ex10-1.htm


     

    EXHIBIT
10.1

     

    
      FORM
OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

       

      THIS
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and
entered into as of ____________, 200_ between Acco Brands Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [________]
(“Indemnitee”).

       

      WITNESSETH
THAT:

       

      WHEREAS,
highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve corporations as
directors or officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with
adequate protection through insurance and adequate indemnification against risks
of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and
activities on behalf of the Company;

       

      WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) has
determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the
Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense,
liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries
from certain liabilities.  Although the furnishing of such insurance
has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based
corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given
current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in
the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions.  At the
same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or
business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and
time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that
traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business
enterprise itself.  The By-Laws of the Company (the “By-Laws”) provide for
indemnification of, among other persons, the directors and officers of the
Company.  Directors and officers may also be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
(“DGCL”).  The
By-Laws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set
forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be
entered into between the Company and directors, officers and other persons with
respect to indemnification;

       

      WHEREAS,
the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have
increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining qualified directors and
officers;

       

      WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors has determined that the increased difficulty in
attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of
the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such
persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the
future;

       

      WHEREAS,
it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to
obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or
continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so
indemnified;

       

      WHEREAS,
this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the By-Laws of the
Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a
substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee
thereunder; and

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
          
          

          
            

          

        

        
          
          

        

      

       

      WHEREAS,
Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Company’s By-Laws
and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing
to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent without adequate protection,
and the Company desires Indemnitee to continue to serve in such capacity or
capacities.  Indemnitee is willing to continue to serve and to take on
additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or
she be so indemnified.

       

      NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee’s agreement to serve as a director,
officer, employee or agent after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

       

      ARTICLE I

       

      INDEMNIFICATION

       

      1.           Proceedings Other Than
Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company.  The Company
shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if
Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the Company), by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer,
employee or agent (except in each of the foregoing situations to the extent any
written agreement, arrangement or understanding of agency to which Indemnitee is
a party contains provisions that supersede or abrogate indemnification under
this Section 1) of another corporation or of any partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against Expenses (as
hereinafter defined), judgments, penalties, fines, excise taxes and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good
faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was
unlawful.  The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or
its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did
not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her
conduct was unlawful.

       

      2.           Proceedings by or in the
Right of the Company.  The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment
in its favor by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or is or
was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or
agent (except in each of the foregoing situations to the extent any written
agreement, arrangement or understanding of agency to which Indemnitee is a party
contains provisions that supersede or abrogate indemnification under this
Section 2) of another corporation or of any partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against Expenses actually and
reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in connection with the
defense or settlement 

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      of such
action or suit if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company
and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue
or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or
the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such Expenses which the Court of Chancery of Delaware or such
other court shall deem proper.

       

      3.           Indemnification for Expenses
of Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partly Successful.  To the
extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense
of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 1 or 2 of this
Article I, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, Indemnitee
shall be indemnified against Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by or on
behalf of Indemnitee in connection therewith.  If Indemnitee is not
wholly successful in any such action, suit or proceeding but is successful, on
the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or
matters therein, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses
actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection
with each claim, issue or matter that is successfully resolved.  For
purposes of this Article I and without limitation, the termination of any
claim, issue or matter by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed
to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

       

      4.           Additional
Indemnity.  In addition to, and without regard to any
limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 1 or 2 of this
Article I, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless
Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by
reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to
or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of
the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the
negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee.  The only
limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this
Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment
to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to
the presumptions, set forth in Sections 7 and 8 of this Article I and
of Article II hereof) to be unlawful.

       

      5.           Contribution.

       

      (a)           Whether
or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this
Article I is available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with
Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the
Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or
settlement of such action, suit or proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to
contribute to such payment and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any
right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee.  The Company
shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which
the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such
action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final
release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      (b)           Without
diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in
Section 5(a) of this Article I, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall
elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the
Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action,
suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits
received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company,
other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if
joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on
the other hand, from the transaction from which such action, suit or proceeding
arose; provided, however, that the
proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent
necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative
fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company
other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if
joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on
the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such expenses,
judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable
considerations which applicable law may require to be considered.  The
relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the
Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would
be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and
Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain
personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or
secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or
passive.

       

      (c)           The
Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any
claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees
of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with
Indemnitee.

       

      (d)           To
the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification
provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason
whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to
the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties,
excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in
connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this
Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all
of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the
relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the
event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or
(ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers,
employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or
transaction(s).

       

      6.           Indemnification for Expenses
of a Witness.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Article I, to the extent Indemnitee is a witness in, but not a party to,
any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or is or
was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or
agent (except in each of the foregoing situations to the extent any written
agreement, arrangement or understanding of agency to which Indemnitee is a party
contains provisions that supersede or abrogate indemnification under this
Article I) of another corporation or of any

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      partnership,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, Indemnitee
shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by or
on behalf of Indemnitee in connection therewith.

       

      7.           Determination of Right to
Indemnification.  Indemnification under Sections 1 and 2
of this Article I shall be made only as authorized in the specific case
upon a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the
circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set
forth in Section 1 or 2 of this Article I, as the case may
be.  Such determination shall be made (a) if a Change of Control
(as hereinafter defined) shall not have occurred, (i) by the Board of
Directors by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter
defined), even though less than a quorum, or (ii) if there are no
Disinterested Directors or, even if there are Disinterested Directors, if a
majority of such Disinterested Directors so directs, by (A) Independent
Counsel (as hereinafter defined) in a written opinion to the Board of Directors,
a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (B) if the Board of
Directors so directs, the stockholders of the Company; or (b) if a Change
of Control shall have occurred and subject to Article II,
Section 3(c), by Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee in a written
opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to
Indemnitee, unless Indemnitee shall request that such determination be made by
or at the direction of the Board of Directors, in which case it shall be made in
accordance with Section 7(a) of this Article I.  Indemnitee
shall be entitled to be indemnified against the Expenses actually and reasonably
incurred by Indemnitee in cooperating with the person or entity making the
determination of entitlement to indemnification (irrespective of the
determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and, to the
extent successful, in connection with any litigation or arbitration with respect
to such claim or the enforcement thereof.

       

      8.           Timing of Determination of
Right to Indemnification.  If a Change of Control shall not
have occurred, or if a Change of Control shall have occurred and Indemnitee
requests pursuant to Section 7(b) of this Article I that the
determination as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification be made by
or at the direction of the Board of Directors, Indemnitee shall be conclusively
presumed to have been determined pursuant to Section 7 of this
Article I to be entitled to indemnification if (a)(i) within fifteen
days after the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors
following receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the Board of Directors
shall not have resolved by majority vote of the Disinterested Directors to
submit such determination to (A) Independent Counsel for its determination
or (B) the stockholders for their determination at the next annual meeting,
or any special meeting that may be held earlier, after such receipt, and
(ii) within sixty days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor
(or within ninety days after such receipt if the Board of Directors in good
faith determines that additional time is required by it for the determination
and, prior to expiration of such sixty-day period, notifies Indemnitee thereof),
the Board of Directors shall not have made the determination by a majority vote
of the Disinterested Directors, or (b) after a resolution of the Board of
Directors, timely made pursuant to Section 8(a)(i)(B) of this
Article I, to submit the determination to the stockholders, the
stockholders meeting at which the determination is to be made shall not have
been held on or before the date prescribed (or on or before a later date, not to
exceed sixty days beyond the original date, to which such meeting may have been
postponed or adjourned on good cause by the Board of Directors acting in good
faith); provided, however, that this
sentence shall not apply if Indemnitee has misstated or failed to state a
material fact in connection with his or her request for
indemnification.  Such presumed determination that

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      Indemnitee
is entitled to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made (I) at the
end of the sixty-day or ninety-day period (as the case may be) referred to in
Section 8(a)(ii) of this Article I or (II) if the Board of
Directors has resolved on a timely basis to submit the determination to the
stockholders, on the last date within the period prescribed by law for holding
such stockholders meeting (or a postponement or adjournment thereof as permitted
above).

       

      9.           Advancement of
Expenses.  Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by
Indemnitee in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
action, suit or proceeding referred to in this Article I shall be paid by
the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or
proceeding, promptly after receipt of a request therefor stating in reasonable
detail the Expenses incurred; provided that, in
each case, the Company shall have received an undertaking by or on behalf of
Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized in
this section.

       

      10.           Definitions.  For
purposes of this Agreement:

       

      (a)           “Change of Control” means any of the
following:

       

      (i)                The
acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of
either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
“Outstanding Corporation Common Stock”)
or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
“Outstanding Corporation Voting
Securities”); provided, however, that for
purposes of this Section 10(a)(i), the following acquisitions shall not
constitute a Change of Control:  (A) any acquisition directly
from the Company, (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or
(D) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction which complies with
Section 10(iii)(A), (B) or (C) of this Article I; or

       

      (ii)                Individuals
who, as of August 17, 2005, constitute the Board of Directors (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that any
individual becoming a director subsequent to that date whose election, or
nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of
at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall
be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board,
but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of
office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with
respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board of Directors; or

       

      (iii)                Consummation
of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      acquisition
of assets of another entity (a “Corporate
Transaction”), in each case, unless, following such Corporate
Transaction, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Corporation
Common Stock and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities immediately prior to
such Corporate Transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than
50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors or members of any other governing body,
as the case may be, of the corporation or other legal entity resulting from such
Corporate Transaction, respectively (including, without limitation, a
corporation or other legal entity which as a result of such transaction owns the
Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or
through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding
Corporation Common Stock and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities, as the
case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) of the Company or of such corporation resulting from such Corporate
Transaction) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation or
securities entitled under ordinary circumstances to elect a majority of the
members of the governing body of any other legal entity resulting from such
Corporate Transaction or the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation or the then outstanding securities with
the combined voting power entitled to elect a majority of the members of the
governing body of any other legal entity resulting from such Corporate
Transaction, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the
Corporate Transaction and (C) at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors of the corporation or other governing body of any other legal
entity resulting from such Corporate Transaction were members of the Incumbent
Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of
the Board of Directors, providing for such Corporate Transaction;
or

       

      (iv)                Approval
by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the
Company.

       

      (b)           “Disinterested Director” means a director of the
Company who is not and was not a party to an action, suit or proceeding in
respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

       

      (c)           “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

       

      (d)           “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a
member of a law firm, that (i) is experienced in matters of corporation
law; (ii) neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been,
retained to represent the Company, Indemnitee or any other party to the action,
suit or proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this
Agreement, in any matter material to the Company, Indemnitee or any such other
party; and (iii) would not, under applicable standards of professional
conduct then prevailing, have a conflict of interest in representing either the
Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine the Company’s or Indemnitee’s
rights under this Agreement.

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      11.           Non-Exclusivity; Survival of
Rights.  The indemnification, contribution and advancement of
Expenses herein provided, or granted pursuant hereto, shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under any
written agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors, the
certificate of incorporation of the Company, the By-Laws or otherwise, both as
to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity
while holding such office, and shall continue as to Indemnitee after his or her
Corporate Status (as defined below) has ceased.  Notwithstanding any
amendment, alteration or termination of this Article I or any of its
provisions, or of any of the Procedures set forth in Article II, in each
case, in accordance with Section 7 of Article III, Indemnitee shall be
entitled to indemnification, contribution and advancement of Expenses in
accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof with respect to any action
taken or omitted prior to such amendment, alteration or termination, except to
the extent otherwise required by law.  To the extent that a change in
the DGCL, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater
indemnification than would be afforded currently under the certificate of
incorporation of the Company, the By-Laws or this Agreement, it is the intent of
the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater
benefits so afforded by such change.  No right or remedy herein
conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every
other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right
and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or
otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy
hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or
employment of any other right or remedy.

       

      12.           Indemnification for Actions
Against the Company.  No indemnification shall be payable
pursuant to this Article I with respect to any action against the Company
commenced by Indemnitee unless the Board of Directors shall have authorized the
commencement thereof or unless and to the extent that this Article I or the
Procedures set forth in Article II shall specifically provide for
indemnification of Expenses relating to the enforcement of rights under this
Agreement.

       

      13.           Vesting of Indemnification
Rights.  Notwithstanding any amendment, alteration or
termination of any provision of this Agreement in accordance with Section 7
of Article III, all rights to indemnification, contribution and advancement
of Expenses under this Agreement vest in Indemnitee at the time Indemnitee
became or becomes a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries, and Indemnitee shall be entitled to the benefits of this
Agreement with respect to any claim for indemnification, contribution and
advancement of Expenses arising out of any action taken or omitted prior to such
amendment, alteration or termination, except to the extent otherwise required by
law.

       

      ARTICLE II

       

      PROCEDURES

       

      1.           Purpose.  The
following procedures for submission and determination of claims for
indemnification pursuant to Article I of this Agreement (the “Procedures”) are to implement the provisions of
Article I of this Agreement.

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      2.           Definitions.  For
purposes of these Procedures:

       

      (a)           All
terms that are defined in Article I of the this Agreement shall have the
meanings ascribed to them therein when used in these Procedures unless otherwise
defined herein, and all terms that are defined in this Article II shall
have the meanings ascribed to them herein when used in the other Articles of
this Agreement.

       

      (b)           “Expenses” include all attorneys’ fees, court
costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses,
duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage,
delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types
customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to
prosecute or defend, investigating, or being or preparing to be a witness in, a
Proceeding; and shall also include such retainers as counsel may reasonably
require in advance of undertaking the representation of an Indemnitee in a
Proceeding.  Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in
connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without
limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond,
or other appeal bond or its equivalent.  Expenses, however, shall not
include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments,
excise taxes or fines against Indemnitee.

       

      (c)           “Proceeding” includes any action, suit,
arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation,
administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, except one initiated by Indemnitee unless the
Board of Directors shall have authorized the commencement thereof.

       

      3.           Submission and Determination
of Claims.

       

      (a)           To
obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses under Article I of this
Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the General Counsel of the Company a
written request therefor, including therein or therewith such documentation and
information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary
to permit a determination as to whether and what extent Indemnitee is entitled
to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may
be.  The General Counsel shall, promptly upon receipt of a request for
indemnification, advise the Board of Directors thereof in writing if a
determination in accordance with Article I, Section 7 of this
Agreement is required.

       

      (b)           Upon
written request by an Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to
Section 3(a) of this Article II, a determination with respect to
Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto in the specific case, if required pursuant to
this Agreement, shall be made in accordance with Article I, Section 7
of this Agreement, and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten days after such
determination.  Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or
entity making such determination, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to
indemnification, including providing to each person, persons or entity upon
reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not
privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably
available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such
determination.

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      (c)           If
entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to
Article I, Section 7 of this Agreement, the Independent Counsel shall
be selected as provided in this Section 3(c).  If a Change of
Control shall not have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by
the Board of Directors, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee
advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so
selected.  If a Change of Control shall have occurred, the Independent
Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that
such selection be made by the Board of Directors, in which event the immediately
preceding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the
Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so
selected.  In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may
be, may, within seven days after such written notice of selection shall have
been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a
written objection to such selection.  Such objection may be asserted
only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the
requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Article I,
Section 10(d) of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with
particularity the factual basis of such assertion.  If such written
objection is made, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as
Independent Counsel unless and until a court has determined that such objection
is without merit.  If, within twenty days after the next regularly
scheduled Board of Directors meeting following submission by Indemnitee of a
written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 3(a) of this
Article II, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not
objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery
of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution
of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the
other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as
Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Court or by such other person as
the Court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom an objection is
favorably resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel
under Article I, Section 7 of this Agreement.  The Company
shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses (including without limitation
any advance retainers reasonably required by counsel) of Independent Counsel
incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to
Article I, Section 7 of this Agreement, and the Company shall pay all
reasonable fees and expenses (including without limitation any advance retainers
reasonably required by counsel) incident to the procedures of Article I,
Section 7 of this Agreement and this Section 3(c), regardless of the
manner in which Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.  Upon
the delivery of its opinion pursuant to Article I, Section 7 of this
Agreement or, if earlier, the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or
arbitration arising as a result of a determination made pursuant to
Article I, Section 7 of this Agreement, that Indemnitee is not
entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be
discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject
to the applicable standards of professional conduct then
prevailing).

       

      (d)           If
a Change of Control shall have occurred, in making a determination with respect
to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement, the person, persons or
entity making such determination shall presume that an Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for
indemnification in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II,
and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in
connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination
contrary to that presumption.

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      (e)           Any
Independent Counsel, member of the Board of Directors or stockholder of the
Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination
regarding the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this
Agreement.  Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and
disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons
or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective
of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the
Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless
therefrom.

       

      4.           Review and Enforcement of
Determination.

       

      (a)           In
the event that (i) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to
Article I, Section 9 of this Agreement, (ii) payment of
indemnification is not made pursuant to Article I, Section 3 or 6 of
this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of written request
therefor, (iii) a determination is made pursuant to Article I,
Section 7 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to
indemnification under this Agreement, (iv) the determination of entitlement
to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to
Article I, Section 7 of this Agreement and such determination shall
not have been made and delivered in a written opinion within ninety days after
receipt by the Company of the written request for indemnification, or
(v) payment of indemnification is not made within ten days after a
determination has been made pursuant to Article I, Section 7 of this
Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or within ten days
after such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Article I,
Section 8 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an
adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Delaware, or in any other
court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such
indemnification or advancement of Expenses.  Alternatively,
Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be
conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American
Arbitration Association.  Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding
seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within one year following the
date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding
pursuant to this Section 4(a).  The Company shall not oppose
Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in
arbitration.  Any such arbitrator shall have the power and authority
to award any remedy or judgment that could be awarded in an appropriate court of
the State of Delaware, or any court of competent jurisdiction.  Any
opinion or award rendered by arbitration shall be final and binding upon the
parties, and judgment upon the award may be entered in any appropriate court of
the State of Delaware, or any court of competent jurisdiction in the United
States.

       

      (b)           In
the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Article I,
Section 7 of this Agreement that an Indemnitee is not entitled to
indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to
this Section 4 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or
arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of
that adverse determination.  If a Change of Control shall have
occurred, the Company shall have the burden of proving in any judicial
proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 4 that
Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the
case may be.

       

      (c)           If
a determination shall have been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to
Article I, Section 7 or 8 of this Agreement that an Indemnitee is
entitled to 

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      indemnification,
the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or
arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 4, absent (i) a
misstatement or omission of a material fact in connection with Indemnitee’s
request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification
under applicable law.

       

      (d)           The
Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or
arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 4 that the procedures and
presumptions of these Procedures are not valid, binding and enforceable, and
shall stipulate in any such judicial proceeding or arbitration that the Company
is bound by all the provisions of these Procedures.

       

      (e)           In
the event that an Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 4, seeks to enforce
Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement
in a judicial proceeding or arbitration, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover
from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company against, any and all
Expenses actually and reasonably incurred in such judicial proceeding or
arbitration, but only if Indemnitee prevails therein.  If it shall be
determined in such judicial proceeding or arbitration that Indemnitee is
entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of
Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such
judicial proceeding or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.

       

      5.           Reliance.  Indemnitee
shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on
the records or books of account of the Company, any of its subsidiaries, another
corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or
other enterprise which he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer, employee or agent (collectively, an “Enterprise”), including financial statements,
or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in
the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise
or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an
independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert
selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise.  In addition, the
knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or
employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of
determining Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this
Agreement.

       

      6.           Settlement.  The
Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final
judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay,
distraction, disruption and uncertainty.  In the event that any
action, claim or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any
manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without
limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or without
payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or
proceeding.  Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have
the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing
evidence.

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      ARTICLE III

       

      MISCELLANEOUS

       

      1.           Duration of
Agreement.  All agreements and obligations of the Company
contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer,
employee or agent (except in each of the foregoing situations to the extent any
written agreement, arrangement or understanding of agency contains provisions
that supersede or abrogate indemnification under Article I of this
Agreement) of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise (Indemnitee’s status as any such
director, officer, employee or agent is referred to herein as Indemnitee’s
“Corporate Status”) and shall continue
thereafter until the longer of (a) the expiration of all applicable
statutes of limitation to assert any claim against Indemnitee by reason of
Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or (b) so long as Indemnitee shall be subject
to any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Article II,
Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement) by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate
Status, whether or not Indemnitee is acting or serving in any such capacity at
the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be
provided under this Agreement.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase,
merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business
or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and
legal representatives, as the case may be.

       

      2.           Security.  To
the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors, in
its sole discretion, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide
security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an
irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other
collateral.  Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not
be revoked or released without the prior written consent of
Indemnitee.

       

      3.           Enforcement.

       

      (a)           The
Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement
and assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee
to serve, in among other potential capacities, as a director, officer, employee
or agent of the Company and/or any Enterprise, and the Company acknowledges that
Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company and/or any Enterprise.

       

      (b)           Subject
to any broader rights to indemnification, contribution and advancement of
Expenses to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the certificate of
incorporation of the Company, the By-Laws, the DGCL or otherwise, this Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings,
oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof.

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      4.           Insurance;
Subrogation.

       

      (a)           The
Company currently has in force policies of directors’ and officers’ liability
insurance (“Liability Insurance”).  The Company agrees to furnish to
Indemnitee copies of such Liability Insurance policies upon Indemnitee’s
request.  The Company further agrees that, so long as Indemnitee shall
continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company (and thereafter for a
period of time equal to the greater of 6 years and so long as Indemnitee is
subject to any Proceeding), the Company will, subject to the limitations set
forth below, use its reasonable best efforts to purchase and maintain in force
for the benefit of Indemnitee one or more policies of Liability Insurance
(including, if applicable, “tail” insurance coverage in the event of a Change of
Control) with terms of coverage substantially similar to those provided under
the policies in force and effect on the date hereof and in no event less
favorable than the terms of coverage provided for the benefit of any other
director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or for the benefit of persons serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise. The Company
shall not be required to maintain such Liability Insurance in force if, in the
sole judgment of the Board of Directors serving at the time such judgment is
made, Liability Insurance is not available on commercially reasonable terms, the
premium cost of such Liability Insurance is disproportionate to the amount of
the coverage provided or such Liability Insurance is so limited, by exclusions
or otherwise, that there is an insufficient benefit from such Liability
Insurance.  If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a Proceeding
pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has such Liability Insurance in
effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such
Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
respective policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary
or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all
amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of
such policies.

       

      (b)           In
the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated
to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee,
who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure
such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable
the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

       

      (c)           The
Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts
otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has
otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract,
agreement, other indemnity provision or otherwise, except with respect to any
excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity
provision.

       

      5.           Exception to Right of
Indemnification.  Notwithstanding any provision in this
Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any
indemnity or contribution in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee
for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and
purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as amended, or similar provisions of
state statutory law or common law.

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      6.           Severability.  The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall in no
way affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this
Agreement is intended to confer upon Indemnitee indemnification rights to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable laws.  In the event any
provision hereof conflicts with any applicable law, such provision shall be
deemed modified, consistent with the aforementioned intent, to the extent
necessary to resolve such conflict.

       

      7.           Modification and
Waiver.  No supplement, modification, termination or amendment
of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the
parties hereto; provided, however, that
notwithstanding any supplement, modification, termination or amendment of this
Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights set forth in this
Agreement with respect to any claim for indemnification arising out of any
action taken or omitted prior to such supplement, modification, termination or
amendment, whenever such claim may be asserted against Indemnitee, except to the
extent otherwise required by law.  No waiver of any of the provisions
of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other
provision hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a
continuing waiver.

       

      8.           Notice By
Indemnitee.  Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company
in writing upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation,
subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any
Proceeding or other matter which may be subject to indemnification covered
hereunder.  The failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the
Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement
or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially
prejudices the Company.

       

      9.           Notices.  All
notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall
be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given:  (a) upon
personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by facsimile
if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed,
then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or
(d) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized
overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of
receipt.  All communications shall be sent:

       

      (a)           To
Indemnitee at the address set forth below Indemnitee signature
hereto.

       

      (b)           To
the Company at:

       

      ACCO
Brands Corporation

      300 Tower
Parkway

      Lincolnshire,
IL  60069

      Fax.
No.:  847-484-4144

      Attention:  General
Counsel

       

      or to
such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to
the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      10.           Counterparts.  This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement.  This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by
facsimile signature and in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

       

      11.           Headings.  The
headings of the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or
to affect the construction thereof.

       

      12.           Governing Law and Consent to
Jurisdiction.  This Agreement and the legal relations among the
parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the
laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws
rules.

       

      SIGNATURE
PAGE TO FOLLOW

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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      IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of
the day and year first above written.

       

      
        
          	 	ACCO BRANDS
      CORPORATION	 
	 	 	 	 
	
                   

                	
                  By:
      

                	 	 
	 	 	Name:_____________________________________________	 
	 	 	Title:______________________________________________	 
	 	 	 	 


        

      

       

      
         

        
          
            	 	
                    INDEMNITEE

                     

                    _____________________________________________________

                    Name:________________________________________________

                     

                    Address:

                    _____________________________________________________

                    _____________________________________________________

                    _____________________________________________________

                    _____________________________________________________

                    Fax.
      No.:______________________________________________

                  	 


          

        

      

       

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
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