Document:

exh10-1.htm

Exhibit 10.1

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LICENSE AGREEMENT

THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), made and entered into as of the 2nd day of September, 2011,  is by and between Hillwinds Energy Development Corporation, a Connecticut corporation (“LICENSOR”), and HDS International Corp., a Nevada corporation (“LICENSEE”) (each of LICENSOR and LICENSEE, a “Party,” and collectively, the “Parties”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, LICENSOR is the owner of certain “Intellectual Property” as defined in Section 1 below, relating to the “Primary Fields”;

WHEREAS, LICENSEE desires to have the Intellectual Property developed and utilized in the public interest;

WHEREAS, LICENSOR desires to grant licenses under said Intellectual Property;

WHEREAS, LICENSEE desires to acquire an exclusive license under the Intellectual Property from LICENSOR upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS, LICENSOR has the power and authority to grant to LICENSEE such license.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein the Parties agree as follows:

1.            DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

	
1.1           

	
“Effective Date” shall mean the date first written above.

 

 

	
1.2           

	
“Primary Fields” shall mean the methods and areas of technology involving the reutilization of carbon dioxide from emissions using certain genetically modified algae as an active agent in a biological reactor, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and produce methane that can be used for energy production.

	
1.3           

	
“Intellectual Property” shall mean and include:

	
(a)           

	
any United States and foreign patents and patent applications (together, the “Patents”) as further described  in Appendix A, any patents issued from such applications, and any divisional, continuation, continuation-in-part, reissue, re-examination, substitute and/or extension of the Patents as they arise; and

	
(b)           

	
any copyrights, copyright applications, trademarks, trademark applications, Know-how, trade secrets, data and other information relating to the Primary Fields owned by LICENSOR as of the date first written above.

	
1.4           

	
A “Licensed Product” shall mean any material, composition, product, service or part thereof which (i) is covered in whole or in part by an issued, unexpired or pending claim contained in the Intellectual Property, (ii) is manufactured by using a process which is covered in whole or in part by an issued, unexpired claim or a pending claim contained in the Intellectual Property, or (iii) is otherwise derived from the Intellectual Property.

	
1.5           

	
A “Licensed Process” shall mean any process or method which (i) is covered in whole or in part by an issued, unexpired or pending claim contained in the Intellectual Property, or (ii) is otherwise derived from the Intellectual Property.

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1.6           

	
“Net Sales” shall mean LICENSEE’s (and its sublicensees’) billings for Licensed Products and Licensed Processes during a particular accounting period less the sum of (a) discounts allowed in amounts customary in the trade, (ii) sales taxes, tariff duties, and/or use taxes which are directly imposed and are with reference to particular sales, (iii) outbound transportation prepaid or allowed; and (iv) amounts allowed or credited on returns.

In the event that a Licensed Product is sold in combination with another product and/or service (“Combination Product”), Net Sales, for purposes of royalty payments on the Combination Product, shall be calculated by multiplying the Net Sales on sale of that combination by the fraction A/B, where A is the gross selling price of the Licensed Product sold separately and B is the gross selling price of the Combination Product. In the event that no such separate sales are made by the Company, Net Sales for royalty determination shall be calculated by multiplying Net Sales of the combination by the fraction C/(C+D) where C is the fully allocated cost of the Licensed Product and D is the fully allocated cost of other components, such standard costs being determined using LICENSEE’s standard accounting procedures.

	
1.7           

	
“Know-how” shall mean the ideas, methods, characterization and techniques developed by the LICENSOR before the Effective Date, which are necessary for practicing the Intellectual Property.

	
1.8           

	
“Non-Royalty Sublicense Income” shall mean sublicense issue fees, sublicense maintenance fees, sublicense milestone payments, and similar non-royalty payments made by sublicensees to LICENSEE on account of sublicenses pursuant to this Agreement.

	
1.9           

	
“Licensed Territory” shall mean Back Bay, New Brunswick, Canada, and any geography within 50 miles from the center of Back Bay, with the boundary on the west being the border with the State of Maine in the United States.

2.            LICENSE

2.1           Grant.  LICENSOR hereby grants to LICENSEE, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, an exclusive and perpetual license in the Licensed Territory to use the Intellectual Property to develop, make, use, market and sell Licensed Products and to practice Licensed Processes.  In order to establish such exclusivity, LICENSOR shall not grant to third parties a further license under the Intellectual Property within the Licensed Territory during the term of this Agreement.

2.2           Improvements.  All modifications, design changes, updates, or similar revisions in scope which relate to the Intellectual Property or any derivative of the Intellectual Property (“Improvements”) made by LICENSEE shall be promptly disclosed to LICENSOR.  All Improvements made by LICENSEE shall become the property of LICENSOR and shall be deemed to be included in the license granted to LICENSEE by this Agreement.  LICENSEE agrees to provide reasonable cooperation in connection with perfection of rights in such Improvements, and to execute any and all documents necessary to perfect LICENSOR’s rights therein.

2.3           Sublicense.  The rights and obligations licensed to LICENSEE herein are personal in nature and directed solely to LICENSEE.  LICENSEE shall not enter into sublicensing agreements for the rights, privileges and licenses granted hereunder without the prior written consent of LICENSOR and upon terms and conditions agreed to by LICENSOR.  Upon such approval, all such sublicense agreements shall, among other things, provide that the obligations to LICENSOR of this Agreement shall be binding upon the sublicensee as if it were a party to this Agreement.

2.4           Other Territories.  LICENSEE may submit proposals to LICENSOR to use the Intellectual Property or establish operations to develop and make Licensed Products and to practice Licensed Processes outside of the Licensed Territory (but not within a territory licensed by LICENSOR to a third party under a separate agreement).  LICENSOR may authorize or reject LICENSEE’s proposal(s) at LICENSOR’s sole discretion.  LICENSEE shall have reasonable access to territory information regarding LICENSOR’s license agreements with third parties and LICENSOR shall make commercially reasonable efforts to notify LICENSEE of licensing

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agreements reached with third parties within thirty (30) days of reaching such agreements.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, LICENSEE shall be permitted to, subject to the confidentiality requirements hereto, apply for or obtain grant funding in any jurisdiction, provided that such grant funds are applied within the Licensed Territory.

2.5           Ownership.  The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Intellectual Property shall remain the sole property of LICENSOR throughout the term of this Agreement and after any termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

2.6           Costs.  LICENSEE shall be solely responsible for the manufacture, production, marketing, sale and distribution of the Licensed Products and the practice of Licensed Processes, and shall be solely responsible for any and all costs associated therewith.

3.            REQUIREMENTS

3.1           Best Efforts.  LICENSEE shall use its best efforts to apply and practice Licensed Processes and to bring one or more Licensed Products to market through a thorough, vigorous, and diligent program for exploitation of the Intellectual Property to attain maximum commercialization of Licensed Products and Licensed Processes and shall thereafter continue such efforts throughout the life of this Agreement.

	
3.2           

	
Milestones.  LICENSEE shall adhere to the following milestones:

	
(a)           

	
Progress Report.  LICENSEE shall deliver to LICENSOR an annual progress report as to (i) LICENSEE’s (and any sublicensee’s) efforts and accomplishments during the preceding year in diligently commercializing the Licensed Products and Licensed Processes in the Licensed Territory, and (ii) LICENSEE’s (and any sublicensee’s) commercialization plans for the upcoming year.

The annual report shall be due on or before each anniversary of the Effective Date.    The report shall summarize in writing the progress for the activities described above.  Licensee shall allow 1-3 paragraphs for each of the following:

1)           Efforts.  Activities currently under investigation, i.e., ongoing activities including objectives and parameters of such activities, when initiated, and projected date of completion.

2)           Accomplishments.  Activities completed since last report including the objectives and parameters of the development, when initiated, when completed and the results.

3)           Commercialization plans.  Activities to be undertaken before the next annual report including, but not limited to, the type and objective of any necessary efforts and their projected starting and completion dates.

4)           Commercialization timeline. Estimated total time remaining before Licensed Products and Licensed Processes will be commercialized.

5)           Changes to plan. Describe any changes to the initial commercialization plan with reasons for the change.

	
(b)           

	
LICENSOR reserves the right to audit LICENSEE’s records relating to the development of Licensed Products and Licensed Processes as required hereunder subject to the procedures and restrictions set forth for audit of the financial records of LICENSEE in Section 5.

3.3           General Performance Requirement.  If LICENSEE fails to perform in accordance with Paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 above, then LICENSOR shall have the right and option to either (a) terminate this

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Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 11.3 hereof or (b) change LICENSEE’s exclusive license to a nonexclusive license.  This right if exercised by LICENSOR shall supersede the rights granted in Paragraph 2.1.

3.4           Performance Requirements within Licensed Territory.  Beginning ten (10) years from the Effective Date of this Agreement, LICENSOR shall have the right at any time and from time to time, to terminate or limit the scope of the exclusive license granted herein with respect to any field of use or any national political jurisdiction in which LICENSEE fails to use its best efforts to commercialize the Intellectual Property.  In order to limit the scope of the license pursuant to this Paragraph 3.4, LICENSOR shall provide LICENSEE with ninety (90) days’ prior written notice specifying the field of use or geographic area in which it intends to terminate or limit the scope of the license of the Intellectual Property, and the license shall be terminated or limited in scope as specified in such notice unless LICENSEE provides  reasonable evidence satisfactory to LICENSOR, within the said ninety-day period, that LICENSEE is exercising its best efforts to commercialize the Intellectual Property in the identified field of use or national political jurisdiction.  As used herein, (i) “commercialize” means having Net Sales of Licensed Products or Licensed Processes in such jurisdiction; and (ii) “efforts to commercialize” means having Net Sales of Licensed Products or Licensed Processes or an effective, ongoing and active research, development, manufacturing, marketing or sales program as appropriate, directed toward obtaining regulatory approval, production or Net Sales of Licensed Products or Licensed Processes in any jurisdiction, and plans acceptable to LICENSOR, in its sole discretion, to commercialize licensed inventions in the jurisdiction(s) that LICENSOR intends to terminate or limit in scope.

4.            ROYALTIES AND FEES

4.1           License Fee.  LICENSEE shall pay LICENSOR an initial license fee (“License Fee”) of  Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000).

4.2           Running Royalty.  This Agreement has no running royalty rate and LICENSEE is not obligated to pay any royalty on Net Sales of Licensed Products, Licensed Processes or for Non-Royalty Sublicense Income.

4.3           Patent Costs.

	
(a)           

	
Reimbursement.  LICENSEE shall reimburse LICENSOR for all future (on or after the Effective Date) costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the filing, prosecution and maintenance of the Intellectual Property.  Such reimbursement shall be made within thirty (30) days of receipt of an itemized invoice from LICENSOR and shall bear interest, if overdue, at the rate specified in Paragraph 5.5.

	
(b)           

	
Restriction of Rights for Non-payment.  If LICENSEE elects not to support the expense of filing or prosecution of any patent application or to maintain any patent for any reason, it shall promptly notify LICENSOR of its decision and LICENSOR shall thereafter have the sole and exclusive right to undertake such filing, prosecution or maintenance at its own expense, and LICENSOR shall have the right to dispose of such patent applications or patents as it chooses and without further obligation to LICENSEE with respect to such patent applications or patents, and such patent applications or patents shall be removed from the scope of this Agreement.

4.4           Payments shall be paid in United States dollars at LICENSOR or at such other place as LICENSOR may reasonably designate consistent with the laws and regulations controlling in any foreign country.  If any currency conversion shall be required in connection with the payment of fees hereunder, such conversion shall be made in using the exchange rate published in The Wall Street Journal on the last business day of the calendar month in which payment falls due (or the closest business day prior thereto on which such rate is published).

4.5           All payments due hereunder shall be paid in full without deduction of taxes or other fees, except those listed in Paragraph 1.6 above, which may be imposed by any government or governmental authority and all such governmental taxes and fees shall be paid by LICENSEE or sublicensees if any.

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5.            REPORTS AND RECORDS

 

5.1           Records.  LICENSEE shall keep full, true, and accurate books of accounting containing all particulars that may be necessary for the purpose of showing the amounts payable to LICENSOR hereunder.  Said books of account shall be kept at LICENSEE’s principal place of business or the principal place of business of the appropriate division of LICENSEE.  Said books and the supporting data shall be open at all reasonable times for five years following the end of the calendar year to which they pertain for the inspection of LICENSOR or its agents for the purpose of compliance in any respects with this Agreement.  Should such inspection lead to the discovery of a ten percent (10%) or greater discrepancy in reporting, then LICENSEE shall pay the full cost of such inspection.

5.2           Quarterly Reports.  After the first commercial sale of a Licensed Product, LICENSEE, within forty-five (45) days after March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, of each year, shall deliver to LICENSOR true and accurate reports, giving such particulars of the business conducted by LICENSEE and its sublicensees during the preceding three-month period under this Agreement.  These reports shall include at least the following:

	
(a)           

	
number of Licensed Products manufactured and sold;

	
(b)           

	
total billings for Licensed Products sold;

	
(c)           

	
total billings for Licensed Processes practiced;

	
(d)           

	
sublicense income and details;

	
(e)           

	
deductions applicable as provided in Paragraph 1.6;

	
(f)            

	
names and addresses of all sublicensees of LICENSEE.

5.4           Financial Statements.  At LICENSOR’s request, on or before the sixtieth day following the close of LICENSEE’s fiscal year, LICENSEE shall provide LICENSOR with a statement for the preceding fiscal year stating, at a minimum, the correctness of the reported billings of Licensed Products and Licensed Processes, and total fees paid to LICENSOR.  Such statement shall be certified as correct by an officer of LICENSEE or by an independent auditor.

5.5           Interest Penalty.  The license fees and reimbursements for patent-related expenses set forth in this Agreement shall, if overdue, bear interest until payment in full at the monthly rate of one percent (1%) above the prime rate in effect at the Chase Manhattan Bank (N.A.) on the date that any royalty payment, license fee, or other reimbursement is due.  The payment of such interest shall not foreclose LICENSOR from exercising any other rights it may have as a consequence of the lateness of any payment.

6.            PATENT PROSECUTION

6.1           Provided that LICENSEE has reimbursed LICENSOR for Patent Costs pursuant to Section 4, LICENSOR shall diligently prosecute and maintain the United States and, if available, foreign patents, and applications in the Intellectual Property using counsel of its choice. Such counsel shall take instructions only from LICENSOR, and all patents and patent applications in the Intellectual Property shall be assigned solely to LICENSOR.

7.            INFRINGEMENT

7.1           LICENSEE shall inform LICENSOR promptly in writing of any alleged infringement of the Intellectual Property by a third party and of any available evidence thereof.

7.2           During the term of this Agreement, LICENSOR shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to prosecute at its own expense any such infringements of the Intellectual Property.  If LICENSOR prosecutes any such infringement, LICENSEE agrees that LICENSOR may include LICENSEE as a co-plaintiff in any such suit,

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without expense to LICENSEE.  The total cost of any such infringement action commenced or defended solely by LICENSOR shall be borne by LICENSOR, but LICENSOR shall keep any recovery or damages for past infringement derived from said suit, whether resulting from a judgment, settlement, or otherwise, as reimbursement for any and all expenses, costs, and efforts expended by LICENSOR in pursuit of the claim.  The remainder, if any, shall then be divided between LICENSOR and LICENSEE in an equitable manner to allow LICENSEE to receive a portion of the income it would have received but for the infringement.

7.3           If within six (6) months after having been notified of any alleged infringement or such shorter time prescribed by law, LICENSOR shall have been unsuccessful in persuading the alleged infringer to desist and shall not have brought and shall not be diligently prosecuting an infringement action, or if LICENSOR shall notify LICENSEE at any time prior thereto of its intention not to bring suit against any alleged infringer, then, and in those events only, LICENSEE shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to prosecute at its own expense any infringement of the Intellectual Property, and LICENSEE may, for such purposes, use the name of LICENSOR as party plaintiff; provided however that such right to bring an infringement action shall remain in effect only for so long as the license granted herein remains exclusive.  No settlement, consent judgment or other voluntary final disposition of the suit may be entered into without the consent of LICENSOR, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  LICENSEE shall indemnify LICENSOR from and against all costs, expenses, judgments, or other adverse results that arise during or that result from such proceedings or the actions associated therewith.

7.4           In the event that a declaratory judgment action alleging invalidity or infringement of any of the Intellectual Property shall be brought against LICENSEE, LICENSOR, at its option, shall have the right, within thirty (30) days after notice of the commencement of such action, to intervene and take over the sole defense of the action at its own expense.

7.5           In any infringement suit as either Party may institute to enforce the Intellectual Property pursuant to this Agreement, the other Party hereto shall, at the request and expense of the Party initiating such suit, cooperate in all respects and, to the extent possible, have its employees testify when requested and make available relevant records, papers, information, samples, specimens, and the like.

8.            INDEMNIFICATION

8.1           LICENSEE shall at all times during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, indemnify, defend and hold LICENSOR, its officers, agents, employees, affiliates and assigns, both in their official and personal capacities, harmless against all claims and expenses, including legal expenses and reasonable attorney’s fees, whether arising from a third party claim, whether resulting from LICENSOR’s enforcing this indemnification clause against LICENSEE, or whether arising out of the death of or injury to any person or persons or out of any damage to property, and further against any other claim, proceeding, demand, expense and liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from the use of the Intellectual Property, the production, manufacture, sale, use, lease, consumption or marketing of Licensed Products or Licensed Processes, or arising from any obligation of LICENSOR or LICENSEE hereunder.

8.2           At LICENSOR’s request, LICENSEE shall obtain and carry in full force and effect liability insurance which shall protect LICENSEE and LICENSOR (including the other persons and entities identified in Paragraph 8.1) in regard to events covered by Paragraph 8.1 above.  LICENSEE shall provide LICENSOR with a copy of the certificate of coverage evidencing compliance with the above requirements within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreement and annually thereafter to evidence constant and continuous coverage during the life of this Agreement and thereafter for as long as liability exposure exists. Such insurance shall:

	
(a)           

	
be written by an insurance company authorized to do business in the Licensed Territory;

	
(b)           

	
be endorsed to also include product liability coverage;

	
(c)           

	
provide and require thirty (30) days written notice to be given to LICENSOR prior to any cancellation or material change of the coverage;

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(d)           

	
include limits of coverage of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence with an aggregate of $3,000,000 for personal injury or death, and $1,000,000 per occurrence with an aggregate of $3,000,000 for property damage.

8.3           LICENSOR MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED, TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, VALIDITY OF PATENT RIGHTS CLAIMS, ISSUED OR PENDING, OR FOR THE ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, WHETHER DISCOVERABLE OR NOT DISCOVERABLE.  LICENSOR MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ABILITY TO OBTAIN REGULATORY APPROVALS OR ENVIRONMENTAL-BASED CLEARANCES TO DEVELOP, MAKE, USE AND SELL LICENSED PRODUCTS OR PRACTICE LICENSED PROCESSES.   NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS A REPRESENTATION MADE OR WARRANTY GIVEN BY LICENSOR THAT THE PRACTICE BY LICENSEE OR SUBLICENSEE(S) OF THE LICENSE GRANTED HEREUNDER SHALL NOT INFRINGE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES.  IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR, IT’S OFFICERS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES THEREOF BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING ECONOMIC DAMAGE OR INJURY TO PROPERTY AND LOSS OF PROFITS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER LICENSOR SHALL BE ADVISED OF, SHALL OTHERWISE HAVE REASON TO KNOW, OR IN FACT SHALL KNOW OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.

9.            ASSIGNMENT

Neither this Agreement nor the rights granted hereunder shall be transferred or assigned in whole or in part by LICENSEE to any person or entity, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise, without the prior written approval of LICENSOR in each instance.  In the event of an attempted assignment of this Agreement without the prior written approval of LICENSOR, such attempted assignment shall be null and void and shall be of no effect.  LICENSOR shall have the right, at its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement after any such attempted assignment by LICENSEE.  As a condition of such approval, LICENSEE shall provide LICENSOR with evidence to demonstrate that such transferee has or is likely to acquire capital and manpower resources sufficient to fulfill the obligations it is assuming hereunder.  Upon completion of such transfer, thereafter the term “LICENSEE” as used herein shall refer to such transferee.  If the transferee shall not have agreed in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or LICENSOR and such transferee do not agree upon new licensing terms and conditions, within sixty (60) days of close of such transfer of LICENSEE’s business, LICENSOR shall have the right to terminate this Agreement.

10.          CONFIDENTIALITY

10.1         During the term, upon, and after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, the Parties shall keep all proprietary information within the scope of this Agreement confidential, including any and all proprietary and confidential information relating to the Intellectual Property, technical data, trade secret, Know-how or other confidential information disclosed by any party hereunder in writing, orally, or by drawing or other form and which shall be marked by the disclosing party as “Confidential” or “Proprietary”, or that by the nature of the circumstances surrounding disclosure ought reasonably to be treated as confidential (“Confidential Information”).  Confidential Information shall include information relating to any Improvement.

11.          TERMINATION

11.1         Cessation of Business.  If LICENSEE shall cease to carry on its business, this Agreement shall terminate immediately.

11.2         Non Payment.  Should LICENSEE fail to make any payment when due, LICENSOR shall have the right to terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) days’ notice.  Upon the expiration of the thirty-day period, if LICENSEE shall not have paid such payment in full with any interest due thereon, the LICENSEE’s (and any sublicensees’) rights, privileges, and license granted hereunder shall automatically, and without any requirement for further action or notice from or by LICENSOR, terminate.

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11.3         Material Breach.  Upon any material breach or default of this Agreement by LICENSEE other than those occurrences set out in Paragraphs 11.1 and 11.2 above which shall always take precedence in that order over any material breach or default referred to in this Paragraph 11.3, including, but not limited to, breach or default under Paragraph 4.3, LICENSOR shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and the rights, privileges, and license granted hereunder on ninety (90) days’ notice to LICENSEE.  Such termination shall become effective unless LICENSEE shall have cured any such breach or default to the satisfaction of LICENSOR prior to the expiration of the ninety-day period.

11.4         Repetitive Non Payment.  LICENSOR may terminate this Agreement upon the occurrence of the third separate failure by LICENSEE within any consecutive three-year period for failure to pay fees when due, regardless of LICENSEE’s compliance with Paragraph 11.2 above.

11.5         Challenge of Validity.  LICENSOR shall have the right to immediately terminate this license agreement in the event that LICENSEE challenges, directly or indirectly or at written urging of a third party on behalf of LICENSEE, whether as a claim, a cross-claim, counterclaim, or defense, the validity or enforceability of any of the licensed patents or Intellectual Property before any court, arbitrator, or other tribunal or administrative agency in any jurisdiction.

11.6         All amounts paid to date to LICENSOR by LICENSEE under this agreement shall be nonrefundable.

12.          PAYMENTS, NOTICES, AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

Any payment, notice, or other communication pursuant to this Agreement shall be sufficiently made or given on the date of mailing if sent to such party by certified, first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to it at its address below or as it shall designate by written notice given to the other party:

	  	
LICENSOR:

	  	
Hillwinds Energy Development Corporation

	  
	  	  	  	
501 Kinds Highway East, Suite 108

	  
	  	  	  	
Fairfield, CT  06825

	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	
LICENSEE:

	  	
HDS International Corp.

	  
	  	  	  	
10 Dorrance Street, Suite 700

	  
	  	  	  	
Providence, RI  02903

	  

13.          MISCELLANEOUS

13.1         Governing Laws.  This Agreement shall be construed, governed, interpreted, and applied in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to its choice of law or conflicts of law rules or principles, except that questions affecting the construction and effect of any patent shall be determined by the law of the country in which the patent was granted. LICENSEE hereby consents to adjudication of any dispute, including the validity of any patent licensed hereunder, between LICENSOR and LICENSEE by the judicial court system in the State of New York and further acknowledges jurisdiction of such disputes to be subject to the “long-arm statutory jurisdiction” of the New York court system.

13.2         Use of Names. LICENSEE shall not use the names, logos, trademarks, or any other mark or image considered by LICENSOR to be identified with or protected by LICENSOR, or those of any of the LICENSOR’s employees or former employees, or any adaptation thereof, in any advertising, promotional or sales literature without the prior written consent of LICENSOR in each case, except that LICENSEE may state that it is licensed by LICENSOR under the patents and/or applications comprising the Intellectual Property identified in this Agreement.

13.3         Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and in the event that any provisions

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of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof.

13.4         Patent Marking.  LICENSEE shall mark Licensed Products sold with all applicable identification numbers, when and where appropriate.

13.5         No Waiver.  The failure of either Party to assert a right hereunder or to insist upon compliance with any term or condition of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of that right or excuse a similar subsequent failure to perform any such term or condition by the other Party.

13.6         Term.  This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless otherwise terminated as provided herein.

13.7.         Export Controls.  LICENSEE hereby agrees that it shall not sell, transfer, export or reexport any Licensed Products or related information in any form, or any direct products of such information, except in compliance with all applicable laws, including the export laws of U.S. government agencies and any regulations thereunder, and will not sell, transfer, export or reexport any such Licensed Products or information to any persons or any entities with regard to which there exist grounds to suspect or believe that they are violating such laws.  LICENSEE shall be solely responsible for obtaining all licenses, permits or authorizations required from the U. S. and any other governmental entity for any such export or reexport.  To the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, LICENSOR agrees to provide LICENSEE with such assistance as it may reasonably request in obtaining such licenses, permits or authorizations.

13.8         Headings.  The headings of the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

13.9         Entire Agreement.  The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement together with any exhibits, schedules or other attachments specified herein, sets forth the entire Agreement and understanding of the Parties as to the subject matter hereof, and shall not be subject to any change or modification except by the execution of a written instrument subscribed to by the Parties.  Accordingly, this Agreement supersedes all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral, among the Parties.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, have each caused their duly authorized representatives to execute this document as of the Effective Date.

	
LICENSOR

	
LICENSEE

	
HILLWINDS ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORP.

	
HDS INTERNATIONAL CORP.

	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	
By:

	
TASSOS RECACHINAS

	
By:

	
TASSOS RECACHINAS

	
Name:

	
Tassos Recachinas

	
Name:

	
Tassos Recachinas

	
Title:

	
President

	
Title:

	
President

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APPENDIX A

Patents and Patent Applications

LICENSOR owns, holds or otherwise controls Patents and other Intellectual Property relating to the Primary Field. Specifically, said Patents and Intellectual Property relate to the reutilization of carbon dioxide from emissions using certain genetically modified algae as an active agent in a biological reactor to reduce carbon dioxide emissions produced during combustion by converting them into methane.  The resulting methane can be used as fuel and burned in the same combustion chamber that produced carbon dioxide, adding energy back to the production cycle and decreasing the consumption of primary fuel.

The method covered hereunder combines a natural system (algae biomass as a bioreactor) with an industrial component (combustion).  Since the genetically modified algae used in this process can convert carbon dioxide into methane for energy repeatedly in a closed loop system, the method is believed to eliminate the costly procedure of processing biomass for future usage.  This is believed to significantly increase energy efficiency of the biomass while decreasing expenses.  Overall, the method is believed to significantly decrease the atmospheric release of carbon dioxide in an energy-generating system by reutilizing it to produce methane as fuel in the production cycle.

LICENSOR believes that its Patents and Intellectual Property can be applied to, among other things, commercially produce and market large quantities of energy while reducing carbon emissions.

More specific information regarding the Patents is not disclosed here for confidentiality and business reasons, but LICENSOR has furnished to LICENSEE, and LICENSEE has received, evaluated, and is in possession of, all relevant herein referenced Patent information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 10ex1016.htm

Exhibit 10.16

 

Baoji Jinqiu Printing & Packaging Co., Ltd.

 

Equity Transfer Agreement

 

 

THIS SHARE TRANSFER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 11th day of July, 2011 in People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), by and between:

Fufeng Jinqiu Printing & Packaging Co., Ltd. (the “Transferor”) is a limited liability company legally established under Chinese laws, with registered address at East Street, Shangdong Xiang, Fufeng County, Baoji City, Shanxi Province;

Asia Packaging & Printing, Inc. (the “Transferee”) is a limited liability company legally established under the laws of the United States, with registered address at 76 Cranbrook Road, Cockeysville, MD 21020, USA.

WHEREAS,

	
1.  

	
Baoji Jinqiu Printing & Packing Co., Ltd (“Jinqiu”) is legally established joint venture under the PRC laws with the approval from Shanxi Province Government on March 31, 2010 (PRC Foreign Invested Enterprise Certificate No. [2010]002). Scope of business: Manufacturing paper box, card board, paper printing and trademark printing. The Transferor has 68% ownership of Jinqiu, and the Transferee has 32% ownership of Jinqiu.

	
2.  

	
According to the capital verification report from Baoji Jinzheng Accounting Firm (No. [2010]201), the Transferor paid capital of RMB 6,240,000 to Jinqiu, fulfilling its obligation under the Joint Venture Agreement. The Transferee paid capital of RMB 3,000,000, fulfilling its obligation under the Joint Venture Agreement.

	
3.  

	
As a shareholder of Jinqiu, the Transferor agrees to transfer the 68% ownership to the Transferee according to this Agreement; the Transferee agrees to purchase the 68% ownership of Jinqiu from the Transferor.

	
4.  

	
The board of Jinqiu has resolved to approve the Share Transfer.

THEREFORE,

The two parties reach the following agreement upon friendly negotiation,

 

 

 

  

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Article I     Definitions

 

	
1.1  

	
“Parties”: Transferor and Transferee

 

	
1.2  

	
“One party”: Transferor or Transferee

 

	
1.3  

	
“Agreement”: this Share Transfer Agreements and its Appendix

 

	
1.4  

	
“Shares”: Pursuant to this Agreement, the 68% interest of Jinqiu transferred from Transferor to Transferee

 

	
1.5  

	
“Regulating Agency”: Shanxi Province Baoji City Economy and Foreign Trade Committee and its successors

 

	
1.6  

	
“Registration Agency”: Shanxi Province Baoji City Economy and Foreign Trade Committee and its successors

 

	
1.7  

	
“Business License”: the People’s Republic of China Business License with “Jinqiu” as its business name and “foreign invested” as its type

 

	
1.8  

	
“Closing Day”: the date Jinqiu acquires its new business license as a foreign-invested company

 

	
1.9  

	
“Execution Date” of this Agreement: the date where the share transfer is approved by the Regulating Agency

 

Article II. Share Transfer

 

2.1 The Transferor agrees to transfer the Shares to the Transferee with consideration of RMB 6,240,000. The Transferee agrees to accept the Shares per this Agreement.

 

2.2 On the Closing Day, the Transferor will have 100% ownership to Jinqiu.

 

Article III. Payment Method of the Consideration

 

3.1 Within three business days upon receiving the notice of the approval of Jinqiu’s Business License, the Transferor shall inform the Transferee the account (the “Account”) detail to which the fund in consideration of the Shares would be transferred.

 

3.2 Within ten business days after Jinqiu acquiring the Business License and receiving the notice of the Account, Transferee shall transfer the fund to the Account and inform the Transferor with written notice, provided the Transferee believes that the conditions listed in Section 3.3 below are satisfied or are not satisfied but have been otherwise waived by the Transferee. After that, both parties shall assist Jinqiu to get the approval from the Baoji branch of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”).

 

3.3 Under any circumstances, the supervisor of the Share Transfer shall transfer the fund only if the following conditions are satisfied or otherwise be waived,

 

 

 

  

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3.3.1 Jinqiu has acquired the approval from relevant governmental department of Asia Packaging & Printing Inc. as a foreign funded enterprise.

 

3.3.2 Jinqiu has the Business License.

 

3.3.3 The Transferor does not breach this Agreement, and no force majeure listed in this Agreement occurs.

 

3.3.4 There is no material misstatement or omission in either party’s Statement.

 

3.3.5 This Agreement is not amended by relevant governmental department.

 

3.3.6 This Transaction has been approved by relevant PRC laws.

 

3.4 Mutual consent: the exchange rate used in this Transaction is the US dollar and Chinese renminbi exchange rate announced by SAFE on the day of fund transfer.

 

Article IV. Effectiveness of the Share Transfer

 

Upon execution of this Agreement, rights, obligations and responsibilities incurred from the ownership of the Shares are transferred from the Transferee to the Transferor. Jinqiu will cease to be a joint-venture and become a foreign-owned enterprise.

 

Article V. Mutual Commitment

 

5.1 Both parties shall make best effort with all possible means to achieve this Share Transfer.

 

5.2 Both parties shall make best effort to get the approvals from relevant governmental agencies and when necessary, both Parties will submit joint applications.

 

5.3 Either party shall keep the other party updated in writing on any statements it makes and any situations which may raise conflicts of interests.

 

Article VI.  Statement and Guarantee of The Transferor

 

6.1 The Transferor is a legally established corporation under the PRC laws.

 

6.2 The Transferor and its representatives are legally authorized to execute this Agreement.

 

6.3 The Transferor will execute legally effective board resolution, approving the Share Transfer.

 

6.4 The Shares do not have any legal defects, including but not limited to pledge, mortgage or other forms of security, or instruments transferring shareholder rights to a third party.

 

6.5 The Transferor shall make best effort to cooperate with the Transferee and relevant governmental agencies to acquire governmental approval for the reformation of Jinqi, but not including executing legal documents.

 

6.6 Upon execution of this Agreement, directors of Jinqiu will be appointed by the Transferee. The Transferor will cooperate with the Transferee regarding the director change, including but not limited to executing documents.

 

6.7 Execution of this Agreement shall not violate any laws, ordinances, regulations, prohibitions, judgments, orders or court rulings. Execution of this Agreement shall not be in conflict with any other existing binding contracts between both parties.

 

 

  

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Article VII. Statement and Guarantee of the Transferee

 

7.1 The Transferee is a legally established corporation under the laws of the United States.

 

7.2The Transferee and its representatives are legally authorized to execute this Agreement.

 

7.3 The Transferee will execute legally effective board resolution, approving the Share Transfer.

 

7.4 Execution of this Agreement shall not violate any laws, ordinances, regulations, prohibitions, judgments, orders or court rulings. Execution of this Agreement shall not be in conflict with any other existing binding contracts between both parties.

 

Article VIII. Taxes

 

Both parties shall bear the taxes incurred from the Share Transfer on their sides respectively. One party should reimburse the tax fees to the other party who has paid the taxes for such party in advance.

 

Article IX. Confidentiality

 

Unless requested by agencies or governmental departments authorized by law, both parties and their employees shall keep this Agreement and the business secrets acquired from this transaction confidential. Disclosure of abovementioned information is allowed if it is made to the directors, employees, business agents or affiliate companies as long as the information is within the scope of business.

 

Article X. Transfer of Corporate Documents

 

Upon execution of this Agreement, the Transferee shall transfer to Jinqiu all the corporate documents, including seal, checks, books, and contracts.

 

Article XI. Cancellation of This Agreement

 

This Agreement shall be canceled upon one or more of the following situation:

 

11.1 If Jinqiu is not able to get the Business License within six months after execution of this Agreement with reasons not attributable to either party, this Agreement may be canceled by either party with a written notice to the other party.

 

11.2 Within six months after execution of this Agreement, if the Transferee has evidence to show that the conditions in Article 3 Section 3 is not satisfied and are not otherwise waived, the Transferee may cancel this Agreement with written notice to the Transferor.

 

Article XII. Breach

 

12.1 Breach is defined as one party’s nonperformance or partial performance of this Agreement, or a violation of its statement or guarantee. The breaching party shall correct the breach within 15 days from the breach.

 

12.2 If the breach is corrected in 15 days, the breaching party shall pay to the non-breaching party a daily penalty which equals 1% of the total price.

 

12.3 If the breach is not corrected in 15 days, the non-breaching party may cancel the Agreement. If the Agreement is canceled, the breaching party shall pay to the non-breaching party a penalty which equals10% of the total price upon the receipt of written notice of cancellation from the non-breaching party. If the non-breaching party does not cancel the Agreement, the breaching party shall pay to the non-breaching party a daily penalty which equals 1% of the total price.

 

  

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Article XIII. Force Majeure

 

“Force Majeure” means any cause beyond the reasonable control of a party, including but not limited to an act of God, act or omission of civil or military authorities of a state or a nation, governmental regulation rendering this Agreement illegal or unenforceable, fire, strike, flood, riot, war, delay of transportation, or inability due to the aforementioned causes to obtain necessary labor, materials or facilities. The suffering party shall inform the non-suffering party within 15 business days from the force majeure. The loss from the force majeure must be notarized by a notary public. Both parties shall determine through negotiation whether to perform the Agreement, to cancel the Agreement or to revise the Agreement to partial performance.

Article XIV. Applicable Laws

The applicable law to this Agreement is the laws of People’s Republic of China.

Article XV. Disputes

All disputes shall be solved by negotiation. If negotiation fails, either party is entitled mediation in Shanxi Mediation Commission. The Mediation is final and binding to both parties.

Article XVI. Miscellaneous

16.1. Complete Agreement – This Agreement is the complete understanding of the Share Transfer of both parties. This Agreement has incorporated all the oral agreements between the two parties concerning the Share Transfer.

16.2. Waiver – One party’s waiver of right does not relieve its obligation under this Agreement.

16.3. Amendments – If an amendment to this Agreement is needed, it is only valid upon execution of both parties.

16.4. Effectiveness – This Agreement is binding to both parties upon execution, and becomes effective when all the governmental approvals have been acquired.

16.5. Provision Validity – If any of the provisions in this Agreement is in conflict with laws, regulations or ordinances, such provision is void under the law. Other provisions remain enforceable.

16.6. Assignment – Assignment of rights or obligation is not allowed unless a written consent from the other party is obtained.

16.7. Appendix – Appendix is an integrated part of and with same legal effect as the Agreement. If the appendix is in conflict with the Agreement, the Agreement prevails.

16.8. Notice – Any notice in this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be sent via express mail, fax or email to the residence addresses or other valid addresses.

16.9. Heading – The headings in this Agreement are for reference only, and shall not affect the interpretation of the provisions.

16.10. Copies – This Agreement shall be made in eight copies in Chinese. The Transferor, the Transferee and Jinqiu shall keep one copy each. The other five copies shall be filed with relevant governmental departments. All copies have same legal effect.

 

 

[No Text Below]

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties on the day and year first above written.

Transferor: Fufeng Jinqiu Printing and Packaging Co., Ltd.

Representative: /s/ Yongming Feng

Phone Number: 0917-5471054

Date: July 11, 2011

Transferee: Asia Packaging & Printing Inc.

Representative: Michael Segal

Phone Number:

Date: July 11, 2011

 

 

 

 

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