1
EXHIBIT 10.4 - FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN REGISTRANT AND ITS
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
ATMEL CORPORATION
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement ("Agreement") is effective as of October 11,
1999, by and between Atmel Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and ((NAME)) ("Indemnitee").
WHEREAS, Atmel Corporation, a California corporation, and Indemnitee are parties
to an indemnification agreement;
WHEREAS, effective as of the date hereof, Atmel Corporation, a California
corporation, is reincorporating into Delaware;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly
qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, to serve the Company and its related
entities;
WHEREAS, in order to induce Indemnitee to continue to provide services to the
Company, the Company wishes to provide for the indemnification of, and the
advancement of expenses to, Indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by law;
WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize the continued difficulty in
obtaining liability insurance for the Company's directors, officers, employees,
agents and fiduciaries, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance
and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance;
WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee further recognize the substantial increase
in corporate litigation in general, subjecting directors, officers, employees,
agents and fiduciaries to expensive litigation risks at the same time as the
availability and coverage of liability insurance has been severely limited;
WHEREAS; in connection with the Company's reincorporation, the Company and
Indemnitee desire to continue to have in place the additional protection
provided by an indemnification agreement, with such changes as are required to
conform the existing agreement to Delaware law and to provide indemnification
and advancement of expenses to the Indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by
Delaware law;
WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee desire to continue to have in place the
additional protection provided by an indemnification agreement and to provide
indemnification and advancement of expenses to the Indemnitee to the maximum
extent permitted by Delaware law; and
WHEREAS, in view of the considerations set forth above, the Company desires that
Indemnitee shall be indemnified and advanced expenses by the Company as set
forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as set forth
below.
Certain Definitions.
"Change in Control" shall mean, and shall be deemed to have occurred if, on or
after the date of this Agreement, (i) any "person" (as such term is used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
(the "Exchange Act")), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company acting in such capacity
or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company
in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the
Company, becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the Company's then
outstanding Voting Securities, (ii) during any period of two consecutive years,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of
Directors of the Company and any new director whose election by the Board of
Directors or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved
by a vote of at least two thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who
either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to
constitute a majority thereof, or (iii) the stockholders of the Company approve
a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation other than a
merger or consolidation which would result in the Voting Securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the
surviving entity) at least 80% of the total voting power represented by the
Voting Securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders of the
Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement
for the sale or disposition by the Company of (in one transaction or a series of
related transactions) all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
52
2
"Claim" shall mean with respect to a Covered Event: any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism,
or any hearing, inquiry or investigation that Indemnitee in good faith believes
might lead to the institution of any such action, suit, proceeding or
alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative or other.
References to the "Company" shall include, in addition to Atmel Corporation, any
constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in
a consolidation or merger to which Atmel Corporation (or any of its wholly owned
subsidiaries) is a party which, if its separate existence had continued, would
have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees,
agents or fiduciaries, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary of such constituent corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
employee benefit plan, trust or other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the
same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the
resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such
constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
"Covered Event" shall mean any event or occurrence related to the fact that
Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the
Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request
of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason
of any action or inaction on the part of Indemnitee while serving in such
capacity.
"Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees and all
other costs, expenses and obligations incurred in connection with investigating,
defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or
preparing to defend, to be a witness in or to participate in, any action, suit,
proceeding, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, hearing, inquiry or
investigation), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if
such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld), actually and reasonably incurred, of any Claim and
any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on the Indemnitee as a result
of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement.
"Expense Advance" shall mean a payment to Indemnitee pursuant to Section 3 of
Expenses in advance of the settlement of or final judgement in any action, suit,
proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, hearing, inquiry or
investigation which constitutes a Claim.
"Independent Legal Counsel" shall mean an attorney or firm of attorneys,
selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d) hereof, who shall not
have otherwise performed services for the Company or Indemnitee within the last
three years (other than with respect to matters concerning the rights of
Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnity
agreements).
References to "other enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans;
references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with
respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request
of the Company" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee,
agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services
by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an
employee benefit plan, its participants or its beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee
acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the
interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan,
Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best
interests of the Company" as referred to in this Agreement.
"Reviewing Party" shall mean, subject to the provisions of Section 2(d), any
person or body appointed by the Board of Directors in accordance with applicable
law to review the Company's obligations hereunder and under applicable law,
which may include a member or members of the Company's Board of Directors,
Independent Legal Counsel or any other person or body not a party to the
particular Claim for which Indemnitee is seeking indemnification.
"Section" refers to a section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
"Voting Securities" shall mean any securities of the Company that vote generally
in the election of directors.
Indemnification.
Indemnification of Expenses. Subject to the provisions of Section 2(b) below,
the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses to the fullest extent
permitted by law if Indemnitee was or is or becomes a party to or witness or
other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or other
participant in, any Claim
53
3
(whether by reason of or arising in part out of a Covered Event), including all
interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in
respect of such Expenses.
Review of Indemnification Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event any Reviewing Party shall have determined (in a written opinion, in any
case in which Independent Legal Counsel is the Reviewing Party) that Indemnitee
is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder under applicable law, (i) the
Company shall have no further obligation under Section 2(a) to make any payments
to Indemnitee not made prior to such determination by such Reviewing Party, and
(ii) the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby
agrees to reimburse the Company) for all Expenses theretofore paid in
indemnifying Indemnitee; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced or
thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to
secure a determination that Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder
under applicable law, any determination made by any Reviewing Party that
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder under applicable law
shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the
Company for any Expenses theretofore paid in indemnifying Indemnitee until a
final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all
rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed). Indemnitee's
obligation to reimburse the Company for any Expenses shall be unsecured and no
interest shall be charged thereon.
Indemnitee Rights on Unfavorable Determination; Binding Effect. If any Reviewing
Party determines that Indemnitee substantively is not entitled to be indemnified
hereunder in whole or in part under applicable law, Indemnitee shall have the
right to commence litigation seeking an initial determination by the court or
challenging any such determination by such Reviewing Party or any aspect
thereof, including the legal or factual bases therefor, and, subject to the
provisions of Section 15, the Company hereby consents to service of process and
to appear in any such proceeding. Absent such litigation, any determination by
any Reviewing Party shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and
Indemnitee.
Selection of Reviewing Party; Change in Control. If there has not been a Change
in Control, any Reviewing Party shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and
if there has been such a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control which
has been approved by a majority of the Company's Board of Directors who were
directors immediately prior to such Change in Control), any Reviewing Party with
respect to all matters thereafter arising concerning the rights of Indemnitee to
indemnification of Expenses under this Agreement or any other agreement or under
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws as now or hereafter in
effect, or under any other applicable law, if desired by Indemnitee, shall be
Independent Legal Counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company
(which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). Such counsel, among other
things, shall render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to
whether and to what extent Indemnitee would be entitled to be indemnified
hereunder under applicable law and the Company agrees to abide by such opinion.
The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Legal Counsel
referred to above and to indemnify fully such counsel against any and all
expenses (including attorneys' fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising
out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be
required to pay Expenses of more than one Independent Legal Counsel in
connection with all matters concerning a single Indemnitee, and such Independent
Legal Counsel shall be the Independent Legal Counsel for any or all other
Indemnitees unless (i) the Company otherwise determines or (ii) any Indemnitee
shall provide a written statement setting forth in detail a reasonable objection
to such Independent Legal Counsel representing other Indemnitees.
Mandatory Payment of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement other than Section 10 hereof, to the extent that Indemnitee has been
successful on the merits or otherwise, including, without limitation, the
dismissal of an action without prejudice, in defense of any Claim, Indemnitee
shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection
therewith.
Expense Advances.
Obligation to Make Expense Advances. Upon receipt of a written undertaking by or
on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be
determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified therefor by the
Company, the Company shall make Expense Advances to Indemnitee.
Form of Undertaking. Any written undertaking by the Indemnitee to repay any
Expense Advances hereunder shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged
thereon.
Determination of Reasonable Expense Advances. The parties agree that for the
purposes of any Expense Advance for which Indemnitee has made written demand to
the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses
54
4
included in such Expense Advance that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee's
counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable.
Procedures for Indemnification and Expense Advances.
Timing of Payments. All payments of Expenses (including without limitation
Expense Advances) by the Company to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement
shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law as soon as practicable
after written demand by Indemnitee therefor is presented to the Company, but in
no event later than forty-five (45) business days after such written demand by
Indemnitee is presented to the Company, except in the case of Expense Advances,
which shall be made no later than twenty (20) business days after such written
demand by Indemnitee is presented to the Company.
Notice/Cooperation by Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to
Indemnitee's right to be indemnified or Indemnitee's right to receive Expense
Advances under this Agreement, give the Company notice in writing as soon as
practicable of any Claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will
or could be sought under this Agreement. Notice to the Company shall be directed
to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at the address shown on the
signature page of this Agreement (or such other address as the Company shall
designate in writing to Indemnitee). In addition, Indemnitee shall give the
Company such information and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as
shall be within Indemnitee's power.
No Presumptions; Burden of Proof. For purposes of this Agreement, the
termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without
court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its
equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any
particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has
determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or applicable
law. In addition, neither the failure of any Reviewing Party to have made a
determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of
conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by any
Reviewing Party that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not
have such belief, prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee
to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under
this Agreement or applicable law, shall be a defense to Indemnitee's claim or
create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of
conduct or did not have any particular belief. In connection with any
determination by any Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether the Indemnitee
is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden of proof shall be on the
Company to establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled.
Notice to Insurers. If, at the time of the receipt by the Company of a notice of
a Claim pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, the Company has liability insurance in
effect which may cover such Claim, the Company shall give prompt notice of the
commencement of such Claim to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set
forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all
necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the
Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Claim in accordance with the
terms of such policies.
Selection of Counsel. In the event the Company shall be obligated hereunder to
provide indemnification for or make any Expense Advances with respect to the
Expenses of any Claim, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume
the defense of such Claim with counsel approved by Indemnitee (which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld) upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written
notice of the Company's election to do so. After delivery of such notice,
approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the
Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for
any fees or expenses of separate counsel subsequently employed by or on behalf
of Indemnitee with respect to the same Claim; provided that, (i) Indemnitee
shall have the right to employ Indemnitee's separate counsel in any such Claim
at Indemnitee's expense and (ii) if (A) the employment of separate counsel by
Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall
have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the
Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, or (C) the Company
shall not continue to retain such counsel to defend such Claim, then the fees
and expenses of Indemnitee's separate counsel shall be Expenses for which
Indemnitee may receive indemnification or Expense Advances hereunder.
Additional Indemnification Rights; Nonexclusivity.
Scope. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest
extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not
specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, the Company's Bylaws or by statute. In the event
of any change after the date of this Agreement in any applicable law, statute or
rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to
55
5
indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, employee, agent or
fiduciary, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by
this Agreement the greater benefits afforded by such change. In the event of any
change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a
Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an
officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, such change, to the extent not otherwise
required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement, shall
have no effect on this Agreement or the parties' rights and obligations
hereunder except as set forth in Section 10(a) hereof.
Nonexclusivity. The indemnification and the payment of Expense Advances provided
by this Agreement shall be in addition to any rights to which Indemnitee may be
entitled under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any other
agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise. The indemnification and
the payment of Expense Advances provided under this Agreement shall continue as
to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified
capacity even though subsequent thereto Indemnitee may have ceased to serve in
such capacity.
No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement
to make any payment in connection with any Claim made against Indemnitee to the
extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance
policy, provision of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or
otherwise) of the amounts otherwise payable hereunder.
Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this
Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses
incurred in connection with any Claim, but not, however, for all of the total
amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the
portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.
Mutual Acknowledgment. Both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in
certain instances, federal law or applicable public policy may prohibit the
Company from indemnifying its directors, officers, employees, agents or
fiduciaries under this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee understands and
acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to
undertake with the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the question of
indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the
Company's right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.
Liability Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains liability insurance
applicable to directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries, Indemnitee
shall be covered by such policies in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the
same rights and benefits as are provided to the most favorably insured of the
Company's directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company's officers,
if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the
Company's key employees, agents or fiduciaries, if Indemnitee is not an officer
or director but is a key employee, agent or fiduciary.
Exceptions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company
shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:
Excluded Action or Omissions. To indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses resulting
from acts, omissions or transactions for which Indemnitee is prohibited from
receiving indemnification under this Agreement or applicable law; provided,
however, that notwithstanding any limitation set forth in this Section 10(a)
regarding the Company's obligation to provide indemnification, Indemnitee shall
be entitled under Section 3 to receive Expense Advances hereunder with respect
to any such Claim unless and until a court having jurisdiction over the Claim
shall have made a final judicial determination (as to which all rights of appeal
therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that Indemnitee has engaged in acts,
omissions or transactions for which Indemnitee is prohibited from receiving
indemnification under this Agreement or applicable law.
Claims Initiated by Indemnitee. To indemnify or make Expense Advances to
Indemnitee with respect to Claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee
and not by way of defense, counterclaim or cross claim, except (i) with respect
to actions or proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to
indemnification under this Agreement or any other agreement or insurance policy
or under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws now or hereafter
in effect relating to Claims for Covered Events, (ii) in specific cases if the
Board of Directors has approved the initiation or bringing of such Claim, or
(iii) as otherwise required under Section 145 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be
entitled to such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the case may be.
Lack of Good Faith. To indemnify Indemnitee for any Expenses incurred by the
Indemnitee with respect to any action instituted (i) by Indemnitee to enforce or
interpret this Agreement, if a court having jurisdiction over such
56
6
action determines as provided in Section 13 that each of the material assertions
made by the Indemnitee as a basis for such action was not made in good faith or
was frivolous, or (ii) by or in the name of the Company to enforce or interpret
this Agreement, if a court having jurisdiction over such action determines as
provided in Section 13 that each of the material defenses asserted by Indemnitee
in such action was made in bad faith or was frivolous.
Claims Under Section 16(b). To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses and the payment
of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in
violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or any similar successor
statute; provided, however, that notwithstanding any limitation set forth in
this Section 10(d) regarding the Company's obligation to provide
indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled under Section 3 to receive Expense
Advances hereunder with respect to any such Claim unless and until a court
having jurisdiction over the Claim shall have made a final judicial
determination (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or
lapsed) that Indemnitee has violated said statute.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall constitute an original.
Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
respective successors, assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the
business or assets of the Company), spouses, heirs and personal and legal
representatives. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether
direct or indirect, and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise)
to all, substantially all, or a substantial part, of the business or assets of
the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to
Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if
no such succession had taken place. This Agreement shall continue in effect
regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as a director, officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary (as applicable) of the Company or of any other
enterprise at the Company's request.
Expenses Incurred in Action Relating to Enforcement or Interpretation. In the
event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement or under
any liability insurance policies maintained by the Company to enforce or
interpret any of the terms hereof or thereof, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be
indemnified for all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee with respect to such action
(including without limitation attorneys' fees), regardless of whether Indemnitee
is ultimately successful in such action, unless as a part of such action a court
having jurisdiction over such action makes a final judicial determination (as to
which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that each of
the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such action was not
made in good faith or was frivolous; provided, however, that until such final
judicial determination is made, Indemnitee shall be entitled under Section 3 to
receive payment of Expense Advances hereunder with respect to such action. In
the event of an action instituted by or in the name of the Company under this
Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee
shall be entitled to be indemnified for all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in
defense of such action (including without limitation costs and expenses incurred
with respect to Indemnitee's counterclaims and cross-claims made in such
action), unless as a part of such action a court having jurisdiction over such
action makes a final judicial determination (as to which all rights of appeal
therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that each of the material defenses
asserted by Indemnitee in such action was made in bad faith or was frivolous;
provided, however, that until such final judicial determination is made,
Indemnitee shall be entitled under Section 3 to receive payment of Expense
Advances hereunder with respect to such action.
Notice. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) if delivered by
hand and signed for by the party addressed, on the date of such delivery, or
(ii) if mailed by domestic certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on
the third business day after the date postmarked. Addresses for notice to either
party are as shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or as subsequently
modified by written notice.
Consent to Jurisdiction. The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably
consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware for all
purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or
relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this
Agreement shall be commenced, prosecuted and continued only in the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, which shall be
the exclusive and only proper forum for adjudicating such a claim.
Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event
that any of the provisions hereof (including any provision within a single
section, paragraph or sentence) are held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, and the remaining provisions shall
remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Furthermore, to the
fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including
57
7
without limitation each portion of this Agreement containing any provision held
to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, void
or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent
manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
Choice of Law. This Agreement, and all rights, remedies, liabilities, powers and
duties of the parties to this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to principles
of conflicts of laws.
Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be
subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of
Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that
may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to
bring suit to enforce such rights.
Amendment and Termination. No amendment, modification, termination or
cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing signed
by both the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions
hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing
waiver.
Integration and Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire
understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges all previous
written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings and agreements
relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto.
No Construction as Employment Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement
shall be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained in the employ
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Indemnification
Agreement as of the date first above written.
ATMEL CORPORATION
By:__________________________
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Vice President
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED
INDEMNITEE:
_____________________________
((NAME))
58