ZAIS GROUP/ZAIS FINANCIAL TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.14
▇▇▇▇ GROUP/▇▇▇▇ FINANCIAL TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT
This ▇▇▇▇ GROUP/▇▇▇▇ FINANCIAL TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), is entered into as of the day of , 2013 (“Effective Date”), by and between the Parties,
▇▇▇▇ Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, having a principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ (“▇▇▇▇ Group”), and
▇▇▇▇ Financial Corp., a Maryland corporation with offices at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ (“ZFC”),
and the Parties agree as follows:
A R T I C L E 1
BACKGROUND AND DEFINITIONS
1.1 ▇▇▇▇ Group has adopted, is using, and is the owner of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ (as defined in Article 1.6) in the United States for financial services.
1.2 ZFC is a Real Estate Investment Trust managed by a subsidiary of ▇▇▇▇ Group.
1.3 ZFC desires to use the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ as part of the trade name ▇▇▇▇ Financial Corp. and in connection with the Licensed Services (as defined in Article 1.8).
1.4 ▇▇▇▇ Group desires to license the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ on a limited purpose, fully revocable basis to ZFC to be used as part of the trade name ▇▇▇▇ Financial Corp. and in connection with the Licensed Services subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
1.5 “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
1.6 “Licensed ▇▇▇▇” means the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇.
1.7 “Licensed Trade Name” means the corporate name ▇▇▇▇ Financial Corp. and any variation thereof including the term ▇▇▇▇ that is used by Licensed Users, including in relation to the website addresses ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇.
1.8 “Licensed Services” means real estate finance products and services offered in the United States by Licensed Users.
1.9 “Licensed User” and “Licensed Users” means ZFC and ZFC’s Subsidiaries.
1.10 “Subsidiary” means any corporation, company or other legal entity:
1.10.1 more than fifty percent (50%) of whose shares or outstanding securities (representing the right to vote for the election of directors or other managing authority) are, now or hereafter, Controlled, directly or indirectly by a party hereto, but such entity shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary for the purposes of this Agreement only so long as such Control exists; or
1.10.2 which does not have outstanding shares or securities, as may be the case in a partnership, joint venture, or unincorporated association, but more than fifty percent (50%) of whose ownership interest representing the right to make decisions for such entity is now or hereafter, Controlled, directly or indirectly by a party hereto, but such entity shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary for the purposes of this Agreement only so long as such Control exists.
A R T I C L E 2
LICENSE GRANT AND CONDITIONS OF LICENSED USE
2.1 ▇▇▇▇ Group hereby grants Licensed Users a nonexclusive, nontransferable, nonsublicensable, fully revocable, royalty-free limited purpose license to use and display the Licensed Trade Name and the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ in the United States solely in connection with the Licensed Services.
2.2 All use of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ by Licensed Users, and all goodwill associated with such use, shall inure to the benefit of ▇▇▇▇ Group.
2.3 Licensed Users shall use the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ in a form which is in accordance with sound trademark practice so as not to weaken the value of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇. Licensed Users shall use the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ in a manner that does not derogate, based on an objective business standard, ▇▇▇▇ Group’s rights in the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ or the value of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇, and shall take no action that would, based on an objective standard, interfere with, diminish or tarnish those rights or value.
2.4 The Licensed ▇▇▇▇ shall remain the exclusive property of ▇▇▇▇ Group and nothing in this Agreement shall give Licensed Users any right or interest in the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ except the licenses expressly granted in this Agreement.
2.5 All of ▇▇▇▇ Group’s rights in and to the Licensed ▇▇▇▇, including, but not limited to, the right to use and to grant others the right to use the Licensed ▇▇▇▇, are reserved by ▇▇▇▇ Group.
2.6 No license, right, or immunity is granted by either party to the other, either expressly or by implication, or by estoppel, or otherwise with respect to any trademarks, copyrights, or trade dress, or other property right, other than with respect to the Licensed Trade Name and the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ in accordance with Article 2.1 of this Agreement.
2.7 Licensed Users acknowledge that ▇▇▇▇ Group is the sole owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Licensed ▇▇▇▇, and that Licensed Users have not acquired, and shall not acquire, any right, title or interest in or to the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ except the right to use the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
2.8 Licensed Users shall not register the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ in any jurisdiction without ▇▇▇▇ Group’s express prior written consent, and ▇▇▇▇ Group shall retain the exclusive right to apply for and obtain registrations for the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ throughout the world.
2.9 Licensed Users shall not challenge the validity of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇, nor shall Licensed Users challenge ▇▇▇▇ Group’s ownership of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ or the enforceability of ▇▇▇▇ Group’s rights therein.
2.10 Licensed Users shall designate the first or a prominent use of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ in all promotional materials, documents, brochures, and/or manuals with the symbol “SM”.
2.11 Licensed Users agree to cooperate with ▇▇▇▇ Group’s preparation and filing of any applications, renewals or other documentation necessary or useful to protect and/or enforce ▇▇▇▇ Group’s intellectual property rights in the Licensed ▇▇▇▇.
2.11.1 Licensed Users shall notify ▇▇▇▇ Group promptly of any actual or threatened infringements, imitations or unauthorized uses of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ of which Licensed Users become aware.
2.11.2 ▇▇▇▇ Group shall have the sole right, though it is under no obligation, to bring any action for any past, present and future infringements of its intellectual property rights in the Licensed ▇▇▇▇.
2.11.3 Licensed Users shall cooperate with ▇▇▇▇ Group, at ▇▇▇▇ Group’s expense for any out-of-pocket costs incurred by Licensed Users, in any efforts by ▇▇▇▇ Group to enforce its rights in the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ or to prosecute third party infringers of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇.
2.11.4 ▇▇▇▇ Group shall be entitled to retain any and all damages and other monies awarded or otherwise paid in connection with any such action.
2.12 Quality Control. In order to promote the goodwill symbolized by the Licensed ▇▇▇▇, Licensed Users will insure that the Licensed Services shall be of the same high quality as the services marketed or otherwise provided by ▇▇▇▇ Group.
2.12.1 Licensed Users shall use the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ only in connection with services that meet or exceed generally accepted industry standards of quality and performance.
2.12.2 ▇▇▇▇ Group shall have the right to monitor the quality of the services provided and promotional materials used by Licensed Users, and Licensed Users shall use reasonable efforts to assist ▇▇▇▇ Group in monitoring the quality of the services provided and promotional materials used by Licensed Users.
2.12.3 From time to time and upon ▇▇▇▇ Group’s request, Licensed Users shall submit to ▇▇▇▇ Group samples of all materials bearing the Licensed ▇▇▇▇, including, without limitation, any advertising, packaging and other publicly disseminated materials.
2.12.4 If ▇▇▇▇ Group discovers any improper use of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ on any such submission and delivers a writing describing in detail the improper use to ZFC, Licensed Users shall remedy the improper use immediately.
A R T I C L E 3
TERM AND TERMINATION
3.1 Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving the other party thirty (30) days’ prior written notice.
3.2 This Agreement and all rights and licenses granted under this Agreement shall terminate as soon as practicable, but no longer than thirty (30) days, after:
3.2.1 A third party acquires Control of ZFC; or
3.2.2 ▇▇▇▇ Group or any Subsidiary of ▇▇▇▇ Group ceases to manage ZFC.
3.3 In the event that ZFC loses Control of a Subsidiary, all rights and licenses granted to the former Subsidiary under this Agreement shall immediately terminate.
3.4 Upon termination of this agreement, Licensed Users shall immediately cease use of the Licensed Trade Name and Licensed ▇▇▇▇ as soon as practicable, but no longer than thirty (30) days, after termination.
A R T I C L E 4
GENERAL PROVISIONS
4.1 Indemnification. Licensed Users, at Licensed Users’ own expense, shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend ▇▇▇▇ Group, its affiliates, successors and assigns, and its and their directors, officers, employees and agents, against any claim, demand, cause of action, debt, expense or liability (including attorneys’ fees and costs), to the extent that the foregoing (a) is based on a claim resulting solely from any service provided or offered by Licensed Users, (b) results from a material breach, or is based on a claim that, if true, would be a material breach, of this Agreement by Licensed Users, or (c) is based upon Licensed Users’ unauthorized or improper use of the Licensed ▇▇▇▇.
4.2 LIMITATION OF WARRANTY AND LIABILITY. ▇▇▇▇ GROUP DOES NOT MAKE WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THE LICENSED ▇▇▇▇ OR THIS AGREEMENT.
4.2.1 ▇▇▇▇ GROUP SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND/OR TITLE, AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES THAT MAY OTHERWISE ARISE FROM COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE OF TRADE OR CUSTOM.
4.2.2 IN NO EVENT SHALL ▇▇▇▇ GROUP OR ANY OF ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, LICENSORS, SUPPLIERS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF GOODWILL, COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE LICENSED ▇▇▇▇, EVEN IF ▇▇▇▇ GROUP IS EXPRESSLY ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THE FOREGOING LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES SHALL APPLY REGARDLESS OF THE FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO EITHER PARTY.
4.3 Non-Transferable Agreement. Licensed Users may not assign this Agreement and/or any rights and/or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of ▇▇▇▇ Group and any such attempted assignment shall be void.
4.4 Remedies. Licensed Users acknowledge that a material breach of Licensed Users’ obligations under this Agreement would cause ▇▇▇▇ Group irreparable damage. Accordingly, Licensed Users agree that in the event of such breach or threatened breach, in addition to remedies at law, ▇▇▇▇ Group shall have the right to enjoin Licensed Users from the unlawful and/or unauthorized use of the Licensed Trade Name and/or the Licensed ▇▇▇▇ and other equitable relief to protect ▇▇▇▇ Group’s rights in the Licensed ▇▇▇▇.
4.5 Integration. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties. No promise, inducement, representation or agreement, other than as expressly set forth herein, has been made to or by the Parties hereto. All prior agreements and understandings related to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral, are expressly superseded hereby and are of no further force or effect.
4.6 Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties’ permitted assigns and successors and references to each party shall include such assigns and successors.
4.7 Amendment. This Agreement cannot be altered, amended or modified in any respect, except by a writing duly signed by both Parties.
4.8 No Strict Construction. The normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Headings are for reference and shall not affect the meaning of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
4.9 Waiver. At no time shall any failure or delay by either party in enforcing any provisions, exercising any option, or requiring performance of any provisions, be construed to be a waiver of same.
4.10 Governing Law and Jurisdiction. The provisions of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (excluding any conflict of law rule or principle that would refer to the laws of another jurisdiction). Each party hereto irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding must be brought and/or defended in any such court; provided, however, that matters which are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts shall be brought in the Federal District Court for the District of New York. Each party hereto consents to service of process by any means authorized by the applicable law of the forum in any action brought under or arising out of this Agreement, and each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent each may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
4.11 Attorney’s Fees. In the event any suit or other legal proceeding is brought for the enforcement of any of the provisions of this Agreement, the Parties hereto agree that the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party upon final judgment on the merits reasonable attorneys’ fees (and sales taxes thereon, if any), including attorneys’ fees for any appeal, and costs incurred in bringing such suit or proceeding.
4.12 Relationship of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed as creating a joint venture, partnership, or employment relationship between ▇▇▇▇ Group and ZFC or any of ZFC’s
Subsidiaries. Neither party will have the right, power or implied authority to create any obligation or duty on behalf of the other party.
4.13 Notices. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all notices shall be in writing and delivered personally, mailed, first class mail, postage prepaid, or delivered by confirmed electronic or digital means, to the addresses set forth at the beginning of this Agreement and to the attention of the undersigned. Either party may change the addresses or addressees for notice by giving notice to the other. All notices shall be deemed given on the date personally delivered, when placed in the mail as specified or when electronic or digital confirmation is received.
4.14 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, by manual or facsimile signature, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
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▇▇▇▇ FINANCIAL CORP. | |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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▇▇▇▇ GROUP, LLC | |
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By: |
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Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
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Title: President |
[Signature Page to License Agreement]