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EXHIBIT 10(ooo)
ESCROW AGREEMENT
This Escrow Agreement is made and entered into this ___ day of ________,
1996 (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") by and among:
[THE TRUST DIVISION OF A BANK] ("ESCROW AGENT")
INTUIT INC. ("INTUIT")
and
CHECKFREE CORPORATION ("CHECKFREE")
WHEREAS, Intuit and CheckFree, together with CheckFree Acquisition
Corporation II and Intuit Services Corporation, have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger dated September 15, 1996 (the "PLAN") pursuant to which
CheckFree will acquire, by merger (the "MERGER"), Intuit Services Corporation, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Intuit;
WHEREAS, the consideration to Intuit for the Merger is shares of
CheckFree's common stock;
WHEREAS, Article VII of the Plan provides for indemnification of CheckFree
by Intuit under the circumstances described therein against certain losses,
costs, claims, damages, penalties and expenses (collectively referred to herein
as "CLAIMS"); and
WHEREAS, Escrow Agent is willing to act as escrow agent on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Escrow Agreement
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED THAT:
1. ESTABLISHMENT OF ESCROW FUND. Escrow Agent hereby acknowledges receipt
from CheckFree of CheckFree Common Stock Certificates Nos. _____, _____ and
_____ for an aggregate of _____ shares of Common Stock of CheckFree, registered
in the name of Intuit (the "ESCROW SHARES"), together with stock powers executed
by Intuit with respect thereto, to be held as provided in this Escrow Agreement,
CheckFree and Intuit acknowledge that the Escrow Shares are being issued in
connection with the Merger.
2. DISPOSITION OF ESCROW SHARES BY ESCROW AGENT.
(a) PURPOSE. This Escrow Agreement supplements the indemnification
provisions set forth in Article VII of the Plan.
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(b) CLAIMS BY CHECKFREE. If, on or prior to the first (1st)
anniversary of the Effective Date of this Escrow Agreement, CheckFree claims to
be entitled to indemnification for any Claims pursuant to Article VII of the
Plan and CheckFree seeks to recover for such indemnification by having Escrow
Shares cancelled and returned to CheckFree pursuant to this Agreement, then
CheckFree will, in addition to giving Intuit written notice of such Claim as
provided in Sections 7.02 and 7.03 of the Plan (a "CLAIM NOTICE"), promptly
notify the Escrow Agent in writing of the Claim and of CheckFree's intention to
have Escrow Shares cancelled in satisfaction of CheckFree's rights to
indemnification under Article VII of the Plan. CheckFree will also notify Intuit
and the Escrow Agent in writing (the "ESCROW SHARE NOTICE") of the bona fide
number of Escrow Shares that CheckFree in good faith believes should be
cancelled and delivered to it as a result of the Claim (which number of Escrow
Shares (the "CLAIMED ESCROW SHARES") shall be determined by dividing the amount
of the Claim by the Average Share Price (as defined below). The "AVERAGE SHARE
PRICE" means the average per share closing price of CheckFree Common Stock as
reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market for the last five (5) trading days
immediately preceding the effective date of the Plan, as adjusted from time to
time to reflect any Capital Change (as defined in Section 2.01 of the Plan)
occurring subsequent to the effective date of the Plan. Unless Intuit shall
notify Escrow Agent and CheckFree, within thirty (30) days after Intuit' receipt
of both the Claim Notice and the Escrow Share Notice, of Intuit's objection to
the delivery to CheckFree of the number of Claimed Escrow Shares, the Escrow
Agent shall, promptly following the expiration of such thirty (30) day notice
period, deliver to CheckFree stock certificates for the number of Escrow Shares
equal to the Claimed Escrow Shares, with related stock powers transferring the
number of Claimed Escrow Shares to CheckFree. To the extent that Escrow Shares
are so delivered to CheckFree, the Claim and CheckFree's right to
indemnification therefor, shall be satisfied. As used herein, the term
"CONTESTED CLAIM" means any Claim of CheckFree for indemnification under Article
VII hereof that is contested by Intuit.
(c) CONDITIONS TO RELEASE OF ESCROW SHARES. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2(d) of this Escrow Agreement, in the event that Intuit
shall notify the Escrow Agent of its objection to the delivery of Escrow Shares
to CheckFree as provided herein, the Escrow Agent shall continue to hold such
Escrow Shares until the earlier of: (i) the date Escrow Agent receives written
instructions signed by both CheckFree and Intuit to deliver to CheckFree or
Intuit, as applicable, a specified number of Escrow Shares (the "AGREED
SHARES"), upon receipt of which instructions the Escrow Agent shall deliver the
Agreed Shares to CheckFree or Intuit, as provided in such written instructions;
(ii) the date the Escrow Agent receives a copy of the award of the arbitrator as
to the disposition of a Contested Claim as a result of an arbitration pursuant
to Section 3 of this Escrow Agreement; or (iii) the date Escrow Agent receives
instructions pursuant to a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction with
respect to the disposition of such Escrow Shares; provided however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing (but subject to the provisions of Section 2(d)
below)), upon the first anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement (the
"RELEASE DATE"), the Escrow Agent will release from escrow to Intuit the stock
certificates for all of the Escrow Shares then held in escrow hereunder less (i)
any Escrow Shares previously delivered to CheckFree or awarded (but not yet
delivered) to CheckFree in satisfaction of a Contested Claim pursuant to an
award of an arbitrator
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rendered in an arbitration pursuant to Section 3 of this Escrow Agreement; and
(ii) any Escrow Shares that are potentially subject to delivery to CheckFree as
a result of any then pending but unresolved arbitration of a Contested Claim
pursuant to Section 3 of this Escrow Agreement. Any Escrow Shares held as result
of clause (ii) of this sentence will be released to CheckFree or Intuit, as
applicable, in accordance with the resolution of such Contested Claim or Claims
by (i) an arbitration award of an arbitrator in accordance with Section 3
hereof; or (ii) a written settlement agreement executed by CheckFree and Intuit
regarding the disposition of such shares as provided in Section 3(l) of this
Escrow Agreement.
(d) INTUIT OPTION TO PAY CLAIMS IN CASH. Notwithstanding any
provision of this Agreement requiring or permitting CheckFree to satisfy Claims
by obtaining the cancellation of Escrow Shares, if CheckFree for any reason
becomes entitled under this Agreement to receive and cancel any Escrow Shares in
satisfaction of a Claim, then Intuit, at its sole option and discretion, may
instead elect to satisfy all or any portion of such Claim with a cash payment to
CheckFree in lieu of such forfeiture of Escrow Shares (a "CASH PAYMENT
ELECTION"), in which case Intuit shall, at least one (1) day prior to the date
the Escrow Agent releases and delivers Escrow Shares to CheckFree: (i) deliver
to CheckFree a check for the amount of cash equal to the number of Escrow Shares
which CheckFree is entitled to cancel to satisfy its Claim times the Average
Share Price pursuant to such Cash Payment Election, and upon receipt thereof,
CheckFree shall execute and deliver to Intuit a written receipt for such cash
payment signed by CheckFree (the "RECEIPT") and (ii) give written notice to the
Escrow Agent of Intuit' Cash Payment Election and a copy of the Receipt. Upon
receipt of the Cash Payment Election and the Receipt, the Escrow Agent shall
retain, and not release to CheckFree on account of such Claim, a number of
Claimed Escrow Shares equal to the amount of the cash payment evidenced by the
Receipt divided by the Average Share Price. CheckFree shall cooperate with
Intuit and the Escrow Agent to facilitate Intuit's exercise of the Cash Payment
Election.
(e) RECOURSE TO ESCROW SHARES NOT REQUIRED. Nothing contained
in this Escrow Agreement or in the Plan shall be construed to require CheckFree
to seek recovery of a Claim, in whole or in part, from Escrow Shares. CheckFree
shall have the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to pursue its rights
under Article VII of the Plan without reference to such rights as it may have
under this Escrow Agreement, as it may elect; provided, that (unless Intuit
consents otherwise), any Claim by CheckFree to recover Escrow Shares must be
resolved by arbitration pursuant to Section 3 of this Escrow Agreement or by a
written settlement agreement executed by CheckFree and Intuit.
3. ARBITRATION OF CONTESTED CLAIMS.
(a) CONTESTED CLAIMS. Each Contested Claim for which CheckFree
seeks recovery from the Escrow Shares shall be promptly settled by mandatory
binding arbitration as provided herein. The final decision of the arbitrator
will be furnished to the Escrow Agent, CheckFree and Intuit in writing and will
constitute a conclusive determination of the issues in question, binding upon
CheckFree and Intuit. The Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility or
obligation to participate in any such arbitration as a party thereto.
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(b) ARBITRATION. Each arbitration conducted pursuant hereto
shall be conducted in Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the commercial
arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA RULES") then in
effect. However, in all events, these arbitration provisions will govern and
supersede any conflicting rules which may now or hereafter be contained in the
AAA Rules. Any judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered
in any court having jurisdiction over the subject matter thereof.
(c) COMPENSATION OF ARBITRATOR. Any such arbitration will be
conducted before a single arbitrator who will be compensated at a rate to be
determined by CheckFree and Intuit or by the American Arbitration Association
("AAA"), but based upon reasonable hourly or daily consulting rates for the
arbitrator in the event the parties are not able to agree upon the rate of
compensation.
(d) SELECTION OF ARBITRATOR. The AAA will have the authority
to select an arbitrator from a list of arbitrators who are lawyers experienced
in the representation of software companies; provided, however, that such
arbitrator cannot be the legal counsel to CheckFree or Intuit and CheckFree and
Intuit will each have the opportunity to make such reasonable objection to any
of the arbitrators proposed by the AAA as such party may wish and that the AAA
will select the arbitrator from the list of arbitrators as to whom neither party
makes any such reasonable objection. In the event that the foregoing procedure
is not followed, CheckFree, on the one hand, and Intuit, on the other hand, will
choose one person from the list of arbitrators provided by the AAA (provided
that such person does not have a conflict of interest), and the two persons so
selected will select the arbitrator from the list provided by the AAA.
(e) PAYMENT OF COSTS. CheckFree and Intuit will bear the
expense of deposits and advances required by the arbitrator in equal
proportions, subject to recovery as an addition or offset to any award.
(f) BURDEN OF PROOF. For any Claim submitted to arbitration,
the burden of proof will be as it would be if the claim were litigated in a
judicial proceeding.
(g) AWARD. Upon the conclusion of any arbitration proceedings
hereunder, the arbitrator will render findings of fact and conclusions of law
and a written opinion setting forth the basis and reasons for any decision
reached and will deliver such documents to each party to this Agreement along
with a signed copy of the award.
(h) TIMING. CheckFree and Intuit will use their best efforts
to conclude each arbitration pursuant to this Section 3 within 120 days after
the date of the giving of the Claim Notice giving rise to such arbitration.
(i) TERMS OF ARBITRATION. The arbitrator chosen in accordance
with these provisions will not have the power to alter, amend or otherwise
affect the terms of these arbitration provisions or the provisions of this
Escrow Agreement or the Plan.
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(j) EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. Except as specifically otherwise
provided in this Escrow Agreement or the Plan, arbitration will be the sole and
exclusive remedy of the parties for any Contested Claim that seeks recovery of
Escrow Shares.
(k) RELEASE OF ESCROW SHARES PURSUANT TO ARBITRATION AWARD.
Upon the arbitrator's issuance of a final award in such arbitration, the
arbitrator will immediately deliver a copy of such final award to the Escrow
Agent, CheckFree and Intuit. Upon its receipt of a copy of the final arbitration
award, the Escrow Agent will immediately release from escrow and transfer to
CheckFree for cancellation that number of Escrow Shares equal to the amount of
Losses (as defined in Article VII of the Plan), if any, awarded by such final
arbitration award, divided by the Average Share Price.
(l) SETTLED CLAIMS. If a Contested Claim is settled by a
written settlement agreement executed by CheckFree and Intuit, then CheckFree
and Intuit will promptly deliver such executed settlement agreement to the
Escrow Agent with written instructions signed by CheckFree and Intuit to release
to CheckFree for cancellation the number of Escrow Shares stipulated in such
settlement agreement, and upon its receipt of such written instructions, the
Escrow Agent will immediately release from escrow and transfer to CheckFree for
cancellation and/or transfer to Intuit (as applicable under the provisions of
such settlement agreement) that stipulated number of Escrow Shares.
4. TERMINATION; RELEASE OF ESCROW SHARES TO SELLER. This Escrow
Agreement shall terminate upon delivery of all of the Escrow Shares to CheckFree
pursuant to Section 2(b) or shall terminate and the Escrow Shares, or any
balance of the Escrow Shares remaining after delivery of Escrow Shares to
CheckFree pursuant to Section 2(b), shall be released and delivered to Intuit
promptly upon the later of (1) one year from the date of this Escrow Agreement,
and (2) notification to Escrow Agent of final resolution of any dispute
regarding delivery of Escrow Shares to CheckFree pursuant to Section 2(b).
5. LIABILITY OF ESCROW AGENT. Escrow Agent shall not be responsible or
liable in any manner whatsoever for the sufficiency, correctness, genuineness or
the validity of the subject matter of this Escrow Agreement or any part thereof,
or for the identity or authority of any person executing any document in
connection herewith. Escrow Agent shall not be liable to CheckFree or Intuit for
any loss or damage if Escrow Agent acts upon any written notice or other written
document which Escrow Agent, in good faith, believes to be genuine. The other
parties hereto shall indemnify and hold Escrow Agent harmless against any
claims, liabilities, or expenses arising in connection with the performance by
Escrow Agent of its services under this Escrow Agreement, other than any grossly
negligent or intentional breach of the terms of this Escrow Agreement by Escrow
Agent. Escrow Agent shall indemnify and hold harmless the other parties hereto
against any claims, liabilities or expenses arising in connection with the
grossly negligent performance, or intentional breach, by the Escrow Agent of its
obligations hereunder.
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6. DISPUTES. In the event of any disagreement between the parties to
this Escrow Agreement resulting in conflicting claims or demands being made upon
the Escrow Agent, Escrow Agent shall not be or become liable in any way or to
any person for its failure or refusal to act, unless such failure constitutes
gross negligence or willful misconduct of Escrow Agent, and Escrow Agent shall
be entitled to continue to refrain from acting until (a) the earlier to occur of
(i) the full and final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of the
rights of all interested parties, or (ii) final agreement among all of the
interested parties which resolves all questions regarding any controversy among
them with respect to their rights or obligations hereunder, and (b) Escrow Agent
shall have been notified thereof in writing signed by all such parties or by a
court of competent jurisdiction.
7. COMPENSATION. Escrow Agent shall perform the services required
hereunder in consideration of its selection by the other parties hereto to hold
the Escrow Shares and the Stock Powers, and Escrow Agent shall receive
compensation for its services from CheckFree in accordance with the following:
(a) An initial fee of __________________________________
Dollars ($_____________), which shall be due and payable upon execution of this
Plan;
(b) CheckFree shall reimburse Escrow Agent for any of its
reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred in fulfilling its obligations
hereunder within five (5) days of receipt of a written request therefor
accompanied by such supporting documentation as CheckFree may reasonably
request.
Any amounts due from CheckFree to the Escrow Agent under this Section 7
which are not paid when due shall bear interest at the rate of 1% per month from
the date due until the date paid.
8. ASSIGNMENT. No party hereto shall have the right to assign this
Escrow Agreement to any other person or entity without the express written
consent of the other parties hereto.
9. NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to be given if sent by United States mail, postage
prepaid and registered or certified with required return receipt, or otherwise
personally delivered and receipted therefor, and addressed as follows (or at
such other address as may be specified by notice given pursuant hereto):
(a) If to CheckFree:
CHECKFREE CORPORATION
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
with copy to:
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CHECKFREE CORPORATION
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: General Counsel
and
PORTER, WRIGHT, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn.: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
(b) If to Intuit:
INTUIT INC.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
with copy to:
FENWICK & WEST LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
(c) If to Escrow Agent:
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Attn:
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10. CAPTIONS. The captions at the beginning of the several sections
of this Escrow Agreement are not a part of the context hereof, but have been
inserted to assist in locating and reading those sections. They shall be ignored
in construing this Escrow Agreement.
11. LAW APPLICABLE. This Escrow Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
without regard to its conflict of law principles.
12. SEVERABILITY. In case any one or more of the provisions contained
in this Escrow Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any
respect for any reason, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall
not affect any other provisions hereof. It is the intention of the parties that
if any provision is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, there shall
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be added in lieu thereof a valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms
to such provision as is possible.
13. DUPLICATE ORIGINALS. This Escrow Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate original, and
all counterparts taken together shall constitute duplicate originals of one and
the same agreement.
14. BINDING EFFECT. This Escrow Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors,
permitted assigns, or other legal representatives.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Escrow Agreement to be
executed by their duly-authorized officers as of the date first set forth above.
CHECKFREE CORPORATION INTUIT INC.
By: ____________________________ By: ___________________________
Its: ____________________________ Its: ___________________________
ESCROW AGENT
By: ____________________________
Its: ____________________________
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