exhibit10_23.htm


 SETTLEMENT AND LICENSE AGREEMENT







This Settlement and License Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by LML Patent Corp (“LML”), on the one hand, and HSBC North America Holdings Inc. and HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (collectively, “HSBC”) on the other hand.  LML and HSBC are individually referred to as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”  This Agreement is effective as of February 28, 2011 (“Effective Date”).


RECITALS







WHEREAS, LML represents that it owns rights in U.S. Patent No. RE40,220 (“the ‘220 Patent”), which LML asserts is related to Electronic Check Conversion systems and services;







WHEREAS, LML began an action against HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and other defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, 2-08-CV­448-DF (“Litigation I”), and LML also began a separate action against other defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, 2-09-CV-180­TJW (“Litigation II”) (collectively, the “Lawsuits”).  In both Litigations I and II, LML alleges infringement of LML’s ‘220 Patent;







WHEREAS, LML’s published standard royalty rate for use of the LML Patents is $0.01


U.S. dollars for each ARC SEC coded ACH transaction and $0.03 U.S. dollars for each POP, BOC, WEB, or TEL SEC coded ACH transaction;







WHEREAS, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is a named defendant in Litigation I and has denied liability;







WHEREAS, HSBC represents that HSBC North America Holdings Inc. indirectly owns 100% of HSBC Bank USA, N.A.’s stock;







WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement to avoid the risk and


uncertainty of continued litigation;







WHEREAS, the Parties wish to settle their dispute, and HSBC desires to obtain certain rights under the LML Patents (as hereinafter defined) and LML is willing to grant such rights;







NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and mutual covenants contained in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:








	
1.

	
DEFINITIONS. The following definitions apply to this Agreement:













	
  

	
(a)

	
“ACH” is the acronym for the “Automated Clearing House” Network and means the funds transfer system governed by the National Automated Clearing House Association (“NACHA”).













	
  

	
(b)

	
“ACH Transaction” means an entry complying with the NACHA ACH Record Format Specifications for NACHA standard entry class codes ARC, WEB, POP, TEL, and BOC.







 


 




  





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(c)

	
“Acquires” means to obtain an interest in an entity either by acquisition, purchase, or merger.













	
  

	
(d)

	
“Affiliate” of a Party means any Entity that directly or indirectly owns or   controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, such Party, where “control” means: (i) for an Entity incorporated in the U.S. or whose country of domicile is the U.S., direct or indirect ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the capital stock, or other direct or indirect ownership interest of the Entity carrying the right to vote for or appoint directors or their equivalent (if not a corporation) or otherwise to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of the Entity; or (ii) for an Entity incorporated outside of the U.S. or whose country of domicile is outside of the U.S., direct or indirect ownership of less than fifty percent (50%) of the capital stock, or other direct or indirect ownership interest of the Entity carrying the right to vote for or appoint directors or their equivalent (if not a corporation) or otherwise to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of the Entity, if the country of incorporation or the country of domicile of the Entity requires that foreign ownership be less than fifty percent (50%), but only to the extent that the maximum allowable amount of securities instruments or other ownership interests of the Entity is owned by the party; and (iii) provided, however, that an Entity shall be considered an Affiliate of a party only for the periods where such ownership or control exists or, for former Affiliates, existed.













	
  

	
(e)

	
“Bank” means any institution that is a member of the Federal Reserve System and that accepts demand deposits to consumer accounts from which a consumer may withdraw funds by check or share draft for payment to others.













	
  

	
(f)

	
“Court” means the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.













	
  

	
(g)

	
“Covered Products and Services” means any and all Infringing Products and Services (and any of its/their components) that have been, will be, or are being Exploited by or for HSBC (including properly licensed successors (subject to Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions)) and permitted assigns (subject to Section 9.1 (Assignment)) or its Affiliates and only to the extent such Exploitation is done by or for HSBC (including properly licensed successors (subject to Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions)) and permitted assigns (subject to Section 9.1 (Assignment)) or its Affiliates and not done on behalf of an







Excluded Party.








	
  

	
(h)

	
“Covered Third Parties” means any Entity other than an Excluded Party, to the extent that such Entity Exploits any Covered Products and Services. For the avoidance of doubt, “Covered Third Parties” include, without limitation, customers of an HSBC Entity who are not Excluded Parties to the extent they use an HSBC Entity to originate ACH Transactions and vendors and contractors of an HSBC Entity who are not Excluded Parties to the extent they provide Covered Products and Services to an HSBC Entity.







 


 


 




  





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(i)

	
“Excluded Party” means any Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Excluded Party does not include, and shall not be interpreted to include: (a) any HSBC Entity; (b) any Bank(s) for whom an HSBC Entity processes ACH Transactions so long as all such ACH Transactions do not exceed 35,000 transactions in the aggregate among all such Banks in any month; or (c) any Entity that:  (i) is dismissed with prejudice from a lawsuit for Infringement of an LML Patent; (ii) is found not to Infringe all asserted claims of an LML Patent(s) that are also not found to be invalid or unenforceable after all appeals are exhausted; (iii) otherwise enters into a settlement agreement with any LML Entity concerning an LML Patent(s); or (iv) is otherwise licensed to an LML Patent(s).













	
  

	
(j)

	
“Entity” means any individual, trust, corporation, person or company, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, firm, unincorporated organization or other legal or governmental entity.












(k)           “Exploit” means to own, design, develop, acquire, make, have made, use, sell,


offer to sell, perform, provide, import, export, and/or the exercise of all other activities specified under 35 U.S.C. § 271 and foreign counterparts thereto (as the foregoing 35 U.S.C. § 271 and foreign counterparts thereof may be amended or superseded from time to time).  “Exploited,” “Exploitation,” and other variations of the word “Exploit” shall have correlative meanings.








	
  

	
(l)

	
“HSBC Entities” (individually referred to as an “HSBC Entity”) means HSBC and its Affiliates and its or their predecessors, properly licensed successors (subject to Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions)) and permitted assigns (subject to Section 9.1 (Assignment)).













	
  

	
(m)

	
“Infringement” or “Infringes” means direct infringement, indirect infringement, infringement under the doctrine of equivalents, or any other theory of infringement in any jurisdiction worldwide.













	
  

	
(n)

	
“Infringing Products and Services” means any and all products and services the Exploitation of which, but for the license granted in this Agreement, would Infringe any claim of any LML Patent.













	
  

	
(o)

	
“LML Entities” means LML and its Affiliates and its or their predecessors, successors and permitted assigns (subject to Section 9.1 (Assignment)).













	
  

	
(p)

	
“LML Patents” means (i) U.S. Patent No. RE40,220, (ii) any issued patent and any pending patent application anywhere in the world that LML currently owns or controls (or has the right to own or, control,) as of the Effective Date of this Agreement; (iii) any past, present, or future patent or patent application worldwide to which any of the foregoing patents and/or patent applications described in (i) or (ii) claims priority or are otherwise related, including, but not limited to all parents, provisionals, substitutes, renewals, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexamination certificates, divisionals, foreign counterparts, oppositions, continued examinations, reexaminations, and extensions of any of the foregoing; and (iv) applications of the foregoing patents and/or patent applications described above. For purposes of this definition, a patent or patent application is deemed to be under LML’s “control” if LML has the right to assert a claim of Infringement or grant a license under such patent or patent application.







 


 




  





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(q)

	
“Non-Covered Affiliate” with respect to an Entity means any affiliate of that Entity that is not covered by a license, release, or covenant-not-to-sue under the LML Patents.













	
2.

	
SETTLEMENT OF THE LITIGATION













	
  

	
2.1

	
Stipulated Dismissal. The Parties agree to direct their counsel to file with the Court a joint motion for dismissal with prejudice of the Parties’ respective claims for relief against the other Party in Litigation I as set forth in Exhibit A within five







(5) days after the receipt of payment specified in Section 3.1.  The Parties shall promptly proceed with any and all additional procedures needed to dismiss with prejudice the Parties’ respective claims for relief against the other Party in Litigation I.








	
  

	
2.2

	
No Award of Fees or Costs. The Parties agree that they shall bear their own







expenses, costs and attorneys' fees relating to Litigation I and negotiating the Agreement, including the transactions contemplated herein.








	
  

	
2.3

	
No Attempt to Invalidate. HSBC agrees that, in the absence of a subpoena or court order requiring its participation or support, no HSBC Entity shall participate in or support any suit, claim, action, litigation, administrative proceeding, or proceeding of any nature brought against LML that challenges the validity or enforceability of the LML Patents so long as the HSBC Entities: (a) have a license to the LML Patents, subject to Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions); (b) are fully released for all claims of Infringement of the LML Patents, subject to Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions); or (c) are not accused of Infringement of any LML Patent, subject to Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions).  However, the HSBC Entities may challenge the validity or enforceability of the LML Patents if: (i) any suit, claim, action, litigation or proceeding to enforce one or more of the LML Patents is brought against an HSBC Entity related to one or more of the LML Patents, or places an HSBC Entity in a reasonable apprehension of being sued on one or more of the LML Patents, or (ii) an HSBC Entity receives a request for indemnification related to an LML Patent, but only after the HSBC Entity has provided thirty (30) days written notice to LML of its intent to challenge the validity or enforceability of the asserted LML Patent(s).







 


 


 




  





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3.

	
PAYMENT, TERM AND TERMINATION













	
  

	
3.1

	
Payment by HSBC. HSBC agrees to pay to LML the non-refundable sum of Five Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S. dollars ($5,500,000) within five (5) business days following the Effective Date in consideration of the terms set forth in this Agreement. Such amount will be delivered to LML’s counsel, McKool Smith P.C., via wire or other electronic transfer to the following account:







 


 


 


 


 




	
  

	
Address:

	
Citibank, N.A.







                     666 5th Avenue  New York, NY 10103


        SWIFT Code:


        ABA Routing:


        A/C Name:   


        A/C Number:                                           




                                 








	
  

	
3.2

	
Term. Unless earlier terminated as specified in this section, the term of this Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and shall continue until the latter of the expiration of all the LML Patents or the expiration of all causes of action and claims arising out of or related to the LML Patents or the Lawsuits. Otherwise, this Agreement may only be earlier terminated in whole or in part pursuant to Section 3.3 (Termination Due to Non-Payment by HSBC) or upon the mutual written agreement of the Parties.













	
  

	
3.3

	
Termination Due to Non-Payment by HSBC. If HSBC fails to make the payment specified in Section 3.1 (Payment by HSBC) above in the time specified, such failure will constitute a material breach of this Agreement.  Upon such breach, LML may then, after ten (10) business days following written notice of such breach to HSBC, if HSBC does not deliver the payment specified in Section 3.1 (Payment by HSBC) to LML within ten (10) business days after receiving such notice from LML, at its option, either terminate this Agreement (in which event this Agreement shall become null and void) or it may petition the Court for specific enforcement of HSBC’s payment obligations.  HSBC hereby consents to the jurisdiction of the Court for enforcement of the payment obligations in Section 3.1 (Payment by HSBC), and agrees that specific enforcement of the payment obligations of this Agreement is an available remedy if LML does not elect to terminate this Agreement.













	
  

	
3.4

	
Tax Liability. Each Party shall bear its own tax liability as a result of the existence of this Agreement or the performance of any obligations hereunder.













	
  

	
3.5

	
Additional Payments. Subject to the provisions of Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions), the payment of the amount set forth in Section 3.1 (Payment by HSBC) shall be the total compensation to any LML Entity by any HSBC Entity for all releases, licenses, covenants and all other rights granted in this Agreement, and no additional payment shall be due or made to any LML Entity or any other Entity by any HSBC Entity with respect to the releases, licenses, covenants and all other rights granted in this Agreement.







 


 


 




  





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3.6

	
HSBC’s Retained Rights/Bankruptcy. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the LML Patents are “intellectual property” as defined in Section 101(35A) of the United States Bankruptcy Code, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Code"), which have been licensed hereunder in a contemporaneous exchange for value.  The Parties further acknowledge and agree that if LML: (i) becomes insolvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due; (ii) applies for or consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver or other custodian for it, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; (iii) commences, or has commenced against it, any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement, or other case or proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any dissolution or liquidation proceedings; or (iv) elects to reject, or a trustee on behalf of it elects to reject, this Agreement or any agreement supplementary hereto, pursuant to Section 365 of the Code (“365”), or if this Agreement or any agreement supplementary hereto is deemed to be rejected pursuant to 365 for any reason, this Agreement, and any agreement supplementary hereto, shall be governed by Section 365(n) of the Code (“365(n)”) and HSBC Entities will retain and may elect to fully exercise its or their rights under this Agreement in accordance with 365(n).













	
4.

	
RELEASES AND COVENANTS NOT TO SUE













	
  

	
4.1

	
Agreement Obligations Not Released. None of the releases or covenants not to sue herein releases any Party or its Affiliates from its respective obligations under this Agreement or under any protective orders entered in Litigation I as of the Effective Date or prevents any Party or any of its Affiliates from enforcing the terms and conditions of this Agreement against the other Party or its Affiliates.













	
  

	
4.2

	
LML’s Release to HSBC.  Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 (Termination Due to Non-Payment by HSBC) and Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions), LML Entities forever release:  (a) the HSBC Entities and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, shareholders, and representatives from any and all claims, causes of action, actions, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, attorneys’ fees, court costs, or any other form of claim or compensation, whether known or unknown, whether in law or equity, accruing before or on the Effective Date (also including any damages that may accrue after the Effective Date for conduct occurring on or before the Effective Date), related in whole or part to Litigation I, any of the LML Patents, or Exploitation of the Covered Products and Services, including without limitation any act of past or present Infringement, misappropriation or other violation of one or more of the LML Patents, and any claim that is or would have been within the scope of either the covenant not to sue or license granted in Sections 4.4 (Covenant-Not-To-Sue by LML Entities) and 5.1 (License), and any claim that the LML Entities asserted or could have asserted in Litigation I as of the Effective Date; and (b) the Covered Third Parties from any and all claims, causes of action, actions, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, attorneys’ fees, court costs, or any other form of claim or compensation, whether known or unknown, whether in law or equity, accruing before, on, or after the Effective Date, related in whole or in part to the Litigation I, any of the LML Patents, or Exploitation of the Covered Products and Services, including without limitation any act of past, present, or future Infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of one or more of the LML Patents, and any claim that is or would have been within the scope of either the license or covenant not to sue granted in Sections 4.4 (Covenant-Not-to-Sue by LML Entities) and 5.1 (License), and any claim that the LML Entities asserted or could have asserted in Litigation I as of the Effective Date.







 


 


 




  





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4.3

	
HSBC’s Release to LML.  Subject to the obligations of LML under this Agreement, HSBC Entities forever release LML Entities from any claims, causes of action, actions, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, attorneys’ fees, court costs, or any other form of claim or compensation, whether known or unknown, whether in law or equity, accruing before or on the Effective Date, related in whole or part to Litigation I or any of the LML Patents (conserving, subject to Section 2.3, defenses or claims regarding the validity or enforceability of one or more of the LML Patents) that is or would have been within the scope of the covenant not to sue granted in Section 4.5 (Covenant-Not-To-Sue by HSBC Entities) and that the HSBC Entities asserted or could have asserted as of the Effective Date.













	
  

	
4.4

	
Covenant-Not-to-Sue by LML Entities. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 (Termination Due to Non-Payment by HSBC) and Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions), the LML Entities, on behalf of themselves and their respective successors and permitted assigns, agree that: (a) they will not assert, pursue, maintain, encourage, support, assist, or join in any action or litigation asserting any claim against any HSBC Entity for Infringement of any claim of the LML Patents with respect to or arising out of the Exploitation of any Covered Products and Services; and (b) they will not assert, pursue, maintain, encourage, support, assist, or join in any action or litigation asserting any claim against any Covered Third Parties for Infringement of any claim of the LML Patents with respect to or arising out of the Exploitation of any Covered Products and Services.













	
  

	
4.5

	
Covenant-Not-to-Sue by HSBC Entities. Subject to the obligations of LML under this Agreement, the HSBC Entities, on behalf of themselves and their respective successors and permitted assigns, agree that they will not assert, pursue, maintain, encourage, support, assist, or join in any action or litigation asserting any claim against any LML Entity in the future for any claims related to or arising out of the LML Patents, unless any claims of Infringement with respect to the LML Patents are asserted against any HSBC Entity or its successors or assigns or any Covered Third Party, or unless otherwise allowed under Section 2.3 (No Attempt to Invalidate).













	
5.

	
GRANT OF LICENSE













	
  

	
5.1

	
License. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 (Termination Due to Non-Payment by HSBC) and Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions), LML hereby grants to the HSBC Entities and Covered Third Parties a fully paid-up, irrevocable, non-exclusive, world-wide, royalty free license under the LML Patents to Exploit the Covered Products and Services throughout the world.  This license attaches to and is transferred with each Covered Product and Service and passes to each and every Covered Third Party with regard to such Covered Product and Service. This license is retroactive to the earliest priority date of the LML Patents.







 


 


 




  





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5.2

	
Disclaimer of Infringement and Validity. Nothing herein shall be construed as an admission by any HSBC Entity: (a) that the LML Patents have been or are being Infringed; or (b) that the LML Patents are valid or enforceable.













	
6.

	
CHANGE IN CONTROL/ACQUISITIONS













	
  

	
6.1

	
Acquisitions by an HSBC Entity.  In the event any HSBC Entity Acquires an Excluded Party or any business line of an Excluded Party that provides Infringing Products and Services after the Effective Date of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “Acquired Entity”), neither the Acquired Entity nor any of its Non-Covered Affiliates will gain the benefit of the license grant, covenant-not-to-sue, or releases in this Agreement.  Upon the HSBC Entity’s request, LML agrees to negotiate in good faith with the Acquired Entity to release and/or license, under the LML Patents, any ACH Transactions created, processed, or transmitted by the Acquired Entity and/or any of its Non-Covered Affiliates (hereinafter “Section 6.1 Non-Covered ACH Transactions”).  If LML and the Acquired Entity cannot reach agreement on the terms of such release and/or license, then LML, the Acquired Entity (including the HSBC Entities), and any Non-Covered Affiliates of the Acquired Entity shall have all remedies, defenses, and counterclaims available to them under applicable law with respect to any Section 6.1 Non-Covered ACH Transactions.













	
  

	
6.2

	
Acquisitions of an HSBC Entity. In the event any non-HSBC Entity Acquires any HSBC Entity and maintains the HSBC Entity as a separate legal entity after the acquisition or merges it with another Entity (the resulting legal entity hereinafter referred to as the “Acquiring Entity”), then the license grant, covenant not to sue, and releases in this Agreement applicable to the acquired HSBC Entity may be assigned by such HSBC Entity to the Acquiring Entity.  However, the assigned license grant, covenant not to sue, and releases will not apply to those ACH Transactions created, processed or transmitted by the Acquiring Entity (including the acquired HSBC Entity), and/or by any Non-Covered Affiliates of the Acquiring Entity, each month after the date of the acquisition that go beyond 125% of the acquired HSBC Entity’s average monthly transaction volumes for Covered Products and Services based on the 12 months preceding the date of the acquisition (hereinafter, “Acquisition Volume Limit”).  If the collective number of ACH Transactions created, processed or transmitted by the Acquiring Entity (including the acquired HSBC Entity) and/or by any Non-Covered Affiliates of the Acquiring Entity in any given month after the date of the acquisition exceeds the Acquisition Volume Limit, the Acquiring Entity agrees to notify LML of same within sixty (60) days of such occurrence, and the ACH Transactions exceeding the Acquisition Volume Limit shall not be covered under the license grant, covenant not to sue or releases in this Agreement (hereinafter, “Section 6.2 Non-Covered ACH Transactions”). If the Acquiring Entity provides the notice as specified above within the timeframe specified above, LML agrees to negotiate in good faith with the Acquiring Entity to release and/or license, under the LML Patents, any Section 6.2 Non-Covered ACH Transactions.  If the Acquiring Entity does not provide the notice as specified above and/or if LML and the Acquiring Entity cannot reach agreement on the terms of such release and/or license, then LML, the Acquiring Entity (including the HSBC Entities), and any Non-Covered Affiliates of the Acquiring Entity shall have all remedies, defenses, and counterclaims available to them under applicable law with respect to any Section 6.2 Non-Covered ACH Transactions.







 


 




  





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6.3

	
Transfer of Covered Assets of an HSBC Entity. In the event any non-HSBC Entity acquires the assets of any HSBC Entity that includes a business line that provides Covered Products and Services (hereinafter referred to as the “Covered Transferee Entity”), then the license grant, covenant not to sue, and releases in this Agreement applicable to the transferring HSBC Entity’s business line may be assigned by such HSBC Entity to the Covered Transferee Entity.  However, the assigned license grant, covenant not to sue, and releases in this Agreement will not apply to those ACH Transactions created, processed or transmitted by the Covered Transferee Entity (including the transferred line of business of the transferring HSBC Entity) and/or any Non-Covered Affiliates of the Covered Transferee Entity each month after the date of the purchase that go beyond 125% of the transferring HSBC Entity’s average monthly transaction volumes for Covered Products and Services of the transferred line of business based on the 12 months preceding the date of the purchase (hereinafter, “Covered Transferee Volume Limit”).  If the collective number of ACH Transactions created, processed or transmitted by the Covered Transferee Entity (including the transferred line of business of the transferring HSBC Entity) and/or by any Non-Covered Affiliates of the Covered Transferee Entity in any given month after the date of the purchase exceeds the Covered Transferee Volume Limit, the Covered Transferee Entity agrees to notify LML of same within sixty (60) days of such occurrence, and the ACH Transactions exceeding the Covered Transferee Volume Limit shall not be covered under the license grant, covenant not to sue or releases in this Agreement (hereinafter, “Section 6.3 Non-Covered ACH Transactions”). If the Covered Transferee Entity provides the notice as specified above within the timeframe specified above, LML agrees to negotiate in good faith with the Covered Transferee Entity to release and/or license, under the LML Patents, any Section 6.3 Non-Covered ACH Transactions.  If the Covered Transferee Entity does not provide the notice as specified above and/or if LML and the Covered Transferee Entity cannot reach agreement on the terms of such release and/or license, then LML, the Covered Transferee Entity, and any Non-Covered Affiliates of the Covered Transferee Entity shall have all remedies, defenses, and counterclaims available to them under applicable law with respect to any Section 6.3 Non-Covered ACH Transactions



















	
  

	
6.4

	
Transfer of Non-Covered Assets of an HSBC Entity. In the event of a sale or other transfer of the assets of any HSBC Entity that does not include any part of a business line that provides the Covered Products and Services to an Excluded Party (hereinafter referred to as the “Non-Covered Transferee Entity”), then neither the Non-Covered Transferee Entity nor any of its Non-Covered Affiliates will gain the benefit of the license grant, covenant-not-to-sue, or releases in this Agreement. Upon the Non-Covered Transferee Entity’s request, LML agrees to negotiate in good faith with the Non-Covered Transferee Entity to release and/or license, under the LML Patents, any ACH Transactions created, processed, or transmitted by the Non-Covered Transferee Entity and/or any of its Non-Covered Affiliates (hereinafter “Section 6.4 Non-Covered ACH Transactions”).  If LML and the Non-Covered Transferee Entity cannot reach agreement on the terms of such release and/or license, then LML, the Non-Covered Transferee Entity, and any Non-Covered Affiliates of the Non-Covered Transferee Entity shall have all remedies, defenses, and counterclaims available to them under applicable law with respect to any Section 6.4 Non-Covered ACH Transactions.







 


 




  





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6.5

	
Termination of Payments Due Pursuant to Section 6. With respect to any good faith negotiations undertaken pursuant to Sections 6.1 (Acquisitions by an HSBC Entity) through Section 6.4 (Transfer of Non-Covered Assets By an HSBC Entity) above, LML agrees that no royalty will be due as to an LML Patent for any ACH Transactions created, processed, or transmitted by the HSBC Entity, by any Acquired Entity, Acquiring Entity, Covered Transferee Entity or Non-Covered Transferee Entity (as defined above), or by any Non-Covered Affiliates of any Acquired Entity, Acquiring Entity, Covered Transferee Entity or Non-Covered Transferee Entity after the expiration date of such LML Patent or its final legal adjudication of invalidity or unenforceability after all appeals are exhausted.













	
7.

	
CONFIDENTIALITY.












The Parties may disclose the existence of this Agreement.  Neither Party may disclose the specific terms and conditions of this Agreement to any Entity except that each Party may disclose the terms and conditions of this Agreement:  (i) in response to a valid subpoena or as otherwise may be required by law, regulation, or order of a court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction, provided that the Party required to make such a disclosure gives as much notice as is reasonably possible to the other Party to contest such order or requirement and takes all reasonable actions in an effort to minimize the nature and extent of such disclosure; (ii) on a confidential basis to its legal, accounting or financial advisors solely for the purposes of providing such advice and solely to the extent that they have a need for access; (iii) if that Party forms a good faith belief that disclosure is required under applicable securities regulations or listing agency requirements, including for the purpose of disclosure in connection with the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, National Instrument NI 51-102 (under Canadian law), as amended, and any other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other filings, reports or disclosures that may be required under applicable laws or regulations; (iv) in its financial statements as it is required to do under applicable generally accepted accounting principles while acting in reliance on its auditors; (v) to any defendant as part of its disclosure obligations subject to the Court's Protective Order in the applicable litigation brought by LML to enforce an LML Patent, in which event LML will seek to have the production protected under an “Outside Counsel Attorneys Eyes Only” or higher confidentiality designation and LML will take all reasonable actions in an effort to minimize the nature and extent of such disclosure; (vi) upon the express written consent of the other Party; (vii) on a confidential basis to investors and potential investors and acquirers, but subject to any such investor or potential investor or acquirer having first executed an appropriate non-disclosure agreement requiring such investor or potential investor or acquirer to maintain this Agreement and the terms and conditions of this Agreement in confidence; or (viii) as necessary to pursue an indemnification claim from a potential or actual indemnitor, subject to obligations of confidentiality and privilege at least as stringent as those contained herein; and (ix) to a Covered Third Party, subject to obligations of confidentiality and privilege at least as stringent as those contained herein.


 




 




  





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8.

	
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES













	
  

	
8.1

	
HSBC Representations and Warranties. HSBC represents and warrants to LML that it has all requisite legal right, power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and grant the releases, covenants not to sue and all other rights provided for under this Agreement.













	
  

	
8.2

	
LML Representations and Warranties. As a condition precedent to HSBC entering into this Agreement, LML represents and warrants to HSBC that as of the Effective Date: (a) LML has all requisite legal right, power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and grant the licenses, releases, covenants not to sue and all other rights provided for under this Agreement; (b) LML owns the entire right, title, and interest in and to the LML Patents and the inventions disclosed and claimed therein, including all rights to recover for alleged Infringement of the LML Patents by the HSBC Entities and all claims asserted against HSBC in Litigation I; (c) the LML Entities have not granted and shall not grant any licenses or other rights under the LML Patents or the claims or counterclaims asserted in the Litigation I or otherwise, that would conflict with or prevent the licenses and rights granted to HSBC Entities or Covered Third Parties hereunder; (d) there are no liens, conveyances, mortgages, assignments, encumbrances, or other agreements that would prevent or impair the full and complete exercise of the terms and conditions of this Agreement; (e) the LML Entities have not entered into, and shall not enter into, any other agreement that would interfere with the obligations and immunities set forth in this Agreement during the term of this Agreement; (f) LML will not transfer, assign, or exclusively license to another any of the LML Patents or claims/demands that LML asserted (or could have asserted) against the HSBC Entities relating to the LML Patents or the Litigation I, unless the transferee, assignee, or exclusive licensee agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement; (g) LML is not aware of any Excluded Parties that it believes have Exploited Covered Products and Services on behalf of any HSBC Entities; and (h) LML is not aware of any HSBC Entities that it believes have Exploited Covered Products and Services on behalf of any Excluded Parties.







 


 


 




  





-11-











  








 



	
  

	
8.3

	
Limitations on Representations and Warranties. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as: (a) a warranty or representation by either Party that any manufacture, sale, use, or other disposition of products by the other Party has been or will be free from Infringement of any patents other than the LML Patents; (b) an agreement by either Party to bring or prosecute actions or suits against any Entity for Infringement, or conferring any right to the other Party to bring or prosecute actions or suits against third parties for Infringement; (c) conferring any right to either Party to use in advertising, publicity, or otherwise, any trademark, service mark, or trade dress of the other Party, or any simulation thereof, without the prior written consent of the other Party; (d) conferring any right to either Party to use any names or trade names of the other Party, or any simulation thereof, without the prior written consent of the other Party; (e) an obligation to furnish any technical information or know-how; or (f) conferring by implication, estoppel or otherwise, upon either party, any right (including a license) under patents other than the LML Patents except for the rights expressly granted hereunder.













	
  

	
8.4

	
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES MAKE NO EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS AND GRANT NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, BY STATUE OR OTHERWISE.













	
  

	
8.5

	
No Joint and Several Liability.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the HSBC Entities and the Covered Third Parties shall not have any liability to any of the LML Entities for any actions or inactions of another defendant in the Lawsuits, or any other Entity against whom any of the LML Entities has asserted or may assert a claim for Infringement of a LML Patent.













	
9.

	
GENERAL PROVISIONS













	
  

	
9.1

	
Assignment.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 6, this Agreement may not be assigned by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party in its sole discretion.  In the event of an assignment under Section 6.2 or 6.3 due to the sale of an HSBC Entity or assets of an HSBC Entity, the license rights granted under this Agreement with respect to the non-assigning HSBC Entities shall continue notwithstanding such assignment. Absent written consent from HSBC, LML shall not assign, or grant any right to enforce any LML Patent, or any right that would conflict with the rights granted hereunder, to any Entity unless such assignment or grant is subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and such Entity executes an agreement agreeing to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement including a requirement to bind all further successors-in-interest or assigns thereof to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. All releases, licenses, and covenants contained herein shall run with the LML Patents and shall be binding on any successors-in-interest or assigns thereof.  Any attempted assignment or grant in contravention to this Section shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in Section 6, HSBC may assign this Agreement to any HSBC Entity licensed hereunder without LML’s written consent.













	
  

	
9.2

	
Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including all Exhibits attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and embodies the entire and only understanding of each of them with respect to the subject matter of the Agreement, and merges, cancels and supersedes all prior representations, warranties, assurances, conditions, definitions, understandings and all other statements or agreements, whether express, implied, or arising out of operation of law, whether oral or written, whether by omission or commission, between and among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of the Agreement. There are no representations, warranties, terms, conditions, undertakings or collateral agreements, express, implied or statutory, between the Parties other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement.







 


 




  





-12-











  








 



	
  

	
9.3

	
Notices. All notices, requests, approvals, consents and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing and addressed as follows:












If to LML:







Mr. Patrick H. Gaines


President


LML Patent Corp


505 East Travis St.


Suite 216


Marshall, Texas 75670







with a copy to:







LML Patent Corp.


Corporate Secretary


1680-1140 West Pender Street


Vancouver BC, Canada V6E 4G1







If to HSBC:







Edwin R. DeYoung, Esq.


Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP


2200 Ross Avenue,


Suite 2200


Dallas, Texas 75201-6776


edeyoung@lockelord.com







Michael R. Mendola


Senior Counsel


Office of General Counsel


HSBC Bank USA, National Association


One HSBC Center, 27th Floor


Buffalo, New York  14203


michael.r.mendola@us.hsbc.com







Paula S. Ferguson


SVP, General Counsel


 HSBC Technology & Services


26525 North Riverwoods Boulevard


Mettawa, Illinois  60045


paula.s.ferguson@us.hsbc.com


 


 




 




  





-13-











  






and will be deemed delivered: (a) upon receipt if delivered by hand; (b) the next day if sent by prepaid, U.S. recognized, overnight air courier; (c) three (3) business days after being sent by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested, postage prepaid); or if by facsimile, the day that the sender receives an acknowledgement that the facsimile was successfully transmitted. All notices shall be addressed to the other Party at the address set forth above or to such other person or address as the Parties may from time to time designate in writing delivered pursuant to this notice provision.


 




	
  

	
9.4

	
Governing Law. This Agreement and all matters connected with the performance thereof shall be governed by and will be construed, interpreted, and applied in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the federal laws of the United States as applicable therein, without regard to the laws of those jurisdictions governing conflicts of laws.













	
  

	
9.5

	
Expenses. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the Parties agree that they shall bear their own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein.













	
  

	
9.6

	
Headings. The section and sub-section headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not serve to limit, expand or interpret the sections or sub-sections to which they apply, and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement.













	
  

	
9.7

	
Interpretation; Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring either Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement is in the English language only, which language shall be controlling in all respects, and all notices under this Agreement shall be in the English language. For purposes of construction, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.













	
  

	
9.8

	
Relationship of the Parties. This Agreement does not constitute and shall not be construed as constituting a partnership, agency, employer-employee, or joint venture between LML and HSBC, and neither Party shall have any right to incur any debt, make any commitment for each other, or obligate or bind the other Party in any manner whatsoever, and nothing herein contained shall give or is intended to give any rights of any kind to any third persons, except as expressly provided herein. LML and HSBC each expressly disclaim any reliance on any act, word, or deed of the other in entering into this Agreement.













	
  

	
9.9

	
Binding Effect. Subject to the provisions of Section 6 (Change in Control/Acquisitions), this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Parties, the licensees and releasees referenced herein, and their predecessors, successors, and permitted assigns.







 


 


 




  





-14-











  








 



	
  

	
9.10

	
Enforceability. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is enforceable according to its terms.













	
  

	
9.11

	
Severability. In the event that any term or provision of this Agreement is deemed illegal, invalid, unenforceable or void by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction under any applicable statute or rule of law, such court or tribunal is authorized to modify such provision to the minimum extent possible to effect the overall intention of the Parties as of the Effective Date of this Agreement. The Parties agree to negotiate in good faith to try and substitute an enforceable provision for any invalid or unenforceable provision that most nearly achieves the intent of such provisions.













	
  

	
9.12

	
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts or duplicate originals, each of which shall be considered one and the same instrument, and which shall be the official and governing version in interpretation of this Agreement.  This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures or emailed pdf copies of signatures, and such signatures shall be deemed to bind each Party as if they were original signatures.













	
  

	
9.13

	
Waiver. No waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of or consent to any previous or subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.













	
  

	
9.14

	
Force Majeure. The failure of a Party hereunder to perform any obligations, due to governmental action, law or regulation, or due to events, such as war, act of public enemy, strikes or other labor disputes, fire, flood, acts of God, or any similar cause beyond the reasonable control of such Party, is excused for as long as said cause continues to exist.  The Party prevented from performing shall promptly notify the other Party of such non-performance and its expected duration, and shall use all reasonable efforts to overcome the cause thereof as soon as practicable.













	
  

	
9.15

	
Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified, except by a writing signed by all Parties.













	
  

	
9.16

	
Sophisticated Parties Represented by Counsel. The Parties each acknowledge, accept, warrant, and represent that: (i) they are sophisticated Entities represented at all relevant times during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement by counsel of their choice, and that they have executed this Agreement with the consent and on the advice of such independent legal counsel; and (ii) they and their counsel have determined through independent investigation and arm’s-length negotiation that the terms of this Agreement shall exclusively embody and govern the subject matter of this Agreement.











  





-15-











  


















IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the Effective Date.




 




	
LML Patent Corp.

	  	
HSBC North America Holdings, Inc.


	  	  	  
	
By:/s/ Patrick H. Gaines

	  	
By:/s/ Andrew C. Armishaw


	  	  	  
	
Name: Patrick H. Gaines

	  	
Name: Andrew C. Armishaw


	
Title: President

	  	
Title: Senior Executive Vice President and chief Technology Services Officer


	
Date: February 28, 2011

	  	
Date: February 28, 2011













	  	  	
HSBC North America Holdings, Inc.


	  	  	  
	  	  	
By:/s/ Thomas Kaiser


	  	  	  
	  	  	
Name: Thomas Kaiser


	  	  	
Title: EVP Payment Operations


	  	  	
Date: March 3, 2011































































  





-16-











  








EXHIBIT A












STIPULATED DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE












and












ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE












(see attached)







 






  





  











  








IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS


MARSHALL DIVISION







 







 



	
LML PATENT CORP,

	
§

	  
	  	
§

	  
	
PLAINTIFF

	
§

	  
	  	
§

	  
	
v.

	
§

	
CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:08-CV-448-DF


	  	
§

	  
	  	
§

	
JURY


	
JP MORGAN CHASE & CO., ET AL.,

	
§

	  
	  	
§

	  
	
DEFENDANTS

	
§

	  










STIPULATED DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE


 


Pursuant to Rule 41(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the terms of a separate Settlement and License Agreement, the Plaintiff, LML Patent Corp and Defendant HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (“HSBC”) have agreed to settle, adjust, and compromise all claims and counterclaims against each other in the above-captioned action.  The parties, therefore, stipulate to dismiss all claims by LML Patent Corp against HSBC and all counterclaims by HSBC against LML Patent Corp made therein with prejudice to the re-filing of same, subject to the terms of the Settlement and License Agreement between the parties.







LML Patent Corp. and HSBC further stipulate that all costs and expenses relating to this litigation (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and expert fees and expenses) shall be borne solely by the party incurring the same.







A proposed Order accompanies this motion.






  





-1-











  








AGREED:


 



	
Date: ______________, 2011

	
Respectfully submitted,







 


/s/ Edwin R. DeYoung


EDWIN R. DEYOUNG (attorney-in-charge)


Texas State Bar No. 05673000 edeyoung@lockelord.com


ROY W. HARDIN


Texas State Bar No. 08968300 rhardin@lockelord.com


ROGER B. COWIE


Texas State Bar No. 00783886 rcowie@lockelord.com


LOCKE LORD BISSELL & LIDDELL LLP


2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 2200


Dallas, Texas 75201-6776


214-740-8000 telephone


214-740-8800 fax







ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANT


HSBC BANK USA, N.A.







/s/ Melissa Smith


Melissa Smith


Texas State Bar No. 00794818


GILLAM & SMITH, LLP


303 South Washington


Marshall, Texas 75670


Telephone:  903-934-8450


Facsimile: 903-934-9257 Melissa@gillamsmithlaw.com


[ATTORNEY INFO]







Theodore Stevenson, III


Lead Attorney


Texas Bar No. 19196650 tstevensom@mckoolsmith.com


John Austin Curry


Texas State Bar No. 24059636 acurry@mckoolsmith.com


McKool Smith, P.C.


300 Crescent Court, Suite 1500


Dallas, Texas 75201


Telephone: 214-978-4974


Facsimile: 214-978-4044







 


Sam F. Baxter


Texas Bar No. 01938000 sbaxter@mckoolsmith.com


McKOOL SMITH, P.C.


505 East Travis Street, Suite 105


Marshall, TX 75670


Telephone: 903-927-2111


Facsimile: 903-927-2622







Michael S. Perez


Texas Bar No. 24002752 mperez@mckoolsmith.com


Daniel W. Sharp


Texas Bar No. 24041902 dsharp@mckoolsmith.com


John Garvish


Texas State Bar No. 24043681 jgarvish@mckoolsmith.com


McKool Smith, P.C.


300 W. 6th Street, Suite 1700


Austin, Texas 78701


Telephone: 512-692-8725


Facsimile: 512-692-8744







ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF


LML PATENT CORP






  





-2-











  








 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS


MARSHALL DIVISION













	
LML PATENT CORP,

	
§

	  
	  	
§

	  
	
PLAINTIFF

	
§

	  
	  	
§

	  
	
v.

	
§

	
CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:08-CV-448-DF


	  	
§

	  
	  	
§

	
JURY


	
JP MORGAN CHASE & CO., ET AL.,

	
§

	  
	  	
§

	  
	
DEFENDANTS

	
§

	  















ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE


 


 


The Court is of the opinion that the Stipulated Dismissal with Prejudice agreed to by LML Patent Corp and HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (“HSBC”) should be GRANTED.







IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the above-entitled cause and all claims made by LML Patent Corp against HSBC and all counterclaims made by HSBC against LML Patent Corp therein are hereby DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE to the re-filing of same, subject to the terms of the Settlement and License Agreement between the parties.  All costs and expenses relating to this litigation (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and expert fees and expenses) shall be borne solely by the party incurring the same.







IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Court shall retain jurisdiction over this action and the parties for purposes of enforcing the terms of the Settlement and License Agreement entered into by and between the parties.







This is a final judgment as between LML Patent Corp. and HSBC.