MICROSOFT-Registered Trademark- HOMEADVISOR/IMPROVENET
RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT ('Agreement') is made and entered into as of the
later of the two signature dates below (the 'Effective Date') by and Between
IMPROVENET, INC. ('Company'), a Delaware, U.S.A. corporation, and MICROSOFT
CORPORATION ('MS'), a Washington, U.S.A. corporation.
The parties agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 'Availability Date' means the first date on which HomeAdvisor
contains a hyperlink to the Company Site as contemplated by this Agreement.
1.2 'Company Site' means the Web site operated by or for Company,
currently located on the Internet at http://www.improvenet.com, as modified
from time to time to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, and future
versions, upgrades, successors and replacements thereof.
1.3 'HomeAdvisor' means the real estate related product and/or
service currently named HomeAdvisor created by or for MS (including any
portions, future versions, upgrades, successors and replacements thereof)
that are published via the Internet or via any and all other means of
electronic delivery now or hereafter known.
1.4 'HomeAdvisor Third Party Sites' means the real estate related
products and/or services created by or for MS (including any portions, future
versions, upgrades, successors and replacements thereof) that are published
via the Internet or via any and all means of electronic delivery (now or
hereafter known) by third party Licenses under MS or third party trademarks
or branding.
1.5 'Intermediate Page' means the HomeAdvisor page created and
hosted by MS that requests information from a HomeAdvisor user and then
hyperlinks that user to a relevant page of the Company Site based on the
information provided.
1.6 All other initially capitalized terms shall have the meanings
assigned to them in this Agreement.
2. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
2.1 HOMEADVISOR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
(a) MS shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to
develop and operate HomeAdvisor and maintain uptime consistent with industry
standards, as set forth in EXHIBIT A hereto.
(b) MS shall place links on HomeAdvisor to Company Site as set
forth in EXHIBIT B hereto.
(c) MS will actively seek to drive increasing levels of
traffic to the Company Site via the Home Improvement area of the HomeAdvisor
Site. MS will employ reasonable commercial efforts to promote the Company
Site in such manner, consistent with its marketing strategy for HomeAdvisor.
Promotion options to be investigated by MS will include, but not be limited
to: (a) adding links on MSNBC, MSN.com, HotMail, and other MS properties
which take users to the Home Improvement area of the HomeAdvisor site; (b)
pursuing promotions on MSN.com and (c) including ImproveNet in potential
HomeAdvisor and MSN Home Ownership Newsletters.
(d) MS shall actively seek to leverage its local
advertising sales force to sign up contractors into the ImproveNet certified
network.
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(e) MS shall use reasonable commercial efforts to comply with
the testing and other technical specifications set forth in EXHIBIT A hereto.
(f) MS and Company will negotiate in good faith to have
HomeAdvisor's financing section on the Company Site offered up to
non-HomeAdvisor customers (e.g., Dow, Owens-Corning, etc.). This is
non-exclusive, in that Company will also be able to offer links to other
financing sites to Company's non-MS customers. Notwithstanding the preceding,
MS HomeAdvisor's finance section will be the only financing section on the
Company Site offered up to a HomeAdvisor user (which means both a user who is
currently coming to the Company Site from the HomeAdvisor Site and a user who
previously came to the Company Site from the HomeAdvisor Site, so long as the
Company is able to track such user via a 'persistent' cookie or other
method), at no charge to HomeAdvisor. If the user later comes to the Company
Site via a non-MSN advertising banner or a non-co-branded HomeAdvisor/Company
banner or via another Company partner's site, he or she will receive the
generic Company financing experience.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in
this Agreement, any rights provided to MS under this Agreement with respect
to HomeAdvisor shall also be provided without additional cost to HomeAdvisor
Third Party Sites if MS and Company so elect. Revenue generated by the users
sent to the Company Site via these HomeAdvisor/Third Party Sites will accrue
to MS under the same terms and conditions of this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.
2.2 COMPANY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
(a) Company shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to
develop and operate the Company Site and maintain uptime consistent with
industry standards, as set forth in EXHIBIT A hereto. MS shall first discuss
with Company any proposed updates to EXHIBIT A, and will not implement such
changes without Company's consent, not to be unreasonably withheld.
(b) Company will develop a tracking mechanism to identify
HomeAdvisor referred users and be able to track their usage and Company
marketing/promotional efforts associated with these unique users. Such
tracking method shall be via a 'persistent' cookie (or other similar method
agreeable to the parties) which shall be delivered to every HomeAdvisor user
on his or her first visit to the Company Site. There are situations in which
Company may engage in reduced rate advertising. In any such situation where a
reduction off Company's established rate card is given (i) to partners that
have taken an equity interest in Company (no such agreement currently being
in existence), or (ii) to persons for the beneficial interest of Company and
not MS (e.g., if the Company gives away advertising, or trades advertising in
exchange for advertising on another site), Company will accrue
button/banner/showcase/smart lead, etc., revenue to MS at a minimum of 75% of
Company's established rate card. In other situations not contemplated above,
including, for example, in case of a volume discount, no adjustment will be
made to the amounts ordinarily received by MS.
(c) Company will offer for sale, on terms mutually
agreeable to MS and Company, bCentral web site hosting, business service
packages, and desktop tools to its existing and future contractor network.
This includes those services currently available and new services as they
become available. Company will be paid based on existing and future
commercial sales incentive programs used by bCentral. An example of the
agreement terms and conditions is attached in EXHIBIT C, but these will
change from time to time, and Company and bCentral will work together to
reach mutually agreeable terms. This is a non-exclusive offering in that
Company may also sell up to two competing services to its contractor network.
(d) Company shall maintain a HomeAdvisor logo and
navigation structure on sessions generated via a direct link from the
HomeAdvisor site (reflecting top level HomeAdvisor navigation, currently
containing 'home page,' 'getting started,' 'neighborhoods,' 'homes,'
'financing,' 'offer and closing,' and 'help,' but likely to change, and as
changed by HomeAdvisor user; and such logo and navigation structure shall
contain hyperlinks to such HomeAdvisor page(s) as specified by MS. Such logo
and navigation shall be
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provided by MS, and the exact page placement thereof shall be mutually agreed
upon by the parties, but must be at a minimum, located on the top third of
each page on the Company Site.
(e) Company shall provide a monthly report to MS, within 21
days of calendar month end, setting forth the following information: (1) the
number of unique HomeAdvisor users that clicked through to any areas of the
Company Site (broken down to show how many users clicked through from a query
box on the Intermediate Page and how many clicked through from different
links throughout the HomeAdvisor site), (2) the number of page views by such
users with respect to each page of the Company Site (with such pages being
described in an understandable manner based on the content thereof and not by
URL or IP address), and (3) the number of qualified job leads passed by the
Company Site to its professionals (e.g., contractors, architects and
designers).
(f) Company shall use reasonable commercial efforts to
comply with the testing and other technical specifications set forth in
EXHIBIT A hereto.
3. MARKETING
3.1 USE OF NAME OR MARKS. Each party hereby grants to the other the
right during the term of this Agreement to use, reproduce and publish, the
name and logos of the other party in the manner contemplated by this
Agreement. Company must use the HomeAdvisor names and logos in accordance
with the logo guidelines provided by MS from time to time (these guidelines
are currently located at http://homeadvisor.msn.com/ie/help/policies.asp.).
MS must use the ImproveNet names and logos in accordance with the logo
guidelines provided by ImproveNet from time to time. Company shall provide
Company logos in accordance with the logo specifications provided by MS. MS
and Company acknowledge that nothing contained herein shall give either party
any interest in any logo, trade name, trademark or service mark owned by the
other party. The mark owner may terminate the foregoing license if, in its
reasonable discretion, the licensee's use of the marks tarnishes, blurs or
dilutes the quality associated with the marks or the associated goodwill and
such problem is not cured within ten (10) days of notice of breach;
alternatively, instead of terminating the license in total, the owner may
specify that certain pages of the licensee's web site may not contain the
marks. The licensee shall not take any action inconsistent with the owner's
ownership of the marks, and any benefits accruing from use of such marks
shall automatically vest in the owner.
3.2 PRESS RELEASES. Neither party shall issue any press release
relating to the relationship contemplated by this Agreement without giving
the other party three business days to review and approve such release, with
such approval to not be unreasonably withheld. If a party has not responded
in such three business day period, the other party may issue such press
release. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company shall not issue any press
release prior to the Availability Date.
4. PAYMENTS
4.1 FEES. Company shall pay the greater of: (1) the Minimum Annual
Fee (as stated in 4.2); (2) the Unique User Referral Fee (as stated in 4.3);
and (3) a 25% Revenue Share (as stated in 4.4).
4.2 MINIMUM ANNUAL FEE. Company shall pay MS a minimum annual fee of
$2,500,000 for year one, $2,000,000 for year two, and $1,500,000 for year
three. The first two payments (total of $4,500,000) will be exchanged upon
the execution of this Agreement for warrants to purchase 583,333 shares of
the Company's common stock (at a per share exercise price of $13.50). The
form of warrant will be identical (except for exercise price) to the form of
warrant provided to MS in connection with its financing transaction occurring
on or about the date of this Agreement. The third payment of $1,500,00 will
be paid as follows: 50% on the first day of the third year, and 50% one
hundred and twenty days following the first day of the third year.
4.3 UNIQUE USER REFERRAL FEE: Company will accrue an obligation to
MS of $2.00 per unique customer sent to the Company Site. These fees will be
tallied monthly and accrue against the minimum
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annual fees. Once such fees cumulative exceed the annual minimum, Company
will start to make payment of such fees to MS 30 days following the end of
each month they are accrued. The total annual user fee due under this Section
4.3 will be capped at the greater of 1.5 times the Revenue Share in 4.4, or
$2,500,000 in year one, $3,000,000 in year two, and $3,750,000 in year three.
4.4 REVENUE SHARE - COMPANY TO MS. Company shall track all gross
revenues associated with each unique user sent from HomeAdvisor to the
Company Site via the Intermediate Page. For the first contract year, Company
will, within 15 days of the end of such contract year, calculate MS's portion
([...***...] of the total) of such gross revenues and in the event that such
portion exceeds the amount described in 4.2 (Minimum Fee) or 4.3 (Unique User
Referral Fee), Company shall pay the excess within 30 days of such
calculation date. For the second contract year, Company will perform such
calculations and make applicable payments within 15 days of the end of the
first six month period and the end of the year, respectively. For the third
contract year, Company will perform such calculations and make applicable
payments within 15 days of the end of every three month period. The gross
revenues exclude all taxes invoiced, collected or withheld, refunds, credits,
rebates and other allowances annually granted (not to exceed 3%) and include
all revenues actually received from (but not limited to):
- Contractor Lead Fees (currently $10/lead accepted by contractors)
- Completed Job Revenue
- Product Showcase & Design Gallery Integration
- Banners & Brand Buttons
- Brochure Showcases
- SmartLeads Emails
- Category Message Boards
4.5 CONTRACTOR REFERRAL FEE: Company will pay MS 25% of all gross
revenues actually received by ImproveNet (excluding all taxes invoiced,
collected or withheld, refunds, credits, rebates and other allowances
actually granted, not to exceed 3%) from contractor signup fees for each
contractor MS enlists into the ImproveNet certified network through the MS
sales force. These fees are independent from the fees due under 4.1, and are
due 30 days following the end of the month they are accrued.
4.6 REVENUE SHARE - MS TO COMPANY. In the event that MS agrees to
embed and host Company content on the HomeAdvisor Site, the parties shall
discuss a mutually beneficial arrangements which shall include, at a minimum,
payment by MS to Company of 25% of all gross revenues actually received by MS
(excluding all taxes invoiced, collected or withheld, refunds, credits,
rebates and other allowances actually granted, not to exceed 3%) associated
with each unique user that visits pages on HomeAdvisor's site that contain
Company content. This includes all revenues from banner & button
advertisements on such HomeAdvisor pages, and are due 30 days following the
end of the month they are accrued.
4.
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Each party hereby represents and warrants as follows: (i) it has full
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out
the provisions hereof, (ii) it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, (iii) this Agreement is a
legal and valid obligation binding upon and enforceable according to its
terms, (iv) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by it
does not conflict with any agreement to which it is a party or by which it
may be bound, and (v) its website contemplated by this Agreement (HomeAdvisor
in the case of MS, and the Company Site in the case of the Company), and the
services provided pursuant thereto, shall be of a high nature, grade and
quality and shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations throughout
the term of this Agreement.
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH ABOVE, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND,
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO ANY MATTER INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A
WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR PURPOSE OR OF MERCHANTABILITY.
OTHER THAN WITH RESPECT TO AN INDEMNIFIED CLAIM UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER
PARTY WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM BREACH OF
CONTRACT OR WARRANTY OR FROM NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY), EVEN IF SUCH
PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF (OR KNOWS OR SHOULD KNOW OF) THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES.
6. INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 INDEMNIFICATION BY MS. MS agrees to indemnify, pay the defense
costs of, and hold Company, and its successors, officers, directors and
employees harmless from any and all claims, demands, costs, liabilities,
losses, expenses and damages (including without limitation attorneys' fees)
arising out of or in connection with (a) the HomeAdvisor website, (b) any
claim which, taking the claimant's allegations to be
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true, would result in a breach by MS of any of its warranties, covenants or
other obligations set forth in this Agreement; and (c) any claim arising from
the negligence or willful misconduct of MS.
6.2 INDEMNIFICATION BY COMPANY. Company agrees to indemnify, pay the
defense costs of, and hold MS, and its successors, officers, directors and
employees harmless from any and all claims, demands, costs, liabilities,
losses, expenses and damages, including without limitation attorneys' fees),
arising out of or in connection with (a) the Company Site (in the form
modified for HomeAdvisor users and in the form unmodified for non-HomeAdvisor
users); (b) any claim which, taking the claimant's allegations to be true,
would result in a breach by Company of any of Company's warranties, covenants
or other obligations set forth in this Agreement; and (c) any claim arising
from the negligence or willful misconduct of Company.
6.3 PROCEDURE. In the event of an indemnified claim hereunder, the
indemnified party shall give the indemnifying party prompt notice in writing
of the claim (and any failure to provide prompt notice shall relieve the
indemnifying party of liability to the extent it is prejudiced by such delay)
and the indemnifying party shall have sole control over its defense or
settlement, except that the indemnifying party shall not settle or compromise
any such matter without obtaining the indemnified party's written consent,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The indemnified party shall have
the right at its own cost and expense to employ separate counsel and
participate in the defense of any claim or action.
7. NON-DISCLOSURE
If MS and Company have entered into a Microsoft Non-Disclosure Agreement, MS
and Company agree that the terms of such agreement shall be deemed
incorporated herein, and further, that all terms and conditions of this
Agreement shall be deemed Confidential Information as defined therein. If MS
and Company have not entered into such agreement, then MS and Company agree
that any and all information identified by the other as 'Confidential' and/or
'Proprietary,' or which, under all of the circumstances ought reasonably to
be treated as Confidential and/or Proprietary, will not be disclosed to any
third person without the express consent of the other party for a period of
three (3) years following termination of this Agreement and that neither
party will make use of Confidential Information except under the terms of
this Agreement. These confidentiality obligations shall not apply to any
information which: (i) is or subsequently becomes available to the general
public other than through a breach by the receiving party; (ii) is already
known to the receiving party before disclosure by the disclosing party; (iii)
is developed through the independent efforts of the receiving party; or (iv)
the receiving party rightfully receives from a third party without
restriction as to confidentiality or use. The restriction on disclosure shall
not apply to Confidential Information that a court or governmental agency
requires be disclosed, or which must be disclosed in compliance with
applicable laws and regulations.
8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
8.1 INFORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties shall attempt in good
faith to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement
through negotiation between representatives who have authority to resolve the
matter. Either party may give the other party written notice of any dispute
not resolved in the normal course of business, it being understood that a
notice delivered by a party pursuant to Section 10.2 below shall constitute
the delivery of a written notice of dispute pursuant to this SECTION 8.1.
Within five (5) days after its receipt of the notice, the receiving party
shall submit to the other party a written response. The notice and response
shall each include (a) a statement of the party's position and a summary of
the arguments supporting that position, and (b) the name and title of the
company representative who will represent that party. Within ten (10) days
following delivery of the original dispute notice, the parties' respective
representatives shall meet at a mutually acceptable time and place, and
thereafter as often as they reasonably deem necessary to attempt to resolve
the dispute. All reasonable requests for information made by either party to
the other will be honored.
6.
8.2 ARBITRATION. If a dispute has not been resolved within thirty
(30) days of the disputing party's original notice under SECTION 8.1, or if
the parties fail to meet within the ten (10) days following such notice under
SECTION 8.1, then either party may initiate arbitration of the dispute. The
dispute shall then be submitted to mandatory and binding arbitration in San
Francisco in accordance with the commercial rules and procedures of the
American Arbitration Association before three arbitrators (one chosen by MS,
one chosen by the Company, and the third chosen by the mutual agreement of
the arbitrators chosen by MS and the Company). Judgment upon the award may be
entered by any court having appropriate jurisdiction. The arbitrators shall
not, however, in the case of a dispute between the parties not involving a
third party claim, be empowered to aware damages in excess of compensatory
damages.
8.3 LITIGATION. The only circumstance in which a dispute between the
parties will not be subject to the provision of SECTIONS 8.1 and 8.2 above,
is when a party makes a good faith determination that a breach of the terms
of this Agreement by the other party is such that the damages to such party
resulting from the breach will be so immediate, so large o severe, and so
incapable of adequate redress after the fact that a temporary restraining
order or other immediate injunctive relief is the only adequate remedy.
Except for such relief, the parties shall resolve their disputes, whether or
not such relief is granted, in accordance with the provisions set forth in
SECTIONS 8.1 and 8.2.
8.4 CONTINUED PERFORMANCE. Each party agrees to continue performing
its obligations under this Agreement when any dispute is being resolved under
ARTICLE 8, unless and until such obligations are terminated by the expiration
or termination of this Agreement or by order of a court of competent
authority under SECTION 8.2 or SECTION 8.3.
9. TERMINATION
9.1 TERM. The term of the Agreement shall commence on the Effective
Date and shall expire on the third anniversary of the Availability Date,
unless earlier terminated as provided herein.
9.2 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. In the event either party shall
materially fail to perform or comply with the terms of this Agreement, the
other party may terminate if such failure has not been remedied within 30
days of written notice thereof to the other party.
9.3 SURVIVAL. Sections 5, 6, 7 and 10 shall survive any expiration
or termination of this Agreement.
10. GENERAL
10.1 MISCELLANEOUS. If either MS or Company employs attorneys to
enforce any rights arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the
prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees an
costs, including expert witness fees. Neither party may assign all or any
portion of this Agreement unless the other party consents in writing, which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld provided that either party may
assign this Agreement without consent to any of its subsidiaries, affiliates,
joint ventures, partnerships, and limited liability companies in which it has
a majority interest, and to any company into which it merges if it is not the
surviving entity. No partnership, joint venture, employment, agency,
franchise, or other form of agreement or relationship is intended by this
Agreement. The parties agree that this Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
merges all prior and contemporaneous communications. This Agreement shall not
be modified except by a written agreement dated subsequent hereto signed on
behalf of the parties by their duly authorized representatives. Neither party
will be liable for any default or delay in the performance of its obligations
hereunder due to an act of God or other event to the extent that: 1) the
non-
7.
performing party is without fault in causing such default or delay; 2) such
default or delay could not have been prevented by reasonable precaution; and
3) such default or delay cannot reasonably be circumvented by the
non-performing party through the use of alternate sources, work around plans
or other means. This Agreement, and the rights and duties of the parties
arising from or relating to this Agreement or its subject matter, shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without
regard to its conflicts of laws provisions.
10.2 NOTICES AND REQUESTS. All notices and requests in connection
with this Agreement shall be deemed given as of the day they are (i)
deposited in the U.S. mails, postage prepaid, certified or registered, return
receipt requested; or (ii) sent by overnight courier, charges prepaid, with a
confirming fax; and addressed as follows:
COMPANY: IMPROVENET, INC. MS: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
720 BAY ROAD, SUITE 200 One Microsoft Way
REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 Redmond, WA 98052-6399
Attention: Ron Cooper Attention:
Fax:
Phone:
with a cc to: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
Attention: Law & Corporate Affairs
Department
U.S. Legal Group
Fax:
or to such other address as the party to receive the notice or request so
designates by written notice to the other.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the dates indicated below.
MICROSOFT CORPORATION IMPROVENET, INC.
/s/ Brian R. Mistere /s/ Ronald B. Cooper
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
By (sign) By (sign)
Brian R. Mistere Ronald B. Cooper
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Name (Print) Name (Print)
Unit Manager President and CEO
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Title Title
12/7/99 12/7/99
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Date Date
8.
EXHIBIT A
(1) COMPETITORS - The page(s) of the Company Site served after entry
from the Intermediate Page (or other links from HomeAdvisor to the Company
site) shall not contain any categories, hyperlinks, advertisements,
sponsorships, or other content relating to home listings of any kind (real
estate broker or agent, classified, for sale by owner or otherwise), mortgage
loans/services, or any other real estate related products or services. In
addition, the page(s) of the Company served after entry from the Intermediate
Page (or other links from HomeAdvisor to the Company site) shall not contain
any categories, hyperlinks, advertisements, sponsorships, or other content
from any of the following companies: HomeStore.com, Realtor.com, Intuit,
HomeShark, E-Loan, Countrywide, Get Smart, Lending Tree, Priceline.com,
SmartMoney.com, Mortgage.com, Owners.com, iOwn.com, Homehunter.com,
Ditech.com, mortgage.com, getsmart.com, Homescout.com, HomeSeekers.com,
Homes.com, HomeGain.com, Yahoo Real Estate, Cendant, Cyberhomes,
RealEstate.com, AOL Real Estate, Infoseek Real Estate, RentNet.com,
Apartments.com, SpringStreet.com, or any affiliate of any of the foregoing.
In addition, during the course of this agreement, Company may not enter into
a commercial relationship with HomeStore.com or any of its affiliates.
(2) The parties shall use their reasonable commercial efforts to
adhere to the following Development Schedule (and shall work together to
revise the action items and due dates as necessary):
Action Item Due Date Owner
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Page Review 12/20/99 MS/Company
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prototype functioning for HomeAdvisor
(Intermediate Page built and links
working) 1/10/00 MS/Company
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Page & integrated
site/Company Site live date 3/7/00 MS/Company
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The current Intermediate Page live on Home Advisor, due to expire
per the current agreement after 2/28/99, will remain intact until the
relaunch on approximately 3/7/00 of the new Intermediate Page.
(3) The parties shall use their reasonable commercial efforts to
adhere to the following testing specifications:
Company shall test the Company Site and MS shall test HomeAdvisor to
confirm that it operates with Netscape Navigator (domestic USA) versions 4.0
and later, and that it operates with and is optimized for MS Internet
Explorer (domestic USA) versions 4.0 and later, all running on leading
hardware platforms, consisting of (when versions are available): MS Windows
3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, the Apple Macintosh operating
systems and such other platforms as the parties may mutually agree to add or
remove from time to time. The parties shall mutually determine a process and
software to use for communicating bugs.
(4) The parties shall use their reasonable commercial efforts to adhere
to the following specifications:
Company with respect to the Company Site, and MS with respect to
HomeAdvisor, shall each regularly monitor the operation and performance of
the such site, respond to technical and customer inquiries, and conduct
similar business hours and practices in a manner consistent with the rules,
policies, and procedures consistent with industry standards.
The parties shall mutually agree on communication processes for
sharing and updating each other's requirements and technical teams. Each
party shall make commercially reasonable efforts to adhere to a mutually
agreed set of technical processes, policies, rules, and procedures for
sharing schedules, screen shots, updates, schedule information, and other
relevant technical information. Each party shall be
9.
responsible for notifying the other in the event that it discovers a
technical problem with the service of the other party.
MS and Company shall each use commercially reasonable efforts to
support increasing numbers of users, including operating sufficient servers
for user traffic, and shall promptly inform the other party of the failure of
relevant Web servers. Company shall operate its Web server(s) at a capacity
below 30%, where capacity is calculated as a daily average of hourly samples
and represents what % of the system's full capabilities are being met.
Company shall have uptime of 99.5%, where uptime is defined as the portion of
time when the system is accessible and available to users. Uptime shall be
calculated on a monthly basis and based on daily updates. Uptime shall not
include scheduled maintenance.
10.
EXHIBIT B
The following general guidelines will apply to the placement of hyperlinks
from HomeAdvisor to the Company Site, unless both companies mutually agree
otherwise. Aside from the link in (*) none of the links to Company will
include branding or 'ImproveNet.com' related text, but be generically
referred to as 'find a contractor' or 'home improvement' or something to that
effect. As HomeAdvisor releases new versions of its site, the exact
placement, number and treatment of these links is subject to change (except
for the treatment on the Intermediate Page), but this exhibit is designed to
lay out the spirit of the links MS & Company will work toward implementing.
EFFECTIVE 12/3/99
MARKETPLACE - ImproveNet will get a logo, text description, and 9M guaranteed
impressions in a combination of HomeAdvisor's MarketPlace and button rotation
across the site.
EFFECTIVE APPROXIMATELY 3/7/00
LINKS FROM HOMEADVISOR HOME PAGE: http://homeadvisor.msn.com/ie
There will be a link from the HomeAdvisor home page named 'Find a
Professional' or 'Professional Services' or something similar in the
'Resources & Services' area. This will link to an 'Intermediate Page.'
THE INTERMEDIATE PAGES
The Company and MS will work together to create a section of integrated
content similar to that found on the Home Improvement section of the site at
http://homeadvisor.msn.com/ie/services/homeimprovement.asp. The Company will
have a branded link and query fields (supporting navigation by type of
professional, viewing designs, viewing products, and finding remodeler's
resources) that take people directly to the appropriate places on the
company's site. The Company will be branded with a logo link (*) with maximum
pixel size of (77Wx33H) that will take users directly to the Company's home
page.
LINKS FROM THE PARTNERS PAGE*:
http://homeadvisor.msn.com/ie/partnerscenter/infoproviderlist.asp. There will
be one Company text link of a location and representation similar that which
exists for ImproveNet.com on the Partners page as of 11/16/99.
HOMEADVISOR KEYWORDS: http://homeadvisor.msn.com/ie/
HomeAdvisor and ImproveNet will agree upon list of keywords in the
HomeAdvisor search engine. When results for keywords are returned, links to
ImproveNet's 'Find A Professional' area on the HomeAdvisor site will appear.
LINKS IN THE HOMEADVISOR REMODELING SECTION HomeAdvisor's Version 4.0
(currently slated for 3/7/99 release) will have a remodeling section in the
Ownership area with the following contemplated sections: 'Working with a
Contractor', 'Doing It Yourself', and 'Is it worth the cost' (titles and
content subject to change at MS sole discretion). We will link to ImproveNet
in areas that make editorial sense, with the following links currently
planned (subject to change at MS sole discretion).
- Working With A Contractor - Within this section, we plan to have
links to:
11.
- Visit ImproveNet's Design Gallery for home improvement ideas
http://www.improvenet.com/dream/designgallery/index.html :
- Make sure the contractor you've found is up to snuff with
ImproveNet contractor screening
http://www.improvenet.com/secure/legalcredit.html :
- Make sure your contract is legit with ImproveNet's contract
review
http://www.improvenet.com/secure/contractorview.html :
- Find a Professional
http://www.improvenet.com/tools/form/form_35.asp
- Doing It Yourself - Within this section, we plan to have links to:
- Visit ImproveNet's DesignGallery for home improvement ideas
http://www.improvenet.com/dream/designgallery/index.html :
- Find a Professional
http://www.improvenet.com/tools/form/form_35.asp
- Is It Worth The Cost - Within this section, we plan to have links to:
- Link to Kitchen and Bath Design Showcases
http://www.improvenet.com/dream/designgallery/KitchenShowcase/
KitchenShowcase.html : and
http://www.improvenet.com/dream/DesignGallery/BathShowcase/
BathShowcase.html :
- Link to Product showcases
http://www.improvenet.com/dream/productshowcase/index.html :
CALCULATORS - ImproveNet's kitchen and bathroom estimator will be featured in
the Ownership section and Resources & Services calculator page. As ImproveNet
develops other calculators, we will explore integrating these as appropriate.
12.
EXHIBIT C
EXAMPLE ONLY
RESELLER AGREEMENT
LINKEXCHANGE PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
This Agreement, by and between LINKEXCHANGE, INC. ('LinkExchange'), a
California corporation, and a wholly own subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation,
with its principal offices at 2172nd Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, and
_________________________, a ___________a corporation, with its principal
offices at __________________________________ ('Company') is made and entered
into as of the later of the two signature dates below (the 'Effective Date').
The parties agree that Company will promote, market, offer for sale and sell to
third party end users Premium Memberships in the LinkExchange Network according
to the terms set forth below and the attached Standard Terms and Conditions. The
Standard Terms and Conditions are incorporated into this Agreement by this
reference.
1. LAUNCH DATE: _____________, 1999
2. TERM: Commencing on the Effective Date and terminating ____ months
following the Launch Date.
3. COMMISSIONS:
a. SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICES (subject to change by Microsoft from
time to time):
--------------------------- ---------------------- --------------------
Annual Fees
--------------------------- ---------------------- --------------------
Business Membership 19.99 US $230.00
--------------------------- ---------------------- --------------------
Professional Membership N/A US $300.00
--------------------------- ---------------------- --------------------
b. COMPANY DISCOUNT:
Monthly Memberships:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,500 or less Monthly Membership 15%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 5,000, but more than 2,500, Monthly Memberships 25%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10,000, but more than 5,000, Monthly Memberships 35%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More than 10,000 Monthly Memberships 45%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Memberships*:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,500 or less Annual Memberships (inclusive) 25%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,501 to 5,000 Annual Memberships (inclusive) 35%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,001 to 10,000 Annual Memberships (inclusive) 45%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,001 or more Annual Memberships (inclusive) 50%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-paid Annual Memberships:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,000 or less Pre-paid Annual Memberships (inclusive) 35%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,001 to 2,500 Pre-paid Annual Memberships (inclusive) 40%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,501 to 5,000 Pre-paid Annual Memberships (inclusive) 45%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,001 to 10,000 Pre-paid Annual Memberships (inclusive) 50%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,001 or more Pre-paid Annual Memberships (inclusive) 60%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Pre-paid Annual Premium Memberships will not be included when
determining the discounts applicable to Annual Premium Memberships.
1.
This Agreement does not constitute an offer by LinkExchange and it
will not be effective unless and until signed by both parties.
LINK EXCHANGE, INC. [ ]
By By
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Name (Print) Name (Print)
---------------------- ----------------------
Title Title
----------------------------- ----------------------------
Date Date
------------------------------ ------------------------------
Address
---------------------------
---------------------------
---------------------------
Fax: ( )
---------------------------
2.
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
Terms contained in this Agreement with the initial letter capitalized will
have the applicable meanings se forth below or elsewhere in this Agreement.
'Discount Rate' means the discount off of the suggested retail price set
forth on the attached cover page.
'Launch Date' means the first day that the sign Up Pages may be accessed
through the Company's web site by third parties.
'Link' means a hypertext link to the LinkExchange web site provided to
Company by LinkExchange.
'Premium Member' means a person registering for a Premium Membership via the
Sign Up Pages.
'Premium Member Terms' means the terms of use applicable to the Premium
Memberships, as the same may be modified by LinkExchange from time to time.
'Premium Memberships' means on or more of the LinkExchange premium
memberships currently consisting of Starter, Business and Professional
memberships described at the URL http:\\premium\linkexchange.com (or any
successor site). Premium Memberships may be sold or distributed by Company on
a monthly or annual subscription basis. 'Monthly Membership' means a Premium
Membership with a month to month term. 'Annual Membership' means Premium
Membership with a twelve (12) month term. 'Pre-paid Annual Membership' means
an Annual Premium Membership for which LinkExchange has received full payment
of the suggested retail price set forth on the attached cover page, less the
applicable Discount Rate, prior to such membership becoming effective.
'Sign Up Pages' means pages located on one or more of Company's web sites,
created pursuant to paragraph 4.2.
'Suggested Retail Price' means the suggested retail prices set forth to
paragraph 3(a) of the attached cover page.
'Term' meant the period described in paragraph 6.1.
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT OF RESELLER
2.1 APPOINTMENT. LinkExchange hereby appoints Company, and Company hereby
accepts LinkExchange's appointment, as a reseller of Premium Memberships,
subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
2.2 LIMITATIONS. Company will promote, market, offer for sale and sell
Premium Memberships solely to third party end users. Company may not offer
for sale, sell or otherwise distribute Premium Memberships through a third
party or sublicense any of the rights granted in this Agreement. All Premium
Memberships must be sold or otherwise distributed subject to the Premium
Member Terms.
SECTION 3. REVENUES AND REPORTS
3.1 CONSIDERATION. On a monthly basis, Company will pay to LinkExchange the
applicable Suggested Retail Price (as the same may be changed by Microsoft
from time to time), less the applicable Discount Rate, for each Premium
Membership sold or otherwise distributed by Company during such month.
3.2 DISCOUNT RATE. The Discount Rate applicable to Company for Premium
Memberships is determined as follows: (a) Monthly Memberships, based upon the
number of Premium Memberships paid by Company to LinkExchange during a given
month; (b) Annual Memberships, based upon the number of Annual Memberships
sold or distributed by Company during the Term; and (c) Pre-paid Annual
Memberships, based upon the number of
1.
Pre-paid Annual Premium Memberships sold or distributed by Company during the
Term (but not including Annual Memberships).
3.3 PAYMENTS. Within thirty (30) days after the end of each month, Company
will pay to LinkExchange in readily available funds all amounts owing to
LinkExchange pursuant to paragraph 3.1.
3.4 REPORTS. Within thirty (30) days after the end of each month, Company
will deliver to LinkExchange a report setting forth the number of Premium
Memberships (itemized by membership type) sold or otherwise distributed by
Company during such month, the number of Premium Members registered through
or otherwise authorized by Company to use the Premium Member services during
such month, the calculation of the amounts owing pursuant to paragraph 3.1,
and such usage data as LinkExchange may specify (including, without
limitation, aggregate demographic data, individual demographic data, and Sign
Up Page usage data). Such reports will be delivered in the form and format
specified by LinkExchange.
3.5 AUDITS. Company will keep usual and customary records and books of
account relating to Premium Members, Premium Memberships sold or otherwise
distributed by Company, and Company's other obligations hereunder.
LinkExchange may inspect such books of account and records at Company's
facilities and during Company's regular business hours upon five (5) days
prior written notice in order to verify Company's compliance with this
Agreement. LinkExchange will bear the cost of such inspection, except that
Company will pay all reasonable costs of inspection if that inspection
uncovers (a) an error of five percent (5%) or greater in the amounts payable
to LinkExchange for such audited period, or (b) Company is in material breach
of the Agreement. Company will promptly pay to LinkExchange any amounts
deemed owing as a result of such inspection, together with all applicable
interest.
3.6 TAXES. Company will bill, collect and remit to the appropriate taxing
authorities all sales, use, value added, and other comparable taxes due or
owing pursuant to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereunder
(other than taxes on LinkExchange revenues), and will provide LinkExchange
with proof of such payments upon request. Company is solely liable for any
and all such taxes, including penalties, interest and other additions
thereon. All amounts to be paid by Company to LinkExchange are exclusive of
all taxes imposed by any federal, foreign, state, provincial, municipal,
local and other taxing authorities, including income, franchise, excise,
gross receipts, sales, use, value added, property or similar tax, now or
hereafter imposed on Company.
3.7 CURRENCY. All amounts owing hereunder will be computed in United States
dollar currency and paid in United States dollar currency.
3.8 INTEREST. Any amounts not paid when due under this Agreement will bear
interest at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum or the maximum rate
permitted by applicable law, whichever is less. Interest will be compounded
on a monthly basis.
SECTION 4. COMPANY OBLIGATIONS
4.1 PROMOTION. Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to
promote, market, offer for sale and sell the Premium Membership, and will
cooperate with LinkExchange in promoting and marketing the Premium
Memberships. Without limiting the foregoing, Company will diligently promote
the Premium Memberships through all of Company's standard promotional
vehicles (e.g., newsletters, welcome e-mail, banner advertising and
update/news e-mail), and Company will incorporate into the home page of
Company's web sites a LinkExchange Logo provided by LinkExchange, linked to
the web site specified by LinkExchange. Company will submit all promotional
materials prepared by or for Company related to the Premium Membership to
LinkExchange for review and may not distribute such materials without
LinkExchange's prior written approval.
4.2 SIGN UP PAGES. Company will create and host web pages as part of
Company's web sites that permit third parties to purchase Premium
Memberships. The initial Sign Up Pages will be in the form specified by
LinkExchange in writing, and all Sign Up Pages will be submitted to
LinkExchange for their review and approval prior to implementation. Company
may not modify the Sign Up Pages or any LinkExchange hypertext link without
the prior written approval of LinkExchange. All Sign Up Pages will
prominently contain a hypertext link provided
2.
by LinkExchange, which link shall be placed 'above the fold' in a screen act
at 650 x 480 pixels (i.e., such that a user visiting the a web page
containing the such link is not required to scroll in any direction to view
such link).
4.3 INFORMATION. Company will obtain appropriate contact information from
Premium Members, and will deliver such information to LinkExchange on a
monthly basis at the time and in the form and format specified in
LinkExchange. Company will inform Premium Members, in a manner that satisfies
applicable laws and regulations, that information collected will be
transferred to LinkExchange in connection with the Premium Memberships.
4.4 RESTRICTIONS. Company will not promote, market, offer for sale, sell or
resell any product or service that competes with or may serve as a substitute
(in whole or in part) for the services available through the Premium
Membership program, in whole or in part ('Competing Services'). In addition,
for a period of three (3) months following the expiration or termination of
the Term. Company will not promote, market, offer for sale, sell or resell
any Competing Services to any Premium Member. Company may not disclose
information collected from Premium Members to any third party in any form
that identifies such Premium Members as customers of LinkExchange or for use
in connection with developing, marketing, promoting or selling Competing
Services.
SECTION 5. LINKEXCHANGE OBLIGATIONS
5.1 LINKEXCHANGE PREMIUM PROGRAM. LinkExchange will provide Company with a
version of the LinkExchange Premium Membership program to be co-branded with
Company's name and logos. Premium Member Terms will be at LinkExchange's sole
discretion including, without limitation, the products and services to be
offered within the Premium Membership program. All persons registering to
become a Premium Member through the Sign Up Pages are subject to the Premium
Member Terms, as the same may be modified from time to time by LinkExchange.
In addition, all Premium Members are subject to acceptance in the discretion
of LinkExchange.
5.2 CUSTOMER SERVICE. Subject to paragraph 4.3, LinkExchange will be
responsible for technical support services relating to the Premium Membership
program.
5.3 LINKEXCHANGE RIGHTS. LinkExchange is entitled to continue to offer the
Premium Memberships separately from this Agreement, as LinkExchange may deem
appropriate in its sole discretion. LinkExchange will further be entitled to
offer and provide additional products or services directly to Premium Members
and other third parties on such terms and conditions as LinkExchange may
determine in its sole discretion. LinkExchange may modify or terminate the
Premium Membership program at any time, in its discretion. LinkExchange (and
its licensors) reserves all rights in all other code, software, logos, links
and other materials provided by or on behalf of LinkExchange hereunder.
SECTION 6. TERM AND TERMINATION.
6.1 TERM. The Term of this Agreement is set forth in paragraph 2 of the
attached cover page. Upon expiration of the Term and any subsequent extension
thereof, this Agreement will automatically extend for consecutive one (1)
month periods, unless one party notifies the other party in writing of its
intent not to renew the Agreement at least thirty (30) days prior to the
expiration date of then-current Term.
6.2 TERMINATION. In addition to any other rights and/or remedies that either
party may have under the circumstances, all of which are expressly reserved
by the parties, either party may immediately terminate this Agreement upon
written notice to the other party if: (a) such other party materially
breaches this Agreement and fails to cure that breach within fifteen (15)
business days after written notice thereof; (b) LinkExchange terminates the
Premium Membership program; (c) Company breaches paragraph 9.1; or (d) either
party becomes involved or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors
or similar transfer evidencing insolvency, or suffers or permits the
commencement of any form of insolvency or receivership proceedings or files
or has filed against it any petition under any bankruptcy, debtor relief or
similar law, which petition is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of such
filing, or appoints or has appointed a trustee or receiver for such party's
business or ____________ or any part thereof.
3.
6.3 TERMINATION PROCEDURE. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement
for any reason, Company will have no further right to market, promote, offer
for sale or sell Premium Memberships. Company will cooperate in good faith
with LinkExchange to transfer all Premium Member information (including,
without limitation, billing information) to LinkExchange, and to facilitate
an orderly transition of Premium Members to LinkExchange.
6.4 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement
for any reason, each and every clause which by its nature is intended to
survive the termination of this Agreement (including, without limitation,
paragraph 4.5, 6.3 and 6.4, and paragraphs 3, 7, 8 and 9) will survive.
Neither party will be liable to the other party for damages arising from or
related to termination of this Agreement in accordance with this paragraph 6.
SECTION 7. WARRANTIES AND INDEMNITY
7.1 COMPANY. Company warrants and represents that: (a) it has sufficient
authority to enter into this Agreement; (b) the Sign Up Pages and all
materials delivered by Company to LinkExchange pursuant to this Agreement do
not infringe the copyrights, trademarks, service marks, rights of publicity
or privacy, or any other intellectual property or proprietary right of any
third party; (c) the Company web site and the Sign Up Pages, and all actions
occurring therein, are in compliance with all applicable laws; (d) Company
will comply with all applicable laws and governmental regulations related to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (e) each Company web
site containing a Sign Up Page include a privacy statement available to end
users of such web site, and Company will adhere to the information gathering,
dissemination, privacy protection and other practices specified in such
privacy statement.
7.2 INDEMNIFICATION. Company will defend, indemnify and hold LinkExchange
harmless from and against any loss, claim, liability, damage or expense
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or
otherwise related to any claim or action threatened or commenced against
LinkExchange by a third party arising from or related to any breach or
alleged breach by Company of this Agreement. LinkExchange will reasonably
cooperate with Company, at Company's expense, in connection with the defense
and settlement of any such claim or action, which settlement will be subject
to LinkExchange's written approval which will not be unreasonably withheld.
LinkExchange will have the right to employ separate counsel and participate
in the defense and settlement of any such claim or action at LinkExchange's
sole expense.
7.3 WARRANTY DISCLAIMER. THE LINKEXCHANGE NETWORK (INCLUDING ALL OF THE
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP) AND ANY OTHER
MATERIALS OR SERVICES PROVIDED TO COMPANY PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE
PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND WITH ALL DEFECTS. LINKEXCHANGE HEREBY DIS-CLAIMS ALL
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, NONINFRINGEMENT,
COMPATIBILITY, SECURITY, AND CONDITION OR OPERATION OF THE FOREGOING. COMPANY
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE IMPRESSIONS HOSTED TO COMPANY'S SITE ARE PROVIDED BY
THIRD PARTIES AND THAT LINKEXCHANGE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF
SUCH ADVERTISEMENTS. IN ADDITION, LINKEXCHANGE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND
DOES NOT WARRANT THE CONTINUED OR INTERRUPTED OPERATION OF THE INTERNET.
Company may not make any representations, warranties or conditions with
respect to Premium Memberships, or any product or services available through
the Premium Memberships, except as expressly set forth in the Premium Member
Terms.
SECTION 8. LIMITATIONS.
8.1 LIMITATION OF REMEDIES. Except to the extent arising pursuant to
paragraph 7.2 or a breach of paragraph 9.1, NEITHER PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO
THE OTHER PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE,
SPECIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT
(INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OR INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS, PROFITS, REVENUES OR
DATA, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES), WHETHER ARISING IN TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), CONTRACT, STRICT
LIABILITY, PRODUCT LIABILITY OR OTHER CAUSE OF ACTION. NOTWITHSTANDING THE
FOREGOING, THIS SECTION WILL NOT LIMIT EITHER PARTY'S ABILITY TO OBTAIN
INJUNCTIVE OR OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.
4.
8.2 LIMITATION ON DAMAGES. Except to the extent arising pursuant to paragraph
7.2 or a breach of paragraph 9.1, NEITHER PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER
PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IN THE AGGREGATE FOR DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF THE
AMOUNTS PROPERLY PAID, OWING AND ACCRUED TO COMPANY HEREUNDER.
SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 CONFIDENTIALITY. The parties acknowledge and agree that the LinkExchange
Non-Disclosure Agreement dated as of ____________ ('NDA') entered into by and
between the parties applies to this Agreement as if fully set forth herein
and that all of the terms of this Agreement (including but not limited to its
existence) and all discussions and negotiations related thereto are
considered Confidential Information of LinkExchange under the NDA. Upon
termination or expiration of this Agreement, Company will destroy (or upon
the other party's request return) any and all confidential information and
materials of LinkExchange in Company's possession or control.
9.2 NOTICES. All notices and requests in connection with this Agreement will
be deemed given (a) when personally delivered, (b) when delivered by
facsimile or telex, (c) the next business day following delivery to a
nationally recognized courier service guarantying next-day delivery, or (d)
five (5) business days after being placed in the mails of the United States,
postage prepaid, certified or registered, return receipt requested, to the
applicable address set forth on the attached cover page (or to such other
address as the party to receive the notice or request so designates by at
least ten (10) days prior written notice to the other party).
9.3 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. Company is an independent contractor, and not an
employee, agent, franchisee, or representative of LinkExchange. Except as
otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, Company will perform its
obligations under this Agreement at its own expense. Company is not
authorized to, and will not attempt to create or assume any obligation or
liability, express or implied, in the name or otherwise on behalf of
LinkExchange. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Company will
not enter into any contract, agreement or commitment, make any warranty or
guaranty, or incur any obligation or liability in the name or otherwise on
behalf of LinkExchange. This Agreement will not be construed as creating or
evidencing any franchise, agency or partnership among the parties or as
imposing any franchise, agency or partnership obligation or liability on
either party.
9.4 COSTS. Each party is responsible for all costs associated with fulfilling
its obligations hereunder.
9.5 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State
of Washington. Company hereby irrevocably consents to the personal
jurisdiction of, and for any action governed by or on behalf of Company
exclusive venue in the state and federal courts sitting King County,
Washington, USA. In any suit or action to enforce any right or remedy under
this Agreement or to interpret any provision of this Agreement, the
prevailing party will be entitled to recover its costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees.
9.6 ASSIGNMENT. Company may not assign this Agreement without LinkExchange's
prior written approval. Any attempted assignment, sub-license, transfer,
encumbrance or other disposal of this Agreement by Company without
LinkExchange's prior written approval will be void and will constitute a
material default and breach of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided,
this Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the
parties' successors and lawful assigns.
9.7 HEADINGS. The section headings used in this Agreement are intended for
convenience only and will not be deemed to affect in any manner the meaning
or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
9.8 MODIFICATION. This Agreement will not be modified except by a written
agreement dated subsequent to the date of this Agreement and signed on behalf
of Company and LinkExchange by their respective duly authorized
representatives.
9.9 WAIVER. No waiver of any breach of this Agreement will constitute a
waiver of any prior, concurrent or subsequent breach of the same or any other
provisions hereof, and no waiver will be effective unless made in writing and
signed by the waiving party.
5.
9.10 SEVERABILITY. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement
conflicts with governing law, or is held to be null, void or otherwise
ineffective or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, (a) such
provision will not be deemed to be restated to reflect as nearly as possible
the original intentions of the parties in accordance with applicable law, and
(b) the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this
Agreement will remain in full force and effect.
9.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which taken together will constitute one agreement.
9.12 LANGUAGE. This Agreement has been negotiated in the English language and
it is the express wish of the parties that this Agreement, and all related
documents be drafted in the English language. C'est la volonte expresse des
parties que la presente convention ainsi que les documents qui a y
rattachment soient rediges en anglais.
9.13 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Subject to paragraph 5.1, this Agreement constitutes
the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements or
communications between the parties.
6.
Relationship Agreement - ImproveNet Inc. and Microsoft Corp.
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