In this task, you're given a passage that represents a legal contract or clause between multiple parties, followed by a question that needs to be answered. Based on the paragraph, you must write unambiguous answers to the questions and your answer must refer a specific phrase from the paragraph. If multiple answers seem to exist, write the answer that is the most plausible.

Input: Consider Input: Exhibit 1

Execution Copy

JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

TATE & LYLE FERMENTATION PRODUCTS LTD.

AND

IGENE BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.

Table of Contents

1.

2.

DEFINITIONS

CREATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE AND ITS STRUCTURE

Page

1

4

3.

4.

PARTIES' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE JOINT VENTURE AND FINANCING

PARTIES' INTERESTS IN THE JOINT VENTURE

4

6

5.

6.

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

6

6

7.

8.

PARTIES' WITHDRAWAL FROM THE FIELD OF AGREEMENT

FUTURE PRODUCTS AND DEVELOPMENTS

8

8

9.

10.

MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE JOINT VENTURE

DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF THE JOINT VENTURE

10

12

11. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED TO THE JOINT VENTURE BY THE PARTIES 12

12. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL; TERMINATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE 14

13. LIABILITIES 15

14. WARRANTIES BY THE PARTIES 16

15. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT; TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT 17





16. OPERATIONS UNTIL TRANSFER 18

17. ASSIGNMENT; PLEDGE OF JOINT VENTURE INTEREST 19

18. COSTS, FEES AND TAXES 19

19. NOTICES 19

20. LAW 20

21. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 20

22. DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES; LIQUIDATION 23

23. JOINT VENTURE TO BE BOUND 24

JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

This Joint Venture Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance herewith, this Agreement) is entered into as of March 18, 2003 and is by and between Tate & Lyle Fermentation Products Ltd., a corporation organized under the laws of England (T&L) and a subsidiary of Tate & Lyle PLC, and Igene Biotechnology, Inc., a Maryland corporation (Igene; collectively with T&L, the Parties).

RECITALS

A. Igene owns certain technology and expertise related to the manufacture and sale of Astaxanthin and derivative products, and T&L and its subsidiaries and affiliates possess expertise with respect to all aspects of the manufacture and production of numerous products through fermentation.

B. In an effort to capitalize on their respective strengths and expertise, Igene and T&L wish to form a joint venture to manufacture and sell Astaxanthin and derivative products worldwide, all in accordance with the principles set out in this Agreement (including each of its relevant constituent entities, the Joint Venture). The Parties anticipate that the primary market for the product of the Joint Venture will initially be limited to Chile, parts of Europe, Japan and other parts of Asia.

C. Such Joint Venture shall consist initially of two legal entities to be formed as soon after the execution as practicable which together will have sufficient financial, mechanical, technological and land rights, resources and assets, to allow them to operate with limited assistance from the Parties.

D. Without derogating from the principles of Recital C, it is also understood and recognized by the Parties that, in order to minimize support and administrative costs associated with the operation of the Joint Venture, certain ongoing services will be provided to the Joint Venture by the Parties over various periods of time in consideration for payments from the Joint Venture as described in the appropriate agreements between the Joint Venture and the Parties.

E. The Parties envision the Joint Venture continuing in effect for an indefinite period, subject to termination in accordance with this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

Now therefore, the Parties agree:

1. DEFINITIONS.

In this Agreement, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:





1.1. AFFILIATE means, with respect to any Party, any other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such Party. The term control shall mean direct or indirect ownership of at least fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting stock of a corporate entity or voting interest in a non-corporate entity and shall also mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an entity.

1.2. AVERAGE MARKET PRICE means the spot price for Astaxanthin as determined by the weighted average market price over the 30 day period prior to purchase as set forth in the books and records of the Joint Venture.

1.3. BOARD is defined in Article 9.1.

1.4. BOARD DISPUTE is defined in Article 22.1.

1.5. COMMENCEMENT DATE is the first business day after the first 30 consecutive days of production following the start-up phase in which 3 fermenters located at the Manufacturing Facility (constructed in accordance with the Construction Agreement) have been continuously operating.

1.6. CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT is defined in Article 3.6.

1.7. EVENT OF BANKRUPTCY for any Person means (i) such Person files a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency, (ii) such Person files for reorganization or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee of all or a material portion of such Party's assets, (iii) such Person makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv) such Person admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they fall due, (v) such Person seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of a material portion of its assets, (vi) such Person fails to have any petition in bankruptcy or insolvency, or for reorganization, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee of all or a material portion of such Person's assets dismissed within sixty (60) days after the commencement of any proceeding as a result thereof or (vii) such Person fails to have any levy or attachment on all or a material portion of its assets released or discharged within sixty (60) days of imposition thereof.

1.8. DISCLOSING PARTY is defined in Article 21.4.

1.9. EFFECTIVE DATE means 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on March 3, 2003.

1.10. FACILITIES means collectively, the Site and the Manufacturing Facility to be located thereon, as well as any other manufacturing facilities constructed, acquired or operated by the Joint Venture from time to time.

1.11. FIELD OF AGREEMENT is defined in Article 2.1.

1.12. FORMATION is defined in Article 3.3.

1.13. FORMATION DATE means the business day immediately following the Formation.

1.14. GENERAL MANAGER is defined in Article 18.5.

1.15. HSR ACT means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

1.16. INDEMNIFYING PARTY is defined in Article 13.1.

1.17. INFORMATION is defined in Article 21.4.

1.18. LAWSUIT is defined in Article 13.1.

1.19. LIQUIDATION NOTICE is defined in Article 22.3.

1.20. MANAGEMENT is defined in Article 10.1.

1.21. MANUFACTURING FACILITY means the manufacturing facility to be constructed by Parent on behalf of the Manufacturing Company at the Site in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.6 which will be capable of producing 14,000 kg per annum of pure Astaxanthin.

1.22. NEUTRACEUTICAL means a nutritional supplement for human consumption.

1.23. OFFER is defined in Article 12.1.

1.24. OFFER PRICE is defined in Article 22.2.





1.25. OFFEREE is defined in Article 12.1.

1.26. OPTION PERIOD is defined in Article 12.1.

1.27. PARENT means Tate & Lyle Industries Ltd.

1.28. PARTY shall mean each of T&L and Igene, and PARTIES shall mean both T&L and Igene.

1.29. PARTY HEADS means the Chairman of the Board of Igene and the Chief Financial Officer of Tate & Lyle North America, Inc. respectively.

1.30. QUALIFIED EXPERT is defined in Article 12.2(c).

1.31. RECIPIENT PARTY is defined in Article 21.4.

1.32. SELLING PARTY is defined in Article 12.1.

1.33. SITE is defined in Article 3.5.

1.34. TECHNOLOGY is defined in Appendix 3.2.

1.35. TRANSFERRED ASSETS means the assets of Igene that are to be transferred to the Operating Company as more particularly described in Appendix 3.2.

2. CREATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE AND ITS STRUCTURE.

2.1. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement, the Parties shall take all such steps and do all such things as are reasonably necessary to create between T&L and Igene a joint venture commencing from the date hereof until the date this Agreement is terminated with respect to (a) the manufacture of Astaxanthin and derivative products and (b) the marketing and sale of Astaxanthin and derivative products worldwide for all uses other than uses as a Neutraceutical or otherwise for direct human consumption (collectively, the Field of Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall, or shall be deemed to, form a partnership or any other entity other than the Operating Company and the Manufacturing Company (as defined below).

2.2. The legal structure of the Joint Venture shall be (a) a limited liability company organized under the laws of Bermuda and owned by the Parties as set forth herein (the Operating Company) which in turn will own all of the shares of (b) a corporation formed under the laws of the United Kingdom (the Manufacturing Company). T&L and Igene shall cause such entities to be formed promptly after the execution of this Agreement in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement.

2.3. (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, each of the Parties hereby agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary or proper under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, obtaining consent under the HSR Act (if necessary) and any other relevant governmental consents. The Parties shall share the cost of any filings required under this Article 2.3 equally.

(b) Notwithstanding clause (a) above, nothing contained in this Agreement will require or obligate either Party to initiate any litigation to which any governmental authority is a party, although the Parties agree to use commercially reasonable good faith efforts to negotiate with the applicable governmental authority, as the case may be, in order to avoid any such litigation.

(c) Notwithstanding clause (a) above, nothing contained in this Agreement will require or obligate either Party to agree or otherwise become subject to any limitations on the right of the Joint Venture to acquire, own, control or operate the Transferred Assets (including either Party or the Joint Venture being required to sell or otherwise dispose of, or hold separate, the Transferred Assets), if such Party reasonably believes in its good faith judgment as a result of any such limitation that it cannot substantially realize the material benefits that such Party reasonably expects to derive from the Joint Venture. The Parties agree to use commercially reasonable good faith efforts to negotiate with any applicable governmental authority in order to avoid any such limitations.

3. PARTIES' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE JOINT VENTURE AND FINANCING.

3.1. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, T&L shall contribute, or cause to be contributed, to the Operating Company cash in the amount of $21,614,000. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, T&L further agrees to pay to Operating Company as a contribution to capital upon Formation (as defined below) $3,000,000.

3.2. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Igene shall transfer and assign, or cause to be transferred and assigned,





to the Operating Company the Transferred Assets described in Appendix 3.2.

3.3. The Parties intend that the transfer of the Transferred Assets to the Operating Company pursuant to Articles 3.1 and 3.2 and the other various transactions, transfers, contributions and agreements to be made or entered by and between Igene or T&L and the Operating Company in connection with the formation of the Joint Venture, shall be made promptly upon the formation of both the Operating Company and the Manufacturing Company (Formation). In the event that the Transferred Assets are not transferred to the Operating Company at such time or on such other date as is specified herein or in the Asset Transfer Agreement, the entity who is to make such transfer(s) shall, without any further cost to the Joint Venture or to the other Party, (a) ensure that the Joint Venture shall have all of the benefits and bear all of the burdens of such assets on and from Formation and (b) fully and legally assign to the Operating Company such assets as soon after Formation as practicable.

3.4. Title to the Transferred Assets shall be passed to the Operating Company in accordance with Asset Transfer Agreement to be entered into by the Operating Company and Igene upon Formation. Such Asset Transfer Agreement shall be in the form set forth in Appendix 3.4. Such Transferred Assets shall be contributed free and clear of any and all indebtedness, liens and encumbrances.

3.5. As promptly as possible after Formation, the Manufacturing Company shall enter into a lease with Parent with respect to the lease of certain real property located in Selby, England adjacent to the existing facility of an Affiliate of Parent (the Site), which lease will have a term of at least 50 years at an annual rent of $1 and shall grant to the Manufacturing Company all rights necessary to construct and operate the Manufacturing Facility.

3.6. Upon Formation, the Manufacturing Company shall enter into an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management Agreement in the form set forth in Appendix 3.6 (the Construction Agreement), pursuant to which Parent shall supervise and manage the construction of the Manufacturing Facility on a turnkey basis in consideration for a payment of $21,614,000. Upon the entering into of the agreements referred to in Articles 3.5 and 3.6, the Operating Company shall capitalize the Manufacturing Company through the contribution of equity received by it from T&L pursuant to Article 3.1 in an amount equal to at least $21,614,000.

3.7. It is the intention of the Parties that any debt incurred by the Joint Venture shall be non-recourse against each Party. Each of the Parties agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Venture to incur long-term indebtedness in an amount that is consistent with the business and cash desires of the Parties and the cash needs of the Joint Venture; provided, however, that neither Party shall be required to contribute any additional capital or guarantee, directly or indirectly, any debt of the Joint Venture including without limitation any leases or other direct or indirect obligations.

4. PARTIES' INTERESTS IN THE JOINT VENTURE.

4.1. The Parties shall each have a fifty percent (50%) interest in the Operating Company, and control of the Joint Venture shall be shared equally between the Parties. The Parties agree that their respective contributions to the Operating Company have equal value, and that no payment shall be made from one Party to the other Party in the event appraisals performed for tax accounting reasons of the Transferred Assets give rise or would give rise to different valuations.

4.2. All profits and losses earned or incurred by the Operating Company shall be shared by the Parties in equal shares as long as each Party has a 50% interest in the Operating Company. Upon a reduction or increase in such interest, all profits and losses shall be shared in accordance with each Party's ownership interest in the Joint Venture. To the greatest extent permitted by applicable law and accounting provisions, (a) the Operating Company shall make distributions, dividends and returns of capital equally to each of the Parties and (b) Operating Company items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated equally to each of the Parties; provided, if for any reason, such distributions, dividends, returns of capital or allocations may not be made on an equal basis, the Operating Company shall make a special distribution, dividend, return of capital or allocation to one Party to balance the required distribution, dividend, return of capital or allocation to the other Party.

4.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if for any reason the contribution of* T&L proves to have a value materially less than that attributed to it at the Effective Date as a result of the Facilities not being constructed as provided herein then either (a) T&L shall contribute a cash amount to the Operating Company to make up the shortfall or (b)(i) T&L's capital account shall be adjusted to reflect the revaluation of its contribution, (ii) T&L's interest in the Operating Company shall be adjusted to reflect its actual proportion of the contributions made upon the formation of the Joint Venture and (iii) the Joint Venture shall be liquidated as provided in Article 22.3.

* Portions intentionally deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

5. [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]





6. TAX CONSIDERATIONS.

6.1. Each Party shall produce and submit to the Board, as promptly as possible, a reasonable estimate of their respective income tax liability with respect to the income of the Operating Company computed pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph as by a reasonably prudent taxpayer attempting to reduce the income tax payable by such taxpayer to the greatest extent permitted by law (a Party Tax Estimate). A Party Tax Estimate shall be calculated pursuant to United States and/or United Kingdom law and regulations (and the laws and regulations of any other jurisdiction under which the earnings of the Operating Company may be taxable to either Party) as may be applicable to either Party. The tax liability shall be calculated based on each Party's share of the income, gain, costs, expenses and deductions of the Operating Company in the prior year without consideration of items of income, gain, loss or deduction applicable to either Party derived from outside the Operating Company (including, without limitation, with respect to Igene, any Net Operating Loss that Igene may have accumulated prior to the formation of the Joint Venture), but shall include any items of income, gain, loss or deduction derived from the Operating Company in any previous year to the extent applicable to such year. Such Party Tax Estimate shall not be deemed to be final until it is approved by the Board; provided, that if the Board does not approve the higher Tax Estimate, and cannot resolve such a dispute within thirty days of the submission of such Tax Estimate to the Board, then the lesser Tax Estimate (the Preliminary Minimum Distribution) shall be paid to both Parties pursuant to Article 6.2 as if it were the Minimum Distribution. After the expiration of such thirty day period, the Board shall promptly submit the higher Tax Estimate (the Disputed Estimate) to PricewaterhouseCoopers (the Neutral Auditor) who shall evaluate the reasonableness and accuracy of the Disputed Estimate in light of the provisions of this Article 6.1. The Party that submitted the Disputed Estimate shall promptly provide to the Neutral Auditor all information requested by the Neutral Auditor in order to perform the analysis required by this Article 6.1. Within thirty days of receiving all information it deems necessary to perform the analysis required herein, the Neutral Auditor shall inform the Board in writing that it either agrees or disagrees that the Disputed Estimate is reasonable and accurate in light of the provisions of this Article 6.1 and the tax information submitted to it. If the Neutral Auditor concludes that the Disputed Estimate is reasonable and accurate, the difference between the Disputed Estimate and the Preliminary Minimum Distribution shall be promptly paid to each Party. If the Neutral Auditor concludes that the Disputed Estimate is not reasonable and/or accurate then the Preliminary Minimum Distribution shall be deemed the Minimum Distribution for the applicable year; provided, however, that if the Neutral Auditor concludes that an amount greater than the Preliminary Minimum Distribution is appropriate, then such greater amount shall be deemed the Minimum Distribution for the applicable year. The costs of the Neutral Auditor shall be paid equally by the Parties.

6.2. Subject to the provisions of Article 6.1, the Operating Company shall annually declare and pay by March 15 a distribution to each Party equal to the larger of the two estimated annual tax liabilities as reflected on the approved Party Tax Estimates (the Minimum Distribution). A portion of the Minimum Distribution shall be paid in advance on a quarterly basis should either Party be required to pay periodic mandatory payments of estimated taxes during any given year. In the event that such estimated taxes are required to be paid by either Party, such Party shall notify the Operating Company of the date of such required payments and the Operating Company shall pay to each Party, no later than 5 business days prior to the due date of each quarterly estimated tax payment specified in the notice above, an amount equal to 25% of the estimated Minimum Distribution. In the event that such distributions of estimate taxes are made within a given year, then the distribution on March 15 of the subsequent year shall be adjusted to reflect the advance distributions of related estimated taxes made prior to that date.

6.3. The Operating Company shall annually within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year declare an additional distribution equal to 20% of the net income of the Operating Company, half of which is to be paid to each Party (the Target Distribution). The Target Distribution shall be paid except when the Board shall determine otherwise.

6.4. The Board may pay other distributions at its discretion.

6.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Operating Company shall only pay distributions or dividends to the extent permitted by applicable law.

7. PARTIES' WITHDRAWAL FROM THE FIELD OF AGREEMENT.

7.1. Each Party shall, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, do all such things and shall take all such steps as are reasonably necessary to effect its total withdrawal from the Field of Agreement. Such withdrawal shall be effective from the Effective Date.

7.2. After the Effective Date and as long as Igene and T&L continue to own an interest in the Operating Company, neither of the Parties shall, or shall cause or permit any of their Affiliates to, directly or indirectly, as stockholders, consultants, members, partners or in any other capacity, engage in any enterprise or business anywhere in the world, which (a) manufactures Astaxanthin or (b) develops, markets, or sells products falling within the Field of Agreement. In the event that either (x) one Party shall transfer its entire interest in the Operating Company as permitted pursuant to this Agreement and the Operating Company shall remain a going concern after the closing of such transfer or (y) both Parties sell their interest in the Operating Company as permitted pursuant to this Agreement and the Operating Company shall remain a going concern after the closing of such transfer, then any Party which





ceases to own an interest in the Operating Company as a result of such transfer shall remain subject to the terms of this Article 7.2 for a period of ten (10) years after the date of such transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the obligations set forth in this Article 7.2 are unreasonable in scope, time or geography, such court is hereby authorized by the Parties to enforce such provisions with narrower scope, shorter time or lesser geography as such court determines to be the maximum that is reasonable and proper in the circumstances.

7.3. Except as set forth in Articles 7.1, 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2, it is explicitly agreed that nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent either Party or any of their respective Affiliates from engaging, directly or indirectly, in any enterprise, which develops, manufactures, markets, or sells products that are not within the Field of Agreement, and except as set forth in Articles 7.1, 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2, either Party shall be free to engage in any business, enterprise, or undertaking, or to make any investment it chooses.

8. FUTURE PRODUCTS AND DEVELOPMENTS.

8.1. If, after the date of this Agreement and continuing as long as either Party is a partner, member, or shareholder of the Operating Company, such Party or any of its Affiliates receives or discovers any opportunity within the Field of Agreement, including without limitation developing or completing the development of, or discovering, or acquiring proprietary rights over, a product or process that falls within the Field of Agreement, the Operating Company then shall have exclusive rights to exploit such opportunity, but only within the Field of Agreement. The Party (or its Affiliate) that has developed, discovered or acquired such opportunity, product or process will, however, be entitled to exploit such opportunity, product or process for application outside the Field of Agreement.

8.2. If, after the date of this Agreement and continuing as long as either Party is a partner, member, or shareholder of the Operating Company, such Party or any of its Affiliates receives or discovers any opportunity to use Astaxanthin as a Neutraceutical (a Neutraceutical Opportunity), including without limitation developing or completing the development of, or discovering, or acquiring proprietary rights over, a product or process that involves the use of Astaxanthin as a Neutraceutical, such Party shall (or shall cause its Affiliate to) present such opportunity to the Operating Company, providing the Operating Company with such narrative description and budgetary and other information as such Party (or its Affiliates) may have generated or gathered to the extent necessary to evaluate such Neutraceutical Opportunity. The Board shall consider the material presented by such Party and its Affiliates and shall elect whether the Joint Venture should pursue such Neutraceutical Opportunity. If the Board elects to pursue such Neutraceutical Opportunity, the Operating Company then shall have exclusive rights to exploit such Neutraceutical Opportunity, but solely with respect to use of Astaxanthin as a Neutraceutical, and, subject to Article 8.1, the Party (or its Affiliate) that has developed, discovered or acquired such opportunity, product or process will, however, be entitled to exploit such opportunity, product or process for application outside of use of Astaxanthin as a Neutraceutical. If however the Board does not elect to pursue such Neutraceutical Opportunity, the Party (or its Affiliate) that has developed, discovered or acquired such opportunity, product or process shall, subject to Article 8.1, be entitled to exploit such opportunity, product or process; provided, that subsequent developments or discoveries with respect to such Neutraceutical Opportunity would reasonably be expected to affect the Board's acceptance or rejection of such Neutraceutical Opportunity, such Party shall (or shall cause its Affiliate to) present such Neutraceutical Opportunity to the Board with reference to the pertinent subsequent developments or discoveries.

8.3. If, after the date of this Agreement and continuing as long as a Party is a partner, member, or shareholder of the Operating Company, the Joint Venture develops or completes the development of, or discovers, or acquires proprietary rights over, a process or product which at, or after, the time of its development, discovery or acquisition has, or might have, some application outside of the Field of Agreement, then the appropriate entity of the Joint Venture shall offer to license the use of the process or product (or the production thereof) for such application to each of the Parties on reasonable commercial terms (including, without limitation, the possible payment of royalties at market rates) taking into account the time and money spent by the Joint Venture and taking into account other relevant commercial factors. The grant of licenses to any third parties shall be the prerogative of the Board provided that no such license shall be granted at terms more favorable to the third party than were offered to the member(s) of such Party.

8.4. In the event either T&L or Igene wishes to market Astaxanthin for uses other than in the Field of Agreement, including but not limited to the use of Astaxanthin as a neutraceutical or otherwise for direct human consumption, either T&L or Igene, as the case may be, shall be permitted to purchase reasonable quantities of Astaxanthin from the Operating Company for use in the manufacture of such products at the Average Market Price. The Joint Venture will manufacture such Astaxanthin to the standard required for its business, and each Party desiring to market Astaxanthin for other uses shall process the product acquired from the Operating Company at its own cost and expense.

9. MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE JOINT VENTURE.

9.1. The Joint Venture will be managed and controlled by a board of directors comprised of six (6) members (the Board). Each Party shall appoint three (3) of such members (none of whom shall be residents of the United Kingdom) and shall be entitled to





appoint any successor appointees as necessary such that the Board shall always be comprised of three members appointed by each Party. Each Party shall be entitled to appoint alternate directors on a periodic and temporary basis as needed. Each party agrees at all times to vote in favor of the directors appointed by the other Party or any successor appointees.

9.2. The Board shall have a Chairman selected in odd-numbered years by Igene and in even-numbered years by T&L for the duration of the calendar year. The Party with the right to select the Chairman shall select the Chairman from among the members of the Board appointed by it. If for any reason the individual serving as the Chairman ceases to be a member of the Board, such individual shall also cease to serve as Chairman and the Party who appointed such individual to the Board may select another individual appointed by that Party to the Board to serve as Chairman through the remainder of such calendar year. The Chairman shall serve as the chairman of all meetings of the Board and shall serve in such other administrative capacities as may be appropriate or as the Board may determine from time to time, but the Chairman shall not have any additional vote or authority by virtue of being the Chairman.

9.3. The Board shall have regular meetings at least once each calendar quarter which shall be called by the Chairman by written notice delivered to each Board member no later than five business days prior to the meeting specifying the date, time and place for such meeting. Either Party may at any time provide the Chairman with a written request that the Chairman convene a special meeting, whereupon the Chairman shall call a special meeting to be held within two weeks after receipt of such request by written notice delivered to each Board member no later than five business days prior to the meeting specifying the date, time and place for such meeting. Any member of the Board may attend a meeting by telephonic equipment if such member may hear and be heard by all present at that meeting (including others participating telephonically).

9.4. The decisions of the Board shall be by majority vote of the members present at a meeting, provided that such majority vote includes the affirmative vote of at least one member appointed by each Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, after either Party either has an Event of Bankruptcy or is and continues to be in material breach of this Agreement (unless such breach is being contested by the breaching party in good faith) and no director appointed by such Party attends a duly convened meeting of the Board (after notice delivered pursuant to Article 9.3), the affirmative vote of three members of the Board at a duly convened meeting of the Board shall constitute approval of the Board for all purposes hereunder, regardless of whether a member of the Board appointed by each Party approves such matter.

9.5. The Board shall establish various authorizations and delegations for Management (as described below) to conduct the business of the Joint Venture as contemplated by Article 1.1 hereof. In addition, the Board shall:

(a) select the officer who will manage the Joint Venture on a day-to-day basis (the General Manager) subject to the direction of the Board who need not be an employee of the Joint Venture;

(b) approve any and all individual capital investments to be made by the Joint Venture in excess of $50,000 or, at its discretion, delegate such approval to the General Manager with respect to capital investments that do not exceed amounts to be determined by the Board in such delegation;

(c) approve any dividend or profit distribution to be made to the shareholders, members or partners, as the case may be, in excess of the Minimum Distribution in accordance with Article 6.2;

(d) approve any merger of the Operating Company or any acquisition of another entity or all or substantially all of another entity's assets by the Operating Company;

(e) the sale, disposition or purchase of individual assets for in excess of $50,000;

(f) approve the closing of any plant or facility of the Joint Venture;

(g) approve any related-party contracts, except as contemplated in this Agreement;

(h) approve any incurrence of indebtedness for borrowed money;

(i) change the business purpose of the Joint Venture;

(j) approve the discontinuance of any operations of the Joint Venture;

(k) determine the annual business plan and budget (including capital expenditures) and any material variance from such plan and budget;





(l) approve any contract or commitment for a period greater than twelve months;

(m) approve any capacity increase at any manufacturing site;

(n) determine budgets for continuing research concerning the development of strains and process methods for Astaxanthin;

(o) approve the material tax and accounting policies of the Joint Venture (which shall include for the Operating Company the application of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles); and

(p) approve the issuance of new or additional interests in the Operating Company (but not including, in any case, any transfer of existing interests as otherwise provided herein).

If the Board should be deadlocked on any matter, the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Article 22.1 shall apply.

9.6. The Joint Venture shall be jointly controlled by the Parties who, as shareholders, members, or partners, shall have the exclusive power, by instructing the Board, to: (i) dissolve the Joint Venture, (ii) sell, or dispose of all or substantially all assets of the Joint Venture or permit the Joint Venture to place or grant any consensual lien or security interest on its assets (except liens for taxes and materialsmen's liens being contested in good faith which are not material in amount), or (iii) permit the Joint Venture to engage in material commerce outside the Field of Agreement or change the scope of the Field of Agreement. Upon receipt of such instructions, the Board shall act in accordance with this Article 9.

10. DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF THE JOINT VENTURE.

10.1. Except as provided in Article 9.5, the Board shall delegate the conduct of the day-to-day business of the Joint Venture to the General Manager, together with the officers and employees of the companies providing the services set forth in Article 11 (collectively the Management). The General Manager shall also have whatever title is appropriate for each entity in the Joint Venture reflecting his or her role as the primary manager and officer of each entity. The initial General Manager will be Peter Boynton who will be secunded to the Joint Venture on a part-time basis.

10.2. Subject to Article 9.5 and the direction of the Board, the Management shall direct, supervise and conduct the business of the Joint Venture in the following areas:

(a) creation, development, and implementation of routine commercial policies and procedures;

(b) creation, development, and implementation of sales and marketing strategies;

(c) treasury and financial management;

(d) manufacturing, maintenance and other operations;

(e) legal services; and

(f) research and development.

11. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED TO THE JOINT VENTURE BY THE PARTIES.

11.1. Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, each Party will enter into an agreement or agreements substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix 11.1.1 and Appendix 11.1.2 pursuant to which each Party or its Affiliates shall provide the services identified for it below (the Support Services Agreements, and each a Support Services Agreement). The Support Services Agreements shall provide that the parties will provide the following services to the Joint Venture:

11.1.1.Igene or its Affiliates will provide to the Joint Venture:

(i) Sales and marketing services related to the world-wide sale and marketing of Astaxanthin in the Field of Agreement;

(ii) Research services related to further development of the Technology and improvement of manufacturing process efficiencies, as requested by the Board from time-to-time; and





(iii) Administration of the contract for manufacturing of Axtaxanthin with Fermic S.A. de Mexico pursuant to the terms of the Support Services Agreement.

11.1.2.T&L or its Affiliates will provide to the Joint Venture:

(i) Engineering and operations services;

(ii) Technical and research services related to the further development of the Technology and improvement of manufacturing process efficiencies, as requested by the Board from time-to-time;

(iii) Transportation and logistics services; and

(iv) Finance and accounting services.

11.1.3.The charge for the services set forth in Article 11.1.1 and 11.1.2 is set forth in the appropriate Support Services Agreement and shall be paid by the Operating Company.

11.1.4.T&L or its Affiliates shall also provide certain utilities and waste treatment services to the Joint Venture from its existing facility located at the Site. Such services shall be reimbursed by the Operating Company in an amount as more fully set forth in the appropriate Support Services Agreement.

11.2. In the event that either Party conveys its interest in the Operating Company to the other or a third party during the five year period commencing on the Effective Date and the Joint Venture continues to operate as a going concern thereafter, each Party shall provide the services described in Article 11.1 to the Joint Venture at a price (that shall reasonably be consistent with the methodology used for determining prices prior to such conveyance) to be agreed upon by the Parties for a transition period to allow the owner or owners of the Operating Company to obtain such services for the Joint Venture independently. Such transition period shall not exceed 24 months for the services set forth in Article 11.1.1 and Article 11.1.2 and shall not exceed 36 months for the services set forth in Article 11.1.4; provided, however, if T&L shall give notice to Igene that it intends to close the Selby, England facility adjacent to the Site, T&L shall be required to provide the services set forth in Article 11.1.4 for a period not to exceed 24 months from the date Igene receives such notice.

11.3. In the event of a contradiction between the terms of this Article 11 and any Support Services Agreement, the terms of the Support Services Agreement shall govern.

12. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL; TERMINATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE.

12.1. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL; TAG-ALONG RIGHTS.

Prior to one year from the Effective Date, a Party may not sell or otherwise transfer its interest in the Operating Company. Thereafter, any sale or other transfer may not be effectuated except pursuant to a good faith, arms' length offer to sell its entire ownership interest in the Operating Company for cash consideration to a party who is not affiliated with such Party (a Third Party Offer). If either Party has received a Third Party Offer that it intends to accept (the Offer), such Party (the Selling Party) shall notify the other Party (the Offeree) of the Offer, which notice shall include a copy of the Offer and any other information necessary to enable the Offeree to evaluate reasonably the Offer and the potential purchaser. The Offeree shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice from the Selling Party (the Option Period) to elect either (i) to purchase the Selling Party's interest in the Operating Company or (ii) to sell the Offeree's interest in the Operating Company to the Selling Party, in either case on the same terms and conditions as those contained in the Offer. If the Offeree makes one of such elections, the applicable purchase and sale shall take place within sixty (60) days after the date of the Offeree's election in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offer or such other terms and conditions as the Selling Party and the Offeree shall mutually agree. If the Offeree does not make one of such elections within the Option Period, the Selling Party shall have the right to sell its interest to the person or entity who made the Third Party Offer for cash consideration only on terms and conditions no more favorable to such person or entity within sixty (60) days after the expiration of the Option Period. If such sale is not completed within such sixty (60) day period, the offer from the Selling Party shall be deemed to have been revoked and any subsequent offer from such Selling Party shall be subject to the right of first refusal described herein.

12.2. TERMINATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE.

(a) If there is an Event of Bankruptcy with respect to either Party, then the other Party may elect either to terminate the Joint





Venture (and follow the liquidation procedures set forth in Article 22.3) or to purchase the interest of the Party who had an Event of Bankruptcy for a purchase price equal to the market value of such interest as determined pursuant to subsection (c). Such election shall occur within 60 days after the Event of Bankruptcy unless prohibited by a bankruptcy court or other court of competent jurisdiction; provided that once any such prohibition is no longer applicable, such election shall occur promptly thereafter. The other Party shall provide written notice to the Party who had an Event of Bankruptcy upon the election of the other Party, which notice shall specify the effective date of the action elected by the other Party.

(b) If the Parties shall agree to terminate the Joint Venture pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Parties agree to terminate the Joint Venture and follow the liquidation procedures set forth in Article 22.3 unless the Parties otherwise agree.

(c) Upon delivery by either Party of such Party's election to purchase the interest of the other Party upon the other Party having an Event of Bankruptcy, the Board shall meet for the purpose of retaining a mutually acceptable, qualified investment banking, accounting or appraisal firm of national reputation with no conflict of interest with respect to either Party or any Affiliate thereof (a Qualified Expert) to determine the market value of the Operating Company. If the Board is unable to select by unanimous agreement a single Qualified Expert, then the appraisal shall be arrived at by mutual agreement of two Qualified Experts, one selected by each Party. If in such an instance either Party shall fail to appoint a Qualified Expert within fifteen (15) days after a written request to do so, such failure shall be deemed acceptance of the conclusions and appraisal of such Qualified Expert as has been appointed. If the Board unanimously selects a single Qualified Expert, the value of the Operating Company as determined by such Qualified Expert shall be final and binding upon both of the Parties. If two Qualified Experts are chosen, one by each Party, and such Qualified Experts either agree or the greater of the two valuations is no more than 110% of the lesser valuation, the average of the valuations of the Operating Company as determined by each such Qualified Expert shall be the value of the Operating Company for the purposes of this Article 12.2 and shall be final and binding upon both Parties. If two Qualified Experts are chosen, one by each Party, and such Qualified Experts cannot agree within thirty (30) days of the appointment of the second of such Qualified Expert (or their valuations differ by more than 10%), then (i) the two appointed Qualified Experts shall select a third Qualified Expert, (ii) if the determination of any of the three Qualified Experts is greater than the two smallest determinations or smaller than the two greatest determinations, in either case by more than 125% of the difference between such other determinations, such determination will be disregarded and the average of the two remaining determinations shall be final and binding upon both of the Parties and (iii) otherwise, the average of the three determinations of the three Qualified Experts shall be final and binding upon both of the Parties. The market value for the interest of the Party who has had an Event of Bankruptcy shall equal the market value of the Operating Company as determined above times the interest of such Party in the Operating Company as stated in Article 4.1.

13. LIABILITIES.

13.1. Igene (the Indemnifying Party) shall indemnify and hold harmless T&L, its Affiliates, the Operating Company and the Manufacturing Company, and their respective officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, the Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, lawsuits, proceedings, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and disbursements incurred by any of the Indemnified Parties in respect of any such claims, demands, actions, lawsuits or proceedings) arising from any actual or alleged infringement of any patent, trademark, trade name, trade dress, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary right (whether under the laws of any country or of the European Union) resulting from the ownership or use of the Technology by Igene or as contemplated herein, including without limitation a failure of the Operating Company to have unencumbered rights in the Technology as a result of the pending lawsuit (the Lawsuit) styled Archer Daniels Midland Corporation v. Igene Biotechnology, Inc., United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Case No. S97-2358, or any similar claim.

*

* Intentionally deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

14. WARRANTIES BY THE PARTIES

14.1. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that:

14.1.1. General Corporate Matters. (i) it is duly formed and validly existing, and it is in good standing in the state of its incorporation and in each other state except where the failure to be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the formation or operation of the Joint Venture, (ii) it is duly authorized and has the requisite power to execute this Agreement and to form the Joint Venture and to do all other things necessary to implement the various agreements contemplated in and by this Agreement, (iii) this Agreement has been duly executed, and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against such Party in accordance with its terms, except





to the extent that the enforceability thereof against such Party may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles of general application, (iv) none of such Party's Transferred Assets are subject to any liens or security interests (except liens for taxes and materialsmen's liens being contested in good faith which are not material in amount), and (v) it has disclosed to the other Party all material facts and circumstances existing on the date hereof which could reasonably be likely to, in such Party's commercially reasonable judgment, have a material adverse effect on the Joint Venture.

14.1.2. Litigation. There are no suits, actions, arbitrations, or legal, administrative or other proceedings or governmental investigations pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against or affecting it or any of its shareholders or members that if decided adversely to it or its shareholders or members could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its business, operations or financial condition or that could reasonably be expected to prevent the consummation of the Joint Venture, except for the Lawsuit.

14.1.3. Bankruptcy. There are no attachments, executions or assignments for the benefit of creditors, or voluntary or involuntary proceedings in bankruptcy, or under any other debtor relief laws, contemplated by or pending or threatened against it. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, none of the following have been done by, against or with respect to it: (i) the commencement of a case under Title 11 of the U.S. Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or under any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy law or other similar law; (ii) the appointment of a trustee or receive of any property interest; (iii) an assignment for the benefit of creditors; (iv) an attachment, execution or other judicial seizure of a substantial property interest; (v) the taking of, failure to take, or submission to, any action indicating an inability to meet its financial obligations as they accrue; or (vi) a dissolution or liquidation.

14.2. Igene represents and warrants to T&L (i) that the Technology, the Brands and all other Transferred Assets set forth in Appendix 3.2 constitute all know-how and intellectual property owned, used or possessed by Igene with respect to the Field of Agreement, (ii) that it has good and workable title to the Transferred Assets, free and clear of any and all liens, claims and encumbrances, except for the Lawsuit, and (iii) this Agreement and each document contemplated hereby is sufficient to transfer Igene's right, title and interest in the Transferred Assets to the Operating Company.

14.3. Igene warrants to T&L that the Technology, the Brands and other Transferred Assets do not infringe on any third-party patent, trademark or other rights.

14.4. T&L represents and warrants to Igene that (i) the Manufacturing Facility will be constructed in accordance with the terms of the Construction Agreement, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances and (ii) the Manufacturing Facility will be a turnkey project capable of producing 14,000 kg per year of pure Astaxanthin.

15. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT; TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.

15.1. The obligation of each Party to consummate the agreements and covenants set forth herein is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) on the Effective Date of the following conditions:

A. Subject to Article 2.3, if necessary, approval shall have been received under the HSR Act and any other applicable competition law, or the waiting period thereunder shall have expired;

B. Any other necessary governmental approvals for the formation and operation of the Joint Venture as contemplated herein shall have been given (either expressly or by operation of law); and

C. Approval of the Board of Directors of each of T&L and Igene shall have been given.

15.2. Without prejudice to the foregoing, without liability to the other Party except in the case of a breach of this Agreement, either Party shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement at any time from the date hereof up to Formation, if:

A. Subject to Article 2.3, an order of any court, arbitrator, or governmental, regulatory or administrative body, shall be in effect which restrains or prohibits the transactions contemplated hereby;

B. Any final and nonappealable determination of the Lawsuit or any other claim subject to indemnification under Article 13 shall arise either of which, in the business judgment of T&L, restricts the ability of Igene to perform its obligations hereunder or with respect to the Operating Company or the Joint Venture;





C. There has arisen, after the date of this Agreement, any bona fide claim or litigation involving, directly or indirectly, one or both of the Parties, of any member of either Party, or any shareholder, director, officer, employee, agent, consultant or representative of any Party, which may reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the Transferred Assets and/or the business falling with the Field of the Agreement; or

D. There has been a material adverse change reasonably outside of the control of the Party seeking to terminate with respect to the Transferred Assets of the other Party.

E. The Effective Date has not occurred on or prior to March 3, 2003.

16. OPERATIONS UNTIL TRANSFER.

From and after the date hereof, each Party will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that (i) no liens or security interest shall be created or levied on the Transferred Assets (except liens for taxes and materialsmen's liens being contested in good faith which are not material in amount), and (ii) the assets to be transferred to the Operating Company, shall be operated in the ordinary course of business consistent with past business practices, and no portion thereof (except inventory sold in the ordinary course of business) shall be sold, conveyed, or otherwise transferred prior to transfer to the Operating Company.

17. ASSIGNMENT; PLEDGE OF JOINT VENTURE INTEREST.

Except as permitted pursuant to Article 13.1 hereof, neither Party shall assign or transfer this Agreement, or any and all related rights and obligations in the Joint Venture or all rights and all obligations in any related agreements, without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, any Party may assign any or all of its interests in this Agreement or the Operating Company to a wholly-owned subsidiary (which shall at all times remain a wholly-owned subsidiary, and such subsidiary may be a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation) or commonly-owned affiliate of Igene or T&L, as the case may be, provided that the ultimate parent company (e.g. Igene or T&L, as the case may be) shall guarantee such subsidiary's or affiliate's performance hereunder. Without the prior written consent of the other Party, neither Igene nor T&L, as the case may be, shall pledge, encumber, or grant a security interest in, any interest (stock, membership or partnership) in the Operating Company. Any permitted assignee shall, prior to the effectiveness of any assignment to such assignee, agree in writing to be bound by, and assume each obligation of the assigning Party under, this Agreement, and each other document and agreement relating to the Joint Venture to which the assignor (or its Party) is a Party, which such written agreement shall be in a form satisfactory to the Party not assigning its interest hereunder.

18. COSTS, FEES AND TAXES.

18.1. Unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing and except as otherwise provided herein, each Party shall bear and pay its own costs, expenses and fees incurred in connection with the making of this Agreement.

18.2. Any and all stamp duties, transfer taxes, recording and filing fees, and other similar statutory costs, incurred or payable in connection, directly or indirectly, with the transfer to the Operating Company of any of the Transferred Assets, or the implementation of this Agreement and the formation of the Joint Venture, shall be borne and paid by the Joint Venture. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, any and all taxes relating to income, capital gains, or other similar taxes or charges shall be borne by the Party transferring the Transferred Assets to the Operating Company.

19. NOTICES.

19.1. Any notice to be served by one Party on the other in connection with this Agreement shall be validly served if delivered by overnight delivery service (costs pre-paid), confirmed fax, or delivered in person, to the following addresses (or such other address as a Party may specify from time to time in accordance with this Article):

A. Tate & Lyle Fermentation Products Ltd. c/o Tate & Lyle North America Inc. 2200 E. Eldorado Street Decatur, Illinois 62521 Attn: General Counsel FAX: 217-421-4704

B. with a copy to:

Tate & Lyle North America Inc.





2200 E. Eldorado Street Decatur, Illinois 62521 Attn: Chief Financial Officer FAX: 217-421-4507

C. Igene Biotechnology, Inc. 9110 Red Branch Road Columbia, Maryland 21045-2024 Attention: Stephen F. Hiu FAX: 410-730-0540 TEL: 410-997-2599

with a copy to:

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP 180 Maiden Lane New York, New York 10038 Attention: Martin H. Neidell FAX: 212-806-7836 TEL 212-806-5836

After the Effective Date, the Operating Company shall give each of the Parties appropriate addresses for notices.

19.2. Any notice validly served on a business day of the recipient and in accordance with Article 19.1 shall be deemed served on the day of receipt in the case of faxed, hand-delivered, and overnight delivery service notices.

20. LAW.

This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the conflicts of laws principles thereunder.

21. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

21.1. THIRD PARTIES. Except as expressly stated herein with respect to members of each Party, no person or entity not a Party to this Agreement (including, without limitation, any employee of either Party or the Joint Venture) shall be a third-party beneficiary of any provision of this Agreement, and nothing contained herein shall be construed or deemed to confer any benefit or right upon any third party.

21.2. BROKERS. Each Party agrees to indemnify and hold the other harmless against any and all liability to any broker retained by such Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

21.3. PRESS RELEASES. Except as required by law or securities exchange rules, public announcements and press releases concerning this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be made only as mutually agreed by the Parties.

21.4. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; CONFIDENTIALITY.

A. This Agreement, including the Appendices attached to this Agreement and the Recitals set forth herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof, and all prior representations, discussions and negotiations between the Parties and/or their representatives pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement are superseded. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the terms and provisions of the certain Nondisclosure Agreement dated as of March 19, 2001 as amended August 5, 2002 between the Parties shall remain in effect.

B. Each Party (the Recipient Party) agrees to hold in confidence and not to disclose either directly or indirectly to any third party any technical, financial, commercial or other information (the Information) as may be revealed or disclosed orally, in writing or otherwise to it by the other Party or by the Joint Venture (the Disclosing Party) and shall refrain from using any such Information for any purpose whatsoever other than for the purpose(s) for which the Information was disclosed or unless previously approved in writing by the Disclosing Party; provided, however, that these obligations shall not apply to Information:





(i) which at the time of disclosure to the Recipient Party was in the public domain,

(ii) which after disclosure to the Recipient Party becomes part of the public domain through no fault of said Party,

(iii) which at the time of disclosure to the Recipient Party was in its possession or was independently developed by the Recipient Party (and the Recipient Party can demonstrate such by written documents dated before the time of disclosure),

(iv) which disclosure is obtained by the Recipient Party from a third party which has not, either directly or indirectly, received the Information from the Disclosing Party; or

(v) which disclosure is required otherwise by law, unless compelled to disclose such documents or information by judicial or administrative process.

Specific Information shall not be deemed to be within the foregoing exceptions merely because such specific Information may be construed as being within broader, non- confidential information which is either in the public domain or in the possession of the Receiving Party at the time of the disclosure of such Information, nor shall a combination of features which form Information be deemed to be non-confidential merely because the individual features, without being combined, are non-confidential. In any such instance where disclosure appears to be compelled by law, the first Party will notify the other Party so that such Party may avail itself of such measures as may be available for protecting the confidentiality of such information; provided, however, that neither Party will be prohibited from using such documents and information in litigation against the other Party.

C. The Parties shall cause the Operating Company and the Manufacturing Company to adhere to similar obligations of confidentiality as set forth above with respect to Information received by it from either Party.

D. Unless otherwise agreed between the Parties, the provisions of this clause shall survive the termination of this Agreement and continue to be in force thereafter for a period of five (5) years.

21.5. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures to this Agreement may be given by facsimile or other electronic transmission, and such signatures shall be fully binding on the Party sending the same.

21.6. AMENDMENT; WAIVER; HEADINGS. No waiver, modification or amendment of any provision, term, or condition of this Agreement shall be of any force or effect unless in writing and executed by each of the Parties. No usage of trade, course of dealing or performance shall modify the terms or conditions of this Agreement. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.

21.7. AUDITORS. The Parties will agree on the independent auditors of the Joint Venture. From time to time, each Party shall have the right to have its own internal or external auditors review the books and records of the Joint Venture.

21.8. SUPREMACY. Other than as set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and any other document related to the subject matter of this Agreement, which may be entered into by the Parties or between a member of any Party and the Joint Venture, from time to time, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail in each case, unless the Parties otherwise expressly agree in writing.

21.9. TAX MATTERS. Each Party shall prepare its tax reports and returns in a manner not inconsistent with the tax reports and returns of the Operating Company, except in the case of manifest error.

21.10. GUARANTEE. Parent hereby guarantees the performance by T&L of all of its obligations hereunder.

22. DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES; LIQUIDATION.

22.1. At any time for so long as both T&L and Igene own an interest in the Operating Company, at the request of either Party in a written notice to the other Party's appointees to the Board, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith to resolve expeditiously any controversies, claims or disputes between the Parties that may arise from time to time under this Agreement or otherwise relating to the Joint Venture (each a Board Dispute). If, after a Board Dispute is addressed and recorded in the minutes in two regular





quarterly Board meetings without resolution of such Board Dispute, then any such matter not so resolved shall be referred (by written notice by either Party to the other Party's general counsel and the other Party's appointees to the Board) to the Party Heads, who shall have an initial meeting with respect to such matters within ten days of the date of such referral notice, and who shall thereafter negotiate in good faith with each other for an additional twenty day period following the date of such initial meeting in an attempt to resolve any open issues.

22.2. If any Board Dispute is not resolved through the procedure set forth in Article 22.1 after expiration of all of the time specified therefor, either Party, in the thirty day period beginning upon the end of the twenty day period described in Article 22.1, may provide the other Party with a written notice (the Offer Notice) stating that such Board Dispute is not resolved and setting forth a price (the Offer Price) and a list of three acceptable closing dates not less than ninety days after the expiration of the twenty-one day period referred to in the next sentence; provided, that an Offer Notice may not be served earlier than (i) with respect to a Board Dispute arising pursuant to Article 9.5(a) (General Manager Appointment), 9.5(k) (Operating Plans) (except as provided in subclause (ii) below), eighteen months from the Commencement Date, (ii) a Board Dispute arising pursuant to Article 9.5(b) (Capital Expenditures) or 9.5(k) (Operating Plans) that involves a contemplated expenditure which can be financed solely by the Joint Venture from its internal resources and/or using funds provided on normal commercial terms by any other party without any contribution or guaranty from either Party, eighteen months from the Commencement Date and (iii) with respect to any other Board Dispute, fifty-four months from the Effective Date. Upon receipt of an Offer Notice, the other Party must elect prior to the expiration of twenty-one days either to (a) sell its interest in the Operating Company for the Offer Price or (b) purchase the interest of the Party providing the Offer Notice for the Offer Price, which election in either case may be in a written notice which also specifies which of the closing dates identified in the notice delivered to such Party is preferred by such Party. On the closing date specified in the response notice, the Parties shall consummate the transaction selected in the response notice unless both Parties expressly agree otherwise. The Party initiating the notice provided herein, shall be required to provide such Support Services as agreed in the appropriate Support Services Agreement described in Article 11.1 to the surviving entity at a price (that shall be reasonably consistent with the methodology used for determining prices prior to such conveyance) to be agreed upon by the Parties for a transition period to allow the Operating Company to continue to obtain such services. Such transition period shall not exceed 12 months for the services set forth in Article 11.1.1 and Article 11.1.2 and shall not exceed 24 months for the services set forth in Article 11.1.4. The Party whose interest in the Operating Company is purchased shall take all reasonable steps to cooperate in the transition with the other Party so that the Joint Venture will be able to continue as an independent and functioning business after termination of the Support Services. For all purposes under this Article 22.2, if each Party delivers an Offer Notice to the other Party, the Offer Notice that is received on the earliest date shall be effective. If each Party receives an Offer Notice from the other Party on the same date, then the Offer Notice containing the highest cash Offer Price shall be effective.

22.3. In the event the Parties (a) agree to liquidate the Joint Venture, (b) are required to liquidate the Joint Venture pursuant to Article 12.2 or (c) do not send any notice under Article 22.2 in the period allowed therefor, either Party may, by notice to the Board of such circumstance (the Liquidation Notice), commence the following liquidation process. Upon the Board's receipt of a Liquidation Notice, the Board shall meet to determine how to proceed. The Board may retain or appoint a Qualified Expert or any other person to value the Joint Venture and to advise it in liquidating the Joint Venture. Each Party may also retain or appoint such advisors and experts as it may deem appropriate to advise such Party with respect to the liquidation of the Joint Venture. From and after the Board's receipt of a Liquidation Notice, the Board shall proceed with the liquidation of the Joint Venture, and shall have no authority and shall not continue the regular operations of the Joint Venture except to the extent necessary or appropriate to preserve or increase the value of the assets of the Joint Venture; provided that, the Board may elect to, and upon express election by the Board thereby shall, for a specified period not to exceed six months, continue regular operations of the Joint Venture solely for the purpose of preserving its value while seeking to sell the Joint Venture as a whole, but if such period expires prior to the sale of the Joint Venture as a whole, the Board shall thereafter be required to sell the assets of the Operating Company reasonably expeditiously. The proceeds of any such liquidation shall be first used to pay the fees and expenses of the Qualified Experts and all remaining proceeds after payment of such fees shall be distributed between the Parties in proportion to their respective capital accounts.

23. JOINT VENTURE TO BE BOUND.

On the Formation Date, each of the Parties shall cause the Joint Venture (and each of its constituent entities) to agree to and be irrevocably bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Article 13.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

IN WITNESS of the foregoing, the Parties have signed this Agreement as to the date first written above.

TATE & LYLE FERMENTATION PRODUCTS LTD. IGENE BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.

/s/





/s/

By:

Its:

Agreed and accepted for purposes of Section 21.10 hereof only:

TATE & LYLE INDUSTRIES LTD.

/s/

By:

Its:

By:

Its: 
Question: Highlight the parts (if any) of this contract related to Third Party Beneficiary that should be reviewed by a lawyer. Details: Is there a non-contracting party who is a beneficiary to some or all of the clauses in the contract and therefore can enforce its rights against a contracting party?

Output: Except as expressly stated herein with respect to members of each Party, no person or entity not a Party to this Agreement (including, without limitation, any employee of either Party or the Joint Venture) shall be a third-party beneficiary of any provision of this Agreement, and nothing contained herein shall be construed or deemed to confer any benefit or right upon any third party.


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    EXHIBIT 10.1

Sponsorship Agreement

THIS AGREEMENT made this 5th day of December, 2007, between R. C. Boyd Enterprises, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, whose principal  place of business is located at 2003 Navasota Cove, Westlake, Texas, referred to in this Agreement as Company or Boyd, and Cano Petroleum,  Inc., a Delaware corporation qualified to transact business in Texas, whose principal place of business is located at 801 Cherry Street, Suite 3200,  Fort Worth, Texas 76102, referred to in this agreement as Sponsor or Cano.

WHEREAS, the Company is the owner of the rights to the television production known as Honey Hole (hereinafter Honey Hole or Show);

WHEREAS, Sponsor desires to acquire the exclusive right to be the lead sponsor of the Show at an agreed price and under specified terms and  conditions;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises, covenants, and agreements set forth in this Agreement, the  Company and Cano agree as follows:

1. Required Production. The Company shall produce no less than forty (40) original episodes of the Show per year;

2. Lead Sponsorship. The Company agrees that Cano shall be identified as the lead sponsor, by having a thirty second lead-in promotion  at the beginning of each episode; a thirty second trailer promotion at the end of each episode; and two thirty second commercials during  each episode.

3. Signage at Public Appearances. The Company agrees that Cano shall be entitled to place signage, up to 6 feet × 10 feet at each public  appearance made by Honey Hole, including four (4) Kids Corner children's benefits during the term of this Agreement.

4. Use of Logo. The Company agrees that the Cano logo and slogan shall appear on the primary boat and vehicle used in each episode.  Cano recognizes and agrees that it does not and will not have exclusive rights and that other sponsor's logos may appear on the primary  boat and vehicle. The Company agrees that Cano's logo shall be substantially the same size as other such sponsors;

5. Featured Guests. The Company agrees to feature not less than two (2) persons designated by Cano as guests on not less than six (6)  separate episodes per year.

6. Provision of Lead in Trailer and Commercials. Cano has already provided the Company with voice over lead-in(s), 30 second  commercials and trailers of a quality satisfactory to the Company and content that meets the Company's minimum standards. The Company  shall utilize the already produced lead-in, commercials and trailers.

7. Sales and Other Taxes. The Company will add sales, excise and any other tax or surcharge to its invoices which it is obligated to collect  and remit under the laws of the State of Texas, the United States or any other jurisdiction.

8. Notice. Any notice provided for under the terms of this Agreement by either party to the other shall be in writing and may be effected by  personal delivery in writing or registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. Notice to Boyd shall be sufficient if made or addressed  to 2003 Navasota Cove, Westlake, Texas 76092. Notice to Cano shall be sufficient if made or addressed to Cano Petroleum, Inc., 801 Cherry  Street, Suite 3200, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Each party may change the address at which notice may be sent to that party by giving notice  of such change to the other party in accordance with the provisions of this Paragraph.

9. Term and Renewal. The term of this Agreement shall be one (1) year, commencing January 1, 2008 and ending on December 31, 2008.







  10. Force Majeure. In the event that either party shall be prevented from performing any of its obligations due under the terms of this  Agreement by an act of God, by acts of war, riot, or civil commotion, by an act of State, by strikes, fire, flood, or by the occurrence of any  other event beyond the control of the parties hereto, that party shall be excused from any further performance of the obligations and  undertakings set forth under the terms of this Agreement.

11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and venue for  any legal action brought in State Court shall lie exclusively in Tarrant County, Texas and venue for any action brought in federal court shall  lie exclusively in the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division.

12. Rights Cumulative. The rights and remedies granted in this agreement to Cano in the event of default are cumulative, and the exercise  of such rights shall be without prejudice to the enforcement of any other right or remedy authorized by law or this agreement.

13. Attorneys' Fees. If any legal action is brought by either of the parties hereto, it is expressly agreed that the prevailing party in such legal  action shall be entitled to recover from the other party reasonable attorney's fees in addition to any other relief that may be awarded. For  the purposes of this clause, the prevailing party is the party in whose favor final judgment is entered. In the event that declaratory or  injunctive relief alone is granted, the court may determine which, if either, of the parties shall be considered to be the prevailing party. The  amount of reasonable attorney's fees shall be determined by the court, in the trial of such action or in a separate action brought for that  purpose. Attorney's fees awarded under the provisions of this paragraph shall be in addition to any other relief that may be awarded.

14. Multiple Counterparts. This Agreement is executed in duplicate copies, each of which shall be considered a true and original copy of  this Agreement.

15. Payment of Money. In consideration of the services to be rendered under this Agreement as set forth above, the Company shall be  entitled to compensation in the amount of $150,000.00 (One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars), to be paid in equal installments of $37,500.00  (Thirty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) on January 1, 2008, April 1, 2008, July 1, 2008 and October 1, 2008. If Cano fails to make any  payment when required by this Agreement, the Company shall have the option of canceling this Agreement following the passage of ten  (10) days after having given Cano written notice of its default. While the Company shall have no further obligation to Cano following  cancellation of the Agreement, Cano shall remain liable for all unpaid installments for the then current term of the Agreement, which  installments shall be immediately due and payable.

16. Exculpatory Clause. The parties agree that Cano will not be liable to the Company or any third party for any injury sustained by the  Company, its employees, independent contractors, invitees or any other third party while preparing for, filming or working on post  production of any episode.

17. Place of Performance. All sums payable under this Agreement shall be paid to the Company at Southlake, Tarrant County, Texas.

18. Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party.

19. Other Agreements. This Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect  to the subject matter of this contract, and contains all of the covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject  matter. Each party to this contract acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have  been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, that are

2







  not set forth in this contract, and that no agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this contract shall be valid or binding.

20. Partial Invalidity. If any term or provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or  unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions of this agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected,  impaired, or invalidated.

21. Government Regulation. This Agreement is subject to all applicable federal, state and municipal laws, regulations and ordinances,  whether existing or enacted hereafter, including the rules and regulations of all governmental agencies or commissions having jurisdiction  in matters covered by this Agreement or either of the parties hereto.

This Agreement is executed in duplicate on the 5th day of December, 2007, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, to be effective January 1, 2008.

3

    R. C. BOYD ENTERPRISES, LLC        By:   /s/ R.C. Boyd

Printed Name: R.C. Boyd  Title: President        CANO PETROLEUM, INC.        By:   /s/ Jeff Johnson

Printed name: Jeff Johnson  Title: CEO





    QuickLinks

EXHIBIT 10.1 
Question: Highlight the parts (if any) of this contract related to Minimum Commitment that should be reviewed by a lawyer. Details: Is there a minimum order size or minimum amount or units per-time period that one party must buy from the counterparty under the contract?

Output: The Company agrees to feature not less than two (2) persons designated by Cano as guests on not less than six (6)  separate episodes per year.


Input: Consider Input: 1                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.4

                           SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT                               ---------------------

               This Sponsorship Agreement is made between National Processing Company (NPC) and National City Bank of Kentucky (NCB) effective June 30, 1996 (Effective Date).

                                WITNESSETH:

               WHEREAS, NCB is a member in good standing of Visa U.S.A., Inc. (Visa) and a member in good standing of MasterCard International, Incorporated (MasterCard); and

               WHEREAS, NPC, pursuant to its arrangements with NCB, a member of Visa and MasterCard, provides data processing, settlement and authorization services for merchants who participate in the Visa and MasterCard bankcard programs (such activities being referred to as Merchant Bankcard Business); and

               WHEREAS, NPC and NCB have concluded that it is in their mutual best interests for NPC to continue to act as an agent of NCB for purposes of providing data processing, settlement and authorization services for merchants with respect to their Visa and MasterCard transactions and in connection with such agency arrangement, for NPC to continue to use NCB for certain banking relationships; and

               WHEREAS, the parties desire to formalize the terms and conditions on which NPC will act as agent of NCB, and NPC will perform certain functions, for purposes of conducting Merchant Bankcard Business;

             NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the representations, acknowledgments, and mutual agreements set out in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged by the parties, NPC and NCB represent, acknowledge and agree as follows:

     ARTICLE I - MERCHANT PROCESSING, SETTLEMENT AND AUTHORIZATION SERVICES         ----------------------------------------------------------------------

               1.1 APPOINTMENT AS AGENT. NCB appoints NPC, and NPC agrees to serve, as NCB's sole agent (i) to provide authorization, processing and settlement services with respect to Visa and MasterCard transactions (Merchant Processing Services) to merchants who desire to receive Merchant Processing Services from NCB or NPC (Merchants) and (ii) to enter into contracts with merchants (Merchant Contracts) for the provision of Merchant Processing Services as agent of NCB; provided, however, that nothing herein shall limit NPC's right to provide, as agent for other members of Visa and MasterCard, Merchant Processing Services to merchants who desire to receive such services from NCB or others. NCB agrees that NPC may use NCB's name and its BIN, ICA and any other Visa and MasterCard identification numbers to the extent necessary or appropriate to perform the Merchant Processing Services.

               1.2 PERFORMANCE BY NPC. NPC shall have full responsibility for the proper performance of the Merchant Processing Services under each Merchant Contract except for the obligations and responsibilities which NCB assumes hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, NPC shall provide authorization services to the Merchants, perform data capture services with respect to all credit card transactions by the Merchants, submit such data to the applicable Interchange, process retrievals and chargebacks, and direct the settlement of such transactions. In providing Merchant Processing Services, NPC agrees to comply with: (i) all Visa and MasterCard Bylaws, Manuals, Operating Regulations and other written materials as they may from time to time be amended which bind or apply to NCB as a member of Visa and MasterCard with respect to Merchant Processing Services or to NPC as a third party processor with respect to Merchant Processing Services (Rules), (ii) all agreements between Merchants and NCB with respect to Merchant Processing Services, and (iii) all applicable laws and regulations, whether state or federal. NPC agrees to enter into any agreements with Visa and MasterCard necessary to perform this Agreement

                                    1    2

in accordance with its terms, subject to the rights of NPC to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.2. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, NPC agrees as follows: (a) any material containing any of the Visa Card Program Marks used by it in performing this Agreement will prominently identify NCB by name and city adjacent to such marks and, in identifying NPC, will specify that NPC is acting as agent or representative of NCB; (b) any solicitation material used by NPC shall clearly disclose that NPC is acting as agent or representative of NCB; and (c) NPC acknowledges that it does not have authority to permit the use of Visa Card Program Marks by any of its own agents. NPC and NCB agree that the foregoing clauses shall be deemed modified from time to time to reflect any changes in Visa's requirements applicable to NPC's use of Visa Card Program Marks and solicitation material or to the terms required herein.





               1.3 MERCHANT CONTRACTS. NPC, as agent of NCB, shall be responsible for establishing the terms and conditions of the Merchant Contracts, including all changes thereunder, subject to Section 1.7 below. Without in any way limiting the authority granted in Section 1.1, NCB hereby authorizes NPC to use NCB's name to the extent necessary or appropriate in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to enter into and to renew Merchant Contracts, to modify Merchant Contracts to the extent necessary to assign them to NCB, to perform the Merchant Contracts and to take other necessary or appropriate actions with respect to the Merchant Contracts, all in accordance with requirements of Visa and MasterCard. As between NPC and NCB, NPC shall be responsible for all credit, fraud and other risks associated with each Merchant Contract.

               1.4 AUTHORIZATION SERVICES. NPC, or its designated third parties, shall provide the Merchants with telephonic or electronic authorization for all Visa and MasterCard transactions exceeding any floor amount specified pursuant to such Merchant's contract.

               1.5 PROCESSING AND SUBMISSION TO INTERCHANGE. NPC shall process all data received by it reflecting the Visa and MasterCard sales transactions and any related return credits by the Merchants and shall submit to the applicable Visa or MasterCard interchange networks (Interchange) Settlement Files reflecting such transactions and directing the applicable Interchange to pay the net amount due to an account established by NCB for the purpose of receiving all settlement amounts paid by Visa and MasterCard with respect to the transactions processed by NPC pursuant to this Agreement and effecting appropriate payments to the Merchants and NPC in accordance with this Agreement (the NCB Account).

               1.6 ACCOUNT SETTLEMENT.

               (a) PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS. NPC shall prepare and transmit to          NCB, in a mutually acceptable format, instructions specifying the          payments to be made from the NCB Account to the Merchants and to NPC          pursuant to this Agreement (the Payment Instructions). Payment          Instructions shall be delivered to NCB in accordance with the schedule          and procedures established from time to time by the parties.

               (b) PAYMENT. In accordance with the Payment Instructions, NCB          shall pay the Merchants on a timely basis the net settlement amounts          due to them and shall credit NPC's account at NCB for the fees due to          NPC hereunder. Such payments to Merchants shall be effected through          mutually acceptable procedures which are consistent with the payment          procedures established pursuant to the Merchant Contracts. NPC shall          perform on NCB's behalf all of the administrative and bookkeeping          functions necessary to effect payment in such manner.

               1.7 DUE DILIGENCE BY NCB; NPC'S STANDARDS.

               (a) DUE DILIGENCE PRIOR TO EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT. Senior          management officials of NPC have met with senior management officials          of NCB and have discussed with the NCB officials the credit and          financial review procedures and standards used by NPC in deciding          whether to accept or retain Merchants as customers for Merchant          Processing Services, as well as NPC's experience with respect to any          losses resulting from financial failures or fraud by its merchant          customers. Schedule A attached hereto outlines the credit and financial          review procedures and standards currently used by NPC. NPC represents

                                    2    3

      to NCB, and has provided NCB's senior management with financial          information showing, that for 1994 and 1995 combined, the losses          incurred by NPC as a result of financial failures or fraud by its          merchant customers have averaged less than .60% of NPC's net revenues          from Merchant Processing Services.

               (b) CONTINUING DUE DILIGENCE: NPC'S RISK STANDARDS. NPC shall          keep NCB's senior management advised of any material changes in the          credit and financial review procedures and standards and of any          material exceptions to such procedures and standards which may from          time to time be made with respect to particular Merchants. NPC shall          not make any such changes or exceptions until its management committee          has approved such changes or exceptions after carefully evaluating the          relative advantages and disadvantages expected to result from such          changes or exceptions. NPC also shall continue to advise senior          management officials of NCB on a timely basis with respect to any          substantial loss (meaning any loss of $1,000,000 or more with respect          to a single Merchant or $3,000,000 or more in the aggregate in any          twelve month period) incurred by NPC as a result of any financial          failures or fraud by its merchant customers. If NCB's senior management          officials reasonably determine from time to time that any changes are          needed in NPC's credit and financial review procedures and standards or          in the implementation thereof in order to avoid any significant          increase in NPC's losses from financial failures or fraud by its          merchant customers, then NCB shall so notify NPC in writing, and NPC          and NCB shall mutually agree upon, and NPC shall implement appropriate          changes.

               (c) DUE DILIGENCE BY NCB FOR NPC PRICING STANDARDS. Senior          management officials of NPC have met with senior management officials          of NCB and have discussed with the NCB officials the pricing procedures          and standards used for Merchants as customers for Merchant Processing          Services. NPC shall keep NCB's senior management advised of any





      material changes in its pricing procedures and standards and of any          material exceptions to such procedures and standards which may from          time to time be made with respect to particular Merchants. NPC shall          not make any such changes or exceptions until its management committee          has approved such changes or exceptions after carefully evaluating the          relative advantages and disadvantages expected to result from such          changes or exceptions. If NCB's senior management officials reasonably          determine from time to time that any changes are needed in NPC's          pricing procedures and standards or in the implementation thereof, then          NCB shall so notify NPC in writing, and NPC and NCB shall mutually          agree upon, and NPC shall implement appropriate changes.

                 ARTICLE II - AUTHORITY OF JOINT OFFICERS                     ----------------------------------------

               2.1 JOINT OFFICERS. In order to enhance NPC's effectiveness as an agent of NCB, the parties agree and acknowledge that it is desirable for one or more officers of NPC to serve also as an officer of NCB (the Joint Officers) so that such persons shall have clear authority to represent NCB on matters relating to Merchant Processing Services. Accordingly, the Board of Directors of NCB shall elect the NPC officers named in Schedule B as Contracting Officers of NCB only with respect to matters pertaining to Merchant Processing Services. From time to time during the term of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of NCB may elect other officers of NPC as officers of NCB in addition to or in lieu of the Joint Officers. The authority of each Joint Officer to act as an officer of NCB shall terminate immediately upon termination of this Agreement or the termination or suspension of employment of that person by NPC for whatever reason or the removal of that person by the Board of Directors of NCB as an officer of NCB.

               2.2 AUTHORITY TO REPRESENT NCB. Each Joint Officer or its designated representative shall have authority to be the designated recipient of all letters, correspondence and other material from Visa and MasterCard to NCB as a member which relate to Merchant Processing Services, to attend as NCB's representative those meetings for members of Visa and MasterCard which relate to Merchant Processing Services, to maintain on behalf of NCB copies of all Merchant Contracts to which NCB is a party, to act generally as the NCB representative with respect to Merchant Processing Services in discussions, meetings and otherwise between NCB as a member and Visa or MasterCard, and to take such other actions on behalf of NCB That may be required by applicable Visa or MasterCard rules to be performed by a member and that are necessary or appropriate in order to perform this Agreement and effect the parties' intent with respect to this Agreement. NPC shall keep NCB, or such other person

                                    3    4

as may be designated by NCB, advised of all material, non-routine actions taken on behalf of NCB by any of the Joint Officers and shall consult in advance with NCB or such other designated person with respect to any material, non-routine actions to be taken by any of the Joint Officers on behalf of NCB.

               2.3 COMPENSATION. Except to the extent NCB and NPC otherwise agree, all compensation of the Joint Officers shall be paid by NPC, and NCB shall have no obligation to compensate any of the Joint Officers.

                      ARTICLE III - BANKING SERVICES                          ------------------------------

               3.1 MERCHANT PROCESSING - BANKING SERVICES. As soon as practicable after the Effective Date NPC shall enter into agreements or make other mutually acceptable arrangements with NCB pursuant to which NCB will provide those banking services which are necessary for NPC to provide the Merchant Processing Services and which the parties wish NCB to provide.

               3.2 AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH BANK ACCOUNTS. Each Joint Officer shall have authority to establish at NCB or any other mutually acceptable financial institution any deposit accounts on behalf of NCB as may be necessary to provide some or all of the Merchant Processing Services contemplated by this Agreement for such periods as NCB and NPC agree. No provision of this Agreement authorizes or shall be construed to authorize any Joint Officer or NPC to incur any debt to NCB or any other financial institution, or to create any overdraft, which NCB is obligated directly or indirectly to repay.

               3.3 LOANS AND OVERDRAFTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create any obligation on the part of NCB to loan or advance to NPC any amounts in connection with Merchant Processing Services for any period of time.

                      ARTICLE IV - FEES AND EXPENSES                          ------------------------------

               4.1 CHARGES TO MERCHANTS. As between NPC and NCB, NPC shall receive all fees, discounts and other amounts payable by Merchants for Merchant Processing Services with respect to Merchant Contracts.

               4.2 EXPENSES. NPC shall bear all expenses of maintaining facilities and connections necessary to provide Merchant Processing Services except for the facilities and connection maintained by NCB for purposes of effecting payments pursuant to Section 1.6(b). In addition, NPC agrees to pay or reimburse NCB in full all interchange or issuer reimbursement fees on outgoing





merchant sales volume, as well as all fee assessments or charges imposed on NCB by Visa or MasterCard as a result of the Merchant Processing Services performed by NPC. Such fees shall be paid by NPC directly when due or shall be paid by NPC to NCB on the banking day immediately prior to the day on which NCB must pay such fees. All such fees, assessments and charges for which NCB seeks payment by NPC shall, upon request, be documented to NPC's reasonable satisfaction as being attributable to NPC's Merchant Processing Services.

                        ARTICLE V - INDEMNIFICATION                            ---------------------------

               5.1 INDEMNIFICATION. NPC agrees to indemnify, defend and save NCB, its directors, officers and employees harmless from all losses, claims, judgments, awards, penalties, expenses and other amounts of any nature arising out of:

               (a) NPC's failure to perform this Agreement in accordance with        its terms, including, but not limited to, the failure to pay expenses,        charges and other amounts in accordance with the provisions of this        Agreement,

                                    4    5

               (b) The negligent exercise of or the exceeding by any Joint          Officer of the authority granted pursuant to this Agreement to act as          an officer of NCB, or,

               (c) NCB's grant of authority to NPC pursuant to this          Agreement,

including, but not limited to, all court costs, investigation expenses and the reasonable fees and expenses of separate counsel for NCB selected by NCB, provided, however, that NCB shall not be entitled to indemnification as to amounts arising from the negligence or willful misconduct of NCB.

                   ARTICLE VI - COMPLIANCE MODIFICATIONS                       -------------------------------------

               6.1 COMPLIANCE MODIFICATIONS. In the event that:

               (a) the laws, rules and/or regulations or any official       interpretations thereof applicable to NCB as a National Bank or the Visa       or MasterCard rules and/or regulations or any official interpretations       thereof applicable to NCB and the matters covered by this Agreement are       modified such that

                      (i) any modifications in the relationship or               transactions contemplated hereby between NCB and NPC or in the               provisions of this Agreement are needed to comply with any such               laws, rules, regulations or official interpretations thereof, or

                      (ii) some or all of the activities contemplated by this               Agreement are prohibited, or

               (b) Visa or MasterCard requires, as a condition to performance        of this Agreement, that NPC enter into an agreement with Visa or        MasterCard that NPC considers unacceptable,

then at NPC's request, NCB will cooperate in making any modifications to this Agreement and to the parties' relationship hereunder to the extent any such modifications will permit NPC to continue processing, settling and authorizing bankcard transactions (or continue performing some of such functions) in compliance with the laws, rules, regulations or any official interpretations thereof applicable to NCB as a National Bank and the Visa and MasterCard rules, regulations, and interpretations thereof and any contractual terms required by Visa or MasterCard and acceptable to NPC (any such modifications being referred to as Compliance Modifications) provided that such Compliance Modifications are reasonable and are not unduly burdensome to NCB, and NPC reimburses NCB for any additional costs reasonably incurred by NCB in connection with such Compliance Modifications.

               6.2 FAILURE TO MAKE COMPLIANCE MODIFICATION. If NPC does not request any Compliance Modifications or the parties cannot agree upon the terms of any Compliance Modifications, then either party may terminate this Agreement upon prior written notice to the other party effective at the later of: (a) the deadline imposed by Visa or MasterCard for complying with any such rule, regulation, official interpretation or contract requirement or (b) 120 days after actual notice to NPC of such rule, regulation, interpretation or contract requirement.

                    ARTICLE VII - TERM AND TERMINATION                        ----------------------------------

               7.1 TERM. The term of this Agreement shall be five years commencing on the Effective Date and ending at the close of business on the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date. This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless one party gives the other party written notice of non-renewal at least six months prior to automatic renewal.





                                    5    6

               7.2 TERMINATION. Either party may terminate this Agreement without penalty and without prejudice to any claims arising prior to termination as follows:

               (a) Upon the written agreement of both parties.

               (b) Upon the other party's breach of this Agreement provided          the terminating party has given written notice of the breach to the          other party specifying the breach, the action necessary to cure the          breach and the breaching party has not cured the breach within five          business days after notice is given of any failure by NPC to provide          any funds required hereunder to be provided by NPC to pay Merchants or          within thirty business days after notice is given of any other breach.

               (c) By NCB immediately upon NPC's voluntary filing of any          petition or complaint seeking relief under any federal or state          bankruptcy or other debt relief statute or upon an involuntary petition          in bankruptcy being filed against NPC if such petition is not dismissed          within sixty days after it is filed.

               (d) By NPC immediately in the event that any agreements          between NCB and Visa and/or MasterCard or NCB's membership in either          such bankcard association shall be terminated or materially limited          which termination or material limitation would impair the ability of          NPC to authorize, process or settle merchant bankcard transactions.

               7.3 SURVIVAL. The provisions of Sections 3.3, 4.2, 5.1, 8.1 and 10.6 of this Agreement shall survive any termination. No termination shall prejudice any claim or rights of any party which accrued prior to termination.

                      ARTICLE VIII - CONFIDENTIALITY                          ------------------------------

               8.1 CONFIDENTIALITY. In performing this Agreement, each party will have access to confidential information of the other. Each party agrees to hold in confidence and to instruct its employees and agents to hold in confidence all information and materials, in whatever form, reasonably designated as confidential by the party requesting confidentiality. NPC agrees to comply with all laws and regulations relating to confidentiality of customer lists and other information which are applicable to NCB and its agents or to NPC. NCB agrees to comply with all contractual obligations of NPC actually known to NCB and all laws and regulations applicable to NCB or NPC relating to confidentiality of customer lists and other information.

                           ARTICLE IX - NOTICES                               --------------------

               9.1 NOTICES. All notices which are required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be (i) delivered personally to the designated addressee, (ii) sent by the United States Mail addressed to the designated person by certified mail, return receipt requested, all postage prepaid, or (iii) sent by overnight delivery service addressed to the designated person, all charges prepaid, or (iv) by other means such as facsimile machine if the designated addressee acknowledges receipt in writing. Notices shall be addressed as follows:

If to NPC:                         Louis Parker                         Executive Vice President                         National City Processing Company                         1231 Durrett Lane                         Louisville, KY  40285-0001

                                    6    7

with copies to:         Kurt Knipp                         Executive Vice President                         National City Processing Company                         1231 Durrett Lane                         Louisville, KY  40285-0001

If to NCB:              Peter J. Barrick                         Senior Vice President                         National City Bank of Kentucky                         101 S. 5th Street                         Louisville, KY  40202

with copies to:         Curtis M. Jacobs                         Senior Vice President and Counsel                         National City Bank of Kentucky                         101 S. 5th Street                         Louisville, KY  40202





Notices personally delivered are given when received. Notices sent by United States Mail, certified mail, return receipt requested, are given five business days after delivery to the United States Postal Service unless prior actual receipt by the addressee is proven. Notice sent by overnight delivery service is deemed given one business day after delivery to and acceptance by overnight delivery service for next day delivery. Notices sent by other means and acknowledged are deemed given when acknowledged in writing.

                         ARTICLE X - MISCELLANEOUS                             -------------------------

               10.1 HEADINGS. The headings are for information and are not part of this Agreement.

               10.2 ENTIRE AGREEMENT, MODIFICATION. This Agreement and the attachments to it represent the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of the Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified except by a written agreement which expressly refers to the Agreement and is signed by both parties.

               10.3 SEVERABILITY. If any section of this Agreement is deemed void, illegal or unenforceable, that section shall be severed and the balance shall remain in effect.

               10.4 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and its interpretation shall be governed by the laws of the United States and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, by the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky without regard to conflicts of laws rules.

               10.5 BINDING AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT PROHIBITED. This Agreement shall bind the parties, their successors and permitted assigns. Neither party shall assign this Agreement or any rights under it except with the prior written consent of the other.

               10.6 MONITORING BY NCB. NPC shall admit properly identified and authorized NCB employees and agents onto its premises for purposes of monitoring NPC's compliance with this Agreement. It is understood that such monitoring will occur during normal business hours, will be preceded by reasonable notification to NPC, and must not interfere with NPC's normal operations.

                                    7    8

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

                              NATIONAL PROCESSING COMPANY

                              By: /s/ Mark D. Schatz                                      --------------------------------                                  Name: Mark D. Schatz                                        ------------------------------                                  Title: Vice President                                         -----------------------------

                              NATIONAL CITY BANK OF KENTUCKY                                  By: /s/ Peter J. Barrick                                      --------------------------------                                  Name: Peter J. Barrick                                        ------------------------------                                  Title: Senior Vice President                                         -----------------------------

                                    8    9

                                SCHEDULE A                                      to the                         SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN NCB                                        and                                        NPC                                       dated                                   June 30, 1996

1.       BUSINESSES GENERALLY NOT SOLICITED. NPC does not generally solicit          customers engaged in any of the following businesses, but in special          circumstances it sometimes accepts customers engaged in one of these          businesses. Such exceptions occur primarily when NPC acquires another          processor's customer base or when NPC enters into a processing          agreement with an ISO/MSP which maintains merchant customers engaged in          such businesses.          - Telemarketing (In-bound or out-bound)





      - Pawn Shops          - Door-to-Door Sales          - Massage Parlors          - Bail & Bond Payments          - Business operated out of Residence          - Flea Markets          - Fulfillment Houses          - Timesharing          - Travel Clubs/Packages

2.       DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR MERCHANT CUSTOMERS          - Merchant Application - all pertinent personal and business            information, including previous processor          - Site Visitation Report (when applicable)          - Bankcard Agreement - signed by Principal/Officer          - Personal Guarantee - signed by Principal (when applicable)          - Business Financial Statements (when applicable)          - Business and/or Personal Income Tax Filings if Financial Statements            unavailable (when applicable)          - Catalogues, Advertising Copy, etc. - as needed

3.       CREDIT REVIEW PROCEDURES. The following credit review procedures are          completed by NPC before a Merchant is accepted as a new customer. These          procedures may be repeated with respect to any existing Merchant          customer if such Merchant has unusual credit card activity, unusual or          higher than normal chargebacks, or if other circumstances arise which,          in the judgment of NPC's management, warrant a new or on-going credit          review.          - Inquire against Terminated Merchant File          - Obtain and Review Personal Credit Reports on Principal(s) (when            applicable)          - Obtain and Review Dun & Bradstreet Report (when applicable)          - Review of Financial Statements, Tax Returns and all other pertinent            data (when applicable)          - Investigation of previous processing relationship

4.       REASONS FOR DECLINING A MERCHANT.          - Listed on the terminated merchant file          - Insufficient credit history established          - Significant derogatory credit - personal or business          - Poor financial condition of business          - Derogatory report from previous processor          - Unacceptable line of business

                                    9    10

                                SCHEDULE B                                      to the                         SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN NCB                                        and                                        NPC                                       dated                                   June 30, 1996

                 NAME                          NCB TITLE                     ----                          ---------                                                         Tony G. Holcombe              Contracting Officer

           Kurt S. Knipp                 Contracting Officer

           Wayne A. Chatham, Jr.         Contracting Officer

                                    10 
Question: Highlight the parts (if any) of this contract related to License Grant that should be reviewed by a lawyer. Details: Does the contract contain a license granted by one party to its counterparty?


Output: NCB agrees that NPC may use NCB's name and its BIN, ICA and any other Visa and MasterCard identification numbers to the extent necessary or appropriate to perform the Merchant Processing Services.