Commercial Agreement – Barnes & Noble Inc. and Microsoft Corp.
Commercial Agreement
This Commercial Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of
the Effective Date, is between: Microsoft Corporation, a Washington corporation
(“Microsoft”); Barnes and Noble, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“B&N”); and the company to be formed by B&N and
described in the Investment Agreement as “NewCo,” and identified on the
signature page of this Agreement (“NewCo“).
Background and Purpose
A. The parties desire to jointly invest in and expand and
enhance the e-book and related e-reading business currently conducted by
B&N. In furtherance thereof, B&N is transferring its Nook ® devices,
online bookstore, e-content publishing and College businesses to NewCo, and
Microsoft is making an investment in NewCo, as described in the Investment
Agreement.
B. In addition, the parties desire to enhance and expand
NewCo153s business through, among other things, NewCo153s development and promotion
of a global e-reading content experience with Microsoft153s Windows OS, Windows
Phone and other products, as more particularly described in this Agreement.
Agreement
Section 1. Definitions; Overview of Responsibilities; Related
Agreements; Governance Processes; Effectiveness
1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in
Exhibit A and in the body of this Agreement will have their
respective meanings when used in this Agreement with initial letters
capitalized.
1.2 B&N Responsibilities. B&N will:
(a) subject to the receipt of any applicable third party consents, which
B&N will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, transfer or cause
its Subsidiaries to transfer to NewCo all of its rights, title and interests in
the E-Reading Assets and Content;
(b) if B&N is unable to obtain any required third party consent for the
transfer of any Content offered in the B&N Store immediately prior to
transfer to NewCo, use commercially reasonable efforts to implement arrangements
to allow NewCo to make such Content available to customers of the NewCo Store;
and
(c) upon NewCo153s reasonable request and at NewCo153s expense, use good faith
efforts to draw upon B&N153s existing relationships with publishers to assist
NewCo in entering into agreements with such publishers to procure Reading
Content for the NewCo Store; provided that this obligation shall terminate upon
B&N ceasing to directly or indirectly own a majority of the equity interests
of NewCo.
1.3 NewCo Responsibilities. NewCo will:
(a) if B&N is unable to obtain any required third party consent for the
transfer of Content offered in the B&N Store immediately prior to transfer
to NewCo, use commercially reasonable efforts to make such Content available to
customers of the NewCo Store;
(b) be solely responsible for acquiring and pricing all Content distributed
in the NewCo Windows App and the NewCo Phone App and for paying all costs
associated with providing that Content;
(c) develop and distribute a NewCo Windows App that delivers a [***]
experience on Windows OS pursuant to Section 2;
(d) enable users of Microsoft Products and Services to interact with Content
from the NewCo Store pursuant to Section 3;
(e) use the Microsoft Commerce Platform and Microsoft ID System for commerce
transactions in the NewCo Apps and Microsoft Products and Services with the
NewCo Store pursuant to Section 4;
(f) expand the geographies and catalog of the NewCo Store pursuant to Section
5;
(g) develop and distribute the NewCo Phone App pursuant to Section 6; and
(h) share with Microsoft the Net Revenue pursuant to Section 7.1;
provided that nothing in the foregoing clauses (c)-(h) shall expand or modify
in any way the rights or obligations of any party under this Agreement.
1.4 Microsoft Responsibilities. Microsoft
will:
(a) assist NewCo153s development and certification of the NewCo Windows App
pursuant to Sections 2.1.3 and 2.2;
(b) make available the Windows Store for distribution of the NewCo Windows
App by NewCo pursuant to Section 2.5.1;
(c) [***];
(d) explore enabling users of Microsoft Products and Services to interact
with Content from the NewCo Store as provided for in Section 3;
(e) enable use of the Microsoft Commerce Platform and Microsoft ID System for
commerce transactions in the NewCo Apps and the Microsoft Products and Services
with the NewCo Store pursuant to Section 4;
(f) assist NewCo in obtaining certification of the NewCo Phone App pursuant
to Section 6.1.3; and
(g) share Net Revenue with NewCo, make Advances to NewCo, and make
operational cost payments to NewCo, in each case, as provided for in Section 7;
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provided that nothing in the foregoing clauses (a)-(g) shall expand or modify
in any way the rights or obligations of any party under this Agreement.
1.5 NewCo is the E-Reading Business for
B&N. During the Term, B&N will not compete, will ensure that
none of its Subsidiaries compete, will exercise such rights as it has to prevent
Affiliates under its control from competing, and following becoming aware that
an Affiliate that is not under NewCo153s control is doing so, will use its good
faith efforts to encourage such Affiliate not to compete, with NewCo in the
business of selling or making available Reading Content or similar e-reading
content, e-reader software or e-reader devices. For the avoidance of doubt,
sales by B&N of Reading Content and NewCo e-reader devices pursuant to a
referral arrangement with NewCo shall not constitute competition with NewCo.
1.6 Related Agreements. Concurrently with
the execution of this Agreement:
(a) B&N and Microsoft are entering into the Investment Agreement;
(b) B&N and Microsoft are entering into the Patent Agreement; and
(c) B&N and Microsoft are entering into the NDA.
1.7 Governance Processes. The parties will
use the Governance Processes in Exhibit B for managing their
relationship under this Agreement and will use it for escalation and resolution
of issues and disputes that may arise during the performance of this Agreement
before pursuing arbitration or litigation in court, except as provided in
Section 3.3 of Exhibit B.
1.8 Effectiveness. This Agreement will be
effective only as of the date that all of the following conditions are met
(“Effective Date“):
(a) this Agreement has been signed by authorized representatives of each
party;
(b) the Closing and the NewCo Formation Transactions (as defined in the
Investment Agreement) have occurred; and
(c) the Dismissal has occurred.
Microsoft and B&N are signing this Agreement upon signature of the
Investment Agreement. NewCo will sign this Agreement upon Closing.
Section 2. Development and Distribution of NewCo Windows App
2.1 Development
2.1.1 NewCo Windows App. NewCo will develop
and obtain certification of the NewCo Windows App (including subsequent versions
and updates) in accordance with this Agreement and the App Developer Agreement.
NewCo will complete development, obtain certification and commercially release
the first version of the NewCo Windows App for Windows 8 (both x86 and ARM) in
the Windows Store with a target Launch Date of [***]. This first version of the
NewCo Windows App will provide at least the following functionality: [***] and a
Windows metro-style user interface. Subsequent versions will also include
support for all Content types in the NewCo Store and all Consumption
Experiences. The NewCo Windows App will be provided at no cost to end users.
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2.1.2 Updates. NewCo will develop updates
to the NewCo Windows App, including updates for new versions of Windows OS,
beginning on the Launch Date and through the end of the Term. NewCo will
distribute each updated or new version of the NewCo Windows App through the
Windows Store after it has been certified pursuant to the App Developer
Agreement.
2.1.3 Certification. NewCo will submit each
version of the NewCo Windows App to Microsoft for certification and distribution
through the Windows Store. Each submission will be treated in accordance with
the then-current App Developer Agreement. NewCo will make good faith efforts to
address any issues raised during the certification process in a timely fashion,
and Microsoft will use its good faith efforts to assist NewCo in completing the
certification process as promptly as practicable, to ensure that the NewCo
Windows App is available according to the agreed schedule. [***]. –
2.2 Technical Assistance. Microsoft will
provide such assistance and support, and devote such Microsoft or Microsoft
Affiliate employee resources, as may be reasonably requested by NewCo to enable
NewCo to develop and launch the first NewCo Windows App in accordance with the
specifications and timeline described in Section 2.1.1.
2.3 End User Support. As between Microsoft
and NewCo, NewCo will be responsible for providing, and will use commercially
reasonable efforts to provide, end user support for the NewCo Windows App, the
NewCo Store, and NewCo153s Content distribution services.
2.4 [***] Requirement
2.4.1 [***]
2.4.2 [***]
2.4.3 Windows Features and Functionality.
NewCo will make good faith commercially reasonable efforts to enhance the NewCo
Windows App to exploit features and functionality available through Windows and
its extended Microsoft ecosystem.
2.5 Discovery and Distribution
2.5.1 Windows Store. Microsoft will make
the Windows Store available for distribution of the NewCo Windows App by NewCo.
From the Launch Date through the end of the Term, NewCo will distribute the
NewCo Windows App (as certified) through the Windows Store pursuant to and in
accordance with the App Developer Agreement and Windows Store Terms of Use at no
cost to the customer. [***]
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2.5.2 [***]
2.5.3 [***]
2.6 Microsoft Reader. If Microsoft creates
a reader, Microsoft may include an interface to the NewCo Store in that reader
and may surface in that reader all Content purchased by customers from the NewCo
Store.
2.7 [***]
2.8 NewCo Study. [***] For the avoidance of
doubt, none of the other requirements of this Agreement (including the [***]
requirements set forth in Sections 2.4 and 6.3 and the revenue share
requirements set forth in Section 7) will apply to any NewCo Study Application.
Section 3. Microsoft Products and Services
3.1 Enabling Microsoft Products and
Services. The parties will in good faith explore the scenarios
described in this Section 3, subject to the Microsoft product and service
strategy. Upon Microsoft153s request and reasonable advance notice (in any event,
not less than 3 months153 advance notice), NewCo will use good faith efforts to
enable Microsoft Products and Services to be used with the NewCo Store and
distribution system in the following scenarios, the delivery and nature of which
will be subject to the Microsoft product and service strategy:
(a) [***]
(b) [***]
(c) [***]
(d) [***]
(e) [***]
(f) [***]
(g) [***]
(h) [***]
3.2 NewCo Store APIs. NewCo will provide
reasonable advance notice to Microsoft of any substantive changes to the NewCo
APIs, protocols and formats referenced in Sections 3.1(a), (b) and (c) above
(“NewCo APIs”).
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3.3 Branding. Microsoft will not
white-label (which for the avoidance of doubt includes rebranding or presenting
as Microsoft153s) the NewCo Store or obscure NewCo153s branding or the fact the
NewCo Store is the NewCo Store, including in Microsoft Products and Services.
Section 4. Microsoft Commerce Platform, User IDs, and Consumption of
Content
4.1 Microsoft Commerce Platform. NewCo
will, subject to Section 5 and compliance with applicable law, use the Microsoft
Commerce Platform for commerce transactions as follows:
4.1.1 NewCo Windows App. NewCo will use the
Microsoft Commerce Platform as the primary and default mechanism to facilitate
payment by end users for Reading Content in the NewCo Windows App, except that
end users will be able to choose to use a different commerce mechanism in
exceptional cases, as determined by NewCo in good faith, that include NewCo or
B&N gift card use (which the Microsoft Commerce Platform cannot support),
NewCo B2B purchase transactions and other transactions if the end user so
requests. NewCo will ensure that the NewCo Windows App will provide for in-app
purchasing, will not link out of the NewCo Windows App to complete purchases of
Content and will have in all material respects the same or better purchase
experience as purchasing in a browser on a Windows Device. Commerce transactions
in the NewCo Windows App will be subject to the terms of the App Developer
Agreement [***].
4.1.2 Browsers on a Windows Device. NewCo
will make the Microsoft Commerce Platform an available option for processing
payments by end users who have IDs in the Microsoft ID System for Reading
Content purchased from the NewCo Store in a browser on a Windows Device.
4.1.3 Microsoft Products and Services.
Purchases of Content using Microsoft Products and Services will use the
Microsoft Commerce Platform.
4.1.4 NewCo Phone App. NewCo will use the
WP Marketplace as the in-application commerce transaction platform, when
available, for commerce transactions in the NewCo Phone App, including payments
and fees associated with Content acquisition and subscriptions (if available).
NewCo will ensure that the NewCo Phone App will provide for in-app purchasing
and will not link out of the NewCo Phone App to complete purchases of Content.
Commerce transactions in the NewCo Phone App will be subject to the terms of the
Application Provider Agreement [***].
4.1.5 Payments to Publishers. NewCo may
choose to either:
(i) pay publishers outside the Microsoft Commerce Platform; or
(ii) use the Microsoft Commerce Platform to facilitate payments to publishers
that are associated with Reading Content acquisition, subscription, upgrades and
collection of taxes for transactions in the NewCo Windows App and, at NewCo153s
option, in a browser on a Windows Device, to the extent allowed by law where
NewCo has complied with the requirements of the Microsoft Commerce Platforms
Terms with respect to such payments to such publishers.
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If Microsoft does not have sufficient relationships with or information from
such publishers, it will process all pay-outs with respect to Content
acquisitions from such publishers to NewCo. Also, the Microsoft Commerce
Platform will not be able to facilitate payments to publishers for end user
purchases that are not processed by the Microsoft Commerce Platform, except,
upon satisfaction of the conditions contemplated by the Microsoft Commerce
Platform Terms, for payments to publishers for purchases by the Existing User
Base that are not processed by the Microsoft Commerce Platform.
“Existing User Base” means U.S. customers of NewCo as of the
Effective Date.
4.2 Microsoft ID System. NewCo will use the
Microsoft ID System as follows:
4.2.1 General. NewCo will make good faith
efforts to enable a user experience that will make the Microsoft ID System the
primary and default mechanism by which users of Windows Devices log into the
NewCo Store via the NewCo Apps. NewCo will make good faith efforts to provide
the Microsoft ID System as an option for such users to log into the NewCo Store
via a browser on a Windows Device. (NewCo will use the Microsoft ID System for
end user purchases of Content using Microsoft Products and Services and the
NewCo Phone App as provided in Sections 3 and 6 respectively). NewCo will not
require users of the NewCo Windows App or a browser on a Windows Device to use a
NewCo identification. NewCo will enable use of the Microsoft ID System by end
users on NewCo devices and software clients for other platforms to access
Reading Content purchased by such end users, and any annotations thereto.
4.2.2 Microsoft Commerce Platform. NewCo
will use the Microsoft ID System for all end user purchases transacted in the
Microsoft Commerce Platform.
4.2.3 Other IDs. Nothing in this Agreement
requires NewCo to restrict end users from creating or using NewCo
identifications or prevents NewCo from requiring use of its identifications or
submission of payment information outside the NewCo Windows App, browsers on a
Windows Device, the NewCo Phone App, and Microsoft Products and Services.
4.2.4 Future Development. NewCo and
Microsoft will work jointly and in good faith to enable the following:
(a) subject to applicable privacy laws and any limitations contained in the
terms of publisher and digital content agreements, creating an associated NewCo
account for users logging into the NewCo Store using an ID on the Microsoft ID
System by providing the following Microsoft ID System information with respect
to such users: email address, first and last name, physical address and any
other Microsoft ID System information necessary in connection with engaging in
the activities referred to below with respect to such users (each if available
to Microsoft as part of its Microsoft ID System) solely for use in (i)
fulfilling purchases or consumption by end users of Reading Content from the
NewCo Store, (ii) making and reflecting disbursements to publishers for sales of
their Reading Content in the NewCo Store, and (iii) providing customer support
to end users or publishers in relation to such purchases or sales. Microsoft
will provide such Microsoft ID System information in a manner consistent with
Microsoft153s generally applicable policies, for third-party applications for
Windows, related to end user notice and consent to sharing such Microsoft ID
System information;
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(b) subject to applicable privacy laws, an association between NewCo accounts
used to log into the NewCo Store in accordance with this Section 4.2 through the
NewCo Windows App and an ID on the Microsoft ID System; and
(c) subject to applicable privacy laws, NewCo prompting users visiting the
NewCo Store to provide additional personal information and consent to the use of
such users153 information in accordance with the NewCo privacy policy (whether for
completing end user purchases or other purposes), and NewCo may make providing
such information a condition to the purchase of Content from the NewCo Store;
provided, however, that NewCo will only ask for such information that it
believes is reasonable to request.
For the avoidance of doubt, data collected by NewCo from end users will not
be considered data provided or transferred by Microsoft to NewCo for purposes of
this Agreement (including Section 4.2.4(c)).
4.3 Microsoft Support. Microsoft will
provide good faith support for NewCo153s activities described in Sections 4.1 and
4.2 through making the Microsoft Commerce Platform available in all material
respects to NewCo on the baseline terms and conditions specified in
Exhibit E (“Microsoft Commerce Platform Terms“). The parties
will negotiate in good faith and enter into further agreement and details to
expound and further detail the rights and obligations of the parties in a manner
consistent with the Microsoft Commerce Platform Terms in the Microsoft Commerce
Platform Agreement (the “Commerce Platform Agreement”) no later
than June 1, 2012, which terms will be based upon standard terms required of
merchants under applicable law and Network Rules and will be consistent with
Exhibit E. The Commerce Platform Agreement shall at a minimum
reflect Exhibit E and otherwise shall not be inconsistent with
the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 5. Geo Expansion
5.1 Publishing Services Platform. NewCo
will use good faith efforts to make the Publishing Services Platform available
in the Geos in which developers can submit applications to the Windows Store as
of the Effective Date (currently[***]) in compliance with applicable laws
(including applicable tax laws) in accordance with the following schedule:
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(a) in [***] by [***];
(b) [***], as selected by NewCo, of such Geos by [***];
(c) a total of [***], as selected by NewCo, of such Geos by [***]; and
(d) a total of [***], as selected by NewCo, of such Geos by [***].
The local languages in which the Publishing Services Platform is to be made
available in each of such Geos is set forth in the attached Exhibit
C.
The “Publish Condition” means making localized versions of
the Publishing Services Platform available in [***] of the current [***] Geos in
which developers can submit applications to the Windows Store as of the
Effective Date.
5.2 Localization of NewCo Windows App.
NewCo will use good faith efforts to localize the NewCo Windows App
into the Windows Core Languages (currently [***]) on the following schedule:
(a) in [***], as selected by NewCo, of the current Windows Core Languages
used in the Initial Commercial Geos by [***];
(b) in a total of [***], as selected by NewCo, of the current Windows Core
Languages by [***]; and
(c) in a total of [***], as selected by NewCo, of the current Windows Core
Languages by [***].
The “App Localization Condition” means making localized
versions of the NewCo Windows App for [***] of the current [***] Windows Core
Languages commercially available in the Windows Store.
5.3 Consumption of Content. Microsoft will
use good faith efforts to enable the Microsoft Commerce Platform to transact
purchases of Reading Content (including remitting publisher sales revenue and
collection of applicable taxes as provided in Section 4) in all Geos in which
the Microsoft Commerce Platform is able to transact (currently [***]), subject
to compliance with applicable laws. NewCo will use good faith efforts to enable
the purchase and consumption of free and fee-based Reading Content in the Geos
in which the Microsoft Commerce Platform is able to transact (currently [***]),
subject to compliance with applicable laws and to NewCo being able to use the
Microsoft Commerce Platform fully (for collecting payments, reconciling funds
and remittance of taxes to relevant authorities), to transact in such Geos, on
the following schedule:
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(a) in [***] by [***];
(b) [***], as selected by NewCo, of such Geos by [***];
(c) a total of [***], as selected by NewCo, of such Geos by [***]; and
(d) a total of [***], as selected by NewCo, of such Geos by [***].
The “Consumption Condition” means enabling purchase and
consumption of fee-based Reading Content in at least [***] of the Priority Geos
and at least [***] of the total Geos in which the Microsoft Commerce Platform is
able to transact (currently [***]).
5.4 Commercial Content. NewCo will use good
faith efforts to enable the purchase and consumption of market-specific
commercial Reading Content from the NewCo Store by entering into Material
Commercial Content Agreements for each of the Priority Geos in accordance with
the following schedule:
(a) in [***] by [***];
(b) any [***], as selected by NewCo, of the following [***] Geos by [***]
(such [***], the “Initial Commercial Geos”); and
(c) a total of [***], as selected by NewCo, of the Priority Geos by [***];
(d) a total of [***], as selected by NewCo, of the Priority Geos by [***].
The “Core Geo Commercial Content Condition” means that NewCo
has entered into Material Commercial Content Agreements for each of the Initial
Commercial Geos, and the “Core Geo Trade Book Condition” means
having Material Trade Book Agreements in the Initial Commercial Geos.
5.5 Free Content. NewCo will use good faith
efforts to make free Reading Content available in the NewCo Store in each Geo
agreed on by NewCo and Microsoft.
5.6 General. Except as specified in this
Section 5, the sequencing of the Geo expansion will be determined by NewCo,
taking into account all relevant factors, including the expected degree of
difficulty, complexity, costs, benefits, manpower needs and scope of legal and
tax requirements relating thereto. NewCo will consult with Microsoft with
respect to such sequencing. In any Geo in which there are multiple official or
commonly used languages, NewCo will localize the NewCo Windows App and the
Publishing Services Platform and provide Content in the languages specified in
the schedule attached as Exhibit C.
Section 6. Development and Distribution of NewCo Phone App
6.1 Development
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6.1.1 NewCo Phone App. NewCo will develop
the NewCo Phone App. NewCo will use commercially reasonable efforts to complete
development, obtain certification and make the NewCo Phone App commercially
available in the WP Marketplace in accordance with this Agreement and the
Application Provider Agreement within [***]. If NewCo determines that it is
economically attractive to support the purchase and/or consumption of Reading
Content, NewCo will use good faith efforts to complete development, obtain
certification and make localized versions of the NewCo Phone App in the same
languages as the NewCo Windows App commercially available in the WP Marketplace.
The NewCo Phone App will be provided at no cost to Windows Phone end users.
6.1.2 Updates. Following the Launch Date
through the end of the Term, NewCo will be responsible for developing and
releasing updates to the NewCo Phone App, including updates for successor
versions of the initial version of the Windows Phone Software. Such updates will
be distributed in accordance with the then-current Application Provider
Agreement.
6.1.3 Certification. NewCo will submit each
version of the NewCo Phone App to Microsoft for certification and distribution
through the WP Marketplace. Each submission will be treated in accordance with
the Application Provider Agreement. NewCo will make good faith efforts to
address any issues raised during certification in a timely fashion, and
Microsoft will use its good faith efforts to assist NewCo in completing the
certification process as promptly as practicable, to ensure that each version of
the NewCo Phone App is available on the agreed schedule. [***].
6.2 Distribution. NewCo hereby grants to
Microsoft and its Affiliates a non-exclusive, non-transferable, worldwide
license to make available the NewCo Phone App to phone manufacturers for
distribution on Windows Phones. Such phone manufacturers will have the right to
distribute the NewCo Phone App at any time after the NewCo Windows Phone App
becomes commercially available in the WP Marketplace for use on Windows Phones.
NewCo will provide to Microsoft such information, instructions and code as is
reasonably necessary for Microsoft and its Affiliates to permit phone
manufacturers to distribute the NewCo Phone App on Windows Phones and for end
users to use the NewCo Windows App on such phones. As between Microsoft and
NewCo, NewCo will be responsible for providing, and will use commercially
reasonable efforts to provide, support to phone manufacturers for the NewCo
Phone App.
6.3 [***] Requirement. Beginning with the
release of the first major update to the NewCo Phone App and continuing through
the end of the Term, NewCo will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver a
[***] experience on the Windows Phone. This means that [***].
6.4 End User Support. As between Microsoft
and NewCo, NewCo will be responsible for providing, and will use commercially
reasonable efforts to provide, end user support for the NewCo Phone App and its
Content distribution services.
Section 7. Financial Terms
7.1 Revenue Share. Beginning on the Launch
Date and through the end of the Term, NewCo and Microsoft will [***] Net
Revenue. [***]. The sharing described in this Section 7.1 is implemented in
Section 7.2.
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7.2 Advances; Revenue Share Service Fees.
7.2.1 Quarterly Payments. Microsoft will
make advance payments to NewCo of up to $[***] as follows, subject to deferral
as provided for in Sections 7.2.3 and 7.5 (each, an
“Advance”):
(a) $60,000,000 for the first Contract Year (“Year 1”),
payable in equal quarterly installments at the beginning of each quarter of Year
1;
(b) $60,000,000 for the second Contract Year (“Year 2”),
payable in equal quarterly installments at the beginning of each quarter of Year
2;
(c) $60,000,000 for the third Contract Year (“Year 3”),
payable in equal quarterly installments at the beginning of each quarter of Year
3; and
(d) for each of the [***] and [***] Contract Years, an amount equal to the
lesser of (i) $[***] and (ii) an amount equal to [***] the sum of (A) [***] of
[***] Net Revenue and (B) [***] of [***] Net Revenue (such sum of (A) and (B),
“NewCo153s Base Share”), in each case, for the prior Contract
Year, which amount will be payable in equal quarterly installments at the
beginning of each quarter of the applicable Contract Year.
7.2.2 Revenue Share Service Fees. For each
Contract Year, Microsoft will be entitled to receive from NewCo a Revenue Share
Service Fee (as defined below), which shall be paid as follows:
(a) Microsoft Commerce Platform. Microsoft will remit to
NewCo all Net Revenue from transactions using the Microsoft Commerce Platform
during each Contract Year, less the amount of the Revenue Share Service Fee for
such Contract Year that has not as of the date of such remittance been paid by
NewCo to Microsoft by prior deductions from remittances under this Section
7.2.2(a) or by payments under Section 7.2.2(b). Microsoft shall remit to NewCo
all amounts described in clause (b) of the definition of Net Revenue that are
payable by NewCo to third parties.
(b) Non-Microsoft Commerce Platform. NewCo will remit all
Net Revenue to Microsoft on a quarterly basis during each Contract Year to the
extent that the Revenue Share Service Fee payable by NewCo to Microsoft has not
as of the date of such remittance been paid by NewCo to Microsoft by prior
deductions from remittances under Section 7.2.2(a) or by payments under this
Section 7.2.2(b).
(c) No Carry Over. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement, Microsoft shall not be entitled under this Section 7 to
receive for any Contract Year any amount in excess of its Revenue Share Service
Fee for such Contract Year. If the Revenue Share Service Fee for a Contract Year
is less than the amount of the Advances for such Contract Year, then such
shortfall for the applicable Contract Year will be nonrefundable and ineligible
for recoupment in following Contract Years.
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(d) “Revenue Share Service Fee” means, for each Contract
Year, an amount equal to:
(i) (A) [***] of [***] Net Revenue for such Contract Year, plus (B) [***] of
[***] Net Revenue for such Contract Year, plus
(ii) the lesser of:
(A) NewCo153s Base Share for such Contract Year, and
(B) the Advances received by NewCo for such Contract Year.
7.2.3 Deferral of Advances. Microsoft may
defer payment of [***] of the amount of any and/or all Advances that have not
yet been required to have been made under Section 7.2.1 if:
(a) the Core Geo Trade Book Condition is not satisfied before [***]; or
(b) NewCo fails to (i) cure a material noncompliance with the [***]
requirements for the NewCo Windows App set forth in Section 2.4 or (ii) address
material defects or critical security vulnerabilities, in each of (i) or (ii),
within four months after written notice from Microsoft, with such deferral in
the case of this clause (b) to start upon the expiration of such notice period.
If NewCo has met the Core Geo Trade Book Condition but has otherwise not met
the Core Geo Commercial Content Condition before [***], then [***] of any and/or
all Advances that have not yet been required to have been made will be subject
to deferral. Microsoft will pay the balance of any amounts deferred under this
Section 7.2.3 when the failure giving rise to the deferral is cured.
7.3 Reporting and Reconciliation. Within 30
days after the Effective Date, NewCo and Microsoft will agree on a quarterly
reporting mechanism to exchange information about the gross revenue portion of
Net Revenue that each party transacts during the prior quarter, the information
necessary to calculate Net Revenue for such period, as well as any remittances
it made to the other during such period. Within 30 days after the Effective
Date, NewCo and Microsoft will also agree on a quarterly true-up process to
validate (a) the total Net Revenue for such period, (b) the cumulative Revenue
Share Service Fee paid to Microsoft to date for the relevant Contract Year, and
(c) any further remittances by NewCo to Microsoft needed to pay unpaid Revenue
Share Service Fees payable for the relevant Contract Year in accordance with
Section 7.2. NewCo and Microsoft will agree on a mechanism for submitting any
such remittances required as a result of this true-up process. Any disputes
related to Section 7.2.2 or this Section 7.3 (to the extent related thereto)
will be resolved through Formal Escalation and, if that does not resolve the
dispute, Expedited Arbitration.
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7.4 Quarterly Operational Cost Payments.
Microsoft will pay to NewCo $25,000,000 each year for the first five years of
the Term, for a total amount of up to $125,000,000, for purposes of assisting
NewCo in acquiring local Reading Content and technology development in the
performance of NewCo153s obligations under this Agreement. Microsoft will make
such payments in quarterly installments of $6,250,000, with the first such
installment becoming payable on the Effective Date, subject to deferral pursuant
to Section 7.5.
7.5 Payment Deferral for Default in Royalty Obligations under Patent
Agreement
7.5.1 Undisputed Patent Royalties. If the
obligor under the Patent Agreement (“Patent Obligor“) fails to
pay any Patent Royalty when due under the Patent Agreement (i.e. within [***]
days after Microsoft153s invoice in accordance with the Patent Agreement), then,
unless such payment is the subject of a dispute under Section 7.5.2, Microsoft
may defer payment of any and all amounts otherwise due or becoming due to NewCo
under this Agreement during the period beginning upon the payment due date (i.e.
[***] days after invoice) and will give NewCo or the Patent Obligor written
notice of such default, and the Patent Obligor has an additional [***] days to
cure such default before it becomes a NewCo Material Default, provided that the
amount subject to deferral will not exceed the amount that the Patent Obligor
has failed to pay under the Patent Agreement.
7.5.2 Disputed Patent Royalties. If the
Patent Obligor or Microsoft disputes any royalty obligation under the Patent
Agreement, then the parties will promptly submit the dispute to Expedited
Arbitration under the Patent Agreement. To the extent such royalty obligation is
upheld in a final ruling in that Expedited Arbitration, then the Patent Obligor
will have [***] days after such ruling to cure such default before it becomes a
NewCo Material Default. Microsoft may defer any Microsoft payment obligations
coming due during the period beginning on the date of a ruling in the Expedited
Arbitration that the Patent Obligor has not met its royalty obligations in the
Patent Agreement, provided that the amount subject to deferral will not exceed
the amount that the Patent Obligor has failed to pay under the Patent Agreement.
7.6 Taxes
7.6.1 Responsibility for Own Taxes. Each
party and its respective Affiliates are responsible for all taxes (including net
income, gross receipts, franchise and property taxes and taxes arising from
transactions between such party and its customers) imposed on such party or its
Affiliates under applicable laws and arising as a result of or in connection
with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.6.2 Payments Exclusive of Taxes. Except
as set forth in Section 7.6.3 and Section 7.6.4, amounts payable under this
Agreement by one party to the other party shall not be adjusted for any taxes,
duties, levies, fees, excises or tariffs imposed on the payor or the recipient.
7.6.3 Transaction Taxes. If any sales tax,
VAT or other transaction taxes are required by law to be collected by the
recipient with respect to any payment under this Agreement, the payor will remit
such sales tax, VAT or other transaction taxes to the recipient; provided, that
the recipient will furnish the payor with a valid invoice that meets the
requirements imposed by the appropriate taxation authority.
14
7.6.4 Withholding for Taxes on Payments.
If any taxes are required by law to be withheld by the payor with respect to any
payment under this Agreement, the payor will deduct and withhold such taxes from
the amount owed to the recipient of the payment and remit such withheld taxes to
the appropriate taxing authority; provided, that the payor will furnish evidence
of such remitted taxes to the recipient as is sufficient to enable the recipient
to seek any refunds or credits available to it.
7.6.5 Cooperation to Minimize Taxes. The
parties will reasonably cooperate (and will require each of their Affiliates to
cooperate) with one another (a) in the filing of any tax returns required to be
filed with respect to any taxes collected under Section 7.6.3 or withheld under
Section 7.6.4 or the contesting of any such tax, (b) to minimize or reduce any
taxes collected under Section 7.6.3 or withheld under Section 7.6.4 and (c) in
the event of an audit to make available to the other parties all information,
records or documents relating to any audits or assessments attributable to or
resulting from the taxes collected under Section 7.6.3 or withheld under Section
7.6.4 to the extent not protected by law or otherwise subject to privilege.
7.7 Records. During the Term and for a
period of at least seven years thereafter, each of the parties will keep and
maintain, and will require each of its Affiliates to keep and maintain, complete
and accurate books and records related to its compliance with all terms and
conditions of this Agreement (collectively, “Audit
Information”). Audit Information will be the Confidential Information
of the party being audited (“Audited Party”).
7.8 Audit. Upon not less than 30 days153
advance written notice from a party desiring to conduct an audit
(“Auditing Party“) of another party153s Audit Information, the
Audited Party will make such Audit Information available for audit by an
independent certified public accounting firm (together with independent
technical personnel if and as reasonably required for such accountant to perform
the audit) designated by the Auditing Party and approved by the Audited Party,
which approval will not be unreasonably withheld. Unless otherwise agreed by the
Auditing Party and the Audited Party, any such audit will be conducted during
regular business hours, at the Audited Party153s principal place of business, not
more frequently than once in any period of 12 consecutive months and in a manner
that does not unreasonably interfere with the Audited Party153s normal course of
business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Auditing Party may conduct more
than one audit within a 12 month period if, in the Auditing Party153s good faith
judgment, the Auditing Party has a bona fide basis for any failure of the
Audited Party to comply with its obligations under this Agreement. If any audit
reveals an overpayment by the Audited Party, then the Audited Party will receive
a credit, in the amount of such overpayment, that will be applied only against
future amounts owing by the Audited Party under this Agreement. If any
audit reveals an underpayment by the Audited Party, then the Audited Party will
pay the amount of the underpayment within 45 days after the date of the
auditor153s report. Further, if any audit reveals an underpayment of more than 5%
of the total amount subject to the audit, then Audited Party will reimburse the
Auditing Party within 30 days after the Auditing Party153s request, for all costs
and expenses reasonably incurred by the Auditing Party to conduct the audit.
15
7.9 Other Costs and Expenses. Except as
otherwise expressly provided in this Section 7, each party will bear all costs
it incurs in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
Section 8. Data.
8.1 Rights to Use Data. Each party has the
right to use data in its systems related to its performance under this
Agreement, except (a) to the extent prohibited by law or by the conditions under
which the relevant Content was acquired, and (b) that Microsoft will not use, or
transfer to a third party to use, data in the Microsoft Commerce Platform due to
the reliance of a NewCo App and the NewCo Store on that system or transmitted
via the NewCo APIs (i.e. data that identifies an individual as a customer of the
NewCo Store, identifies a publisher and the publication of its Content in the
NewCo Store, and identifies a purchase transaction in the NewCo Store as
associated with a customer or publisher) in a way that [***]. The foregoing
exception (b) does not apply in the case of data related to publication to,
purchase of or Consumption Experiences for Content in the NewCo Store by users
of Microsoft Products and Services to the extent such data is used directly or
indirectly consistent with the intent of the user; provided, however, that
Microsoft will not create and present to customers functionality that enables
[***]. [***] the previous sentence is not intended to permit Microsoft to use
information relating to the purchase of Reading Content by a user, including the
fact that Reading Content was purchased from NewCo by such user, to sell Reading
Content.
8.2 Privacy and Data Protection Laws. Each
party will comply with privacy and data protection laws applicable to its
performance of its obligations under this Agreement. If and to the extent a
party believes its performance may not comply with such laws, the parties will
engage in good faith efforts to discover and implement a mechanism to meet those
obligations in accordance with such laws. NewCo shall not be required to
transfer to or share with Microsoft, or permit Microsoft to use, NewCo customer
or publisher data in a manner that violates the applicable NewCo or B&N
privacy policies, and acknowledges that the transfers described in this Section
8.2 will not do so, as long as the consents described in Sections 8.2.2 and
8.2.3 are obtained. Subject to the first sentence of this Section 8.2, NewCo
will provide Microsoft with customer and publisher data in the following
situations:
8.2.1 Microsoft Commerce Platform. To the
extent permitted by applicable law, NewCo will transfer customer data and
publisher data to Microsoft necessary to effect the following types of
transactions by end users through the Microsoft Commerce Platform: (a) purchases
of Content from the NewCo Store and (b) publishing of Reading Content to the
NewCo Store (including making payments to the end user that published such
Reading Content), provided that Microsoft shall only be permitted to use such
customer and publisher data for the purpose of effecting such transactions and,
if the relevant end user expressly consents in advance to use by Microsoft for
such purpose, effecting other transactions requested by such end user using the
Microsoft Commerce Platform. NewCo will not modify its privacy policy to impair
or prohibit such transfer or use, except as required by applicable law. For the
avoidance of doubt, data collected by Microsoft from end users will not be
considered data provided or transferred by NewCo to Microsoft for purposes of
this Agreement.
16
8.2.2 NewCo APIs. To the extent permitted
by applicable law, NewCo will transfer customer data and publisher data to
Microsoft through use of NewCo APIs by Microsoft Products and Services in
accordance with Section 3.1 in order to enable purchases by end users of Content
in the NewCo Store, Consumption Experiences for Content from the NewCo Store and
users to publish Reading Content to the NewCo Store, provided that Microsoft
obtains express advance user consent to NewCo providing such data for such
purposes through user consent to the terms and conditions of use of the relevant
Microsoft Products and Services which will utilize the NewCo APIs for those
purposes and, [***]. Microsoft will ultimately elect how to obtain consents
satisfying the requirements of this Section 8.2.2, but it is expected that
Microsoft will obtain this consent by including it in the license terms or
privacy policy applicable to the relevant version of the Microsoft Product and
Service and, in any case, [***].
8.2.3 Microsoft Service Maintenance Toolkit.
NewCo will include in its privacy policy a provision substantially
similar to the provision entitled “Sales, Mergers, and Acquisitions” in the
B&N privacy policy dated January 10, 2012. Within 10 days of the date the
Microsoft Service Maintenance Toolkit or Deposit Materials, as applicable, are
required (taking into account any applicable periods for delivery and, if
applicable, the completion of any Expedited Arbitration) to be delivered to
Microsoft in accordance with Sections 10.3, 10.4, 11.5 or 11.6, as applicable,
NewCo will (a) notify end users of, and (b) to the extent it believes in good
faith that notwithstanding the provision in its privacy policy above, it is
required by applicable law to obtain user consent (taking into account such
analysis or other information relevant to such subject that Microsoft provides
to NewCo), will request end users to consent to, the transfer to, and use by,
Microsoft of the Customer Data and Publisher Data included therein in accordance
with Section 10.2 and will require such required end user consent as a condition
to using the NewCo Store or a NewCo App at any time following the date on which
Microsoft becomes entitled to receive the Microsoft Maintenance Toolkit or
Deposit Materials, as applicable. If requested by Microsoft, NewCo will also,
within the 10-day period identified in the previous sentence, assist Microsoft
in providing such notice and obtaining any required end user consent to such
transfer and use by sending an email to end users with respect to which Customer
Data or Publisher Data is included in the Microsoft Service Maintenance Toolkit
or Deposit Materials, as applicable, informing them of the circumstances
surrounding the transfer of such user153s data and offering them the opportunity
to provide any such required consent. NewCo will structure such consent request
as an “opt-out” (i.e., end users are considered to have consented unless they
object to the request within a period of not more than 30 days (as determined by
NewCo), unless NewCo believes in good faith that a longer period is required to
comply with applicable law (taking into account such analysis or other
information relevant to such subject that Microsoft provides to NewCo) or
commercial custom in the applicable jurisdiction) for all data and in all
jurisdictions for which NewCo believes in good faith such structure complies
with applicable law, taking into account such analysis or other information
relevant to such subject that Microsoft provides to NewCo.
Section 9. Confidentiality
17
9.1 NDA. The parties agree that the NDA
will apply to any Confidential Information exchanged by the parties in
connection with this Agreement.
9.2 Terms of Agreement. The mere existence
of this Agreement and the identification of the parties are not confidential.
However, the specific terms and conditions of this Agreement (including the
financial terms set forth in Section 7, the amount of any payments by any party
to another party under this Agreement, and schedules for releases of products or
services) are confidential and will not be disclosed by any party except: (a) as
may be required by applicable law or stock exchange rules; (b) as may be
required by judicial or governmental order or rule (provided that for both (a)
and (b), the disclosing party either gives the other party reasonable notice to
enable it to seek a protective order or uses reasonable measures to seek an
appropriate protective order itself); (c) in confidence to a party153s
accountants, tax advisors, auditors and/or attorneys for purposes of seeking
professional services; and (d) by written consent of the disclosing party and
only under terms of confidentiality. Further, the parties agree that this
Agreement contains competitively sensitive information the public disclosure of
which would be competitively harmful. B&N or NewCo, as the case may be, will
notify Microsoft before filing this Agreement as an exhibit to any registration
statement or periodic report filed with the SEC or other regulatory agency, and
NewCo or B&N, as the case may be, will make a request for confidential
treatment of such competitively sensitive information in connection with any
such filing if such a request is consistent with applicable regulatory agency
regulations and guidance. The request will seek a confidentiality term that is
at least as long as the term of this Agreement. B&N or NewCo, as the case
may be, will consult with Microsoft with respect to any such confidential
treatment request.
9.3 Publicity. The parties agree to the
prompt publication of the joint press release agreed upon by the parties. Except
as expressly permitted in the NDA, Section 9.2 or this Section 9.3, no party (or
any of their Affiliates) may issue any press release or make any similar public
announcement or public statement, regarding this Agreement without the prior
written approval and consent of the other parties. Except as expressly permitted
in the NDA, Section 9.2 or this Section 9.3, any and all press releases or
similar public announcements or public statements relating to this Agreement
will be approved in advance of the release, in writing, by B&N, NewCo and
Microsoft and once released, a party may repeat information so released without
further consent of the other parties. Additionally, in connection with joint
press releases and communications, the parties153 respective public relations and
communications staff will consult to develop (and update, when appropriate)
standard messaging points that may be used to describe the parties153
relationships under this Agreement.
Section 10. Intellectual Property
10.1 Defense Against Third Party Infringement
Claims. NewCo will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend the
NewCo Apps against claims by any third party that any of the NewCo Apps
infringes or misappropriates any Intellectual Property Right. Without limitation
of the foregoing, NewCo will use such efforts to have any injunction or
restraining order obtained by a third party which prohibits or restricts the
distribution or use of any of the NewCo Apps dissolved or vacated, subject in
each case to the right of NewCo to make modifications to the NewCo Apps to
address such claims. Microsoft will provide such assistance in connection with
NewCo153s defense of such claims as NewCo may reasonably request; provided,
however, that NewCo pays or reimburses the reasonable and necessary
out-of-pocket expenses of Microsoft as approved in advance by NewCo.
18
10.2 Transition License. NewCo hereby
grants to Microsoft and its Subsidiaries a non-exclusive, irrevocable,
non-transferrable, royalty-free, worldwide license to:
(a) use, produce, reproduce, modify, offer, display, license, distribute and
otherwise make available the NewCo Apps (excluding trademarks) solely for the
purpose of continuing to offer and provide them to end users in order to offer
and provide them services equivalent to the services provided or required to be
provided to them under the NewCo SLA;
(b) use, produce, reproduce and modify the NewCo App Materials solely for the
purpose of exercising the rights set forth in (a) above;
(c) use, produce, reproduce, modify, offer, display, license, distribute and
otherwise make available the website for the NewCo Store (excluding trademarks)
solely for the purpose of offering and providing end users services equivalent
to the services provided or required to be provided to them under the NewCo SLA;
(d) use, reproduce and modify the NewCo Store Materials solely for the
purpose of exercising the rights set forth in (c) above; and
(e) use, produce and reproduce any Customer Data and Publisher Data as needed
by Microsoft to provide a consistent level of services and experiences to
customers in relation to the Content they have acquired or provided, all of
which data will be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 8.
The license granted in this Section 10.2 is a present grant of license,
effective in accordance with its terms immediately upon the Effective Date.
However, Microsoft covenants that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries will
exercise any of the rights granted pursuant to the license granted in this
Section 10.2 unless and until:
|
(i) |
a Liquidation Event, and then only after receipt by Microsoft of the |
19
|
(ii) |
a Bankruptcy Event, and then only (A) as to the NewCo App Materials and the |
|
|
(iii) |
a Non-Renewal, a termination by Microsoft for a NewCo Material Default, or a |
10.3 Liquidation Event Without Termination.
In the case of a Liquidation Event without termination of this Agreement, then,
upon Microsoft153s request, NewCo will promptly provide the Microsoft Service
Maintenance Toolkit to Microsoft for use in accordance with the license granted
in Section 10.2. If NewCo fails to provide the Microsoft Service Maintenance
Toolkit within 7 days after Microsoft153s request, then, unless NewCo in good
faith gives by written notice of a bona fide dispute about whether a Liquidation
Event has occurred (in which case, the provisions of Section 11.6(e) will
apply), upon Microsoft153s request, the Escrow Agent will forthwith release the
Deposit Materials to Microsoft for use in accordance with the license granted in
Section 10.2.
10.4 Bankruptcy Event Without Termination.
If in the case of a Bankruptcy Event without termination of this
Agreement, NewCo fails to cure any material noncompliance with the NewCo SLA
within 7 days after written notice from Microsoft, then Section 11.6(e) will
apply to the release of the Deposit Materials to Microsoft for use in accordance
with the license granted in Section 10.2. Upon delivery of the Deposit Materials
to Microsoft pursuant to this Section 10.4, then NewCo153s obligation to provide
the NewCo SLA will continue only until the earlier of (a) the last day of the
Transition Period or (b) 12 months after the date of Microsoft153s taking
possession of the Microsoft Service Maintenance Toolkit or Deposit Materials, as
the case may be.
10.5 Licenses. Except for the licenses
granted in Sections 2.5.2, 6.2, and 10.2, no licenses are granted under this
Agreement, whether by implication, estoppel, statute or otherwise. The parties
hereby disclaim the grant of any and all express or implied licenses under this
Agreement.
10.6 Reservation of Rights. All rights not
expressly granted under this Agreement or other written agreements between the
parties are reserved. Except for the licenses granted under Sections 2.5.2, 6.2
and 10.2, NewCo and its Affiliates retain all right, title and interest in and
to all Intellectual Property Rights of NewCo and its Affiliates. Microsoft and
its Affiliates retain all right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual
Property Rights of Microsoft and its Affiliates. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 1.2(a), B&N and its Affiliates retain all right, title and interest
in and to all Intellectual Property Rights of B&N and its Affiliates.
Without limitation of the foregoing, each party reserves any and all
Intellectual Property Rights to which it may be entitled under applicable law by
virtue of its development of any software, invention or other technology under
this Agreement.
20
10.7 Excluded Licenses. Each party will
ensure that deliverables provided to the other party (including the NewCo Apps,
NewCo APIs and any code exchanged pursuant to the scenarios in Section 3) will
not be governed by licenses that purport to provide immunity under the other
party153s intellectual property if used or distributed by the other party (e.g.,
deliverables provided by a party in whole or in part will not be governed by any
version of the GPL, LGPL or similar license).
Section 11. Term and Termination
11.1 Term. The term of this Agreement will
commence on the Effective Date and continue until the date that is [***] after
[***] or [***] unless extended as provided for in Section 11.2 or terminated in
accordance with Section 11.3 or 11.4 (“Term”). No party may
terminate this Agreement for convenience. If prior to the Effective Date the
Investment Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, this Agreement
shall automatically be canceled in its entirety, shall never become effective,
and shall thereupon become null and void.
11.2 Extension. At least one year before
the expiration of the Term, NewCo and Microsoft will meet to discuss whether
they desire to extend the Term. If both parties desire to extend the Term, they
will discuss in good faith the terms upon which each of the parties would be
willing to extend the Term. If either NewCo or Microsoft determines at any point
during the one year period before the expiration of the Term not to extend the
Term, it will promptly notify the other parties. Unless extended upon mutual
agreement of the parties, the Agreement will terminate upon the expiration of
the Term. Termination of this Agreement will end the Term.
11.3 Termination by Microsoft. In the case
of a Liquidation Event or a Bankruptcy Event, Microsoft may terminate this
Agreement by giving NewCo written notice of termination. In the case of a NewCo
Material Default, Microsoft may terminate this Agreement by giving NewCo written
notice of termination describing such NewCo Material Default in reasonable
detail, provided that such termination will not be effective if such NewCo
Material Default is caused by Microsoft failing to comply with its obligations
under this Agreement.
11.4 Termination by NewCo. In the case of a
Microsoft Material Default, NewCo may terminate this Agreement by giving
Microsoft written notice of termination describing such Microsoft Material
Default in reasonable detail, provided that such termination will not be
effective if such Microsoft Material Default is caused by NewCo failing to
comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
11.5 Effect of Termination. Upon
termination or expiration of this Agreement, the following will apply:
11.5.1 Liquidation Event. If Microsoft
terminates this Agreement under Section 11.3 for a Liquidation Event, then, upon
Microsoft153s request, NewCo will promptly provide Microsoft Service Maintenance
Toolkit to Microsoft for use in accordance with the license granted in Section
10.2. If NewCo fails to provide the Microsoft Service Maintenance Toolkit within
7 days after Microsoft153s request, then, unless NewCo in good faith gives written
notice of a bona fide dispute with respect to whether a Liquidation Event has
occurred (in which case, the provisions of Section 11.6(e) will apply), upon
Microsoft153s request, the Escrow Agent will release the Deposit Materials to
Microsoft for its use in accordance with the license granted in Section 10.2.
21
11.5.2 Bankruptcy Event. If in the case of
a Bankruptcy Event, NewCo materially fails to provide at least the level of
service specified in the NewCo SLA within 7 days after written notice from
Microsoft, then Section 11.6(e) will apply to the release of the Deposit
Materials to Microsoft for use in accordance with the license granted in Section
10.2. Upon delivery of the Deposit Materials to Microsoft pursuant to this
Section 11.5.2, then NewCo153s obligation to provide the NewCo SLA will continue
only until the earlier of (a) the last day of the Transition Period or (b) 12
months after the date of Microsoft153s taking possession of the Microsoft Service
Maintenance Toolkit or Deposit Materials, as the case may be.
11.5.3 NewCo Material Default, Microsoft Material
Default or Non-Renewal. If Microsoft terminates this Agreement under
Section 11.3 for a NewCo Material Default, if NewCo terminates this Agreement
under Section 11.4 for a Microsoft Material Default or if a Non-Renewal occurs
then:
(a) upon NewCo153s request, Microsoft will continue to enable use of the
Microsoft Commerce Platform, use of the Microsoft ID System, and other services
as specified in the Microsoft SLA throughout the Transition Period;
(b) upon Microsoft153s request, NewCo will continue to provide the NewCo Store,
the NewCo Apps, Content, and other services as specified in the NewCo SLA
throughout the Transition Period; and
(c) if NewCo fails to cure any material noncompliance with the NewCo SLA
within 7 days after written notice from Microsoft, then Microsoft may institute
an Expedited Arbitration seeking to require NewCo to provide the Microsoft
Service Maintenance Toolkit for use in accordance with the license in Section
10.2, and Section 11.6(e) will apply to the release of the Deposit Materials to
Microsoft for use in accordance with the license in Section 10.2.
22
Upon delivery of the Microsoft Service Maintenance Toolkit or Deposit
Materials to Microsoft pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 11.5.3, then
NewCo153s obligation to provide the NewCo SLA will continue only until the earlier
of (i) the last day of the Transition Period or (ii) 12 months after the date of
Microsoft153s taking possession of the Microsoft Service Maintenance Toolkit or
Deposit Materials, as the case may be.
11.6 Escrow Agreement. Within 60 days after
the Effective Date, NewCo, B&N and Microsoft will enter into an escrow
agreement (“Escrow Agreement”) with an independent escrow agent
(“Escrow Agent”) designated by Microsoft and approved by NewCo,
which approval will not be unreasonably withheld. The parties agree that [***]
shall be the Escrow Agent unless and until a successor or alternative thereto is
appointed with the written consent of each of NewCo and Microsoft. The Escrow
Agreement will provide for the following:
(a) within 30 days after execution of the Escrow Agreement, NewCo will
deposit with the Escrow Agent versions of the Deposit Materials as of the most
current date reasonably practicable prior to the date of such deposit;
(b) quarterly throughout the Term, NewCo will deposit with the Escrow Agent
copies of NewCo153s own backup copies of the Source Code, data files containing
the Customer Data and Publisher Data, and the other items referred to in the
definition of Deposit Materials as of the most current date reasonably
practicable prior to the date of such deposit, which copies may contain Source
Code and data beyond those referred to in the definition of Deposit Materials;
(c) each deposit of Deposit Materials will be subject to verification (which
includes examination of the Deposit Materials but does not include examination
of records of NewCo), at Microsoft153s option, by the Escrow Agent or an
independent third party designated by Microsoft and approved by NewCo (such
approval not to be unreasonably withheld) who will only be authorized to
disclose to Microsoft whether the Deposit Materials are deposited in accordance
with this Agreement;
(d) following commencement of an Expedited Arbitration in which release of
the Deposit Materials is sought, following a Liquidation Event or as of the
latest date reasonably practicable prior to a release in accordance with Section
11.6(e)(i), NewCo will promptly undertake to update and then filter Source Code
and data included in backup copies of such items deposited with the Escrow Agent
to eliminate or redact items that are not referred to in the definition of
Deposit Materials;
(e) the Escrow Agent will release the Deposit Materials to Microsoft only if
and when (i) Microsoft and NewCo each direct the Escrow Agent in writing to
release them based on satisfaction of the conditions for release, (ii) the
release is ordered, or the conditions for release are determined to exist, in an
Expedited Arbitration, or (iii) the conditions for release specified in Section
10.3 have been satisfied;
(f) NewCo will continue to have the opportunity to cure, at any time up to a
finding of material breach of the NewCo SLA in an Expedited Arbitration the
asserted material breach of the NewCo SLA and, in the event of such cure (as
agreed by the parties or so determined in the Expedited Arbitration), the Escrow
Agent will not release the Deposit Materials to Microsoft and Microsoft and its
Subsidiaries will not exercise their rights under the license granted under
Section 10.2;
23
(g) the Deposit Materials will be subject to the license set forth in Section
10.2;
(h) Microsoft and NewCo will share equally the costs of the escrow; and
(i) terms otherwise consistent with Sections 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5 and this
Section 11.6.
11.7 Survival. Only Sections 1.1 (and all
other definitions), 2.5.2 (as to distribution rights for NewCo Windows Apps
released before the effective date of expiration or termination), 2.6, 3.3, 6.2
(as to distribution rights for NewCo Phone Apps released before the effective
date of expiration or termination), 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8, 9,
10.1, 10.2, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 12, 13 and 14; Exhibit
A; and Exhibit B Section 4 of this Agreement will
survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement; provided that the
restrictions in clause (b) in Section 8.1 (and associated limitations thereto in
Section 8.1) will survive until the date that is two years after the earlier of
(i) the last day of the Transition Period or (ii) the day that NewCo materially
and permanently stops providing the level of service specified in the NewCo SLA;
provided, further, that Section 1.7 shall survive (i) insofar as it relates to
Sections 1-3 of Exhibit B until the last day of the Transition
Period and (ii) insofar as it relates to Section 4 of Exhibit B
indefinitely. In addition, the reporting and true-up mechanism agreed to
pursuant to Section 7.3 will survive any termination or expiration to allow for
final reconciliation and reporting of amounts accrued or owing under this
Agreement. However, any expiration or termination of this Agreement will be
without prejudice to any right or remedy of any party arising out of any breach
of this Agreement, including recovery of any amounts owing under this Agreement.
Section 12. Representations and Warranties
12.1 By Microsoft. Microsoft represents and
warrants to NewCo and B&N that (a) it has the right, power and authority to
enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and (b) its
representative whose signature is affixed to this Agreement has full capacity
and authority to bind it to the terms of this Agreement.
12.2 By B&N and NewCo. NewCo and
B&N jointly and severally represent and warrant to Microsoft that (a) each
of NewCo and B&N has the right, power and authority to enter into and
perform its obligations under this Agreement, and (b) each of its
representatives whose signature is affixed to this Agreement has full capacity
and authority to bind it to the terms of this Agreement.
12.3 Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY
PROVIDED OTHERWISE IN THIS AGREEMENT OR A RELATED AGREEMENT, TO THE MAXIMUM
EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY PROVIDES ALL SOFTWARE, DEVICES,
TECHNOLOGY, SERVICES, CONTENT, DATA, INFORMATION AND OTHER MATERIALS UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT “AS IS” AND WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES,
REPRESENTATIONS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR
STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF OR RELATED TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF
RESPONSES, RESULTS, AND LACK OF NEGLIGENCE.
24
Section 13. Limitations of Liability
13.1 Disclaimer of Consequential Damages.
EXCEPT FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM BREACH OF SECTION 8, NEITHER NEWCO, B&N
NOR MICROSOFT NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS
OF PROFIT, BUSINESS OR GOODWILL, OR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL,
PUNITIVE OR SPECIAL COSTS, DAMAGES OR EXPENSES WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF, OR IN
ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR THE BREACH THEREOF, REGARDLESS OF THE
LEGAL THEORY UPON WHICH ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES IS BASED, EVEN IN THE EVENT
OF FAULT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR
BREACH OF WARRANTY OF ANY PARTY. THE FOREGOING EXCLUSION WILL APPLY EVEN IF SUCH
PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES IN ADVANCE AND EVEN IF
ANY AVAILABLE REMEDY FAILS ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.
13.2 Limitations on Amounts of Liability.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND EXCEPT AS TO AMOUNTS
PAYABLE BY EACH PARTY TO THE OTHER PURSUANT TO SECTION 7, THE TOTAL AGGREGATE
LIABILITY OF EACH PARTY AND ITS AFFILIATES, INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY, TO
THE OTHER PARTIES AND THEIR AFFILIATES, INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY, FOR ALL
CLAIMS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE LIMITED IN AMOUNT TO $[***].
13.3 Excused Performance. No party will be
liable, or considered to be in breach or default under this Agreement, on
account of any delay, failure in performance, interruption of service, loss or
damage resulting directly or indirectly from any Force Majeure; provided, that
the party suffering the Force Majeure: (a) gives the other parties prompt
written notice of the Force Majeure, the anticipated duration and consequences
of the Force Majeure, and the action being taken to overcome, avoid and mitigate
the consequences; and (b) takes commercially reasonable steps to overcome, avoid
and mitigate the consequences.
13.4. Material Breach of SLAs.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but
subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 13.1 and 13.2, in the event of
a material breach of either the NewCo SLA or the Microsoft SLA, then, in
addition to any other remedies specified herein, the parties agree that:
(a) the non-breaching party will be entitled to seek damages or other
remedies available in law or equity for such material breach; and
(b) in the event of a material breach or a finding of a likelihood of success
on a party153s claim of a material breach where a party is seeking preliminary
injunctive relief, it would be appropriate for a court or arbitrator to issue an
order (both preliminary and permanent), applicable on a worldwide basis,
requiring the cure of such material breach and full performance of the NewCo SLA
and/or the Microsoft SLA, as the case may be, because, inter alia, the
parties agree that (i) it is highly likely that the non-breaching party will
suffer irreparable harm from such material breach unless such material breach is
immediately cured, (ii) the risk of irreparable harm to the non-breaching party
from such material breach outweighs the potential harm to the breaching party of
immediately requiring that it cure such material breach, and (iii) such
immediate injunctive relief is in the public interest and particularly in the
interest of affected customers.
25
Section 14. General
14.1 365(n). All licenses and rights
granted to Microsoft and its Affiliates under or pursuant to this Agreement are,
and will otherwise be deemed to be, for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code, licenses of rights to “intellectual property” as defined under
Section 101 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Microsoft and its Affiliates, as
licensee of such rights under this Agreement, will retain and may fully exercise
all its rights and elections under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In the event of the
commencement of a bankruptcy proceeding by or against NewCo under the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code, Microsoft and its Affiliates will be entitled to complete
access to (or a compete duplicate of, as appropriate) any such intellectual
property and all embodiments of such intellectual property, and same, if not
already in Microsoft153s possession, will be promptly delivered to Microsoft.
14.2 Non-Exclusive; Independent Development.
Except as provided in Section 1.5, the rights and obligations of the
parties under this Agreement are non-exclusive. Except as set forth in Section
1.5, nothing in this Agreement restricts a party153s right (a) to acquire,
license, develop for itself, or have others develop for it, software, content or
technology performing the same or similar functions as the software, content or
technology owned or furnished by another party (“competing
technology“), so long as it did so without violating this Agreement, or
(b) to market, distribute or otherwise exploit such competing technology.
Without limiting the foregoing, Microsoft and its Affiliates may develop
alternate digital content consumption and authoring experiences on its own or
with other companies and also has the unrestricted ability to work with other
content and application providers, including to enable digital content
experiences to end users. For clarity, nothing in this Section 14.2 changes the
obligations or restrictions in Section 8.
14.3 Independent Parties. The parties are
independent contractors. This Agreement does not create, and should not be
interpreted or construed as creating, any agency, partnership, joint venture,
franchise, or employment relationship between the parties. No party has the
authority to make any statements, representations or commitments of any kind or
to take any action binding on another party.
14.4 Notices. Except as otherwise agreed in
writing by the parties, any notices given under this Agreement will be delivered
either by messenger or overnight delivery service, or sent by facsimile with a
confirmation sent via certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return
receipt requested, addressed to the intended recipient as set forth below or as
otherwise specified by notice given in accordance with this Section 14.4.
Notices will be deemed to have been given on the day when received by the party
to whom the notice is given:
26
|
To Microsoft: |
To NewCo: |
||
|
Microsoft Corporation |
[NewCo] LLC |
||
|
One Microsoft Way |
c/o Barnes & Noble, Inc. |
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Redmond, Washington 98052-6399 |
122 Fifth Avenue |
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New York, NY 10011 |
|||
|
Attn: Peter Klein |
|||
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Attn: |
Eugene V. DeFelice |
|
|
Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary |
|||
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Facsimile No.: (425) 706-7329 |
Facsimile No.: (212) 463-5683 |
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With a Copy to: |
With a Copy to: |
||
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Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP |
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP |
||
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425 Lexington Avenue |
Worldwide Plaza |
||
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New York, NY 10017 |
825 Eighth Avenue |
||
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New York, NY 10019 |
|||
|
Attn: Alan M. Klein, Esq. |
|||
|
Attn: |
Scott A. Barshay, Esq. |
||
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Andrew R. Thompson, Esq. |
|||
|
Facsimile No.: (212) 455-2502 |
Facsimile No.: (212) 474-3700 |
||
27
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To B&N: |
||
|
Barnes & Noble, Inc. |
||
|
122 Fifth Avenue |
||
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New York, NY 10011 |
||
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Attn: |
Eugene V. DeFelice |
|
|
Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary |
||
|
Facsimile No.: (212) 463-5683 |
||
|
With a Copy to: |
||
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Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP |
||
|
Worldwide Plaza |
||
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825 Eighth Avenue |
||
|
New York, NY 10019 |
||
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Attn: |
Scott A. Barshay, Esq. |
|
|
Andrew R. Thompson, Esq. |
||
|
Facsimile No.: (212) 474-3700 |
||
14.5 Dispute Resolution; Jurisdiction; and Governing
Law. This Agreement and all disputes arising out of or related to this
Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without
reference to conflict of laws principles. Any and all claims, lawsuits or
disputes of any kind between the parties arising out of or relating to this
Agreement will be resolved in federal or state courts in the State of New York
within the Southern District of New York. Each party hereby waives any challenge
to the jurisdiction or venue of such courts over such claims, lawsuits or
disputes. The rest of this Section notwithstanding, if and when applicable, each
party will use (a) the Formal Escalation set forth in Exhibit B
before commencing any lawsuit against another party relating to this Agreement,
except as otherwise set forth in Section 3.3 of Exhibit B, and
(b) will use the Expedited Arbitration process only where expressly so provided
herein or in Exhibit B. Nothing will limit the right of a
party, however, to seek a temporary restraining order or other provisional
remedy to preserve the status quo or to prevent irreparable harm. In the event
that discovery or any other materials in connection with any Expedited
Arbitration are subject to seal or confidentiality or protective order, each
party will be entitled to designate up to two in-house attorneys who will be
entitled to have access to such materials, subject to reasonable confidentiality
provisions to prevent disclosure to party employees not entitled to such access,
which confidentiality provisions will be enforceable against such in-house
attorneys in such proceedings, including by sanctions for violation thereof;
provided, however, such access would not extend to source code. The inclusion of
the foregoing provision relating to access to confidential information by
in-house counsel in the context of Expedited Arbitration but not in the context
of any other claim, lawsuit or dispute of any kind arising out of or related to
this Agreement shall not result in or be relied on as supporting any implication
that similar access to confidential information by designated in-house counsel
would or would not be appropriate in connection with any such other claim,
lawsuit or dispute.
28
14.6 Attorneys153 Fees. If a party employs
attorneys to enforce any rights arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
the prevailing party will be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys153 fees,
costs and other expenses, including the costs and fees incurred on appeal or in
a bankruptcy or similar action.
14.7 Assignment. Neither NewCo nor B&N
may assign this Agreement, or any rights or obligations hereunder, except with
Microsoft153s express written consent or to an Affiliate in connection with an
Initial Public Offering (as defined in the NewCo LLC Agreement) of NewCo or an
Issuer or a “Qualified Distribution” in the NewCo LLC Agreement. Any attempted
assignment in violation of this section will be void. Subject to the foregoing
restriction on assignments by NewCo and B&N, this Agreement will be binding
on, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the parties and their
respective successors and assigns.
14.8 Waivers. A party153s delay or failure to
exercise any right or remedy will not result in a waiver of that or any other
right or remedy. Failure by a party to enforce any provision of this Agreement
will not be deemed a waiver of future enforcement of that provision.
14.9 Invalid Provisions. If any term of
this Agreement or the application thereof is found by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be in whole or in part invalid or unenforceable, then (a) the
invalidity or unenforceability will not affect other terms or applications of
this Agreement, (b) the remainder of this Agreement will continue in effect so
long as the Agreement still expresses the intent of the parties, and (c) the
parties will engage in good faith efforts to discover and implement a means of
effectuating the intent of the parties in accordance with applicable laws.
14.10 Construction. As used in this
Agreement, (i) the words “include” and “including” and variations thereof, will
not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather will be deemed to be
followed by the words “without limitation,” (ii) unless the context otherwise
requires, the word “or” shall be deemed to be an inclusive “or” and shall have
the meaning equivalent to “and/or.”
14.11 Order of Precedence. In the event of
any direct conflict between any terms and conditions of this Agreement and any
terms and conditions of any Exhibit or other document referenced in this
Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement will prevail over those of
any such Exhibit or other document, but solely to the extent of such conflict.
[***] Further, the requirements of this Agreement are in addition to the
requirements of any other document or agreement referenced in this Agreement,
and such other documents and agreements will not be construed to abrogate,
diminish or amend in any way any of the requirements of this Agreement (for
example, if an action is permitted by such other document or agreement and
either required or prohibited by this Agreement, then such action will be
required or prohibited as set forth in this Agreement).
14.12 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This
Agreement is for the benefit of the parties and their Affiliates only, and will
be enforceable by the parties and their Affiliates only. No action may be
commenced or prosecuted against a party by any third party claiming as a
third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.
14.13 Counterparts and Facsimile. This
Agreement may be executed on facsimile copies or in counterparts, each
counterpart of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will
constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event that any signature is
delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format
data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the
party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same
force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original
thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if requested by a party, the other
parties will deliver original executed copies of this Agreement to such
requesting party as soon as practicable following execution thereof.
29
14.14 Entire Agreement. This Agreement,
together with the Related Agreements, constitutes the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
or contemporaneous communications regarding such subject matter, whether written
or oral, including any prior letters of intent or term sheets, including the
Settlement Discussion Agreement dated July 12, 2011. This Agreement may not be
modified except by a written agreement dated subsequent to the date of this
Agreement and signed by an authorized representative of the party against whom
such modification is sought to be enforced.
14.15 Compliance with Laws. Each party will
comply with applicable laws in its performance under this Agreement, including
NewCo complying with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) safe harbor
notice and takedown requirements. To the extent a party believes that performing
an obligation under this Agreement may not comply with applicable laws, it will
notify the other party, and the parties will engage in good faith efforts to
discover and implement a mechanism to meet such obligation in accordance with
applicable laws.
[Signature Page Follows]
30
This Commercial Agreement is entered into by the parties as of the date first
written above.
|
Barnes & Noble, Inc. |
|
Signature: /s/ Eugene V. DeFelice |
|
Name: Eugene V. DeFelice |
|
Title: Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary |
[Signature Page to the Commercial Agreement]
|
Microsoft Corporation |
|
Signature: /s/ Steven A. Ballmer |
|
Name: Steven A. Ballmer |
|
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to the Commercial Agreement]
Exhibit A
Definitions
“Advance” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.1.
“Affiliate” means any legal entity that controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with a party, whether directly or
indirectly (e.g., through successive tiers of control). For purposes of the
foregoing and Section 1.5, an entity controls another entity if it beneficially
owns more than 50% of the equity or voting interests of such entity or if it has
the right to direct the management of the entity. An entity is an Affiliate for
only so long as such control exists. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, for
purposes of this Agreement, neither NewCo nor any entity that is directly or
indirectly controlled by NewCo will be considered an “Affiliate” of B&N; and
neither B&N nor any entity that directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with B&N and that is not
controlled by NewCo will be considered to be an “Affiliate” of NewCo for
purposes of this Agreement.
“App Developer Agreement” means the applicable version of
Microsoft153s then-current Windows Store Application Developer Agreement, the
current pre-release version of which is currently located at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh694058.aspx.
“App Localization Condition” has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.2.
“Application Provider Agreement” means the applicable
version of Microsoft153s then-current Windows Phone Marketplace Application
Provider Agreement, the current version of which is currently located at
http://create.msdn.com/downloads/?id=638?.
“Bankruptcy Event” means that NewCo:
(a) suffers or permits the appointment of a trustee or receiver for all or a
substantial portion of its assets, unless such appointment is vacated or
dismissed within 60 days from the date of such appointment;
(b) files a petition as a debtor under any provision of the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code or any state or other law relating to insolvency;
(c) has any such petition filed against it, unless such petition and all
related proceedings are dismissed within 90 days of such filing;
(d) is judged insolvent or bankrupt; or
(e) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, formally admits
in writing its inability to pay its debts when due, or ceases generally to pay
its debts when due.
“B&N Store” means the online bookstore for Content
offered by B&N prior to transfer to NewCo at www.bn.com.
“Closing” has the meaning in the Investment Agreement.
32
“Confidential Information” has the meaning in the NDA, as
supplemented by Section 9.2.
“Consumption Condition” has the meaning set forth in Section
5.3.
“Consumption Experiences” means an end user experience that
includes at least the capability to render, read, highlight, bookmark, designate
“last page read” and annotate Content.
“Content” means Reading Content and other digital content.
“Contract Year” means a period of one year commencing on the
Launch Date or an anniversary of the Launch Date, as applicable.
“Core Geo Commercial Content Condition” has the meaning set
forth in Section 5.4.
“Core Geo Trade Book Condition” has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.4.
“Critical Geos” means [***].
“Customer Data” means, as of a date, the following data, in
each case to the extent such data exists and is in NewCo153s possession as of such
date, for end users who have accessed the NewCo Store through a NewCo App or
Microsoft Product or Service that uses NewCo APIs as contemplated by Section 3:
(a) purchase data (including data about the Content in the NewCo Store accessed
by such end users such as ISBN, title and author); and (b) reading data (e.g.,
how much of a given Content item has been read, annotations to that Content,
word look up and reviews), which data shall be provided in zip file or CSV
format.
“Deposit Materials” means the NewCo App Materials, NewCo
Store Materials, Customer Data and Publisher Data deposited with the Escrow
Agent under Section 11.6 or the Escrow Agreement; provided, that any other
Source Code or data included in backup copies of Source Code and data files
deposited with the Escrow Agent and eliminated or redacted by NewCo as
contemplated in Section 11.6(d) shall not be Deposit Materials.
“Dismissal” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5 of the
Patent Agreement.
“Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.8.
“E-Reading Assets” means the assets of the following
business as conducted by B&N prior to Closing: the Digital Business as
defined in the Investment Agreement, which includes the Nook device business and
the online bookstore business comprising the provision of Reading Content
included in the B&N Store.
“Escrow Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section
11.6.
“Existing Microsoft Products and Services” means any
Microsoft Product or Service that has been commercially released or of which a
beta has been released and which provides the relevant functionality as of (a)
the date the NewCo SLA came into effect or (b) in the event of a Bankruptcy
Event, the date the conditions for a Bankruptcy Event are met.
33
“Expedited Arbitration” means: (a) for disputes about
royalty payments under the Patent Agreement, the Royalty Arbitration Processes
set forth in Exhibit C of the Patent Agreement; and (b) for other disputes under
this Agreement for which Expedited Arbitration is required, the arbitration
process set forth in Section 4 of Exhibit B of this Agreement.
“Escrow Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.6.
“[***] Net Revenue” has the meaning set forth in Section
7.1.
“Force Majeure” means any: act of God; act or omission of
any governmental, regulatory, civil or military authority; embargo or blockade;
civil disturbance; war, invasion or other hostilities (whether war is declared
or not); terrorism or terrorist threats; fire, flood, earthquake, severe storms,
explosion or casualty; employee strike or other labor disturbance; or
interruption or shortage of electric, gas or other utility service.
“Formal Escalation” has the meaning set forth in Section 3
of Exhibit B.
“Geo” means a country or other geographical area that NewCo
and Microsoft listed as “Geos” in Exhibit C hereto and as
otherwise mutually agreed in writing.
“Governance Process” means the process set forth in attached
Exhibit B.
“ID” means an identification (currently known as a Windows
Live ID) associated with a consumer in the Microsoft ID System.
“Initial Commercial Geos” has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.4(a).
“Intellectual Property Rights” means any and all rights,
whether registered or unregistered, existing from time to time under patent law,
copyright law, moral rights law, trade secret law, trademark law, and any and
all other similar proprietary rights, as well as any and all applications,
renewals, extensions, divisionals, continuations, restorations and
re-instatements thereof, now or hereafter in force and effect worldwide.
“Investment Agreement” means the Investment Agreement dated
as of April 27, 2012 between B&N, Microsoft Investment Holdings, Inc. and
Microsoft.
“law” means any applicable supranational, Federal, national,
state, provincial or local statute, law (including common law), ordinance, rule
or regulation of any governmental entity.
“Launch Date” means the date when the first version of the
NewCo Windows App is made commercially available in the Windows Store in
accordance with Section 2.1.1.
“Liquidation Event” means NewCo: (a) commences a liquidation
of all or substantially all of its assets (other than through a Bankruptcy
Event); (b) ceases to carry on all or substantially all of its digital device
and content business; or (c) formally announces that it intends to liquidate all
or substantially all of its assets or to wind down its business.
34
“Material Commercial Content Agreements” means, for a given
Geo, agreements with NewCo such that the NewCo Store includes at least [***].
“Material Trade Book Agreements” means, for a given Geo,
agreements with NewCo such that the NewCo Store includes at least [***].
“Microsoft Commerce Platform” means a set of infrastructure,
processes, and contractual relationships to enable the processing, management
and handling of transactions by end-users as well as the billing, remittance and
check-out services developed and offered by Microsoft as described in Section 4
and the Microsoft Commerce Platform Terms.
“Microsoft Commerce Platform Terms” has the meaning set
forth in Section 4.3.
“Microsoft ID System” means Microsoft153s service (currently
known as Windows Live ID) for consumers to sign into accounts, services and
websites.
“Microsoft Material Default” means a failure by Microsoft to
make any payment required under Section 7 when due, if (a) not cured or disputed
by Microsoft within 45 days after written notice of such failure from NewCo or
(b) the payment is disputed by Microsoft within 45 days after written notice of
such failure from NewCo, but then only to the extent such payment obligation is
upheld in a final ruling in an Expedited Arbitration and Microsoft subsequently
fails to pay the upheld amount within 45 days after such ruling. For the
avoidance of doubt, the expiration of this Agreement by its terms in accordance
with Section 10.1 will not constitute a Microsoft Material Default.
“Microsoft Products and Services” means Microsoft products
and services designed to interact with Content from the NewCo Store and
annotations to Content. For the avoidance of doubt, Microsoft Products and
Services do not include the Microsoft Commerce Platform or the NewCo Apps,
regardless of whether they are distributed in connection with or as part of
Microsoft Products and Services.
“Microsoft Service Maintenance Toolkit” means a copy that is
complete and accurate (in all material respects as to (c) and (d)) of the
following, in each case, as of the most current date reasonably practicable
prior to the relevant date: (a) the NewCo App Materials; (b) the NewCo Store
Materials; (c) the Customer Data; and (d) the Publisher Data.
“Microsoft SLA” means a commitment from Microsoft that it
will, upon NewCo153s request and throughout the Transition Period:
(a) continue enabling any then-existing level of use of the Microsoft
Commerce Platform by NewCo and, subject to Microsoft153s strategy with respect to
Microsoft Products and Services, any existing level of integration of the NewCo
Store into Microsoft Products and Services, for purposes of end users (i)
purchasing additional Reading Content in the NewCo Store and (ii) using the
Publishing Services Platform to create accounts, upload Reading Content for
purposes of distribution and sale of that Reading Content in the NewCo Store and
receive payment from purchasers of that Reading Content; and
35
(b) continue enabling NewCo153s then-existing level of use of the Microsoft ID
System with the NewCo Store and NewCo Apps.
During the Microsoft SLA period during the Term, such transactions will be
subject to the revenue sharing provisions in Section 7. During the Microsoft SLA
period after the Term, at NewCo153s election, either (i) the Microsoft SLA will be
provided subject to the revenue sharing provisions in Section 7, or (ii) such
transactions effected through the Microsoft Commerce Platform will be subject to
the standard charge for the Microsoft Commerce Platform.
“NDA” means the Microsoft Corporation Non-Disclosure
Agreement between Microsoft, NewCo, and B&N with an effective date of no
later than the Effective Date.
“Net Revenue” means:
(a) gross revenue from any sales, subscriptions or other acquisitions of
Content purchased from NewCo and its Affiliates by customers using the NewCo
Windows App, the NewCo Phone App or Microsoft Products and Services (which for
the avoidance of doubt for purposes of this definition and Section 7 does not
include browsers), irrespective of which party completes the transaction giving
rise to such Net Revenue; less
(b) the sum of (i) any licensing or other fees payable by NewCo or Microsoft
for the specific acquisition of such Content (regardless of whether such fees
are paid by the Microsoft Commerce Platform or by NewCo outside of the Microsoft
Commerce Platform plus (ii) transaction fees including credit card fees (and
other billing mechanism fees), chargebacks by credit card networks or financial
institutions and foreign exchange transaction fees incurred by either NewCo,
Microsoft or any Affiliate of NewCo or Microsoft for processing payments for
such Content plus (iii) commissions and similar amounts (but not including any
advertising or marketing expenses) payable to third parties in connection with
sales or use by end users of such Content.
For the avoidance of doubt, gross revenue will be determined exclusive of any
taxes and will not, for example, be (A) reduced by any withholding taxes
withheld with respect to any amount payable to the billing party or any income
taxes or other taxes imposed by law on the billing party arising in connection
with any transaction entered into between the billing party and its customers or
(B) increased by any sales tax, VAT or other transaction taxes that the billing
party collects from its customers.
“NewCo APIs” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
“NewCo Apps” means all versions of the NewCo Windows App and
NewCo Phone App distributed by NewCo or its Affiliates, including updates
thereto.
36
“NewCo App Materials” means, as of a date, the Source Code
and user interfaces (UIs) as of such date to all versions of the NewCo Windows
App and NewCo Phone App (excluding trademarks) that have been made commercially
available prior to such date, along with associated development and build tools,
all in a format sufficient to enable a reasonably skilled programmer to utilize
and read the NewCo App Materials.
“NewCo LLC Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited
Liability Company Agreement of NewCo entered into pursuant to the Investment
Agreement.
“NewCo Material Default” means the occurrence of any of the
following:
(a) the Launch Date does not occur before [***], unless such failure is due
to failure to obtain certification for distribution through the Windows Store
due to Microsoft153s unreasonably withholding or delaying certification for the
NewCo Windows App, in which event the [***] deadline will be extended by the
period of Microsoft153s unreasonable withholding or delaying of such
certification;
(b) NewCo fails to satisfy the Core Geo Trade Book Condition before [***];
(c) due to an action or failure to act by NewCo,
(i) the NewCo Store is unavailable for purchasing or consuming (reading,
annotating, etc.) Reading Content,
(ii) the Publishing Services Platform is unavailable for publishing Reading
Content, or
(iii) the NewCo APIs are unavailable for publishing, purchasing, or consuming
(reading, annotating, etc.) Reading Content where such unavailability materially
negatively impacts the author or publisher153s publishing experience, the user153s
purchasing experience, or the user153s consuming experience, respectively,
where such service or NewCo APIs, as applicable, had previously been
commercially available, for an aggregate total number of hours representing
[***], at any time following the Launch Date (but excluding unavailability due
to Force Majeure) [***] on the condition that either:
37
(A) Microsoft is shipping [***] a beta or later release of Microsoft Products
and Services that have the capability to publish to, purchase, or consume
(including read or annotate) Reading Content from the NewCo Store using the
NewCo APIs (where such tools are using the NewCo APIs that were unavailable); or
(B) [***];
(d) due to an action or failure to act by NewCo, the NewCo Windows App is
unavailable in the Windows Store, for an aggregate total number of hours
representing [***], at any time following the Launch Date (but excluding
unavailability due to Force Majeure) [***]; or
(e) Patent Obligor fails to pay any Patent Royalty when due (i.e. within
[***] days after Microsoft153s invoice in accordance with the Patent Agreement)
and
(i) Patent Obligor has not cured or disputed (i.e., by giving Microsoft
written notice thereof) such default within [***] days after Microsoft provides
NewCo or the Patent Obligor with written notice of such default; or
(ii) Patent Obligor disputes such default by giving Microsoft written notice
thereof within [***] days after Microsoft provides NewCo or the Patent Obligor
written notice of such default, then only to the extent such default is upheld
in a final ruling in Expedited Arbitration under the Patent Agreement and the
Patent Obligor subsequently fails to pay the upheld amount within [***] days
after such ruling; or
(iii) in the event of a bankruptcy or similar proceeding involving Patent
Obligor, the payment obligation is repudiated or otherwise voided by a court or
some or all of the material rights and obligations of the parties are nullified
for reasons other than as a result of non-performance by one of the parties.
In the case of any unavailability described in (c) or (d) above is due to an
injunction or restraining order obtained by a third party on the basis of a
claim of infringement of Intellectual Property Rights by the relevant NewCo
software or service, then, (x) upon NewCo153s request, Microsoft will reasonably
cooperate with NewCo in NewCo153s efforts to design around such claimed
infringement, and (y) so long as NewCo is in good faith striving to have such
order dissolved or vacated or to design around the claimed infringement, the
effect of such unavailability will be to
38
(A) entitle Microsoft to defer any of its payment obligations or other
obligations coming due during such unavailability, and
(B) if such unavailability continues for a period of one year, such
unavailability will constitute a NewCo Material Default.
If any event in (a) through (d) is caused by Microsoft failing to comply with
its obligations under this Agreement, such event will not be deemed a NewCo
Material Default. For the avoidance of doubt, the expiration of this Agreement
by its terms in accordance with Section 10.1 will not constitute a NewCo
Material Default.
“NewCo Phone App” means an application for Windows Phone
that includes functionality and user experiences for both Consumption
Experiences and acquisition of Reading Content (e.g., from the NewCo Store).
“NewCo SLA” means a commitment from NewCo that it will, upon
request of Microsoft, allow Microsoft and its Subsidiaries to do the following
throughout the Transition Period:
(a) make all Reading Content purchased through the NewCo Store by an end user
(together with associated data thereto including any annotations by such end
user), where the end user has accessed any of such Reading Content using a
Windows device, available for consumption (reading, annotating, etc.) by such
end user through the NewCo Store through any of the Existing Microsoft Products
and Services or any of the NewCo Apps;
(b) if any of the Microsoft Products and Services integration scenarios
described in Section 3 are enabled in any of the Existing Microsoft Products and
Services, make Content in the NewCo Store published using any such Microsoft
Products and Services available to the end user who published such Content
(together with associated data thereto including any annotations by such end
user); and
(c) enable end users to (i) purchase and consume (reading, annotations, etc.)
additional Reading Content in the NewCo Store and (ii) upload Reading Content
for purposes of distribution and sale of that Reading Content in the NewCo Store
and receipt of payment from purchasers of that Reading Content, in each of (i)
and (ii) using the NewCo Apps and each of the Existing Microsoft Products and
Services that access the NewCo Store and/or use any NewCo APIs. Such purchases
during the Term will be subject to the revenue share described in Section 7.
Such purchases after the Term will be subject to, at NewCo153s election, either
(A) the revenue share described in Section 7 or (B) if effected through the
Microsoft Commerce Platform, the standard charges for the Microsoft Commerce
Platform.
39
The NewCo SLA will be provided at no additional charge.
“NewCo Store” means the online bookstore through which NewCo
offers customers the ability to purchase, consume (read, annotate, etc.) and/or
publish Reading Content as a service for client devices and applications (and
which, prior to transfer to NewCo, and other than those which have not been
transferred due to any applicable third-party consents not having been received,
was the B&N Store).
“NewCo Store Materials” means, as of a date, the Source Code
and user interfaces (UIs) elements as of such date to all versions of the
website for the NewCo Store (excluding trademarks) that have been made
commercially available prior to such date, along with detailed information about
the backend systems used by NewCo to operate the website, all in a format
sufficient to enable a reasonably skilled programmer to utilize and read the
NewCo Store Materials.
“NewCo Study Application” means the Nook Study application
currently available at nookstudy.com and updates and successors thereto that
provide similar functionality.
“NewCo Windows App” means a metro-style application for
Windows OS that includes functionality and user experiences for both Consumption
Experiences and acquisition of Reading Content (e.g., from the NewCo Store). For
the avoidance of doubt, the NewCo Windows App is not a browser application for
purposes of the revenue share set forth in Section 7.
“Non-Renewal” means the parties do not extend or renew the
Term pursuant to Section 11.2.
“Patent Agreement” means the Confidential Settlement and
Patent License Agreement, dated on or about the Effective Date, to which
Microsoft and B&N are party.
“Patent Obligor” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.1.
“Patent Royalty” means any royalty payable to Microsoft
under the Patent Agreement.
“Priority Geos” means [***].
[***]
[***]
“Publish Condition” has the meaning set forth in Section
5.1.
“Publisher Data” means, as of a date, data, to the extent
such data exists and is in NewCo153s possession as of such date, about publishers
for Content they provide for the NewCo Store (e.g. contact information for
commercial publishers, publishers using the Publishing Services Platform,
authors that publish to the NewCo Store through Microsoft Products and Services,
association of Content with publishers, annotation of Content associated with
such publishers, but excluding any data that is subject to limitation on
transfers or sharing of such data in any agreements with publishers or digital
content agreements), which data shall be provided in zip file or CSV format.
NewCo will work in good faith with publishers and Microsoft to (a) obtain
provisions in agreements entered into with publishers after the Effective Date
to permit enabling such transfer or sharing, or (b) avoid provisions in such
agreements entered into with publishers after the Effective Date which prohibit
such transfers or sharing.
40
“Publishing Services Platform” means NewCo153s web-based
portal that allows an end user to create an account, upload Reading Content for
purposes of distribution and sale of that Reading Content in the NewCo Store and
receive payment from purchasers of that Reading Content.
“Reading Content” means electronic books, magazines,
newspapers, periodicals, comic books, children153s books and other reading and
reading-related content.
“Region” means one of the following sets of Geos: [***].
“Related Agreements” means the Investment Agreement, Patent
Agreement, App Developer Agreement, Application Provider Agreement and NDA and
any other agreements between or among NewCo, Microsoft, B&N and any of their
respective Affiliates entered into in connection with the transactions
contemplated herein or therein.
“[***] Net Revenue” has the meaning set forth in Section
7.1.
“Source Code” means computer software program instructions
that are translated by a compiler, interpreter or assembler into object or
binary code for execution on a computer, together with all developer comments
and annotations relating to such program instructions, in either case, that are
included therein.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person, another
person, an amount of the voting securities, other voting rights or voting
partnership interests of which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its
board of directors or other governing body (or, if there are no such voting
interests, more than 50% of the equity interests of which) is owned directly or
indirectly by such first person. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, for
purposes of this Agreement, neither NewCo nor any entity that is directly or
indirectly controlled by NewCo will be considered a “Subsidiary” of B&N or
any entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with B&N (other than NewCo and its Subsidiaries).
“Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
“Transition Period” means a period of time beginning on (i)
the date that Microsoft requests that NewCo provide the NewCo SLA pursuant to
Section 11.5.3(b), or (ii) in the event of a Bankruptcy Event, the date the
conditions for a Bankruptcy Event are met, and ending on the later of (a) 2
years later or (b) the end of the Term had this Agreement not been terminated
early.
“Windows-Based PC” means a personal computer, desktop
computer, laptop, tablet, or slate that runs the Windows OS.
41
“Windows Core Languages” means [***].
“Windows Device” means a Windows-Based PC or a Windows
Phone.
“Windows OEM Image” means [***].
“Windows OS” means the Windows 8 (both x86 and ARM) client
operating system and any future releases, versions and successors, including any
bug fixes, service packs, upgrades and updates.
“Windows Phone” means a mobile device running the Windows
Phone Software.
“Windows Phone Software” means (a) the successor to
Microsoft153s Windows Phone 7.5 operating system software for mobile phones that
is currently code-named “Apollo,” and (b) any future versions and successors,
including any bug fixes, service packs, upgrades and updates.
“Windows Store Terms of Use” means the applicable version of
Microsoft153s then-current Windows Store terms of use, the current, pre-release
version of which is currently located at
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/store-terms-of-use.
“Windows Store” means the Internet-based feature of Windows
OS that provides a marketplace for the promotion and distribution of
applications for use with Windows OS.
“WP Marketplace” means the platform (however named,
consisting of a client application on Windows Phone, a web-based application
(currently available at www.windowsphone.com), and an internet-based
service) operated by Microsoft or its Affiliates through which applications,
games, and related content may be acquired by end users for Windows Phones.
42
Exhibit B
Governance Processes
1. Governance Model
1.1 Executive Sponsor and Relationship Managers
|
1.1.1 |
Executive Sponsor Role. Within 30 days after the Effective |
|
1.1.2 |
Relationship Manager Role. Within 30 days after the |
|
1.1.3 |
Meeting Frequency |
|
(a) |
The Executive Sponsors will meet in person or by telephone conference, as |
|
(b) |
The Relationship Managers will meet more frequently, as they deem |
|
1.2 |
Contract Management Office |
|
1.2.1 |
Individual Subject Matter Leads. Within 30 days after the |
|
1.2.2 |
Pairing and Meeting Frequency. The Relationship Managers |
43
|
2. |
Technical Roadmap and Review Process |
|
2.1 |
Review Meetings. Throughout the Term, weekly until the |
(a) requests by a party for product updates, enhancements, improvements and
changes to the services or applications provided by another party under this
Agreement;
(b) progress against development and launch plans for applications and
services (including the achievement of the Launch Date and any other release
dates or any delays encountered or anticipated in the progress toward the Launch
Date or any other release date);
(c) implementation of the requirements in Section 2.4 and any exceptions
thereto in Sections 2.4.1 and 2.4.2, including the [***] requirements for the
NewCo Windows App, [***] and how NewCo can enhance the NewCo Windows App to
exploit the features and functionality available through the Windows OS;
(d) [***];
(e) the Microsoft Products and Services integration scenarios described in
Section 3;
(f) the progress of the implementation of Geo expansion, including the
progress and results of negotiations with specific publishers and Material
Commercial Content Agreements and Material Trade Book Agreements generally, but
without any obligation to disclose the specifics of any such Material Commercial
Content Agreements or Material Trade Book Agreements, including the counterparty
thereunder;
(g) implementation of the requirements in Section 6.3; and
(h) such other matters relating to the implementation and performance of
services and applications under this Agreement as a party may desire to discuss.
The Relationship Managers and applicable Functional Leads will coordinate and
facilitate such meetings, including appropriate other staff as needed.
|
2.2 |
Escalation. If the parties are unable to reach agreement as |
|
3. |
Formal Escalation of Issues Pertaining to Services. The |
44
|
3.1 |
Resolution by Relationship Managers. The parties153 |
|
3.2 |
Resolution by Executive Sponsors. The parties153 Executive |
|
3.3 |
Exclusions from Formal Escalation. Formal Escalation does |
|
4. |
Expedited Arbitration of Certain Disputes |
|
|
4.1 |
Arbitral Disputes. Any of the following disputes between |
|
|
4.2 |
Good Faith Negotiations. In the event of any Arbitral |
45
|
4.3 |
Submission to Arbitration. If the parties are unable to |
|
4.4 |
Selection of Arbitrator. The arbitration will be held before |
|
4.5 |
Proceedings. Any arbitration hearing will be held in San |
|
4.6 |
Decision. Any arbitration decision will be final and binding |
46
|
4.7 |
Costs. The arbitrators153 fees and the administrative expenses |
|
4.8 |
Confidentiality of Proceeding. Except as required by law, no |
47
Exhibit C
Geo Expansion and Localization Schedule
1. In accordance with Sections 5.1 and 5.6, Geos for Publishing Services
Platform and corresponding languages with respect to localization of the
Publishing Services Platform (including languages supported for Content
submitted through the Publishing Services Platform):
|
Geos |
Languages |
|
[***] |
[***] |
2. Subject to Section 5.2 and in accordance with Section 5.6, the languages
with respect to localization of the NewCo Windows App:
|
[***] |
3. The countries and regions treated as “Geos” for purposes of this Agreement
shall initially include
|
[***] |
[***] |
48
Exhibit D
[***]
49
Exhibit E
Microsoft Commerce Platform Terms
The following Microsoft Commerce Platform Terms (“Commerce
Terms“) shall serve as the terms and conditions governing NewCo153s use
of the Microsoft Commerce Platform. The parties will negotiate in good faith and
enter into further agreement and details to expound and further detail the
rights and obligations of the parties in a manner consistent with these Commerce
Terms in the Microsoft Commerce Platform Agreement (the “Commerce
Platform Agreement“) no later than June 1, 2012, which terms will be
based upon standard terms required of merchants under applicable law and Network
Rules and will be consistent with this Exhibit E. Such terms
and conditions shall at a minimum reflect this Exhibit E and
otherwise shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Agreement. These
Commerce Terms will apply whenever NewCo uses the Microsoft Commerce Platform to
process commerce transactions, including in-application payment processing, or
make payment to Publishers (defined below) in accordance with the Agreement. The
Commerce Terms will be incorporated by reference into the Agreement. Sections in
the Commerce Terms will be designated with “CT” to distinguish Commerce Terms
sections from sections of the Agreement.
Terms
|
1) |
Additional Definitions. In addition to the terms defined in |
|
|
a) |
“Affiliated Merchant” means an Affiliate of NewCo authorized |
|
|
b) |
“Card” means any valid credit or signature debit card issued |
||
|
c) |
“Card Transaction” means any payment or credit Transaction |
||
|
d) |
“Chargeback” means any circumstances where Card issuers, |
|
|
e) |
“Chargeback Fees” shall have the meaning set forth in |
|
f) |
“Network” means Visa or MasterCard or other Card Networks, |
50
|
g) |
“Network Rules” means the bylaws, rules, regulations and |
|
|
h) |
“Other Payment Method” means a payment method (other than |
|
i) |
“Payout Entity” means NewCo or an Affiliate of NewCo as |
|
|
j) |
“Publisher” means a person or entity that controls |
|
k) |
“Reconciliation” means a Chargeback, Refund, Representation, |
|
|
l) |
“Refund” means a payment made to wholly or partially reverse |
|
m) |
“Representation” means a transaction to reverse a Chargeback |
|
|
n) |
“Retro-Charge” means a transaction initiated to reverse a |
|
o) |
“Segregated Accounts” has the meaning set forth in Section |
|
|
p) |
“Settlement Account” has the meaning set forth in Section |
|
q) |
“Transaction” means any payment by an end user, on a |
||
|
i) |
a Card, a Card number or a Card account; or |
||
|
ii) |
any Other Payment Method. |
||
|
r) |
“Transaction Personal Data” means personal data which it is |
||
|
2) |
Microsoft Commerce Platform : Scope of Use. NewCo will use |
|
3) |
Role and Appointment of Microsoft. In order to use the |
51
|
a) |
to process Transactions and Reconciliations, |
|
b) |
to receive and remit proceeds from the Transactions, and |
|
c) |
to discharge the end user tax obligation. |
||
|
4) |
Rights and Obligations of the Parties. Microsoft and NewCo |
||
|
5) |
Third Party Relationships. On an ongoing basis, the parties |
|
|
6) |
Payment Methods Available to NewCo. Microsoft shall offer |
|
|
7) |
Remittance to Payout Entities. |
|
|
a) |
Calculation. Microsoft will calculate and remit to the |
|
52
|
b) |
Remittance to Publishers; Microsoft Commerce Platform |
|
|
c) |
Remittance to Publishers; Non-Microsoft Commerce Platform |
|
d) |
Currency Remittance and Exchange. NewCo and Microsoft will |
|
|
e) |
Affiliated Merchants. NewCo must provide Microsoft adequate |
|
8) |
Returns and Chargebacks; Offset. |
|
|
a) |
Chargeback Rights. NewCo acknowledges that end users may |
|
|
b) |
Excessive Chargebacks. |
53
|
i) |
Microsoft will promptly notify NewCo in writing if any Chargeback rates for |
|
ii) |
If a financial institution or a Network notifies Microsoft or NewCo that |
|
(1) |
to comply with all requirements that may apply as a result of such excessive |
|
(2) |
with respect to the excessive Chargebacks: |
|
(a) |
NewCo will pay Microsoft an amount equal to all fees and fines assessed |
|
(b) |
Microsoft shall deduct an amount equal to Chargeback Fees from and offset |
provided that all such Chargeback Fees shall be deducted in determining Net
Revenue in accordance with the definition thereof in the Agreement.
|
9) |
General Obligations. |
|
|
a) |
NewCo may submit Transactions to Microsoft, but will not utilize the |
|
|
b) |
Except as set forth in the Agreement and in these Commerce Terms, Microsoft |
|
|
c) |
Microsoft shall notify and consult with NewCo on an ongoing basis regarding |
|
d) |
Each party acknowledges and agrees that (1) Microsoft is not a bank or other |
54
|
e) |
Microsoft has no responsibility to NewCo to investigate the background or |
|
|
f) |
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Agreement regarding Chargebacks, as |
|
g) |
NewCo will disclose its return/cancellation policy in NewCo Store. If NewCo |
|
|
h) |
Each party agrees to notify the other party promptly in the event that the |
|
i) |
The parties shall develop in good faith mutually acceptable reporting |
|
|
j) |
The parties shall develop in good faith mutually acceptable procedures for |
|
10) |
Merchant IDs. Microsoft will establish and maintain |
|
11) |
Interchange Fees. Microsoft is authorized to deduct any |
|
12) |
Bank Accounts. |
55
|
a) |
Segregated Accounts. Microsoft will establish and maintain |
|
|
b) |
Settlement Account. The parties will establish in the |
|
(i) |
NewCo authorizes Microsoft to initiate electronic credit entries to the |
|
|
(ii) |
Microsoft will not be liable for any delays in the receipt of funds or errors |
|
(iii) |
The proceeds paid to the Settlement Account will equal the amounts received |
|
|
(iv) |
Such amounts will be paid by Microsoft into the Settlement Account in |
|
(v) |
If the proceeds payable to the Settlement Account do not represent sufficient |
||
|
13) |
Fees/Fines. All Network fees, fines, penalties and similar |
||
56
|
14) |
Prohibited Transactions. NewCo will use the Microsoft |
|
15) |
Responsibility for Taxes for Purchases and Reconciliations |
|
a) |
Remittance Countries. Microsoft or its local affiliate will |
|
|
b) |
Non-Remittance Countries. NewCo and, if applicable, |
|
c) |
Set Off. In the event that any price payable by any end user |
57
|
d) |
Additional Information. Certain tax authorities require |
|
|
e) |
Reporting. Microsoft will report to the Payout Entity all |
|
16) |
Technical Integration. NewCo and Microsoft will cooperate in |
|
17) |
Technical Support/Customer Service. Microsoft and NewCo will |
|
18) |
Data Collection, Retention and Disclosure. In addition to |
|
|
a) |
Transactional Personal Data. Microsoft will only provide the |
|
|
b) |
Security. NewCo and Microsoft will provide and maintain |
58
|
c) |
PCI Standards. With respect to Card Transactions, each Party |
|
|
d) |
Incident Response. If Transaction information stored by |
|
e) |
Notice of Breach. A party that is required by applicable law |
|
|
19) |
Proprietary Rights. NewCo agrees not modify, adapt, |
|
59
ATTACHMENT 1
REMITTANCE COUNTRIES
All current members countries of the European Union
Canada
Liechtenstein
Norway
Switzerland
Taiwan
United States
60
ATTACHMENT 2
1 Distribution to End users in Canada.
1.1 GST/HST
(a) If NewCo or any Publisher is a resident of Canada or are a non-resident
of Canada that must register for goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax
(“GST/HST“) purposes under the Excise Tax Act (Canada) (the
“ETA“), NewCo or the Publisher must be registered for GST/HST
or have submitted an application to register for GST/HST to the Canada Revenue
Agency (the “CRA“) with an effective registration date no later
than the date the Microsoft Commerce Platform commences the support of NewCo.
NewCo or the Publishers must provide Microsoft with satisfactory evidence of the
GST/HST registration (e.g., a copy of the CRA confirmation letter or print-out
from the GST/HST Registry on the CRA website) at Microsoft153s request. NewCo or
Publishers will notify Microsoft if they cease to be registered for GST/HST.
(b) If NewCo or Publishers are registered for GST/HST purposes, NewCo and/or
Publishers agree to elect, pursuant to subsection 177(1.1) of the ETA to have
Microsoft collect, account for and remit GST/HST on sales of Content made to end
users in Canada. NewCo and Publishers must complete (including entering valid
GST/HST registration number), sign and return to Microsoft Form GST506.
(c) If NewCo or Publishers are not registered for GST/HST purposes, NewCo or
Publishers:
(i) certify that NewCo or Publishers they are not registered for GST/HST
purposes;
(ii) certify that NewCo or Publishers are not residents in Canada and do not
carry on business in Canada for purposes of the ETA; and
(iii) acknowledge that Microsoft will charge, collect and remit GST/HST on
sales of Content to end users in Canada.
1.2 Quebec Sales Tax.
Terms defined in an Act respecting the Quebec Sales Tax (the
“QSTA”).
(a) If NewCo or a Publisher is a resident of Quebec, NewCo or the Publisher
must be registered for Quebec Sales Tax (“QST“) or have
submitted an application to register for QST to the Ministere du Revenu du
Quebec (the “MRQ“). NewCo or Publisher must give Microsoft
satisfactory evidence of the QST registration (e.g., a copy of the MRQ
confirmation letter or print-out from the QST Registry on the MRQ website) at
Microsoft153s request. NewCo or Publishers will notify Microsoft if the party
ceases to be registered for QST.
(b) If NewCo or a Publisher is a resident of Quebec, NewCo or Publisher:
(i) certifies that it is registered for QST;
61
(ii) agrees to elect, pursuant to section 41.0.1 of the QSTA to have
Microsoft collect, account for and remit QST on purchases by end users in
Quebec. NewCo or Publishers must complete (including entering valid QST
registration number), sign and return to Microsoft Form FP2506-V; and
(iii) acknowledges that Microsoft will not charge, collect or remit QST on
sales of Content Applications to end users located outside Quebec.
(c) If NewCo or Publishers are not residents in Quebec, NewCo (or in the case
of a Publisher, NewCo shall use good faith effort to ensure that Publisher):
(i) certifies that it is not resident in Quebec;
(ii) certifies that it does not have a permanent establishment in Quebec; and
(iii) acknowledges that Microsoft will charge, collect and remit QST on sales
to end users in Quebec.
2 Distribution to End Users in the U.S.
2.1 If a Publisher is not a resident of the United States
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Publisher must complete IRS Form W-8BEN
and/or any other required tax forms. Publisher must provide Microsoft a copy of
the completed form(s), and any other information needed to comply with
applicable tax laws and regulations.
62
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