EXHIBIT 10.1
SECURE COMPUTING CORPORATION
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EMPLOYMENT, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION,
AND ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
As a condition of my employment with SECURE COMPUTING CORPORATION, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, successors or assigns (together the "Company"), and in
consideration of my employment with the Company and my receipt of the
compensation now and hereafter paid to me by Company, I agree to the following:
1. AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT. I UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY EMPLOYMENT WITH THE
COMPANY IS FOR AN UNSPECIFIED DURATION AND CONSTITUTES "AT-WILL" EMPLOYMENT. I
ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNAUTHORIZED AND NOT
VALID UNLESS OBTAINED IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
THE COMPANY. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP MAY BE TERMINATED
AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE OR FOR ANY OR NO CAUSE, AT THE OPTION
EITHER OF THE COMPANY OR MYSELF, WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE.
2. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
(a) COMPANY INFORMATION. I agree at all times during the term of my
employment and thereafter, to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use or
disclose, except for the benefit of the Company, to any person, firm or
corporation without written authorization of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, any Confidential Information of the Company. I understand that
"Confidential Information" means any Company proprietary information, technical
data, trade secrets or know-how, including, but not limited to, research,
product plans, products, services, customer lists and customers (including, but
not limited to, customers of the Company on whom I called or with whom I became
acquainted during the term of my employment), markets, software, developments,
inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering
data, hardware configuration information, marketing, financial or other business
information disclosed to me by the Company either directly or indirectly in
writing, orally or by drawings or observation of parts or equipment. I further
understand that Confidential Information does not include any of the foregoing
items which has become publicly known and made generally available through no
wrongful act of mine or of others who were under confidentiality obligations as
to the item or items involved or improvements or new versions thereof.
(b) FORMER EMPLOYER INFORMATION. I agree that I will not, during my
employment with the Company, improperly use or disclose any proprietary
information or trade secrets of any former or concurrent employer or other
person or entity and that I will not bring onto the premises of the Company any
unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any such employer,
person or entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or
entity.
(c) THIRD PARTY INFORMATION. I recognize that the Company has received
and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or
proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company's part to maintain the
confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited
purposes. I agree to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in
the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm or
corporation or to use it except as necessary in carrying out my work for the
Company consistent with the Company's agreement with such third party.
3. CONFLICTING EMPLOYMENT. I agree that, during the term of my employment with
the Company, I will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting
or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company
is now involved or becomes involved during the term of my employment, nor will I
engage in any other activities that conflict with my obligations to the Company.
4. RETURNING COMPANY DOCUMENTS. I agree that, at the time of leaving the employ
of the Company, I will deliver to the Company (and will not keep in my
possession, recreate or deliver to anyone else) any and all devices, records,
data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings
blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment,
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other documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned items
developed by me pursuant to my employment with the Company or otherwise
belonging to the Company, its successors or assigns. In the event of the
termination of my employment, I agree to sign and deliver the "Termination
Certification" attached hereto as Exhibit A.
5. NOTIFICATION OF NEW EMPLOYER. In the event that I leave the employ of the
Company, I hereby grant consent to notification by the Company to my new
employer about my rights and obligations under this Agreement.
6. SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES. To the full extent permitted by law, for a period
of twelve (12) months immediately following the termination of my relationship
with the Company for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, I shall not,
by myself or in collaboration with others, either directly or indirectly
solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Company's employees to leave
their employment, or take away such employees, or attempt to solicit, induce,
recruit, encourage or take away employees of the Company, either for myself or
any other person or entity.
7. REPRESENTATIONS. I agree to execute any proper oath or verify any proper
document required to carry out the terms of this Agreement. I represent that my
performance of all the terms of this Agreement will not breach any agreement to
keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by me in confidence or in
trust prior to my employment by the Company. I have not entered into, and I
agree I will not enter into, any oral or written agreement in conflict herewith.
8. ARBITRATION AND EQUITABLE RELIEF.
(a) ARBITRATION. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 8(b) BELOW, I AGREE THAT
ANY DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR CONCERNING ANY
INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE OR BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, SHALL BE
SETTLED BY ARBITRATION TO BE HELD IN SANTA ▇▇▇▇▇ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE EMPLOYMENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION RULES THEN IN EFFECT OF THE
AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION. THE ARBITRATOR MAY GRANT INJUNCTIONS OR OTHER
RELIEF IN SUCH DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY. THE DECISION OF THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE
FINAL, CONCLUSIVE AND BINDING ON THE PARTIES TO THE ARBITRATION. JUDGMENT MAY BE
ENTERED ON THE ARBITRATOR'S DECISION IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION. THE
COMPANY SHALL PAY THE COSTS AND EXPENSES OF SUCH ARBITRATION, AND EACH OF US
SHALL SEPARATELY PAY OUR COUNSEL FEES AND EXPENSES.
THIS ARBITRATION CLAUSE CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT TO A
JURY TRIAL AND RELATES TO THE RESOLUTION OF ALL DISPUTES RELATING TO ALL ASPECTS
OF THE EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP (EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 8(b)
BELOW), INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS:
i. ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR WRONGFUL DISCHARGE OF EMPLOYMENT;
BREACH OF CONTRACT, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; BREACH OF THE COVENANT OF GOOD
FAITH AND FAIR DEALING, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL
INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION;
NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT OR PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC
ADVANTAGE; AND DEFAMATION;
ii. ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR VIOLATION OF ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR
MUNICIPAL STATUTE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS
ACT OF 1964, THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1991, THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT
ACT OF 1967, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, THE FAIR LABOR
STANDARDS ACT, THE CALIFORNIA FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING ACT, AND LABOR CODE
SECTION 201, ET SEQ.;
iii. ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF ANY OTHER LAWS AND
REGULATIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION.
(b) EQUITABLE REMEDIES. I AGREE THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE OR
INADEQUATE TO MEASURE AND CALCULATE THE COMPANY'S DAMAGES FROM ANY BREACH OF THE
COVENANTS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 2 AND 4 HEREIN. ACCORDINGLY, I AGREE THAT IF I
BREACH ANY OF SUCH SECTIONS, THE COMPANY WILL HAVE AVAILABLE, IN ADDITION TO ANY
OTHER RIGHT OR
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REMEDY AVAILABLE, THE RIGHT TO OBTAIN AN INJUNCTION FROM A COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION RESTRAINING SUCH BREACH OR THREATENED BREACH AND TO SPECIFIC
PERFORMANCE OF ANY SUCH PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT. I FURTHER AGREE THAT NO
BOND OR OTHER SECURITY SHALL BE REQUIRED IN OBTAINING SUCH EQUITABLE RELIEF AND
I HEREBY CONSENT TO THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH INJUNCTION AND TO THE ORDERING OF
SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.
(c) CONSIDERATION. I UNDERSTAND THAT EACH PARTY'S PROMISE TO RESOLVE
CLAIMS BY ARBITRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT,
RATHER THAN THROUGH THE COURTS, IS CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER PARTY'S LIKE PROMISE.
I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT I AM OFFERED EMPLOYMENT IN CONSIDERATION OF MY PROMISE
TO ARBITRATE CLAIMS.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION. This Agreement
will be governed by the laws of the State of California. I hereby expressly
consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in
California for any lawsuit filed there against me by the Company arising from or
relating to this Agreement.
(b) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
and understanding between the Company and me relating to the subject matter
herein and supersedes all prior discussions between us. No modification of or
amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this agreement,
will be effective unless in writing signed by the party to be charged. Any
subsequent change or changes in my duties, salary or compensation will not
affect the validity or scope of this Agreement.
(c) SEVERABILITY. If one or more of the provisions in this Agreement
are deemed void by law, then the remaining provisions will continue in full
force and effect.
(d) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement will be binding upon my
heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives and will be for
the benefit of the Company, its successors, and its assigns.
Date: 4/30/01
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/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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Signature
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EXHIBIT A
SECURE COMPUTING CORPORATION
TERMINATION CERTIFICATION
In accordance with my Employment Agreement, I hereby certify to the
following:
I do not have in my possession, nor have I failed to return, any
devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence,
specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other
documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned items belonging to
SECURE COMPUTING CORPORATION, its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors or
assigns (together, the "Company").
I have complied with all the terms of the Company's Employment
Agreement signed by me, including the reporting of any inventions and original
works of authorship (as defined therein), conceived or made by me (solely or
jointly with others) covered by that agreement.
In compliance with the Employment Agreement, I will preserve as
confidential all trade secrets, confidential knowledge, data or other
proprietary information relating to products, processes, know-how, designs,
formulas, developmental or experimental work, computer programs, data bases,
other original works of authorship, customer lists, business plans, financial
information or other subject matter pertaining to any business of the Company or
any of its employees, clients, consultants or licensees.
I further agree that for twelve (12) months from this date, I will not
directly or indirectly through others, solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any
of the Company's employees to leave their employment or engage in any behavior
that is in violation of my ongoing responsibilities under my Employment
Agreement.
Date:
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(Employee's Signature)
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(Type/Print Employee's Name)
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