Exhibit 10.54
[*] -- Certain information omitted and filed separately with the Commission
pursuant to a confidential treatment request under Rule 24b-2 of the Commission.
LICENSE AND
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT
between
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
("Licensor")
and
SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO. LTD.
("Licensee")
Dated September 30, 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS; DEFINITIONS............................................1
1.1. Documents.......................................................1
1.2. Definitions.....................................................1
2. LICENSE GRANT..............................................................3
2.1. Grant...........................................................3
2.2. Duration........................................................4
2.3. Exclusivity.....................................................4
2.4. Sublicenses.....................................................5
3. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER........................................................6
3.1. Delivery of Documentation.......................................6
3.2. Technical Assistance............................................6
3.3. Targeted Process Yields.........................................6
3.4. Restricted Information..........................................6
4. LICENSE FEE AND ROYALTIES..................................................6
4.1. License Issue Fee...............................................6
4.2. Royalties.......................................................7
4.3. Record-Keeping and Reporting....................................7
4.4. Payment.........................................................8
5. ADDITIONAL LICENSE TERMS AND CONDITIONS....................................8
5.1. Cross-License to Covered Improvements...........................8
5.2. ************************........................................8
5.3. Right of First Refusal on Wafer Manufacturing License..........10
5.4. Representations and Warranties of Licensor.....................10
6. INFRINGEMENTS.............................................................11
6.1. Infringement by Third Parties..................................11
6.2. Infringement of Third Party Rights.............................12
7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION..................................................13
7.1. Definition and Identification..................................13
7.2. Confidentiality Obligations....................................13
7.3. Survival.......................................................14
8. TERM AND TERMINATION......................................................14
8.1. Term...........................................................14
8.2. Termination....................................................14
8.3. Rights after Termination.......................................15
- i -
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY...................................................15
10. ADDITIONAL UNDERTAKINGS..................................................15
10.1. Confidentiality of Terms......................................15
10.2. Publicity.....................................................15
10.3. Patent Marking................................................15
10.4. Use of Trademarks, Etc........................................16
10.5. Export Regulation.............................................16
11. ASSIGNMENT...............................................................16
12. FORCE MAJEURE............................................................16
13. GENERAL..................................................................16
13.1. Notices.......................................................16
13.2. Authority; No Conflicting Obligations; Governmental Approval..17
13.3. Relationship of the Parties...................................17
13.4. Dispute Resolution............................................17
13.5. Severability..................................................17
13.6. Amendments; Waiver............................................18
13.7. Enforcement Costs.............................................18
13.8. Governing Law.................................................18
13.9. Construction..................................................18
13.10. United Nations Convention....................................18
13.11. Fair Trade Commission Action.................................18
13.12. Entire Agreement.............................................18
- ii -
LICENSE AND
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT
LICENSE AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), made and effective
as of the 30th day of September, 1996 (the "Effective Date"), by and between
CREE RESEARCH, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
State of North Carolina and having offices at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ (referred to below as "Licensor"), and SHIN-ETSU
HANDOTAI CO. LTD., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Japan
and having offices at Togin ▇▇▇▇., ▇-▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ (referred to below as "Licensee").
Recitals
WHEREAS, the parties have agreed on the terms and conditions under which
Licensor will license technology to Licensee for the manufacture and sale of
certain products and desire to memorialize such terms and conditions in this
Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual obligations
undertaken in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
1. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS; DEFINITIONS
1.1. Documents.
The following documents are annexed to and made a part of this
Agreement:
(a) Schedule 1 -- Licensed Products and Processes
(b) Schedule 2 -- Excluded Technology
(c) Schedule 3 -- Technology Transfer Services
(d) Schedule 4 -- License Fee and Royalties
(e) Attachment A -- C430-DH85 Product Specifications
1.2. Definitions.
For purposes of this Agreement, the terms defined in this
Section 1.2 shall have the meaning specified and such
definitions shall apply to both singular and plural forms:
(a) "Affiliates" of a designated corporation, company or
other entity means all entities which control, are
controlled by, or are under common control with the
named entity, whether directly or through one or more
intermediaries. For purposes of this definition
"controlled" and "control" mean ownership of more
than fifty percent (50%) of the voting capital stock
or other interest having voting rights with respect
to the election of the board of directors or similar
governing authority.
(b) "Confidential Information" shall have the meaning
defined in Section 7.1.
(c) "Covered Improvements" means improvements to the
Licensed Products or Licensed Processes, whether or
not patentable and whether or not confidential, (i)
which are described in Schedule 1 and are developed
or acquired by either
party or their respective Affiliates prior to the
expiration or termination of this Agreement; and
(iii) which such party is lawfully entitled to
communicate to the other party for its use without
breaching any restrictions on use or disclosure owed
to third parties.
(d) "Licensed Products" means LED die products conforming
to the description set forth in Schedule 1.
(e) "Licensed Processes" means the processes described in
Schedule 1 which are necessary for the manufacture of
Licensed Products.
(f) "Licensed Rights" means the Subject Rights of
Licensor.
(g) "Net Sales" means (for all purposes including
computing Net Sales of Licensed Products by Licensee
and its Affiliates and computing Net Sales of goods
by Licensor to Licensee and its Affiliates for use in
the manufacture of Licensed Products) the invoice
price less: (i) actual cost of freight charges, if
any, separately stated in such invoice; (ii) standard
cash trade discounts actually allowed, if any; (iii)
any tax, duties or other governmental charges on the
sale, transportation, or delivery which is separately
stated on the invoice; and (iv) credit and cash
refunds for damaged or returned goods.
"Net Sales" does not include sales or other
dispositions of Licensed Products by Licensee to its
Affiliates, or transfers among Licensee's Affiliates,
but does include all sales or other dispositions of
Licensed Products by Licensee or its Affiliates to
others.
In computing Net Sales of Licensed Products by
Licensee and its Affiliates, the following provisions
also apply:
(A) With respect to sales of Licensed Products
made to any purchaser which does not deal at
arm's length with the seller, or if Licensed
Products are made available by Licensor or
its Affiliates to any third party under
circumstances in which no sale takes place,
Net Sales shall be computed using the then
current highest published list price of
Licensee and its Affiliates for Licensed
Products offered for sale or, if no such
list price has been published, the average
of the published list prices of equivalent
products offered by other manufacturers
(including Licensor).
(B) If Licensed Products are sold in the form of
combination products containing one or more
products or parts in addition to the
Licensed Products, Net Sales for such
combination products shall be calculated by
multiplying actual Net Sales of such
combination products by the fraction
A/(A+B), where A is the invoice price of the
Licensed Product, if sold separately by
Licensee or its Affiliate, and B is the
invoice price of any other product or part
in the combination, if sold separately by
Licensee or its Affiliate.
(C) If the other products or parts in the
combination are not sold separately by
Licensee, Net Sales for such combination
products shall be calculated by multiplying
actual Net Sales of such combination
products by the fraction A/C where A is the
invoice price of the Licensed Product if
sold
Page 2
separately by Licensee or its Affiliate and
C is the invoice price of the combination
product.
(D) If neither the Licensed Products nor the
combination product is sold separately by
Licensee or its Affiliate, Net Sales for
such combination products shall be
calculated by multiplying actual Net Sales
of such combination products by the fraction
A/C where A is Licensee's and its
Affiliates' total actual cost of the
Licensed Products and C is Licensee's and
its Affiliates' total actual cost of the
combination product.
(h) "Patent Rights" means, insofar as the same apply
within the Territory with respect to the Licensed
Products or Licensed Processes, those patents and
patent applications which are listed on the separate
schedule of patents and patent applications delivered
by Licensor to Licensee concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement, and all patents issuing
from such patent applications including all
divisions, reexaminations, reissues and continuations
thereof.
(i) "Subject Rights" means all intellectual property
rights (including, by way of example, patents, patent
applications, inventions, know-how, trade secrets,
copyrights and Confidential Information, but
excluding trademarks and trade names) protecting
Subject Technology which rights are owned or
controlled by a party or its Affiliates at the
Effective Date or at any time during the term of this
Agreement. "Controlled" as used with respect to
Subject Rights means at least the degree of control
needed to grant licenses of the scope and content
granted in this Agreement.
(j) "Subject Technology" means all information pertaining
to the manufacture of Licensed Products, including
know-how, trade secrets and inventions (whether
patentable or not), owned or possessed by a party or
its Affiliates at the Effective Date or at any time
during the term of this Agreement; provided, however,
that "Subject Technology" does not include
information described in Schedule 2.
(k) "Territory" means the country of Japan.
2. LICENSE GRANT
2.1. Grant.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, Licensor hereby confers upon Licensee a
license, under the Licensed Rights, to make, use and
sell Licensed Products within the Territory and to
use the Licensed Processes within the Territory for
the manufacture of Licensed Products.
(b) No license is conferred hereby to make, have made,
use or sell articles which are not Licensed Products
(other than as a step in the manufacture of Licensed
Products) or to use the Licensed Processes for any
purpose other than manufacture of the Licensed
Products. Except as otherwise provided in Section
2.1(c) below, no license is conferred hereby to make,
have made, use or sell Licensed Products outside the
Territory or to use the Licensed Processes at any
location outside the Territory. Without limiting the
foregoing, the license does not include the right to
(and Licensee agrees that it will not) sell
substrates with epitaxial layers made using the
Licensed Processes nor use such substrates for
Page 3
any purpose other than the manufacture of Licensed
Products.
(c) Licensor and Licensee may from time to time agree in
writing, on a customer by customer basis, that
Licensee may sell Licensed Products to specific
customers outside the Territory on a nonexclusive
basis. Licensor and Licensee may from time to time
agree in writing, on a country-by-country basis with
respect to countries outside the Territory, that
Licensee may make and use the Licensed Products and
Licensed Processes within such country on a
nonexclusive basis. Actions of Licensee in
accordance with the terms and conditions of a written
agreement which references this paragraph and is
signed on behalf of the parties shall be considered
licensed pursuant to this Section 2.1. Nothing in
this Agreement shall be construed to obligate the
parties to enter into any agreement under this
paragraph.
(d) Any sales of Licensed Products which Licensee is
authorized to make to a customer outside the
Territory pursuant to Section 2.1(c) may be made by
Licensee or its Affiliates directly or through
Sumitomo Corporation and its Affiliates.
2.2. Duration.
The license granted under Section 2.1 shall commence on the
Effective Date and, except as otherwise provided in Section
8.3, shall continue until the later of the expiration of the
last-to-expire patent included in the Licensed Rights or for
so long as any of the Subject Technology is used in the
manufacture of the Licensed Products.
2.3. Exclusivity.
(a) The license granted under Section 2.1 shall be
exclusive within the Territory during the term of
this Agreement as provided in this Section 2.3.
(b) Licensor may sell Licensed Products to the Licensee
or its Affiliates or pursuant to the Distributorship
Agreement dated June 22, 1995 among Licensor,
Licensee and the other parties named therein, as such
agreement may be amended from time to time, but
Licensor:
(i) shall not otherwise retain any right to sell
the Licensed Products within the Territory
during the term of this Agreement; and
(ii) shall not retain any right to make or use
the Licensed Products within the Territory
during the term of this Agreement, or to use
the Licensed Processes within the Territory
during the term of this Agreement for the
manufacture of the Licensed Products.
(c) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Licensor:
(i) after the expiration or termination of this
Agreement, from making, having made, using
or selling Licensed Products within the
Territory or using Licensed Processes within
the Territory,
(ii) at any time, from making, having made, using
or selling Licensed Products outside the
Territory or using Licensed Processes
outside the
Page 4
Territory, or
(iii) at any time, from using Licensed Processes
within the Territory for the manufacture of
products other than LED products.
(d) The exclusivity conferred hereby shall mean, except
as otherwise provided in this Section 2.3, that:
(i) Licensor warrants that it has not previously
granted any license to any third party, with
respect to Subject Technology owned by
Licensor at the Effective Date, to make,
have made, use or sell Licensed Products
within the Territory during the term of this
Agreement, or to use the Licensed Processes
within the Territory during the term of this
Agreement for the manufacture of Licensed
Products; and
(ii) Licensor covenants that it will not
hereafter, with respect to Subject
Technology owned by Licensor at the
Effective Date, grant any license to any
third party, ******************************
******************************** to make,
have made, use or sell Licensed Products
within the Territory during the term of this
Agreement, or to use the Licensed Processes
within the Territory during the term of this
Agreement for the manufacture of Licensed
Products.
(e) It is understood that Licensor has previously granted
a nonexclusive license to a third party to make, have
made, use and sell certain LED products (including
the Licensed Products), subject to the limitation
that such third party shall not sell blue LED die
without Licensor's consent for any application other
than a "chip-on-board" application. ****************
****************************************************
****************************************************
****************************************************
****************************************************
****************************************************
****************************************************
**************************************.
2.4. Sublicenses.
(a) The rights licensed under Section 2.1 may be
exercised by Licensee, or by any Affiliate of
Licensee pursuant to a sublicense granted to the
Affiliate in accordance with this Section 2.4,
provided the Affiliate first agrees in writing with
Licensor to hold all Confidential Information of
Licensor in confidence under terms of this Agreement
and otherwise to comply with all of the obligations
imposed on Licensee under this Agreement.
(b) Any sublicense shall be subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, and any act or omission
by the sublicensee which would constitute a breach of
this Agreement if done or omitted by Licensee shall
be considered a breach of this Agreement by Licensee.
Without limiting the foregoing, Licensee shall in all
events remain responsible for the reporting and
payment to Licensor of all royalties due with respect
to sales by sublicensees.
(c) Except as permitted by this Section 2.4, the rights
licensed under Section 2.1 may not be sublicensed
without the Licensor's prior consent, which the
Licensor may
Page 5
withhold in its sole discretion, and may not be
transferred except as part of an assignment of this
Agreement made in accordance with Article 11.
3. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
3.1. Delivery of Documentation.
Licensor will provide Licensee documentation describing the
Subject Technology in such reasonable detail and to such an
extent as is adequate for competent technical personnel
experienced in epitaxial deposition and device fabrication
generally to understand the Subject Technology and to
manufacture the Licensed Products. The documentation will
disclose all matters which, at the time of delivery, are known
or believed by Licensor's technical personnel, responsible for
its own manufacture of Licensed Products, to have a material
effect on the yield or repeatability of the Licensed Processes
and which are not obvious to competent technical personnel
experienced in epitaxial deposition and device fabrication
generally. The documentation to be delivered pursuant to this
Section 3.1 is listed in Schedule 3 and will be delivered in
accordance with the schedule set forth in Schedule 3.
3.2. Technical Assistance.
Licensor shall provide technical assistance to Licensee in
connection with the manufacture of the Licensed Products in
the manner and subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in Schedule 3.
3.3. Targeted Process Yields.
In providing documentation and technical assistance required
by this Article 3, and subject to the limitations on the
commitment of the time of Licensor's personnel set forth in
Schedule 3, Licensor will endeavor to assist Licensee in
achieving on average, measured during one (1) calendar month,
a die yield per wafer which is not less than
*********************** of the Licensor's average die yield
per wafer in manufacturing Licensed Products during the
preceding six (6) calendar months. It is understood that
Licensor makes no warranty and provides no other assurance
that such yields can in fact be achieved. Licensor shall
permit Licensee's duly authorized representative, reasonably
acceptable to Licensor, to examine Licensor's records of its
die yield per wafer at all reasonable business hours to the
extent and insofar as it is necessary to verify the accuracy
of the average die yield per wafer reported by Licensor to
Licensee for purposes of this paragraph.
3.4. Restricted Information.
Nothing in this Article 3 shall be construed to require
Licensor to grant Licensee access to, or otherwise to disclose
to Licensee, any information held by Licensor under
restrictions on use or disclosure which preclude disclosure to
third parties.
4. LICENSE FEE AND ROYALTIES
4.1. License Issue Fee.
(a) In consideration of the license conferred by Section
2.1, Licensee shall pay Licensor a license issue fee
of Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars
Page 6
($2,700,000) (U.S).
(b) The license issue fee shall be due and payable in
installments in the amounts and on the dates
specified in Schedule 4.
(c) The license issue fee shall be considered fully
earned at the Effective Date of this Agreement.
Thereafter Licensee's obligation to pay the issue fee
shall be unconditional, not subject to set-off or
deduction of any kind, and shall survive any
termination or expiration of this Agreement.
4.2. Royalties.
(a) Licensee shall pay to Licensor, for all sales of
Licensed Products made by Licensee and its
sublicensees during the period specified in Schedule
4, a royalty equal to the percentage specified in
Schedule 4 multiplied times the difference between
(i) the Net Sales of Licensed Products by Licensee
and its sublicensees minus (ii) the Net Sales to
Licensee and its sublicensees of materials supplied
by Licensor for use in the manufacture of Licensed
Products.
(b) Upon payment in full of the license issue fee due
under Section 4.1, and all royalties accrued during
the period specified in Schedule 4, the license
conferred by Section 2.1 shall be fully paid such
that no further royalties shall be due with respect
to sales of the Licensed Products thereafter.
(c) Royalties shall accrue on sales of Licensed Products
made during the period specified in Schedule 4
notwithstanding any earlier termination of this
Agreement. This Article 4 shall survive any
termination of this Agreement so as to cover sales of
Licensed Products made thereafter on which royalties
are due under the terms hereof. Survival of this
Article 4 shall not be construed as conferring any
additional license, whether express or implied,
respect to the Licensed Rights.
(d) In the event that, prior to expiration of the royalty
period specified in Schedule 4, all patents included
in the Licensed Rights shall have expired or been
finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid, and no patent applications included in
the Licensed Rights remain pending, the parties shall
in good faith negotiate an appropriate adjustment in
the royalty rate applicable to sales of Licensed
Products made thereafter.
4.3. Record-Keeping and Reporting.
(a) Licensee shall keep and shall cause its sublicensees
to keep true and accurate books of account concerning
the Licensed Products. Licensee shall render a
statement within thirty (30) days after the end of
each calendar quarter setting forth the quantity of
the Licensed Products sold during the during the
quarter and the Net Sales and amount of royalties due
thereon. The royalties due shall be paid in U.S.
Dollars simultaneously with the sending of the
statement. The amount of royalty first calculated in
Japanese Yen shall be converted into U.S. Dollars at
the T/T selling price rate quoted by Tokyo-Mitsubishi
Bank as of five (5) working days prior to the date of
remittance.
(b) Licensee shall permit Licensor's duly authorized
representative, reasonably acceptable to Licensee, to
examine the above-mentioned books of account
Page 7
relating to the Licensed Products at all reasonable
business hours to the extent and insofar as it is
necessary to verify the accuracy of the statement
rendered by the Licensee pursuant to Section 4.3(a)
above.
(c) Licensor shall have the right to designate a firm of
certified public accountants, reasonably acceptable
to Licensee, to audit the above-mentioned books of
account relating to the Licensed Products in order to
ascertain the accuracy of the statement rendered by
the Licensee pursuant to Section 4.3(a) above. The
expense of the audit shall be Licensor's unless the
audit shall demonstrate a discrepancy (in Licensee's
favor) greater than five percent (5%) between the
royalties reported and paid and those which were
actually due, in which event the audit expenses shall
be borne by Licensee.
4.4. Payment.
(a) All payments under this Article 4 shall be made in
U.S. dollars by wire transfer deposited to Licensor's
credit at such U.S. bank as Licensor may from time to
time designate.
(b) All taxes levied in accordance with the tax laws of
Japan, or any other country in which Licensed
Products are sold under this Agreement, on any
payments to be made by the Licensee to the Licensor
hereunder (not including any taxes on Licensee's net
income) shall be borne by the Licensor. When,
pursuant to such tax laws, the Licensee is required
to withhold such taxes and pay them to the taxing
authority on the Licensor's behalf, the Licensee is
hereby authorized to withhold and deduct such taxes
from the applicable payments to the Licensor,
provided that the Licensee shall furnish the Licensor
with the tax receipts or other evidence showing the
payment of such taxes.
(c) Any amounts to be paid under this Agreement which are
not paid at the later of the date due or the
expiration of any stated grace period shall accrue
interest from the date due until the date paid at a
rate equal to one percent (1%) plus the prime rate as
published by the Chase Manhattan Bank (N.A.), New
York, New York or any successor bank thereof.
5. ADDITIONAL LICENSE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
5.1. Cross-License to Covered Improvements.
If either party or its Affiliates develops or acquires any
Covered Improvements prior to the expiration or termination of
this Agreement, it will promptly disclose such Covered
Improvements to the other party, and the other party and its
Affiliates shall be deemed to have an irrevocable,
nonexclusive license to practice the same for the purpose of
making, using and selling Licensed Products. The license shall
not include the right to grant sublicenses. The license shall
be royalty-free, except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement with respect to Licensed Products sold by Licensee
and its Affiliates. It is understood that neither party makes
any warranty or provides any other assurance that any
improvements will in fact be made.
5.2. ************************.
(a) Licensor and Licensee each agree that it will not,
and will not allow its Affiliates,
Page 8
during the term of this Agreement or at any time
thereafter, to assert against the other party or its
Affiliates any Subject Rights on account of the
manufacture, use or sale by such other party or its
Affiliates of ****************************
**************************** on silicon carbide
substrates, provided that such substrates are
manufactured by Licensor or its Affiliates or
acquired from third parties in accordance with
Section 5.2(e).
(b) Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate either party
to transfer or disclose to the other information
concerning the design, manufacture or other aspects
of **************************************************
where such information is not necessary to the
manufacture of the Licensed Products.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.2(d), this
Section 5.2 constitutes a covenant to refrain from
asserting certain rights and not the grant of a
license, and nothing herein shall encumber the
Subject Rights of either party or bind any assignee
thereof.
(d) In the event that either party or its Affiliates are
joint owners with any third party of Subject Rights
which the third party owner is entitled assert
contrary to Section 5.2(a), then the party to this
Agreement which jointly owns such rights shall grant
the other party and its Affiliates a royalty-free,
nonexclusive license as provided in this paragraph,
if and to the extent the terms of such joint
ownership permit such licensing. The license shall
be effective during the term of this Agreement, shall
not include the right to grant sublicenses, and shall
grant the right to practice such Subject Rights to
make, use and sell ****************
************************************** on silicon
carbide substrates, provided that such substrates are
manufactured by Licensor or its Affiliates or
acquired from third parties in accordance with
Section 5.2(e).
(e) If a third party supplier (other than an Affiliate of
Licensee) extends a bona fide written offer to supply
silicon carbide substrates to Licensee or its
Affiliates for use in manufacturing
****************************************************
as described in this Section 5.2, Licensee and its
Affiliates may purchase the quantity offered by such
supplier pursuant to the offer, provided that (i)
such third party substrates meet or exceed the
specifications of the corresponding product offered
by Licensor; (ii) Licensee gives Licensor written
notice of the terms of the third party offer and
Licensor does not, within thirty (30) days
thereafter, agree to supply such quantity at the
price and in accordance with the delivery schedule
and other terms and conditions stated in the third
party offer, and (iii) the aggregate quantity of such
substrates (measured by nominal wafer area) purchased
by Licensee and its Affiliates from third party
suppliers during each period of twelve months
following the Effective Date of this Agreement does
not exceed the aggregate quantity purchased from
Licensor during such period. Without limiting the
foregoing, if in Licensee's view such substrate
products offered by Licensor are noncompetitive with
substrates offered by other suppliers in respect of
price or specifications, or Licensor is unable to
deliver substrates adequate to meet Licensee's
requirements for use in manufacturing *********
**************************************************,
and in either case Licensee furnishes Licensor
reasonably adequate evidence of such facts, then upon
Licensee's request representatives of the parties
shall meet and in good faith discuss and endeavor to
agree upon an appropriate amendment to this Section
Page 9
5.2(e) or other action to address Licensee's
reasonable concerns.
5.3. Right of First Refusal on Wafer Manufacturing License.
(a) Licensor agrees that it will not, during the first
three (3) years of the term of this Agreement, grant
to any third party (other than an Affiliate of
Licensor) any license to manufacture silicon carbide
substrates (including but not limited to bulk growth
of silicon carbide, any polish, wafering, wafer
refinishing or other pre-epitaxial process) within
the Territory except in compliance with this Section
5.3(a). Licensor will first offer the license to
Licensee in writing. If Licensee does not accept the
offer by written notice of acceptance received by
Licensor within ninety (90) days after Licensee
receives the offer, Licensor may at any time
thereafter grant the license to any third party
provided that the terms of the license are no more
favorable than those previously offered to Licensee.
(b) Each party agrees that it will not, during the first
three (3) years of the term of this Agreement, grant
to any third party (other than its Affiliates), or
permit its Affiliates to grant to any third party
(other than another Affiliate), any license to make,
use, sell or otherwise practice any Other LED
Technology (as defined below) within the Territory in
the case of Licensor, or outside the Territory in the
case of Licensee, except in compliance with this
Section 5.3(b). The party desiring to grant such
license (the "offering party") shall first offer the
license to the other party in writing (the "other
party"). If the other party does not accept the
offer by written notice of acceptance received by the
offering party within thirty (30) days after the
other party received the offer, the offering party
may at any time thereafter grant the license to any
third party, provided that the terms of the license
are no more favorable than those previously offered
to the other party. For purposes of this Section
5.3(b), the term "Other LED Technology" means:
(i) improvements to blue LED die which are not
within the definition of Licensed Products
and Covered Improvements;
(ii) technology for ***********************; and
(iii) other LED product technology.
5.4. Representations and Warranties of Licensor.
(a) Licensor warrants and represents:
Page 10
(i) that it has the entire right, title and
interest in and to the Patent Rights;
(ii) that to the best of its knowledge there are
no known outstanding claims or licenses or
other encumbrances upon such Patent Rights,
except as otherwise disclosed in Section
2.3(e);
(iii) that the Patent Rights are the only patents
or patent applications now owned or
controlled by the Licensor which cover the
Licensed Products and/or the making, using
or selling of the Licensed Products within
the Territory; and
(iv) that Licensor has no information which
would, in its opinion, render any of the
claims of any of the Patent Rights invalid
and/or unenforceable.
(b) Licensor warrants and represents that it has no
knowledge of any patent, Japan or foreign (other than
the Patent Rights) owned or controlled by anyone
which:
(i) covers the Licensed Products, and/or
(ii) would prevent the Licensee from making,
using or selling the Licensed Products.
(c) Licensor warrants and represents that it has full
right and authority to disclose all Subject
Technology which is disclosed to Licensee hereunder
and to grant to Licensee the right to use said
Subject Technology within the Territory as provided
in this Agreement, and further warrants that it is
aware of no claim in or to any present Subject
Technology nor any residuary right therein by any
third party whether governmental agency, educational
institution, corporation or private person.
(d) Licensor further warrants that the Subject Technology
to be furnished to Licensee pursuant to Article 3
shall be the same as that used by Licensor for the
manufacture of Licensed Products at the time of
furnishing thereof.
6. INFRINGEMENTS
6.1. Infringement by Third Parties.
(a) Each party shall advise the other promptly upon
becoming aware of any infringement by a third party
of any Patent Right within the Territory. The
Licensor shall, within reasonable limits and at its
own discretion, promptly take such action (legal or
otherwise) as is required to restrain such
infringement. The Licensee shall cooperate fully
with the Licensor, at the latter's reasonable
expense, in the Licensor's effort to restrain such
infringement. The Licensee may be represented by
counsel of its own selection at its own expense in
any suit or proceeding brought to restrain such
infringement, but the Licensor shall have the right
to control the suit or proceeding and obtain all
benefits in the recoveries resulting from such suit
or proceeding, whether by judgment, award, decree or
settlement.
(b) If, within sixty (60) days of the Licensee's giving
notice to the Licensor of any third party
infringement within the Territory, the Licensor fails
to institute an
Page 11
infringement action or proceeding that the Licensee
reasonably feels is required, the Licensee shall have
the right at its own discretion at any time
thereafter to institute an action or proceeding in
the Territory for infringement of any of the claim or
claims of the Patent Rights. It is agreed that in
such event the Licensee or its sublicensee may
institute any such suit in its own name or in the
names of each party to this Agreement (subject, in
the case of Licensor, to its prior written consent
which shall not be unreasonably withheld) and the
Licensee shall bear the expense of any such suit or
suits and shall obtain all of the benefits in the
recoveries resulting therefrom, whether by judgment,
award, decree or settlement. Should the Licensee
bring any such suit or proceeding, the Licensor shall
cooperate in all reasonable ways with the Licensee in
such suit or proceeding at the Licensee's expense.
(c) Both the parties hereto may mutually agree to bear
equally the costs and expenses in any such suit or
proceeding. If the parties so agree, they shall share
equally in any and all benefits in the recovery
whether by judgment, award, decree or settlement.
6.2. Infringement of Third Party Rights.
(a) If any third party claims or institutes legal action
against the Licensee alleging that the manufacture,
sale, or use of the Licensed Products under the
license conferred by this Agreement infringes patent
rights of such third party, the Licensee shall
promptly notify the Licensor in writing of such claim
or action.
(b) Upon such notice, the Licensor and the Licensee shall
consult and discuss whether it would be reasonable to
bring or defend any suit or proceeding concerning
infringement of a third party's patent in the
Territory or whether other measures should be
undertaken in order to avoid the time and expense
inherent in any such suit or proceeding. Both
parties shall have the right to participate, at their
own expense and through counsel of their own
choosing, in any settlement discussions relating to,
or the defense of, any claim of infringement lodged
as a consequence of the Licensee's marketing of
Licensed Products within the Territory under the
license conferred by this Agreement.
(c) Should the Licensee or its sublicensees be required
either by judgment, award or decree, or by settlement
consented to by the Licensor (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld) to make royalty payments to
a third party (other than an Affiliate of Licensee)
as a consequence of any claim that the Licensee's or
its sublicensees' marketing of the Licensed Products
in a country within the Territory, under the license
conferred by this Agreement, infringes patent rights
of such third party, it is agreed that the running
royalties due and payable to the Licensor under this
Agreement for the manufacture, use and sale of the
Licensed Products in such country shall be reduced by
an amount equal to that which the Licensee or its
sublicensees are required to pay said third party;
provided, that (i) Licensee promptly notifies
Licensor in writing of any such claim of
infringement, (ii) Licensee cooperates fully with the
Licensor, at the Licensee's expense, in the defense
thereof, and (iii) Licensee allows the Licensor to
control the defense to such claim and any settlement
discussions relating thereto.
Page 12
7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
7.1. Definition and Identification.
(a) "Confidential Information" means any information
concerning the Subject Technology received by one
party (the "receiving party") from the other party or
its Affiliates (the "disclosing party"), including
but not limited to processes and process parameters,
methods, practices, techniques, designs, technical
plans, algorithms, computer programs and related
documentation, supplier lists, marketing plans,
research and development strategies, evaluation of
relevant technologies, and any other information
relating to the development, design, engineering,
testing, manufacture, marketing, use of, or to
methods and apparatus related to the manufacture or
use of, the Licensed Products, which the receiving
party has been informed or has a reasonable basis to
believe is confidential to the disclosing party.
(b) "Confidential Information" shall not extend to
information which: (i) was known to the receiving
party prior to receipt from the disclosing party;
(ii) was lawfully available to the public prior to
receipt from the disclosing party; (iii) becomes
lawfully available to the public after receipt from
the disclosing party, through no act or omission on
the part of the receiving party; (iv) corresponds in
substance to any information received in good faith
by the receiving party from any third party without
restriction as to confidentiality; or (v) is
independently developed by an employee or agent of
the receiving party who has not received or had
access to such information.
(c) Information which the disclosing party wishes to have
treated as Confidential Information under this
Agreement shall be identified at the time of
disclosure as "confidential" by marking, or in the
case of oral disclosures, shall be confirmed as such
in writing within thirty (30) days following the oral
disclosure. However, if not so identified, the
receiving party before making use of any such
information that could reasonably be assumed to be
Confidential Information for any purpose, other than
exercise of the licenses granted hereunder or the
performance of this Agreement, shall inquire of the
disclosing party as to the status of such information
and shall designate and treat the same as
Confidential Information if so requested.
(d) In the event that visiting personnel are present on
the premises of the host party, all information of
the host party received or learned by the visiting
personnel shall be treated as Confidential
Information of the host party, regardless of whether
such information is related to the Subject Technology
or marked or otherwise identified as confidential.
7.2. Confidentiality Obligations.
(a) Each party agrees to maintain received Confidential
Information in confidence and not to use such
Confidential Information for any purpose other than
exercise of the licenses granted hereunder and the
performance of this Agreement. Neither party shall
disclose any Confidential Information without the
prior written approval of the disclosing party,
except as required to comply with any order of a
court or any applicable rule, regulation or law of
any jurisdiction or as provided in Section 10.1. In
the event that a receiving party is required by
judicial or
Page 13
administrative process to disclose Confidential
Information of the disclosing party, it shall
promptly notify the disclosing party and to the
extent permitted by the circumstances allow the
disclosing party a reasonable time to oppose such
process.
(b) Each party shall protect Confidential Information of
the other by using the same degree of care, but not
less than a reasonable degree of care, to prevent
unauthorized disclosure or use as that party uses to
protect its own confidential information of like
nature. Within each party and their respective
Affiliates, Confidential Information shall be
disclosed only to employees to whom disclosure is
reasonably necessary to the exercise of the licenses
granted hereunder or the performance of this
Agreement. Each party shall limit the number of
copies made of any item of received Confidential
Information.
(c) Each party shall appropriately notify each employee,
agent or consultant to whom any disclosure of
received Confidential Information is made and shall
obtain their agreement that they will maintain
Confidential Information in confidence in accordance
with the provisions set forth herein. Each party
represents and warrants to the other that its
employees, agents and consultants to whom any
disclosure of received Confidential Information is
made shall be subject to a valid, binding and
enforceable agreement to maintain such Confidential
Information in confidence in accordance with the
provisions set forth herein.
7.3. Survival.
The obligations of confidentiality set forth in this Article 7
shall continue for so long as the Confidential Information
continues to come within the definition thereof set forth in
Section 7.1 and shall survive the expiration or any
termination of this Agreement.
8. TERM AND TERMINATION
8.1. Term.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective on the
Effective Date first above written.
(b) This Agreement shall continue to be effective for a
period of seven (7) years from the Effective Date,
unless this Agreement is sooner terminated pursuant
to other provisions of this Agreement.
8.2. Termination.
If one or more of the following events shall have occurred and
be continuing:
(a) one party shall at any time commit a breach of any of
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the
Supply Agreement executed concurrently herewith, and
shall fail to remedy such breach within thirty (30)
days after written notice thereof from the other
party; or
(b) one party shall be dissolved, liquidated or declared
insolvent or bankrupt; or
(c) any representation or warranty made by one party in
this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect or
misleading in any material respect when made;
Page 14
then and in any such event, the other party shall have the
right forthwith to terminate this Agreement by written notice
thereof to the defaulting party, to take effect immediately
upon such notice, without prejudice to any other rights and
remedies conferred by this Agreement or by law.
8.3. Rights after Termination.
After termination, each party shall retain the right to use
Subject Technology licensed to it hereunder to make, use and
sell Licensed Products in accordance with the terms and
conditions and subject to the limitations set forth in this
Agreement, except that in case of termination for breach
pursuant to Section 8.2 the breaching party shall not retain
nor have such rights and except that in case of termination
under Section 13.11 neither party shall retain nor have such
rights.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, neither party
shall under any circumstances be liable to the other for indirect,
incidental, special or consequential damages (including, but not
limited to, loss of profits, revenue or business) resulting from or in
any way related to this Agreement, or the termination of this
Agreement, or arising out of or alleged to have arisen out of breach of
this Agreement or the exercise of any license granted hereunder. This
limitation applies regardless of whether such damages are sought based
on breach of contract, warranty, negligence, strict liability or other
legal theory.
Without limiting the foregoing, except as expressly provided otherwise
in this Agreement, Licensor shall have no liability whatsoever to
Licensee or any third parties for or on account of any injury, loss or
damage, of any kind or nature, sustained by, or any damage assessed or
asserted against, or any other liability incurred by or imposed upon
Licensee or any other person or entity, arising out of or in connection
with or resulting from the manufacture, use or sale of the Licensed
Products or use of the Licensed Processes or other Subject Technology,
or any advertising or other promotional activities with respect to any
of the foregoing.
10. ADDITIONAL UNDERTAKINGS
10.1. Confidentiality of Terms.
The parties agree that the terms of this Agreement shall be
treated as Confidential Information of each other subject to
Article 7; provided, however, that either party may, upon
notice to the other, make such public disclosures regarding
this Agreement as in the opinion of counsel for such party are
required by applicable securities laws or regulations.
10.2. Publicity.
The parties agree to cooperate in the preparation of a
mutually acceptable joint press release announcing the
relationship established hereby, to be issued promptly
following execution of this Agreement, but shall otherwise
make no public announcement regarding the terms of this
Agreement.
10.3. Patent Marking.
Licensee agrees to use reasonable efforts to ensure that
Licensed Products sold by it and its sublicensees are marked
in accordance with applicable patent laws with the number of
Page 15
any appropriate patents included in the Licensed Rights.
10.4. Use of Trademarks, Etc.
Licensee agrees that it will not, without the prior written
consent of Licensor, (i) use in advertising, publicity or
otherwise in connection with any Licensed Products sold under
this Agreement, any trade name, trademark, trade device,
service ▇▇▇▇, or symbol owned by Licensor or its Affiliates;
or (ii) represent, either directly or indirectly, that any
product of Licensee or its sublicensees is a product
manufactured by Licensor or its Affiliates, or vice versa.
10.5. Export Regulation.
Licensee agrees to comply in all respects with all applicable
laws and regulations of the United States government or any
agency thereof pertaining to exports.
11. ASSIGNMENT
Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations created
herein is assignable by either of the parties hereto without the prior
written consent of the other party, except to a successor to its entire
business or of substantially all of its assets relating to the
manufacture, use, sale or other disposal of the Licensed Products,
provided, however, that any such assignment shall require the delivery
to the other party of the assignee's written agreement to accept such
assignment and be bound by this Agreement. Any purported assignment in
violation of this paragraph shall be void. No assignment shall relieve
the assignor of responsibility for the performance of its obligations
hereunder.
12. FORCE MAJEURE
If the performance of this Agreement or any obligations under this
Agreement is prevented, restricted, or interfered with by reason of
fire, flood, explosion, or other casualty, accident, or act of God;
strikes or labor disturbances; war, whether declared or not, or other
violence; sabotage; any law, or order, proclamation, regulation,
ordinance, demand, or requirement of any government agency; or any
other event beyond the reasonable control of the parties, whether
similar or dissimilar to the foregoing and whether or not foreseen, the
affected party, upon giving prompt notice to the other party, shall be
excused from such performance to the extent of such prevention,
restriction or interference. The affected party shall use its
reasonable efforts to avoid or remove such cause of non-performance or
to limit the impact of the event on such party's performance and shall
continue performance with the utmost dispatch whenever such causes are
removed.
13. GENERAL
13.1. Notices.
All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and sent
by prepaid airmail post, by reputable courier service, or by
facsimile message (with a confirmation copy concurrently
dispatched by prepaid airmail post or courier service), to the
addresses of the respective parties as set forth by their
signatures below or to such other address as the party may
hereafter specify by written notice so given. Notices shall be
effective upon receipt at the location of the specified
address.
Page 16
13.2. Authority; No Conflicting Obligations; Governmental Approval.
(a) Each party warrants that its has all requisite power
and authority to enter into and perform this
Agreement, and that it has no agreement with any
third party or commitments or obligations which
conflict in any way with its obligations hereunder.
Each party agrees during the term of this Agreement
not to enter into any agreement, commitment or
obligation in conflict with its obligations under
this Agreement.
(b) Each party warrants to the other that all approvals
of any governmental agency required for such party to
enter into and perform its obligations under this
Agreement have been obtained prior to the execution
hereof.
13.3. Relationship of the Parties.
The relationship of the parties under this Agreement is
intended to be that of independent contractors. Nothing herein
shall be construed to create any partnership, joint venture or
agency relationship of any kind. Neither party has any
authority under this Agreement to assume or create any
obligations on behalf of or in the name of the other party or
to bind the other party to any contract, agreement or
undertaking with any third party.
13.4. Dispute Resolution.
Any disputes or claims arising from this Agreement or its
breach shall be submitted to and resolved exclusively by
arbitration conducted in accordance with the Rules of
Conciliation and Arbitration of the International Chamber of
Commerce. The arbitration shall be conducted by three (3)
arbitrators appointed in accordance with such rules. The place
of arbitration shall be in San Francisco, California. An award
rendered in the arbitration shall be final and binding upon
the parties and judgment may be entered thereon in any court
of competent jurisdiction. The arbitrators shall apply the
laws specified in this Agreement in determining the rights,
obligations and liabilities of the parties and shall not have
the power to alter, modify, amend, add to or subtract from any
term or provision of this Agreement nor to rule upon or grant
any extension, renewal or continuance of this Agreement, nor
to award damages or other remedies expressly prohibited by
this Agreement, nor to grant injunctive relief, including
interim relief, of any nature, notwithstanding any contrary
provisions of the Rules of Conciliation and Arbitration
specified above. If, under applicable law, this arbitration
provision is not enforceable as to a particular claim brought
by one party against the other, then legal proceedings
involving only that claim may be instituted solely in the
United States District Court of the Eastern District of North
Carolina or, if such court may not exercise jurisdiction, a
court of the State of North Carolina. For all purposes of this
Agreement, all parties hereby irrevocably consent to the
jurisdiction of such court and waive any defense based on
improper or inconvenient venue or lack of personal
jurisdiction.
13.5. Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement is found invalid or
unenforceable, the remaining provisions will be given effect
as if the invalid or unenforceable provision were not a part
of this Agreement.
Page 17
13.6. Amendments; Waiver.
This Agreement may not be amended except in a writing signed
by the authorized representatives of both parties. No waiver
of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless
made in writing and signed by the party sought to be charged
therewith. The failure of either party to enforce any
provision of this Agreement shall not constitute or be
construed as a waiver of such provision or of the right to
enforce it at a later time.
13.7. Enforcement Costs.
The prevailing party in any arbitration or judicial action
brought to enforce the provisions of this Agreement shall be
entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred in filing and prosecuting
or defending such action.
13.8. Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina,
without regard to conflicts of laws principles.
13.9. Construction.
The captions contained in this Agreement are for reference
only and shall not be used in its construction or
interpretation. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
construed and interpreted fairly to both parties without
regard to which party drafted the same.
13.10. United Nations Convention.
The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the
International Sale of Goods shall not apply to this Agreement.
13.11. Fair Trade Commission Action.
In the event that the Fair Trade Commission of Japan should
advise or recommend modification, amendment and/or deletion of
any terms and conditions of this Agreement pursuant to the
"Law relating to Prohibition of Private Monopoly and Methods
of Preserving Fair Trade" of Japan, Licensee shall immediately
inform Licensor in writing of such advice or recommendation
and the parties hereto agree to negotiate in good faith to
modify, amend, and/or delete the terms and conditions
concerned in this Agreement in accordance with the said advice
or recommendation. In the event that the parties are unable to
agree in writing within thirty (30) days after Licensee
informs Licensor of the action of the Fair Trade Commission,
either of the parties hereto may upon written notice to the
other terminate this Agreement without incurring any
liability.
13.12. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all previous agreements and understandings between
the parties, whether oral or written, relating to such subject
matter.
Page 18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties, through their respective duly authorized
officers, have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date
set out in the preamble hereto.
CREE RESEARCH, INC. SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO. LTD.
By /s/ F. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------- -------------------------
Name F. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Name ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------- -------------------------
Title President Title Director
--------------------------- -------------------------
Date September 30, 1996 Date
--------------------------- -------------------------
Address for Notices Address for Notices
Cree Research, Inc. Shin-Etsu Handotai Co. Ltd.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ 176 Togin Bldg.
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: President Attention: Director, Compound
Fax No: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Semiconductor Division
Fax No: ▇▇-▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SUMITOMO CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of Japan, and SUMITOMO CORPORATION OF AMERICA, a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, acting through
their respective duly authorized officers, have executed this Agreement below
and, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
is hereby acknowledged, do hereby covenant and agree to be bound in the same
manner as the parties hereto by the provisions of Article 7 and Section 10.1 of
this Agreement.
SUMITOMO CORPORATION OF AMERICA SUMITOMO CORPORATION
By /s/ Toshiaki Hatsuo By /s/ K. Takaishi
--------------------------- ----------------------------
Name Toshiaki Hatsuo Name K. Takaishi
-------------------------- --------------------------
Title Senior Vice President & Gen. Mgr. Title General Manager
----------------------------------- ------------------------
Date September 30, 1996 Date Electronic Materials
------------------------------------ & Equipment Dept.
--------------------------
Address for Notices Address for Notices
Sumitomo Corporation of America Sumitomo Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1-chome, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇
USA General Manager
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Attention: Electronic Materials &
------------------------ Equipment Dept.
-------------------------
Fax No: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Fax No: ▇▇-▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
--------------------------- ----------------
Page 19
SCHEDULE 1
Licensed Products and Processes
A. Licensed Products
The Licensed Products are blue LED die products which:
(1) are made on silicon carbide substrates,
(2) contain epitaxial layers comprised solely of Al(X)Ga(1-X)N,
(3) contain an insulating buffer between the substrate and the
epitaxial layers, and
(4) are produced using the Licensed Processes (not including any
Excluded Technology as described in Schedule 2).
The Licensed Products include but are not limited to those conforming
to the specifications for Licensor's DH-85 LED die product as set forth
in Attachment A hereto.
The Licensed Products shall also include any improved version thereof
made by Licensor during the term of this Agreement where the
improvements consist of Covered Improvements.
B. Licensed Processes
The Licensed Processes are (i) the processes necessary to perform MOCVD
epitaxial deposition on silicon carbide substrates as a step in
manufacturing the Licensed Products and (ii) the processes necessary to
fabricate and test the Licensed Products on silicon carbide substrates
having epitaxially deposited layers.
The Licensed Processes include the processes described above only
insofar as the same are in use by Licensor at the Effective Date and as
they may be improved by Licensor during the term of this Agreement to
allow the manufacture of Licensed Products that incorporate Covered
Improvements.
C. Covered Improvements
The Covered Improvements consist of the substitution of a conductive
buffer layer for the insulating buffer layer used between the silicon
carbide substrate and the gallium nitride layers in the Licensed
Product and any improvements made to the Licensed Processes to allow
for the manufacture of Licensed Products containing such a conductive
buffer layer.
SCHEDULE 2
Excluded Technology
"Subject Technology" as used in this Agreement does not include any information
concerning:
1. Bulk growth of silicon carbide.
2. Any polish, wafering, wafer refinishing or other pre-epitaxial process
other than wafer surface preparation steps necessary to manufacture
Licensed Products.
3. Any epitaxial deposition process other than those necessary to
manufacture the Licensed Products.
4. Any laser diode technology.
5. Design, manufacture or other aspects of
*********************************************************** where such
information is not necessary to the manufacture of the Licensed
Products.
6. Any information other than information which a party is lawfully
entitled to communicate to the other party for its use without
breaching any restrictions on use or disclosure owed to third parties.
SCHEDULE 3
Technology Transfer Services
A. Technical Documentation
Promptly following the Effective Date of this Agreement and in any
event not later than the number of days after the Effective Date
specified in the following schedule, Licensor will deliver to Licensee
the following documentation describing the Subject Technology:
Not later than sixty (60) days after the Effective Date:
1. Listing of equipment manufactured by third parties (including
the manufacturer and model designation) used by Licensor to
perform epitaxial deposition on SiC substrates as a step in
manufacturing the Licensed Products
2. Listing of equipment manufactured by third parties (including
the manufacturer and model designation) used by Licensor
fabricate the Licensed Products on coated substrates.
3. Descriptions and/or drawings and parts listings for any
modifications made by Licensor to the equipment listed in
Items 1 and 2 above for purposes of manufacturing the Licensed
Products, including a description of any special maintenance
needs of such modified equipment known to Licensor.
4. Descriptions and/or drawings and parts listings for any
custom-built equipment used by Licensor in the Licensed
Processes, including a description of any special maintenance
needs of such equipment known to Licensor.
5. Drawings depicting the layout of those portions of Licensor's
production facilities in which the Licensed Processes are
performed.
6. Descriptions of the Licensed Processes, including all process
parameters and equipment settings used by Licensor in
performing the Licensed Processes, and the specifications of
all substrates, both with and without epitaxial coatings, used
by Seller for its own internal production of Licensed
Products.
Not later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Effective Date:
7. Descriptions of all standard testing procedures performed by
Licensor on Licensed Products before shipment.
8. Such documents (if any) as Licensor may have prepared to meet
the requirements of the ISO-9000 standard with respect to the
manufacturing operations for the Licensed Products.
B. Technical Assistance with Chip Fabrication Process
1. Prior to ordering equipment necessary for chip fabrication,
representatives of Licensee will visit Licensor's facilities
and shall be permitted access to those portions of the
facilities in which Licensor fabricates and tests Licensed
Products. Such access shall be permitted for the purpose of
observing operation of the Licensed Processes. There shall
be one (1) such visit, which shall include up to four (4)
Licensee representatives and shall extend up to five (5)
working days.
2. Representatives of Licensee will visit Licensor's facilities
for the purpose of training Licensee's personnel for the
start-up of Licensee's operations with respect to fabrication
and testing of Licensed Products. There shall be one (1) such
visit, which shall include up to four (4) Licensee
representatives and shall extend up to five (5) working days.
3. Representatives of Licensor will visit Licensee's facilities
to provide technological assistance for the manufacture of
Licensed Products. There shall be one (1) such visit, which
shall include up to two (2) Licensor representatives and shall
extend up to five (5) working days.
C. Technical Assistance with Epitaxial Deposition Process
1. Prior to ordering equipment necessary for epitaxial
deposition, representatives of Licensee will visit Licensor's
facilities and shall be permitted access to those portions of
the facilities in which Licensor performs epitaxial deposition
the manufacture of Licensed Products. Such access shall be
permitted for the purpose of observing operation of the
Licensed Processes. There shall be one (1) such visit, which
shall include up to four (4) Licensee representatives and
shall extend up to five (5) working days.
2. A representative of Licensee experienced in epitaxial
deposition will visit Licensor's facilities for the purpose of
being trained in the operation of the MOCVD reactor and other
equipment used for epitaxial deposition in manufacturing
Licensed Products. There shall be one (1) such visit, which
shall extend up to six (6) weeks.
3. If requested by Licensee, and subject to mutual agreement of
the parties as to price, delivery and other terms, Licensor
will acquire and deliver to Licensee an MOCVD reactor for use
in manufacturing Licensed Products. Prior to delivery to
Licensee, Licensor shall make or have the manufacturer make
all modifications necessary for use of the reactor in
manufacturing Licensed Products and will make the modified
reactor available for inspection by Licensee of its
performance at a site within the United States. Upon
acceptance of the modified reactor by Licensee, Licensor will
arrange for the manufacturer to deliver and install the
reactor at Licensee's facilities.
4. Representatives of Licensor will visit Licensee's facilities
to provide technological assistance with manufacturing
epitaxial wafers as a step in manufacturing the Licensed
Products. There shall be one (1) such visit, which shall
include up to two (2) Licensor representatives and shall
extend up to ten (10) working days.
D. Terms and Conditions Applicable to Visits
Visits by one party's representatives to the facilities of the other
party pursuant to this Schedule shall be conducted in accordance with
and subject to the following:
1. Visits shall be scheduled at Licensor's and Licensee's mutual
convenience. Licensee shall make a request to Licensor at
least fifteen (15) days in advance of the proposed visit for
each visit to be scheduled.
2. Each party may require that representatives of the other party
granted access to its facilities agree in writing to maintain
all Confidential Information learned during the visit in
confidence under terms at least as strict as those provided in
this Agreement. Each party reserves the right to preclude or
restrict photographing of its facilities during visits.
3. In connection with such visits each party shall be solely
responsible for:
(a) all salaries, travel and related expenses of its
visiting personnel; and
(b) any injury or damage sustained by them whether or
not in connection with such visit;
and
(c) any damage or injury which may be caused by them to
the visited facilities or its employees by reason of
their negligence or intentional misconduct.
SCHEDULE 4
License Fee and Royalties
A. License Issue Fee
The license issue fee to be paid under Section 4.1 shall be due and
payable in installments in the amounts and on the dates shown below:
Upon execution of this Agreement $ 700,000
December 31, 1996 $ 500,000
March 31, 1997 $ 500,000
June 30, 1997 $ 500,000
June 30, 1998 $ 500,000
The installment payments may be paid without interest at any time
within thirty (30) days after the date due.
B. Royalties
The royalties to be paid under Section 4.2 shall be due with respect to
all sales of Licensed Products by Licensee and its Affiliates and any
other sublicensees during the period ending seven (7) years after the
Effective Date of this Agreement.
The royalty shall be equal to ***************** percent (**********%)
multiplied times the difference between (i) the Net Sales of Licensed
Products by Licensee and its sublicensees minus (ii) the Net Sales to
Licensee and its sublicensees of materials supplied by Licensor for use
in the manufacture of Licensed Products.
Sample quantities (up to an aggregate of 50,000 die) sold prior to the
commencement of commercial production of Licensed Products by Licensee
will not be subject to the royalty. Such sales shall nonetheless be
reported on the reports to be submitted under Section 4.3.
Information in attachment omitted in its entirety and ATTACHMENT A
filed separately with the Commission pursuant to a confidential treatment
request under Rule 24b-2 of the Commission.
C430-DH85 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS