PhoenixToolsTerms



Phoenix Systems Innovator Agreement

This Innovator Agreement is entered into by and between the person or persons who electronically sign and submit this Agreement and are identified by name in the Submission Acknowledgement as being the Innovator or, collectively, as Innovators, and Phoenix Systems, LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Arizona and having a principal office and place of business at 1076 East Commerce Dr #400, St. George Utah. Innovator and Phoenix Systems are sometimes referred to as “Parties” and each, individually, as a “Party”.

WHEREAS, Phoenix Systems, whether directly or through one or more affiliated companies, has or has access to expertise in the review, analysis, evaluation, design, development, improvement, manufacture, commercialization, or distribution of consumer and commercial products and services;

WHEREAS, Phoenix Systems conducts and manages innovation searches seeking out innovations in products and services for acquisition, which innovation searches may be sponsored from time to time by one or more manufacturers, retailers or other sponsors;

WHEREAS, Innovator has one or more Innovations that Innovator desires to submit to Phoenix Systems for consideration of possible commercialization of one or more Innovative Products, such commercialization to be performed by Phoenix Systems, an affiliated entity of Phoenix Systems, an entity under contract with Phoenix Systems, and/or a licensee or collaborator of Phoenix Systems;

WHEREAS, Innovator purports and warrants to be the sole owner of all rights, title, and interests in and to the Innovation, including all associated Intellectual Property; and

WHEREAS, Phoenix Systems desires to Consider the Innovation for purposes of possible acquisition of the Intellectual Property;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the rights and obligations of the Parties, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

Definitions

Consider

The review, analysis, and evaluation of an Innovation.

Finalist Phase

The period of time starting on the date on which the Innovation is deemed to be a Finalist

Finalist

A categorization given to those Innovations that have been selected for presentation to an internal audience or search sponsor

Insider

An exclusive, paid membership to the Phoenix Systems Web site.

Innovator

The person or persons entering into this Agreement with Phoenix Systems.

Innovator Assignment and Commercialization Agreement

The agreement to which an Innovator automatically enters into, without negotiation, after selection. The terms and conditions of the Innovator Assignment and Commercialization Agreement can be found in Exhibit A.

Innovation

An idea from an Innovator.

Innovation Search

A process by which an Innovator submits an Innovation to Phoenix Systems.

Innovative Product

A product based on an Innovation.

Intellectual Property

Any and all inventions; any and all domestic, foreign and international patents and patent applications, including any reissue, reexamination, extension, renewal, substitution, conversion, confirmation, division, continuation, continuation-in-part, provisional, nonprovisional, and the like of any patent or patent application, and any patent or patent application claiming a right of priority to any of the foregoing; all domestic, foreign and international trademarks and trademark applications and registrations, and related domain names and Web sites; all domestic and foreign copyrights; trade secrets; know-how; and designs; and including any refinements, changes, variations, derivatives, and improvements of the foregoing; and any past or present right or cause of action arising under any of the foregoing, including the right to sue for infringement, which are incorporated in, embodied by, or otherwise directly related to an Innovation.

Notice of Selection

A notice given to an Innovator that an Innovation has been chosen for commercialization.

Publicize

The display of any details of the Innovation and the Innovator’s name on the Phoenix Systems Web site or the Web site of any of its partners or sublicenses’; and inclusion of any details of the Innovation and the Innovator’s name in articles written by Phoenix Systems or any of its partners or sublicenses’.

Submission Acknowledgment

An email message to the Innovator that contains a copy of the electronically-signed Phoenix Systems Innovator Agreement, a copy of the response by the Innovator to the Innovation Search, and a receipt for the Submission Fee. The Submission Acknowledgment serves as documentation of the Innovator’s submission.

Submission Date

The date that an Innovator submitted an Innovation to Phoenix Systems.

Term

The Term of this shall begin on the Submission Date and shall end when this Agreement is terminated.
  1. Submission for Consideration by Phoenix Systems
    1. Innovator acknowledges that Innovator is entering and upon submission entered into this Agreement only after careful consideration of this Agreement and the Innovator Assignment and Commercialization Agreement, and that Innovator has had full and fair opportunity to seek legal advice concerning the rights and obligations of the Parties to this Agreement.
    2. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement is being concurrently submitted with a true, accurate, and complete response to an Innovation Search on the Phoenix Systems Web site located at the Uniform Resource Identifier, www.brakebleeder.com and that this Agreement is being electronically signed and submitted through the Phoenix Systems Web. Upon successful receipt by Phoenix Systems of both the electronic signature to this Agreement and the response by the Innovator to the Innovation Search, Phoenix Systems shall send an email message to the Innovator a copy of the electronically signed Agreement.
    3. The Submission Date shall be set forth in the Submission Acknowledgment.
    4. Innovator does not transfer under this Agreement any rights, interests, or title in or to any tangible items, including any products, prototypes, or proofs-of-concept, and it is the intent of the Parties that this Agreement not be deemed to constitute an “offer of sale” or “sale” under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b).
    5. Phoenix Systems does not take responsibility for the return of any of Innovator’s products, prototypes, or proofs-of-concept. Phoenix Systems shall make reasonable efforts to return such items upon request, however the Parties understand and acknowledge that in certain cases the return of such items is not possible, and Innovator shall not expect the return of such.
  2. Confidentiality; Consideration by Phoenix Systems
    1. Phoenix Systems shall treat the Innovation as confidential and not disclose the Innovation to any third party; provided, however, that Phoenix Systems may disclose the Innovation to a third party that has executed a confidentiality agreement with Phoenix Systems for the purpose of considering the commercialization of the Innovation. This Agreement imposes no obligation of confidentiality upon Phoenix Systems with respect to any information (i) that was in Phoenix Systems’s possession before receipt from Innovator; (ii) is or becomes a matter of public knowledge through no fault of Phoenix Systems; (iii) is rightfully received by Phoenix Systems from a third party not owing a duty of confidentiality to the Innovator; (iv) is disclosed without a duty of confidentiality to a third party by, or with the authorization of, Innovator; or (v) is independently developed by Phoenix Systems.
    2. During the Term, Phoenix Systems shall Consider the Innovation with respect to the Innovation Search to which the Innovator made the submission as well as for other Innovation Searches that may be conducted by Phoenix Systems. Phoenix Systems may Consider the Innovation for additional Innovation Searches without any resubmission or further payment of any fee so long as this Agreement has not been terminated. Such consideration by Phoenix Systems shall not be an evaluation of the merits of any prototype or commercial sample for purposes of purchase by Phoenix Systems, and such consideration may be performed manually, by computer analysis, or both. Phoenix Systems may also, so long as this Agreement has not been terminated, present the Innovation to third parties in an effort to commercialize the Innovation by way of a license or other form of commercialization agreement.
    3. At some point during an Innovation Search, the Innovation may be declared to be a Finalist. If and when a submission becomes a Finalist, the Innovation shall be deemed to be in the Finalist Phase. During any Finalist Phase, Innovator shall not submit the Innovation for consideration or evaluation by any product submission company or the like, nor entertain or explore other avenues for commercializing the Innovation or any part of it without the prior written consent of Phoenix Systems.
    4. As long as the Innovator remains an Insider of the Phoenix Systems Web site, and as long as the Innovation Search specifications do not state otherwise, the Innovator may re-submit the Innovation for future Innovation Searches on the Phoenix Systems Web.
    5. During the Term of this Agreement and in consideration for Phoenix Systems’s promise to Consider the Innovation, Innovator agrees to the Innovator Assignment and Commercialization Agreement attached as Exhibit A, including all of the terms and obligations, upon receipt of a Notice of Selection for commercialization of the Innovation.
    6. In consideration for Phoenix Systems’s promise to Consider the Innovation, Innovator grants Phoenix Systems all Intellectual Property and publicity rights necessary for Phoenix Systems, at its option, to Publicize the Innovation, including, without limitation, the right to use the Innovator’s name. Innovator agrees that Phoenix Systems can sublicense these rights to third parties, solely for the purposes described in this paragraph; provided, however, the rights granted in subsection 2.D shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
    7. Unless and until a Notice of Selection is received by the Innovator, and except as set forth in section 2.C, Phoenix Systems shall not receive any rights, title, and interests in, to, and under any of the Intellectual Property.
    8. Innovator understands that Phoenix Systems or its sub licensees and partners may be developing products, services, concepts, systems, methods or techniques, or may be receiving information from other parties that may be similar to the Innovation. Innovator’s submission of the Innovation will not prohibit or in any way limit Phoenix Systems or its sub licensees or partners from independently developing (or having developed for them) products, services, concepts, systems, methods or techniques that are similar to or compete with the products, concepts, systems, methods or techniques contemplated by or embodied in the Innovation.
  3. Representations, Warranties and Indemnity
    1. INNOVATOR REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS TO PHOENIX SYSTEMS AND ANY AFFILIATE THAT:
      1. INNOVATOR IS THE SOLE OWNER OF ALL RIGHTS, INTERESTS, AND TITLE IN AND TO THE INTELLECTUALPROPERTY THAT IS      INCORPORATED IN, EMBODIED BY, OR OTHERWISE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THEINNOVATION;
      2. INNOVATOR HAS THE RIGHT AND ABILITY TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT;
      3. INNOVATOR HAS THE RIGHT AND ABILITY TO ENTER INTO THE INNOVATOR ASSIGNMENT ANDCOMMERCIALIZATION AGREEMENT ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT A;
      4. DURING THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT, INNOVATOR SHALL NOT SELL, HYPOTHECATE, ASSIGN, PLEDGE, TRANSFER, GRANT, OR OTHERWISE ENCUMBER ANY TYPE OF INTEREST IN THE INNOVATION OR THEINTELLECTUAL PROPERTY;
      5. INNOVATOR HAS NO SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF ANY CLAIMS TO, OR REASONS WHY INNOVATOR DOES NOTHAVE CLEAR TITLE TO, THE INNOVATION OR ANY OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY;
      6. INNOVATOR HAS NO SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING ANY PATENT, THATWOULD BE INFRINGED BY A PROTOTYPE OR COMMERCIAL SAMPLE OF INNOVATOR THAT REPRESENTS THEINNOVATION;
      7. ALL STATEMENTS, DISCLOSURES, AND REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY INNOVATOR, WHETHER WRITTEN ORORAL, ARE TRUE, ACCURATE, AND COMPLETE; AND
      8. WITHOUT IN ANY WAY LIMITING THE FOREGOING, INNOVATOR CERTIFIES THAT INNOVATOR HAS NOTWITHHELD OR MISCHARACTERIZED ANY INFORMATION REGARDING INNOVATOR, INNOVATOR’SBACKGROUND, THE INNOVATION, THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OR ANY MATERIAL FACTS PERTAINING TOTHERETO.
    2. INNOVATOR SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS PHOENIX SYSTEMS AND ANY AFFILIATE OR PARTY IN PRIVYWITH PHOENIX SYSTEMS FROM AND AGAINST ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS, LAWSUITS, PROCEEDINGS, DAMAGES, INJURIES, EXPENSES, COSTS, AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES RESULTING FROM, RELATING TO, CONCERNING OR INCONNECTION WITH A BREACH OF ANY OF INNOVATOR’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
    3. ANY BREACH BY INNOVATOR OF ANY REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY, OR OBLIGATION OF THIS SECTION SHALL BEDEEMED HEREIN A MATERIAL BREACH.
  4. Resolution of Disputes
    1. If a dispute, controversy, or claim arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the Parties agree to submit their dispute, controversy, or claim to mediation to be administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the local rules of the United States District Court for the District of Utah applicable to mediation. Mediation will be mandatory prior to resorting to arbitration. The site of mediation shall be St. George, UT
    2. If the dispute, controversy, or claim is not settled or resolved by mediation, then the Parties agree that it shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Patent Arbitration Rules before a panel of three arbitrators. The site of the arbitration shall be St. George, UT, and any award rendered shall be binding and not appealable. The Parties agree that any award rendered by such arbitration may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement, but not for review or any other proceedings beyond enforcement.
    3. The prevailing Party in arbitration shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs, fees, and expenses that are directly associated with the arbitration and mediation. Such recovery shall be included in the arbitration award for enforcement through the judicial system.
    4. Any award for Phoenix Systems against Innovator may include specific performance by Innovator in accordance with one or more obligations of this Agreement, including execution of the Innovator Assignment and Commercialization Agreement attached as Exhibit A.
    5. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 4.C, NO MONETARY DAMAGES SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO INNOVATOR, WHETHERARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY, OR CLAIM, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL ANAWARD TO INNOVATOR INCLUDE ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF PROFIT, REVENUE, OPPORTUNITY, DATA, OR USE.
  5. Termination
    1. During any Finalist Phase, the Parties jointly may agree to terminate this Agreement; however, neither Party shall have the unilateral right to terminate this Agreement even if a material breach occurs by the other Party.
    2. Innovator shall have the unilateral right to terminate this Agreement without cause by providing written notice to Phoenix Systems at any time that is outside of any Finalist Phase.
    3. Phoenix Systems shall have the unilateral right to terminate this Agreement without cause by written notice to the Innovator at any time that is outside of any Finalist Phase, or after the end of the period of time in which Phoenix Systems is Considering the Innovation.
    4. Any means of specifically indicating termination of this Agreement that is provided for by Phoenix Systems on the Phoenix Systems Web site shall be deemed “written notice” except for those Innovations declared Finalists, which shall be notified as provided in Section 6 or by email.
  6. Miscellaneous Provisions
    1. Notices. Any notices and communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be deemed made and delivered when actually received in writing by the receiving party, or 3 days after being transmitted by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the receiving party. For purposes of notice, the notice address for Phoenix Systems shall be the address set forth above, and the notice address for the Innovator shall be the address set forth below for the Innovator. Any of the Parties may change its address by notice to the other Party in accordance with this paragraph.
    2. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter, and no modifications or revisions shall have any force or effect unless made in writing and executed by all Parties. Any oral representations or agreements made prior to this Agreement are merged and superseded by this Agreement.
    3. Severance. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is declared void or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed severed from this Agreement, and this Agreement shall otherwise remain in full force and effect unless its purpose cannot be effected absent the severed provision.
    4. Controlling Law. This Agreement has been made and entered into in Washington County in the State of Utah and shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah. The Parties consent to personal jurisdiction in the federal and state courts located in Washington County.
    5. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties as well as their respective successors, legal representatives, heirs, and assigns.
    6. Relationship of the Parties. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed as creating an agency, joint venture, partnership, or franchise relationship between the Parties. The Innovator is not a contestant, and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed as creating a contest. Except as expressly set forth, no Party is, by virtue of this Agreement, authorized as an agent, employee, or legal representative of any other Party.
    7. No Third-Party Beneficiary. The provisions of this Agreement are for the sole benefit of Innovator, Phoenix Systems, and any affiliate of Phoenix Systems, and are not intended to convey any rights and benefits to anyone else, nor shall this Agreement be interpreted to convey any rights or benefits to any other persons.
    8. No Implicit Obligations. Innovator acknowledges that no implicit obligations arise under this Agreement including, but not limited to, any obligations to commercialize, and any obligations of nonuse or restrictions on use.
    9. Assignment. Innovator may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to another person or entity only with the prior written approval of Phoenix Systems, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Phoenix Systems may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to another person or entity without the prior written approval of Innovator.
    10. Further Assurances. The Parties agree to execute such other documents and provide such further assurances, if any, as may be reasonably required from time to time, to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement.
Exhibit A

Form of the “Innovator Assignment and Commercialization Agreement”

INNOVATOR ASSIGNMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION AGREEMENT

This Innovator Assignment and Commercialization Agreement (“Assignment”) is entered into as of the Effective Date by and between the person or persons identified at the end of this Assignment as being the “Assignor” (collectively, “Assignors”), and Phoenix Systems, LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Arizona and has a principal office and place of business at 1076 East Commerce Dr #400 St. George, UT 84790 (“Assignee”). Assignor and Assignee are sometimes referred to as “Parties” and each, individually, as a “Party”.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Assignor and Assignee are Parties to that certain Phoenix Systems Innovator Agreement, which is incorporated by reference for the sole purpose of defining terms appearing in this Assignment;

WHEREAS, Assignor agreed to the terms and conditions of the Prior Agreement as part of a submission that Assignor entered on the Phoenix Systems Web site, the Submission Acknowledgement for which is included as Schedule A;

WHEREAS, Assignor is obligated under the Prior Agreement to sign this Assignment for purposes of possible commercialization of one or more products based on the Innovation submitted by Innovator to Assignee under the Prior Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Assignee desires to acquire, in accordance with the terms and obligations arising under this Assignment, all rights to the Intellectual Property now existing or created in the future that are associated with the Innovation;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and obligations of the Parties set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

DEFINITIONS

Adjusted Gross Revenue

Gross Revenues less the sum of all Selling and Fulfillment Costs, Fees and Commissions, Patent Fees, Production Costs, and Returns and Bad Debts; any and all refunds, credits, credit card processing fees, charge-backs, and other allowances to customers arising from the return or rejection of goods or otherwise granted in the ordinary course of business, and less any attorney fees directly associated with a legal contract under which any Innovative Products or any of the Intellectual Property is commercialized.

Annuity Payment

Annual payments made by Assignee to Assignor.

Assignment Channel

A Commercialization Channel whereby Assignee assigns all rights, title and interest in, to and under any of the Intellectual Property for a lump-sum payment.

Assignment Revenue

Any monies received by Assignee that are received solely in connection with assignment of all rights, title, and interest in, to and under any of the Intellectual Property. For purposes of clarification, Assignment Revenues shall not include any monies received by Assignee in connection with enforcement actions against alleged infringers of the Intellectual Property, and any monies reasonably determined by Assignor to be Assignment Revenues shall not be considered Gross Revenues, or Licensing Revenues.

Commercialization Channel

A method by which Assignee attempts to commercialize an Innovative Product.

Development Channel

A Commercialization Channel whereby Assignee designs, or engineers, or manufactures and sells the Innovative Product.

Effective Date

The date on which the Parties have executed this Assignment. If the Parties execute this Assignment on different dates, then the Effective Date shall be the latest date of execution.

Fees and Commissions

All fees, commissions, and expenses payable to third parties in connection with Assignee’s efforts to commercialize any Innovative Product and any of the Intellectual Property.

Gross Revenue

All monies actually received by Assignee resulting from efforts by Assignee to commercialize any Innovative Products and any of the Intellectual Property, including the manufacture and sale of Innovative Products. For purposes of clarification, Gross Revenues shall not include any monies received by Assignee in connection with enforcement actions against alleged infringers of the Intellectual Property; any monies received by Assignee in connection with licensing of, or the grant of rights under, the Intellectual Property, as well as any monies received by Assignee in connection with the explicit grant of any covenant not to sue under the Intellectual Property; or any monies received by Assignee arising solely in connection with assignment of all rights, title, and interest in, to and under any of the Intellectual Property. Furthermore, any monies reasonably determined by Assignor to be Gross Revenues shall not be considered Licensing Revenues, or Assignment Revenues.

Innovation

An idea from an Innovator.

Innovation Search

A process by which an Innovator submits an Innovation to Phoenix Systems.

Innovative Product

A product based on an Innovation.

Intellectual Property

Any and all inventions; any and all domestic, foreign and international patents and patent applications, including any reissue, reexamination, extension, renewal, substitution, conversion, confirmation, division, continuation, continuation-in-part, provisional, non-provisional, and the like of any patent or patent application, and any patent or patent application claiming a right of priority to any of the foregoing; all domestic, foreign and international trademarks and trademark applications and registrations, and related domain names and Web sites; all domestic and foreign copyrights; trade secrets; know-how; and designs; and including any refinements, changes, variations, derivatives, and improvements of the foregoing; and any past or present right or cause of action arising under any of the foregoing, including the right to sue for infringement, which are incorporated in, embodied by, or otherwise directly related to an Innovation.

Licensing Channel

A Commercialization Channel whereby Assignee licenses the Intellectual Property to one or more third parties to commercialize the Innovative Products.

Licensing Revenue

Any monies received by Assignee less the sum of all Patent Fees that, in cases where Assignee has not conducted research, design, engineering, prototyping, market research and/or provided related services, are received in connection with licensing of, or the grant of rights under, the Intellectual Property, as well as any monies received by Assignee in connection with the explicit grant of any covenant not to sue under the Intellectual Property. For purposes of clarification, Licensing Revenues shall not include any monies received by Assignee in connection with enforcement actions against alleged infringers of the Intellectual Property, and any monies reasonably determined by Assignor to be Licensing Revenue shall not be considered Gross Revenues, or Assignment Revenues.

Partner Channel

A Commercialization Channel whereby Assignee conducts market research, or designs, or engineers, or develops prototypes, or performs other related services for the Innovative Product, then licenses the Intellectual Property to one or more third parties to commercialize the Innovative Product.

Patent Fees

Any fees or costs associated with the assignment, filing, prosecution and maintenance of any domestic or foreign patent applications and patents relating to the Intellectual Property, including but not limited to application costs, filing and examination fees, prosecution costs, assignment and issue fees, maintenance fees, appeal fees, miscellaneous fees and costs for PCT filings and associated foreign fees.

Prior Agreement

The agreement entered into by Assignor and Assignee that is titled “Phoenix Systems Innovator Agreement”, a copy of which Assignor received in the Submission Acknowledgment.

Production Costs

The actual costs of producing and running media for a direct response television advertisement, including telemarketing and web expenses, talent location, props and any other associated costs.

Publicize

The display of any details of the Innovation and the Innovator’s name on the Phoenix Systems Web site or the Web site of any of its partners or sub-licensees; and inclusion of any details of the Innovation and the Innovator’s name in articles written by Phoenix Systems or any of its partners or sub-licensees.

Returns and Bad Debts

All allowances and credits to Assignee’s customers on account of rejection or return of units of Innovative Products, losses incurred by Assignee due to returned merchandise which cannot be resold or otherwise becomes obsolete, and losses incurred by Assignee due to credit card charge-backs, bad checks, and other uncollectible debts.

Selling and Fulfillment Costs

The costs incurred by Assignee associated with sales and fulfillment of orders for the Innovative Products, including, without limitation, all actual and reasonable charges for media, inbound telemarketing, order taking and processing, credit card and check processing, warehousing, landed costs, freight in costs, applicable duties, taxes, insurance, packaging, shipping to customers, customer service, markdown money, fees, commissions, and other actual and reasonable amounts payable to brokers, distributors, and other third parties incurred in connection with such sales.

Submission Acknowledgment

An email message to the Innovator that contains a copy of the electronically-signed Phoenix Systems Innovator Agreement, a copy of the response by the Innovator to the Innovation Search. The Submission Acknowledgment serves as documentation of the Innovator’s submission.

Term

The Term of this shall begin on the Effective Date and shall end when this Assignment is terminated.

Termination Date

The 20th anniversary of the Effective Date.

Threshold Date

5 years after the Effective Date.
  1. Assignment of Intellectual Property
  2. Assignor irrevocably quitclaims, sells, assigns, transfers, and conveys to Assignee all rights, title, and interests in, to, and under the Intellectual Property. Assignor does not, however, transfer title to, or grant any rights or interests in, any tangible articles of the Intellectual Property. Due to the nature of Assignee’s business, which often includes sending materials and prototypes to one or more potential licensees or partners, Assignee cannot guarantee the condition in which materials or prototypes will be returned to Assignor, if they are returned at all. Accordingly, Assignor agrees not to send Assignee materials or prototypes that Assignor wants returned.
  3. Assignor further grants to Assignee the right to file one or more patent applications covering the Innovation or all or part of the Intellectual Property, and covenants and agrees, and binds any and all heirs, administrators, legal representatives, nominees, and assigns, to assist and cooperate with Assignee in the preparation and prosecution of any patent, trademark, or copyright application included within the Intellectual Property and in the prosecution or defense of any interference, opposition, lawsuit, or other proceeding that may arise in connection with the Intellectual Property and, further, to execute and deliver to Assignee any and all additional petitions, oaths, assignments, or other papers or instruments that may be reasonably requested by Assignee; provided, however, that the actual, reasonable costs to Assignor that are incurred in compliance by Assignor with such assistance and cooperation will be reimbursed by Assignee.
  4. Assignor further covenants and agrees to authorize and empower Assignee to invoke and claim for any patent application, patent, trademark application, and trademark registration included within the Intellectual Property the benefit of any rights to which Assignor might be entitled under international law or under the laws of any particular country, and to invoke and claim such rights without further written or oral authorization from Assignor. Assignor appoints Assignee as its lawful attorney-in-fact to act on its behalf for the limited purposes of effecting recordation or public notice of the assignment of any of the Intellectual Property, including the execution of assignment instruments for purposes of recordation with, for example, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office.
  5. Assignor further covenants and agrees that this Assignment shall inure to the benefit of the successors, assigns, legal representatives, or nominees of Assignee, without further written or oral authorization from Assignor.
  6. Assignor further covenants and agrees that Assignor shall not take any action that would adversely impact the amounts of Annuity Payments that may become due to Assignor, such actions including, without limitation, Assignor endorsing, promoting, selling, or otherwise commercializing any product that competes with an Innovative Product. It is the intent of the Parties that this Section benefit Assignee and it licensees.
  7. The Parties acknowledge and agree that Assignee is to have, as between the Parties, the exclusive right to commercialize Innovative Products and the Intellectual Property, and Assignor agrees not to grant any rights to any third party and agrees not to work with, cooperate, or assist any third party with respect to commercialization of either the Innovative Products or any of the Intellectual Property without the express written consent of Assignee.
  8. Any breach by Assignor of any obligation of this Section shall be deemed a material breach of this Assignment.
  9. Commercialization Channels; Consideration to Assignor in Exchange for Assignment
Assignee, in its sole discretion, may attempt to commercialize the Innovative Product through one or more of the following Commercialization Channels:
  1. Licensing Channel
If Assignee is successful in executing a license agreement for the Intellectual Property for the Innovative Product, then Assignee shall make annual payments to Assignor, subject to the terms and conditions provided in Section 3 of this Assignment.
  1. If, however, Assignee is unsuccessful in licensing the Intellectual Property for the Innovative Product, then Assignee shall return to Assignor all Intellectual Property, including any patent applications or issued patents, along with any unused samples or prototypes for the Innovative Product.
  2. Development Channel
When Assignee manufactures and sells the Innovative Product, then Assignee shall make annual payments to Assignor, subject to the terms and conditions provided in Section 3.
  1. For the purpose of clarification, the Development Channel applies to Innovative Products that are designed, or engineered, or developed, or manufactured and sold by or under the direction of Assignee.
  2. Partner Channel
When Assignee conducts market research, or designs, or engineers, or develops prototypes, or conducts related services, then licenses the Intellectual Property for the Innovative Product to a third party, then Assignee shall make annual payments to Assignor, subject to the terms and conditions provided in Section 3 of this Assignment.
  1. For the purpose of clarification, the Partner Channel applies to Innovative Products for which Assignee initially designs, or engineers, or develops prototypes, then licenses the Intellectual Property to a third party that manufactures and sells the Innovative Products.
  2. Assignment Channel
When Assignee assigns all rights, title and interest in, to and under any of the Intellectual Property to a third party for a lump-sum payment, then Assignee shall make a single payment to Assignor, subject to the terms and conditions provided in Section 3 of this Assignment.
  1. For the purpose of clarification, the Assignment Channel involves a single payment by Assignee to Assignor and no future payments of any kind whatsoever.
  2. Annuity Payment Schedule
  3. After Assignee chooses a Commercialization Channel and the Innovative Product is commercialized, the Annuity Payments from Assignee to Assignor due shall become payable upon the following schedule:
  4. Assignee reserves the right to make payments otherwise due under Section 2.A(1)-(5) more frequently in its sole discretion.
  5. After the end of each calendar quarter, Assignee shall send to Assignor a written report setting forth in reasonable detail the accrued Adjusted Gross Revenues, Licensing Revenues, and Assignment Revenues for such calendar quarter. The information contained in the written reports shall form the basis for the amount of each Annuity Payment under Section 2.A(1)-(5). If there are no accrued Adjusted Gross Revenues, Licensing Revenues, and Assignment Revenues for such calendar quarter, then no written report shall be sent.
  6. Upon any material breach of this Assignment by Assignor, which is defined to be a breach of Assignor’s obligations set forth in Section 1; a breach of Assignor’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 6, or any breach of any obligations of Assignor under the Prior Agreement, any and all obligations to make any Annuity Payment that has not become due and payable as of the date of such breach shall terminate.
  7. Grantback Provision
  8. If, on the Threshold Date, cumulative total of Annuities that have become due and payable to Assignor by Assignee amounts to less than $100,000.00, then Assignor shall have the right, upon written request to Assignee, to cause Assignee to convey to Assignor all rights, title, and interests in and to any then-existing patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, trademark registrations, copyrights, and copyright applications of the Intellectual Property that is owned by Assignee. Simultaneously with such conveyance, Assignor shall grant to Assignee a non-exclusive, perpetual license in and to such patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, trademark registrations, copyrights, and copyright applications of the Intellectual Property that are conveyed. Such license shall include the right to sublicense, and all of the provisions of this Assignment shall continue in full force and effect to the extent not contradicted by this Section.
  9. If Assignor does not exercise the right to conveyance set forth in Section 4.A within 1 year of the Threshold Date, then Assignor shall be deemed to have waived such right to conveyance.
  10. For the purposes of avoiding the conveyance contemplated by Section 4.A, Assignee shall have the right to make payment to Assignor of any amount required to make up the difference between the cumulative total of Annuities made to Assignor by Assignee and $100,000.00. If Assignee exercises this right to cover the shortfall, then Assignor shall not have the right to conveyance set forth in Section 4.A.
  11. Audit Rights of Assignor
  12. Assignee shall keep true and accurate records as to all Innovative Products sold by it and all instances of commercialization by it of the Intellectual Property.
  13. Assignor, through an independent, designated representative acceptable to Assignee (such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld), shall have the right at reasonable times and upon reasonable advance notice, not more often than once per calendar year, to inspect and audit Assignee’s records at Assignor’s expense for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of any Annuity Payment and written statement furnished to Assignor by Assignee under this Assignment. The independent, designated representative shall report only on the accuracy or any discrepancy in the Annuity Payment and shall not disclose any confidential information of Assignee, including, without limitation, its licensees, its customers, and any individual sales.
  14. Assignee’s audit right shall apply only for each Annuity Payment that has become due and payable.
  15. Term and Non-Termination
  16. The term of this Assignment shall naturally expire on the Termination Date.
  17. The Parties jointly may agree to terminate this Assignment; however, neither Party shall have the unilateral right to terminate this Assignment even if a material breach occurs by the other Party.
  18. Assignor’s sole remedy for any material breach of this Assignment by Assignee shall be limited to monetary damages that directly result from a breach of this Assignment by Assignee.
  19. Assignee’s remedy for any material breach of this Assignment by Assignor may include monetary damages as well as specific performance.
  20. Representations, Warranties and Indemnity
  21. ASSIGNOR REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS TO ASSIGNEE THAT:
  22. ASSIGNOR IS THE SOLE OWNER OF ALL RIGHTS, TITLE, AND INTEREST IN AND TO THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY;
  23. ASSIGNOR HAS NOT HYPOTHECATED, PLEDGED, TRANSFERRED, OR GRANTED ANY TYPE OF ENCUMBRANCE OR SECURITY INTEREST IN THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY;
iii. ASSIGNOR HAS THE RIGHT AND ABILITY TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT;
  1. ASSIGNOR HAS NO SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF ANY CLAIMS OR REASONS WHY ASSIGNOR DOES NOT HAVE CLEAR TITLE TO ANY OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY;
  2. ASSIGNOR HAS NO SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF ANY RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES, INCLUDING ANY PATENT RIGHTS, THAT WOULD BE INFRINGED BY ANY OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY;
  3. ALL STATEMENTS, DISCLOSURES, AND REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY ASSIGNOR TO ASSIGNEE, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, ARE TRUE, ACCURATE, AND COMPLETE; AND
vii. WITHOUT IN ANY WAY LIMITING THE FOREGOING, ASSIGNOR CERTIFIES THAT ASSIGNOR HAS NOT WITHHELD OR MISCHARACTERIZED TO ASSIGNEE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING ASSIGNOR, ASSIGNOR’S BACKGROUND, THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OR ANY FACTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING TO THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
  1. ASSIGNOR SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ASSIGNEE AND ANY AFFILIATE OF ASSIGNEE FROM AND AGAINST ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS, LAWSUITS, PROCEEDINGS, DAMAGES, INJURIES, EXPENSES, COSTS, AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES RESULTING FROM, RELATING TO, CONCERNING, OR IN CONNECTION WITH A BREACH OF ANY OF ASSIGNOR’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
  2. ANY BREACH BY ASSIGNOR OF ANY REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, OR OBLIGATIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED HEREIN A MATERIAL BREACH.
  3. Resolution of Disputes
  4. If a dispute, controversy, or claim out of or relates to this Assignment, or the breach thereof, the Parties agree to submit the dispute, controversy, or claim to mediation to be administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the local rules of the United States District Court for the District of Utah applicable to mediation. Mediation will be mandatory prior to resorting to arbitration. The site of mediation shall be St. George, Utah.
  5. If the dispute, controversy, or claim is not settled or resolved by mediation, then the dispute, controversy, or claim shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Patent Arbitration Rules before a panel of three arbitrators. The site of the arbitration shall be St. George, Utah, and any award rendered shall be binding and not appealable. The Parties agree that any award rendered by such arbitration may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement, but not for review or any other proceedings beyond enforcement.
  6. The prevailing Party in arbitration shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs, fees, and expenses that are directly associated with the arbitration and mediation. Such recovery shall be included in the arbitration award for enforcement through the judicial system.
  7. Any award for Assignee against Assignor may include, in addition to or in substitution for monetary damages, specific performance by Assignor in accordance with one or more obligations of this Assignment.
  8. ANY AWARD FOR ASSIGNOR AGAINST ASSIGNEE SHALL BE LIMITED TO MONETARY DAMAGES ARISING DIRECTLY FROM THE DISPUTE,CONTROVERSY, OR CLAIM AND IN NO EVENT SHALL AN AWARD TO ASSIGNOR INCLUDE ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF PROFIT, REVENUE, OPPORTUNITY OR USE.
  9. Miscellaneous Provisions
  10. Notices.Any notices and communications required or permitted under this Assignment shall be deemed made and delivered when actually received in writing by the receiving party, or 3 days after being transmitted by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the receiving party. For purposes of notice, the notice address for Assignee shall be the address set forth in the preamble above, and the notice address for Assignor shall be the address first set forth below for Assignor. Any of the Parties may change its address by notice to the other Party in accordance with this paragraph.
  11. Entire Agreement.This Assignment constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter, and no modifications or revisions shall have any force or effect unless made in writing and executed by all Parties. Any oral representations or agreements made prior to this Assignment are merged and superseded by this Assignment.
  12. Severance.In the event that any provision of this Assignment is declared void or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed severed from this Assignment, and this Assignment shall otherwise remain in full force and effect unless its purpose cannot be effected absent the severed provision.
  13. Controlling Law.This Assignment has been made and entered into in Washington County in the State of Utah and shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah. The Parties consent to personal jurisdiction in the federal and state courts located in Washington County.
  14. Binding Effect.This Assignment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties as well as their respective successors, legal representatives, heirs, and assigns.
  15. Relationship of the Parties. Nothing contained in this Assignment shall be deemed or construed as creating an agency, joint venture, partnership, or franchise relationship between the Parties. Except as expressly set forth, no Party is, by virtue of this Assignment, authorized as an agent, employee, or legal representative of any other Party.
  16. No Third-Party Beneficiary.Except for the provisions of section 1.F and 1.G, the provisions of this Assignment are for the sole benefit of Assignor and Assignee only and are not intended to convey any rights and benefits to any third party, nor shall this Assignment be interpreted to convey any rights or benefits to any person except the Parties.
  17. No Implicit Obligations.Assignor acknowledges that no implicit obligations arise under this Assignment, including but not limited to any obligations to commercialize, and any obligations of nonuse or restrictions on use.
  18. Assignment.Assignor may assign its rights under this Assignment to another person or entity only with the prior written approval of Assignee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Assignee may assign its rights under this Assignment to another person or entity without approval by Assignor (any approval otherwise required hereby being waived), and Assignor hereby consents to any future assignment of rights by Assignee and to any novation necessary to effect substitution of Assignee by another person or entity that assumes all of the rights and obligations of Assignee under this Assignment.
  19. Further Assurances.The Parties agree to execute such other documents and provide such further assurances, if any, as may be reasonably required from time to time to give effect to the provisions of this Assignment.
EXHIBIT A - “The Innovation”