "excess parachute" payment within the meaning of
Internal Revenue Code Section 280 G or any similar successor provision.
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In the event of termination of this Agreement either by the Employee
under paragraph 7(B) or by NAI under paragraph 7(C), NAI shall cause each stock
option heretofore granted by NAI to the Employee to become fully exercisable and
to remain exercisable for the term of the option.
8. Employee and NAI hereby agree to the Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate
attached hereto and made a part hereof as Attachment #1.
9. Employee and NAI hereby agree to the Assignment of Inventions,
Patents and Copyrights Agreement Regarding Confidential Information Covenant of
Exclusivity and Not to Compete attached hereto and made a part hereof as
Attachment #2.
10. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties. It
supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the
parties hereto with respect to Employee's employment by NAI. Each party to this
Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or
agreements, oral or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on
behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein and acknowledges that no
other agreement, statement or promise not contained in this Agreement shall be
valid or binding. This Agreement may not be modified or amended by oral
agreement or course of conduct, but only by an agreement in writing signed by
the Executive Vice President of NAI and Employee.
11. This Executive Employment Agreement shall be construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
12. Should any part or provision of this Executive Employment Agreement
be held unenforceable or in conflict with the law of any jurisdiction, the
validity of the remaining parts shall not be affected by such holding.
"EMPLOYEE"
/s/ Xxxx X. XxXxxx
--------------------------------------------
Xxxx X. XxXxxx
NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
-----------------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Executive Vice President
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ATTACHMENT #1
MUTUAL AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE CLAIMS
This Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate Claims is entered into between Xxxx
X. XxXxxx ("Employee") and Natural Alternatives International, Inc. ("NAI").
1. Binding Arbitration of Disagreement and Claims
We each voluntarily promise and agree to arbitrate any claims
covered by this Agreement. We further agree that such binding arbitration
pursuant to this Agreement shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for resolving
any such claims or disputes.
2. Claims Covered by this Agreement
A. Claims and disputes covered by this Agreement include all claims
against NAI (as defined below) and all claims that NAI may have against the
Employee, including, without limitation, those arising under:
(1) Any federal, state or local laws, regulations or statutes
prohibiting employment discrimination (such as, without limitation: race, sex,
national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation) and harassment.
(2) Any alleged or actual agreement or covenant (oral, written or
implied) between Employee and NAI.
(3) Any company policy or compensation or benefit plan, unless
the decision in question was made by an entity other than NAI.
(4) Any public policy.
(5) Any other claim for personal, emotional, physical or economic
injury.
B. The only disputes between Employee and NAI which are not included
within this Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate Claims are:
(1) Any claim by Employee for workers' compensation or
unemployment compensation benefits.
(2) Any claim by Employee for benefits under a company plan which
provides for its own arbitration procedure.
3. Arbitration Procedure
A. The arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the
current Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services ("JAMS"), except that the
arbitrator shall be mutually acceptable to both parties. The arbitration will be
held in the state and county of the Employee's primary
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employment at the time of the act giving rise to the dispute. The fees and
expenses of the Arbitrator, and the arbitration, will be borne by the Company.
Each party will pay for the fees and expenses of its own attorneys, experts,
witnesses, transcripts and preparation and presentation of proofs and post-
hearing briefs, unless the party prevails on a claim for which attorneys' fees
and costs are recoverable by statute or contract, in which case the prevailing
party shall be awarded attorneys fees and costs in accordance with that statute
or contract.
B. Before such arbitration, each party shall have the right to conduct
discovery on the same basis and to the same extent as a civil action brought in
the Federal District Court for the Southern District of California.
C. Any action to enforce or vacate the arbitrator's award shall be
governed by the Federal Arbitration Act if applicable, and otherwise by
applicable state law.
4. Miscellaneous Provisions
A. The term "company" means NAI, and all related entities, all officers,
employees, directors, agents, shareholders, partners, benefit plan sponsors,
fiduciaries, administrators or affiliates of any of the above, and all
successors and assignees of any of the above.
B. If either party pursues a covered claim against the other by any
action, method or legal proceeding other than the arbitration provided herein,
the responding party shall be entitled to dismissal or injunctive relief
regarding such action and recovery of all costs, losses and attorneys' fees
related to such other action or proceeding.
C. The parties of this arbitration agreement acknowledge and agree that
they are waiving their right to a jury trial on the issues covered by this
Agreement.
D. This is the complete Agreement of the parties on the subject of
arbitration of disputes and claims. This Agreement supersedes any prior or
contemporaneous oral, written or implied understanding on the subject, shall
survive the termination of Employee's employment and can only be revoked or
modified by a written agreement signed by the parties which specifically states
an intent to revoke or modify this agreement. If any provision of this Agreement
is adjudicated to be void or otherwise unenforceable in whole or in part, such
adjudication shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the Agreement.
E. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable by a
final court decision, the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full
force and effect.
My signature below signifies that I have read, understand and agree to
the Arbitration Agreement.
"EMPLOYEE"
/s/ Xxxx X. XxXxxx
---------------------------------------------
Xxxx X. XxXxxx
NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
------------------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Executive Vice President
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ATTACHMENT #2
ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS, PATENTS AND COPYRIGHTS AGREEMENT REGARDING
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION COVENANT OF EXCLUSIVITY AND NOT TO COMPETE
In consideration of and as a condition of my prospective and continued
employment and the compensation afforded to me under the terms and conditions
thereof by Natural Alternatives International, Inc. (the "Company"), I agree to
the following, and I agree the following shall be in addition to the terms and
conditions of any Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement
executed by employees of the Company generally, and which I may execute in
addition hereto:
1. INVENTIONS
a. Disclosure. I will disclose promptly in writing to the
appropriate officer or other representative of the Company, any idea, invention,
work of authorship, design, formula, pattern, compilation, program, device,
method, technique, process, improvement, development or discovery, whether or
not patentable or copyrightable or entitled to legal protection as a trade
secret, trademark service xxxx, trade name or otherwise ("Invention"), that I
may conceive, make, develop, reduce to practice or work on, in whole or in part,
solely or jointly with others ("Invent"), during the term of my employment with
the Company. The disclosure required by this Section 1 (a) applies to each and
every Invention that I Invent (i) whether during my regular hours of employment
or during my time away from work (ii) whether or not the Invention was made at
the suggestion of the Company, and (iii) whether or not the Invention was
reduced to or embodied in writing, electronic media or tangible form. The
disclosure required by this Section 1 (a) also applies to any Invention which
may relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the Invention
to the Company's business or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or
development of the Company, and to any Invention which results from any work
performed by me for the Company. The disclosure required by this Section 1 (a)
shall be received in confidence by the Company within the meaning of and to the
extent required by California Labor Code Section 2871, the provisions of which
are set forth on Exhibit "A" hereto.
b. Assignment. I hereby assign to the Company without royalty or
any other further consideration my entire right, title and interest in and to
each and every Invention I am required to disclose under Section 1 (a) other
than an Invention that (i) I have or shall have developed entirely on my own
time without using the Company's equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret
information, (ii) does not relate at the time of conception or reduction to
practice of the Invention to the Company's business, or actual or demonstrably
anticipated research or development of the Company and (iii) does not result
from any work performed by me for the Company. I acknowledge that the Company
has notified me that the assignment provided for in this Section l(b) does not
apply to any Invention to which the assignment may not lawfully apply under the
provisions of Section Section 2870 of the California Labor Code, a copy of which
is attached as Exhibit "A" hereto.
c. Additional Assistance and Documents. I will assist the Company
in obtaining, maintaining and enforcing patents, copyrights, trade secrets,
trademarks, service marks, trade names and
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other proprietary rights in connection with any Invention I have assigned to the
Company under Section l(b), and I further agree that my obligations under this
Section l(c) shall continue beyond the termination of my employment with the
Company. Among other things, for the foregoing purposes I will (i) testify at
the request of the Company in any interference, litigation or other legal
proceeding that may arise during or after my employment, and (ii) execute,
verify, acknowledge and deliver any proper document (and, if, because of my
mental or physical incapacity or for any other reason whatsoever, the Company is
unable to obtain my signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any
United States or foreign patent or copyright covering Inventions assigned to the
Company by me, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint each of the Company
and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney in fact to
act for me and in my behalf and stead to execute and file any such applications
and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and
issuance of any United States or foreign patent or copyright thereon with the
same legal force and effect as if executed by me). I shall be entitled to
reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by me in rendering such
assistance and, if I am required to render such assistance after the termination
of my employment, the Company shall pay me a reasonable rate of compensation for
time spent by me in rendering such assistance to the extent permitted by law
(provided, I understand that no compensation shall be paid for my time in
connection with preparing for or rendering any testimony or statement under oath
in any judicial proceeding, arbitration or similar proceeding).
d. Prior Contracts and Inventions; Rights of Third Parties. I
represent to the Company that, except as set forth on Exhibit "B" hereto, there
are no other contracts to assign Inventions now in existence between me and any
other person or entity (and if no Exhibit "B" is attached hereto or there is no
such contract described thereon, then it means that by signing this Agreement, I
represent to the Company that there is no such other contract). In addition, I
represent to the Company that I have no other employments or undertaking which
do or would restrict or impair my performance of this Agreement. I further
represent to the Company that Exhibit "C" hereto sets forth a brief description
of all Inventions made or conceived by me prior to my employment with the
Company which I desire to be excluded from this Agreement (and if no Exhibit "C"
is attached hereto or there is no such description set forth thereon, then it
means that by signing this Agreement I represent to the Company that there is no
such Invention made or conceived by me prior to my employment with the Company).
In connection with my employment with the Company, I promise not to use or
disclose to the Company any patent, copyright, confidential trade secret or
other proprietary information of any previous employer or other person that I am
not lawfully entitled so to use or disclose. If in the course of my employment
with the Company I incorporate into an Invention or any product process or
service of the Company any Invention made or conceived by me prior to my
employment with the Company, I hereby grant to the Company a royalty-free,
irrevocable, worldwide nonexclusive license to make, have made, use and sell
that Invention without restriction as to the extent of my ownership or interest.
2. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
a. Company Confidential Information. I will not use or disclose
Confidential Information, whether before, during or after the term of my
employment except to perform my duties as an employee of the Company based on my
reasonable judgment as an Officer of the Company, or in accordance with
instruction or authorization of the Company, without prior written consent of
the Company or pursuant to process or requirements of law after I have disclosed
such process or requirements to the Company so as to afford it the opportunity
to seek appropriate relief therefrom.
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"Confidential Information" means any Invention of any person in which the
Company has an interest and in addition means any financial, client, customer,
supplier, marketing, distribution and other information of a confidential or
private nature connected with the business of the Company or any person with
whom it deals, provided by the Company to me or to which I have access during or
in the course of any employment.
b. Third Party Information. I acknowledge that during my
employment with the Company I may have access to patent, copyright,
confidential, trade secret or other proprietary information of third parties
subject to restrictions on the use or disclosure thereof by the Company. During
the term of my employment and thereafter I will not use or disclose any such
information other than consistent with the restrictions and my duties as an
employee of the Company.
3. PROPERTY OF THE COMPANY. All documents, instruments, notes,
memoranda, reports, drawings, blueprints, manuals, materials, data and other
papers and records of every kind which come into my possession during or in the
course of my employment, relating to any Inventions or Confidential Information,
are and shall remain the property of the Company and shall be surrendered by me
to the Company upon termination of my employment with the Company, or upon the
request of the Company, at any time during or after termination of my employment
with the Company.
4. NO SOLICITATION OF COMPANY EMPLOYEES. While employed by the Company
and for a period of one year after termination of my employment with the
Company, I agree not to induce or attempt to influence directly or indirectly
any employee of the Company to terminate employment with the Company or to work
for me or any other person or entity.
5. COVENANT OF EXCLUSIVITY AND NOT TO COMPETE. During the term of my
employment with the Company, I will not engage in any other professional
employment or consulting or directly or indirectly participate in or assist any
business which is a current or potential supplier, customer or competitor of the
Company without prior written approval from the Executive Vice President of the
Company.
6. GENERAL.
a. Assignments, Successors and Assignees. All representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties shall bind their respective
heirs, executors, personal representatives, successors and assignees
("transferees") and shall inure to the benefit of their respective permitted
transferees. The Company shall have the right to assign any or all of its rights
and to delegate any or all of its obligations hereunder. The undersigned
employee shall not have the right to assign any rights or delegate any
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company or its
transferee.
b. Number and Gender, Headings. Each number and gender shall be
deemed to include each other number and gender as the context may require. The
headings and captions contained in this agreement shall not constitute a part
thereof and shall not be used in its construction or interpretation.
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c. Severability. If any provision of this agreement is found by
any court or arbitral tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or
unenforceable, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the other
provisions of this agreement and all provisions not affected by the invalidity
shall remain in full force and effect.
d. Amendment and Modification. This agreement may be amended or
modified only by a writing executed by each party.
e. Government Law. The construction, interpretation and
performance of this agreement and all transactions under it shall be governed by
the internal laws of California.
f. Remedies. I acknowledge that breach by me of any of the
provisions of this agreement will cause irreparable injury that cannot
adequately be compensated by money damages. The Company shall be entitled to
specific performance, temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and
permanent injunctive relief to enforce my obligations under this agreement. No
remedy conferred by any of the specific provisions of this agreement is intended
to be exclusive of any other remedy. I agree to arbitrate on a final and binding
basis all disputes under this Agreement in accordance with and before the
Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service ("JAMS").
g. Attorneys' Fees. In the event of any litigation or other
action in connection with this agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled
to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements from the other party
as costs of suit and not as damages.
h. No Effect on Other Terms or Conditions of Employment. I
acknowledge that this agreement does not affect any term or condition of my
employment except as expressly provided in this agreement, and that this
agreement does not give rise to any right or entitlement on my part to
employment or continued employment with the Company. I further acknowledge that
this agreement does not affect in any way the right of the Company to terminate
my employment.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this agreement as of the date set
forth next to my signature below.
/s/ Xxxx X. XxXxxx
----------------------------
Signature of Employee
Xxxx X. XxXxxx
----------------------------
Printed Name of Employee
ACCEPTED:
NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
-----------------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Executive Vice President
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EXHIBIT "A"
CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE
SECTION 2870. INVENTION ON OWN TIME-EXEMPTION FROM AGREEMENT.
(a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an
employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an
invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the
employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer's
equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information expect for those
inventions that either:
(1) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of
the invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated
research or development of the employer.
(2) Result from any work performed by the employee for the
employer.
(b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to
require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being
required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the
public policy of this state and is unenforceable.
SECTION 2871. RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYER FOR CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.
No employer shall require a provision made void or unenforceable by
Section 2870 as a condition of employment or continued employment. Nothing in
this article shall be construed to forbid or restrict the right of an employer
to provide in contracts of employment for disclosure, provided that any such
disclosures be received in confidence, of all of the employee's inventions made
solely or jointly with others during the term of his or her employment, a review
process by the employer to determine such issues as may arise, and for full
title to certain patents and inventions to be in the United States, as required
by contracts between the employer and the United States or any of its agencies.
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EXHIBIT "B"
Except as set forth below, Employee represents to the Company that there
are no other contracts to assign Inventions now in existence between Employee
and any other person or entity (see Section l(d) of the Agreement):
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EXHIBIT "C"
Set forth below is a brief description of all Inventions made or
conceived by Employee prior to Employee's employment with the Company which
Employee desires to be excluded from this agreement (see Section l(d) of the
Agreement):
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