Document:

Exhibit 10.15

 

COPYRIGHT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT

 

This COPYRIGHT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT (as
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Assignment”)
dated as of May 30, 2003 is made by Hard Rock Hotel, Inc., a Nevada corporation
(“Borrower”), together with each other Person who may become a party
hereto pursuant to Section 9 of this Assignment (each a “Grantor”
and collectively, “Grantors”), jointly and severally, in favor of Bank
of America, N.A., as the Administrative Agent (in such capacity, “Secured
Party”) under the Credit Agreement (defined below) for the ratable benefit
of each of the Lenders (defined below), with reference to the following facts:

 

RECITALS

 

A.                                   Pursuant to a Credit
Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) of even date herewith among Borrower,
the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”) and the Secured Party, the
Lenders have agreed to make loans, issue letters of credit and make other
credit accommodations available to Borrower.

 

B.                                     It is a condition
to the credit facilities under the Credit Agreement that Borrower enter into
this Agreement, and Borrower has covenanted to cause any Subsidiary (as defined
in the Credit Agreement) hereafter formed or acquired by Borrower to enter into
a joinder hereto.

 

C.                                     This
Assignment is intended to create a lien on the Collateral (as defined herein)
and not to assign ownership rights thereto.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce the Lenders to
extend the aforementioned credit facilities to Borrower, and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, Borrower, as initial Grantor hereunder, and each of the
subsequent Grantors that hereafter become party hereto, hereby jointly and
severally represent, warrant, covenant and agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Definitions.  This Assignment is the Copyright Assignment
referred to in the Credit Agreement and is also one of the Loan Documents
referred to therein.  Terms defined in
the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined in this Assignment shall have
the meanings defined for those terms in the Credit Agreement.  As used in this Assignment the term
“including” shall indicate an example and not a limitation.  As used in this Assignment, the following
terms shall have the meanings respectively set forth after each:

 

“Assignment”
has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

“Borrower”
has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

“Collateral”
means and includes all present and future right, title and interest of Grantor
in or to any and all of the following, and all rights and power of Grantor to
transfer any interest in or to any and all of the following:  (a) all of Grantors’ now-

 

 

existing, or hereafter acquired, right, title, and interest in and to
all of Grantors’ copyrights, and works protectable by copyright, whether or not
the copyright therein is registered, in the United States and throughout the
world; all applications, registrations, and recordings relating to the
foregoing in the United States Copyright Office (“USCO”) or in any
similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof, or any
political subdivision thereof, or in any other countries, including those
copyrights, and applications described in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Copyrights”);
(b) all right title and interest in all copyrights in all works based on,
incorporated in, derived from, incorporating all Copyrights (the “Future
Copyrights”); (c) all extensions, renewals, and continuations of the
Copyrights and Future Copyrights and the applications, registrations, and
recordings referred to in clause (a) above; (d) all licenses and sublicenses of
copyrights, to the extent that there exists no prohibition as a matter of law
on the transfer thereof for security as contemplated by this Assignment; (e)
all right, title, and interest to make and exploit all derivative works based
on or adapted from the Copyrights and Future Copyrights, and (f) any and
all products and proceeds of any of the foregoing, including any claims by
Grantors against third parties for past, present and future infringement of the
Copyrights or Future Copyrights or any licenses with respect thereto, and any
other tangible and intangible property received upon the sale or disposition of
any of the foregoing, provided that the term “Collateral” shall not
include: any lease, license, contract, property rights or agreement to which
Grantor is a party, or any of its rights or interests thereunder, if and only
for so long as, the grant of such security interest constitutes or results in
(i) the abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability of any right, title or
interest of Grantor therein, or (ii) in a breach or termination pursuant to the
terms of, or a default under, any such lease, license, contract, property
rights or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be
rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the
Uniform Commercial Code (or any successor provision or provisions) of any
relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law or principles of equity),
provided that, such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as
the condition causing such abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability is
remedied and, to the extent severable, shall attach immediately to any portion
of such lease, license, contract, property rights or agreement that does not
result in any of the consequences specified in subclause (i) above.

 

“Grantor”
and “Grantors” have the meanings set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

“Secured
Obligations” has the meaning assigned to the term “Obligations” in the
Credit Agreement.

 

“Secured Party”
has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

2.                                       Grant
of Security Interest.  For valuable
consideration, Grantors and each of them hereby jointly and severally grant and
assign to Secured Party a security interest, to secure the prompt and
indefeasible payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, and each of
them, in and to all of the presently existing and hereafter acquired
Collateral.  This Assignment is a
continuing and irrevocable agreement and all the rights, powers, privileges and
remedies hereunder shall apply to any and all Secured Obligations, including
those arising under successive transactions which shall either continue the
Secured Obligations, increase or decrease

 

2

 

them and notwithstanding the bankruptcy of any Grantor
or any other event or proceeding affecting any Grantor.

 

3.                                       Representations,
Warranties and Covenants.  Grantors,
and each of them, represent, warrant and agree that:

 

(a)                                  To
the best of Grantors’ knowledge after due inquiry, all of the existing
Collateral is valid and subsisting and in full force and effect, and Grantors
own or otherwise have the right to use such Collateral, and the right and power
to grant the security interests granted hereunder.  Grantors will, at their expense, perform all acts and execute all
documents reasonably necessary to maintain the existence of the Collateral as
valid, subsisting, and maintain the registrations for the registered
copyrights, including the filing of any renewal affidavits and applications
(subject to Section 3(d) hereof).  The
Collateral is not subject to any Liens, claims, mortgages, assignments or
licenses of any nature whatsoever, whether recorded or unrecorded other than
licenses listed on Schedule 3 hereto, except as permitted by the Credit
Agreement.

 

(b)                                 As
of the date hereof, none of Grantors or their Subsidiaries has any Copyrights
registered, or subject to pending applications, in the USCO, or any similar
office or agency in the United States, or any other country that are material
to the conduct of the business of Grantors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, other than those described in Schedule 1.

 

(c)                                  No
Grantor nor any Subsidiary of any Grantor shall file any application for the
registration of a copyright with the USCO or any similar office or agency in
the United States, any State therein, or any other country, unless such Grantor
or Subsidiary has informed Secured Party of such action in advance or informs
Secured Party promptly thereafter.  Upon
request of Secured Party, Grantors shall execute and deliver to Secured Party
any and all agreements, instruments, documents, and such other papers as may be
requested by Secured Party to evidence the grant and assignment of a security
interest to Secured Party of such copyright. 
Each Grantor authorizes Secured Party to modify this Assignment by
amending Schedule 1 to include any new copyright application or registration
obtained hereafter.

 

(d)                                 No
Grantor nor any Subsidiary of any Grantor has abandoned any of the Copyrights,
and no Grantor nor any Subsidiary of any Grantor will do any act, or omit to do
any act, whereby the Copyrights or Future Copyrights may become abandoned,
canceled, invalidated, expired, unenforceable, avoided, or avoidable, where
such abandonment, cancellation, invalidation, expiration, unenforceability,
avoidance or avoidability may constitute a Material Adverse Effect.  Each Grantor shall notify Secured Party
promptly if it knows, or has reason to know, of any reason why any application,
registration, or recording for a Copyright or Future Copyright that is material
to its business may become abandoned, canceled, invalidated, or unenforceable.

 

(e)                                  Grantors
will render any assistance, as Secured Party may reasonably determine is
necessary, to Secured Party in any proceeding before the USCO, any federal or
state court, or any similar office or agency in the United States, or any State
therein, or

 

3

 

any other
country, to protect Secured Party’s security interest in the Copyrights and
Future Copyrights.

 

(f)                                    Grantors
assume all responsibility and liability arising from their use of the
Copyrights and Future Copyrights, and each Grantor hereby indemnifies and holds
the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders harmless from and against any
claim, suit, loss, damage, or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees)
arising out of any alleged defect in any product manufactured, promoted, or
sold by any Grantor (or any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof) in connection with
any Copyright or Future Copyright or out of the manufacture, promotion,
labeling, sale, or advertisement of any such product by any Grantor or any
Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof.

 

(g)                                 Grantors
shall promptly notify Secured Party in writing of any materially adverse
determination in any proceeding in the USCO or any other foreign or domestic
Governmental Agency, court or body, regarding any Grantor’s ownership of any of
the Copyrights or Future Copyrights.  In
the event of any material infringement of any of the Copyrights or Future
Copyrights by a third party, Grantors shall promptly notify Secured Party of
such infringement and shall diligently pursue commercially reasonable actions
to stop such infringement and recover damages therefor.

 

(h)                                 Each
Grantor shall, at its sole expense, do, make, execute and deliver all such
additional and further acts, things, assurances, and instruments, in each case
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Secured Party, relating to the
creation, validity, or perfection of the security interests provided for in
this Assignment under 17 U.S.C. Section 101 et  seq.,
the Uniform Commercial Code or other Law of the United States, the State of
Nevada, or of any countries or other States as Secured Party may from time to
time reasonably request, and shall take all such other action as the Secured
Party may reasonably require to more completely vest in and assure to Secured
Party its security interest in any of the Collateral, and each Grantor hereby
irrevocably authorizes Secured Party or its designee, at such Grantor’s
expense, to execute such documents, and file such financing statements with
respect thereto with or without such Grantor’s signature, as Secured Party may
reasonably deem appropriate.  In the
event that any recording or refiling (or the filing of any statement of
continuation or assignment of any financing statement) or any other action, is
required at any time to protect and preserve such security interest, Grantors
shall, at their sole cost and expense, cause the same to be done or taken at
such time and in such manner as may be necessary and as may be reasonably
requested by Secured Party.  Each
Grantor further authorizes Secured Party to have this or any other similar
security agreement recorded or filed with the USCO or other appropriate
federal, state or government office.

 

(i)                                     Grantor
hereby irrevocably nominates and appoints Secured Party as its attorney-in-fact
for the following purposes:  (i) to
do all acts and things which Secured Party may deem necessary or advisable to
perfect and continue perfected the security interests created by this
Assignment and, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default, to preserve, process, develop, maintain and protect the Collateral;
(ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default, to do any and every act which Grantor is obligated to do under this Assignment,
at the expense of

 

4

 

Grantor and without any obligation to do so;
(iii) to prepare, sign, file and/or record, for Grantor, in the name of
Grantor, any financing statement, application for registration, or like paper,
and to take any other action deemed by Secured Party necessary or desirable in
order to perfect or maintain perfected the security interests granted hereby;
and (iv) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default, to execute any and all papers and instruments and do all other things
necessary or desirable to preserve and protect the Collateral and to protect
Secured Party’s security interests therein; provided, however,
that Secured Party shall be under no obligation whatsoever to take any of the
foregoing actions, and, absent bad faith or actual malice, Secured Party shall
have no liability or responsibility for any act taken or omission with respect
thereto.

 

(j)                                     Secured
Party may, in its sole discretion, pay any amount, or do any act which Grantors
fail to pay or do as required hereunder to preserve, defend, protect, maintain,
record, amend, or enforce the Secured Obligations, the Collateral, or the
security interest granted hereunder, including all filing or recording fees,
court costs, collection charges, and reasonable attorneys’ fees.  Grantors will be liable to Secured Party for
any such payment, which payment shall be deemed an advance by the Lenders to
Grantors, shall be payable on demand, together with interest at the rate(s) set
forth in the Credit Agreement, and shall be part of the Secured Obligations.

 

4.                                       Events
of Default.  Any “Event of Default”
as defined in the Credit Agreement shall constitute an Event of Default
hereunder.

 

5.                                       Rights
and Remedies.  Upon the occurrence
and during the continuance of any such Event of Default, in addition to all
other rights and remedies of Secured Party, whether provided under Law, the
Credit Agreement or otherwise, Secured Party may enforce its security interest
hereunder which may be exercised without notice to, or consent by, any Grantor,
except as such notice or consent is expressly provided for
hereunder.  Upon such enforcement:

 

(a)                                  Secured
Party may use any of the Copyrights or Future Copyrights for the sale of
Inventory, completion of work in process, or rendering of services (similar to
those theretofore provided by the Grantors) in connection with enforcing any
security interest granted to Secured Party by Grantors or any Subsidiary of any
Grantor.

 

(b)                                 To
the extent lawful, Secured Party may grant such license or licenses relating to
the Collateral for such term or terms, on such conditions and in such manner,
as Secured Party shall, in its sole discretion, deem appropriate; provided,
that, any license of a right in the Collateral may not exceed any
territorial or other limitations binding on Grantor.  Such license or licenses may be general, special, or otherwise,
and, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, may be granted on an
exclusive or nonexclusive basis throughout all or part of the
United States of America, its territories and possessions, and all foreign
countries.

 

(c)                                  Secured
Party may assign, sell, or otherwise dispose of the Collateral, or any part
thereof, either with or without special conditions or stipulations, except
that Secured Party agrees to provide Grantors with ten (10) days’ prior
written notice of any proposed disposition of the Collateral.  The requirement of sending notice
conclusively

 

5

 

shall be met if such notice is mailed, first class
mail, postage prepaid, to Borrower, on behalf of all Grantors.  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints
Borrower as its agent for the purpose of receiving notice of sale hereunder,
and agrees that such Grantor conclusively shall be deemed to have received
notice of sale when notice of sale has been given to Borrower.  Each Grantor expressly waives any right to
receive notice of any public or private sale of any Collateral or other
security for the Secured Obligations except as expressly provided in
this Section 5(c).  Secured Party shall
have the power to buy the Collateral, or any part thereof, and Secured Party
shall also have the power to execute assurances and perform all other acts
which Secured Party may, in Secured Party’s sole discretion, deem appropriate
or proper to complete such assignment, sale, or disposition.  In any such event, Grantors shall be liable
for any deficiency.

 

(d)                                 In
addition to the foregoing, in order to implement the assignment, sale or other
disposition of any of the Collateral pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof,
Secured Party may, at any time, execute and deliver, on behalf of Grantors, and
each of them, pursuant to the authority granted in powers of attorney, one or
more instruments of assignment of the Copyrights or Future Copyrights (or any
application, registration, or recording relating thereto), in form suitable for
filing, recording, or registration. 
Grantors agree to pay Secured Party, on demand, all costs incurred in
any such transfer of the Collateral, including any taxes, fees, and reasonable
attorneys’ fees.

 

(e)                                  Secured
Party may first apply the proceeds actually received from any such use,
license, assignment, sale, or other disposition of Collateral first to the
reasonable costs and expenses thereof, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and
all legal, travel, and other expenses which may be incurred by Secured
Party.  Thereafter, Secured Party may
apply any remaining proceeds to such of the Secured Obligations as provided in
the Credit Agreement.  Grantors shall
remain liable to Secured Party for any expenses or Secured Obligations
remaining unpaid after the application of such proceeds, and Grantors will pay
Secured Party, on demand, any such unpaid amount, together with interest at the
rate(s) set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

(f)                                    Upon
request of Secured Party in connection with the exercise of its rights with
respect to the Collateral and subject to the confidentiality provisions of
Section 11.14 of the Credit Agreement, Grantors shall supply to Secured Party,
or Secured Party’s designee, Grantors’ knowledge and expertise relating to the
manufacture and sale of any products and services utilizing the Copyrights or
Future Copyrights and Grantors’ customer lists and other records relating to
the Copyrights Future Copyrights and the distribution hereof.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be construed as
requiring Secured Party to take any such action at any time.  All of Secured Party’s rights and remedies,
whether provided under Law, the Credit Agreement, this Assignment, or otherwise
shall be cumulative, and none is exclusive of any right or remedy otherwise
provided herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, at law or in equity.  Such rights and remedies may be enforced
alternatively, successively, or concurrently.

 

6

 

6.                                       Waivers.

 

(a)                                  Each
Grantor hereby waives any and all rights that it may have to a judicial
hearing, if any, in advance of the enforcement of any of Secured Party’s rights
hereunder, including its rights following any Event of Default and during the
continuance thereof to take immediate possession of the Collateral and exercise
its rights with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                 Secured
Party shall not be required to marshal any present or future security for
(including this Assignment and the Collateral subject to a security interest
hereunder), or guaranties of, the Secured Obligations or any of them, or to
resort to such security or guaranties in any particular order.  Each Grantor hereby agrees that it will not
invoke any Law relating to the marshaling of collateral which might cause delay
in or impede the enforcement of Secured Party’s rights under this Assignment or
any other instrument evidencing any of the Secured Obligations or by which any
of such Secured Obligations is secured or guaranteed, and each Grantor hereby
irrevocably waives the benefits of all such Laws.

 

(c)                                  Except
for notices specifically provided for herein, each Grantor hereby expressly
waives demand, notice, protest, notice of acceptance of this Assignment, notice
of loans made, credit extended, collateral received or delivered or other
action taken in reliance hereon and all other demands and notices of any
description.  With respect both to
Secured Obligations and any collateral therefor, each Grantor assents to any
extension or postponement of the time of payment or any other indulgence, to
any substitution, of any Person primarily or secondarily liable, to the
acceptance of partial payment thereon and the settlement, compromising or
adjusting of any thereof, all in such manner and at such time or times as
Secured Party may deem advisable. 
Secured Party shall have no duty as to the protection of the Collateral
or any income thereon, nor as to the preservation of rights against prior
parties, nor as to the preservation of any rights pertaining thereto except as
otherwise required by Law.  Secured
Party may exercise its rights with respect to the Collateral without resorting
or regard to other collateral or sources of reimbursement for liability.  Secured Party shall not be deemed to have
waived any of its rights upon or under the Credit Agreement or the Collateral
unless such waiver be in writing and signed by the Secured Party.  The exercise of the rights under this
Assignment are not intended by the parties to constitute an “action” within the
meaning of Nevada Revised Statutes § 40.430. 
No delay or omission on the part of the Secured Party in exercising any
right shall operate as a waiver of any right on any future occasion.  All rights and remedies of the Secured Party
under the Credit Agreement or on the Collateral, whether evidenced hereby or by
any other instrument or papers, shall be cumulative and may be exercised
singularly or concurrently.

 

7.                                       Release
of Collateral.  This Assignment
shall be terminated and the security interests in the Collateral provided for
hereunder shall be released when all Secured Obligations have been paid in full
in cash or otherwise performed in full and when no portion of the Commitment
remains outstanding and, in connection with any sale or other disposition of
Collateral permitted by the terms of the Credit Agreement, Secured Party’s
security interest in such Collateral shall be released in accordance with the
terms hereof.  Upon the occurrence of
any such event, Secured Party shall release the Collateral to Grantor, or to
the Person or Persons legally entitled thereto, and shall endorse, execute,
deliver, record and file all instruments and

 

7

 

documents, and do all other acts and things,
reasonably required for the release of the Collateral to Grantor, or to the
Person or Persons legally entitled thereto, and to evidence or document the
release of Secured Party’s interests in such Collateral arising under this
Assignment, all as reasonably requested by, and at the sole expense of,
Grantor.

 

8.                                       Continuing
Effect.  This Assignment shall
remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any
petition be filed by or against any Grantor for liquidation or reorganization,
should any Grantor become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any
significant part of any Grantor’s assets.

 

9.                                       Joinder.  Any other Person may become a Grantor
hereunder and become bound by the terms and conditions of this Assignment by
executing and delivering to Administrative Agent an Instrument of Joinder
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, accompanied by
such documentation as Administrative Agent may require to establish the due
organization, valid existence and good standing of such Person, its
qualification to engage in business in each material jurisdiction in which it
is required to be so qualified, its authority to execute, deliver and perform
this Assignment, and the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible
Official thereof authorized to act on its behalf.

 

10.                                 Release
of Grantors.  This Assignment and all
Secured Obligations of Grantors hereunder shall be released when all Secured
Obligations have been paid in full in cash or otherwise performed in full and
when no portion of the Commitments remain outstanding.  Upon such release of Grantors’ Secured Obligations
hereunder, Secured Party shall return any Collateral to Grantors, or to the
Person or Persons legally entitled thereto, and shall endorse, execute,
deliver, record and file all instruments and documents, and do all other acts
and things, reasonably required for the return of the Collateral to Grantors,
or to the Person or Persons legally entitled thereto, and to evidence or
document the release of Secured Party’s interests arising under this
Assignment, all as reasonably requested by, and at the reasonable expense of,
Grantors.

 

11.                                 Additional
Powers and Authorization.  Secured
Party shall be entitled to the benefits accruing to it as Administrative Agent
under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to
the contrary, Secured Party may employ agents, trustees, or attorneys-in-fact
and may vest any of them with any Property (including any Collateral assigned
hereunder), title, right or power deemed necessary for the purposes of such
appointment.

 

12.                                 WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH GRANTOR AND
SECURED PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY
CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATED TO THIS ASSIGNMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR
OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST ANY OTHER
PARTY OR PARTIES, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING AND WHETHER WITH
RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, OR OTHERWISE.  EACH

 

8

 

GRANTOR AND SECURED PARTY AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM,
DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE TRIED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A
JURY.  WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING,
THE PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY ARE
WAIVED BY OPERATION OF THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER
PROCEEDING WHICH SEEKS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR
ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS ASSIGNMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THEREOF. 
THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS,
SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS ASSIGNMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.  ANY PARTY HERETO
MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS
WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF
THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

13.                                 GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND GOVERNED BY THE FEDERAL LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND, TO THE
EXTENT NOT SUPERCEDED BY FEDERAL LAW, THE LOCAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEVADA,
WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.

 

14.                                 Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                                  Grantors
and Secured Party may from time to time agree in writing to the release of
certain of the Collateral from the security interest created hereby.

 

(b)                                 Any
notice, request, demand or other communication required or permitted under this
Assignment shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be properly given if done
in accordance with Section 11.6 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Except
as otherwise set forth in the Credit Agreement, the provisions of this Assignment
may not be modified, amended, restated or supplemented, whether or not the
modification, amendment, restatement or supplement is supported by new
consideration, except by a written instrument duly executed and
delivered by Secured Party and Grantors.

 

(d)                                 Except
as otherwise set forth in the Credit Agreement or this Assignment, any waiver
of the terms and conditions of this Assignment, or any Event of Default and its
consequences hereunder or thereunder, and any consent or approval required or
permitted by this Assignment to be given, may be made or given with, but only
with, the written consent of Secured Party on such terms and conditions as
specified in the written instrument granting such waiver, consent or approval.

 

(e)                                  Any
failure or delay by Secured Party to require strict performance by Grantors of
any of the provisions, warranties, terms, and conditions contained herein, or
in any other agreement, document, or instrument, shall not affect Secured
Party’s right to

 

9

 

demand strict
compliance and performance therewith, and any waiver of any default shall not
waive or affect any other default, whether prior or subsequent thereto, and
whether of the same or of a different type. 
None of the warranties, conditions, provisions, and terms contained
herein, or in any other agreement, document, or instrument, shall be deemed to
have been waived by any act or knowledge of Secured Party, its agents,
officers, or employees, but only by an instrument in writing, signed by an
officer of Secured Party and directed to Grantors, specifying such waiver.

 

(f)                                    If
any term or provision of this Assignment conflicts with any term or provision
of the Credit Agreement, the term or provision of the Credit Agreement shall
control.

 

(g)                                 If
any provision hereof shall be deemed to be invalid by any court, such
invalidity shall not affect the remainder of this Assignment.

 

(h)                                 This
Assignment supersedes all prior oral and written assignments and agreements
between the parties hereto on the subject matter hereof.

 

(i)                                     This
Assignment shall be binding upon, and for the benefit of, the parties hereto
and their respective legal representatives, successors, and assigns.

 

(j)                                     This
Assignment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and
the same agreement.

 

10

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has executed
this Assignment by its duly authorized officer as of the date first written
above.

 

	
   

  	
  HARD ROCK
  HOTEL, INC.,

  
	
   

  	
  a Nevada
  corporation

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Title:

  	
   

  	
   

  
					

 

11

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

Registered and Applied for Copyrights

 

	
  Copyright

  	
   

  	
  Class

  	
   

  	
  Registration

  Number

  	
   

  	
  Registration

  Date

  	
   

  
	
  Hard Rock Hotel Guitar

  	
   

  	
  VA

  	
   

  	
  VA 885961

  	
   

  	
  May 14, 1998

  	
   

  

 

12

 

SCHEDULE 2

 

Licenses and Sublicenses Held

 

	
  Licensed

  Copyright

  	
   

  	
  Licensor

  	
   

  	
  Class

  	
   

  	
  Registration

  Number

  	
   

  	
  Registration

  Date

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  

 

13

 

SCHEDULE 3

 

Licenses of the Collateral

 

	
  Licensed

  Copyright

  	
   

  	
  Licensee

  	
   

  	
  Class

  	
   

  	
  Registration

  Number

  	
   

  	
  Registration
  

  Date

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  

 

14

 

EXHIBIT A

TO

COPYRIGHT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT

 

INSTRUMENT OF JOINDER

 

THIS INSTRUMENT OF JOINDER (“Joinder”) is executed as
of                 ,
20       , by
                                                           ,
a
                                                       
(“Joining Party”), and delivered to Bank of America, N.A., as Secured Party
under that certain Copyright Security Interest Assignment (the “Assignment”)
dated as of May 30, 2003 made by Hard Rock Hotel, Inc. (“Initial Grantor”), and
the other Grantors party thereto from time to time, in favor of Secured Party
for the ratable benefit of the Lenders referred to therein (the
“Assignment”).  Terms used but not
defined in this Joinder shall have the meanings defined for those terms in the
Assignment.

 

RECITALS

 

(A)                              The Assignment was made
by the Grantors in favor of the Secured Party for the benefit of the Lenders
that are parties to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of May 30, 2003 by
and among initial Grantor, the Lenders and Secured Party as Administrative
Agent for the Lenders.

 

(B)                                Joining Party has
become a Subsidiary of Initial Grantor, and as such is required pursuant to the
Credit Agreement to become a Grantor.

 

(C)                                Joining Party expects
to realize direct and indirect benefits as a result of the availability of the
credit facilities under the Credit Agreement to Initial Grantor.

 

NOW THEREFORE, Joining Party agrees as follows:

 

AGREEMENT

 

(1)                                  By this Joinder,
Joining Party becomes a “Grantor” under and pursuant to Section 9 of the
Assignment.  Joining Party agrees that,
upon its execution hereof, it will become a Grantor under the Assignment with
respect to all Secured Obligations heretofore or hereafter incurred, and will
be bound by all terms, conditions, and duties applicable to a Grantor under the
Assignment.

 

15

 

(2)                                  The effective date of
this Joinder is
                    ,
20        .

 

	
   

  	
  “Joining
  Party”

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  ,

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  a

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Title:

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ACKNOWLEDGED:

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
  “Secured Party”

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
  BANK OF
  AMERICA , N.A.,

  	
   

  
	
  as
  Administrative Agent

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
  By:

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  Title:

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
								

 

16Exhibit 10.16

HARD ROCK HOTEL, INC.

PERFORMANCE AWARDS PLAN

1.             Purpose. 
The purpose of this Plan is to benefit the Corporation by encouraging
high levels of performance by individuals who contribute to the success of the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries and to enable the Corporation and its
Subsidiaries to attract, motivate, retain and reward talented and experienced
individuals.  This purpose is to be
accomplished by providing eligible employees with an opportunity to obtain
additional incentives to join or remain with the Corporation and its
Subsidiaries.

2.             Definitions; Rules of Construction.

(a)           Defined Terms.  The terms defined in this Section shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Plan:

“Award” means an award granted pursuant to
Section 4.

“Award Agreement” means an agreement
described in Section 6 entered into between the Corporation and a Participant,
setting forth the terms and conditions of an Award granted to a Participant.

“Beneficiary” means a person or persons
(including a trust or trusts) validly designated by a Participant or, in the
absence of a valid designation, entitled by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, to receive the benefits specified in the Award Agreement and
under this Plan in the event of a Participant’s death.

“Board of Directors” or “Board” means the board of directors of the
Corporation.

“Cash-Based Awards” means Awards that, if
paid, must be paid in cash and that are neither denominated in nor have a value
derived from the value of, nor an exercise or conversion privilege at a price
related to, shares of Stock, as described in Section 4(a)(1).

“Cash Flow” means cash and cash equivalents
derived from either (i) net cash flow from operations or (ii) net cash flow
from operations, financings and investing activities, as determined by the
Committee at the time an Award is granted.

“Change in Control” means change in control
as defined in Section 7(c).

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

“Committee” means the Committee described
in Section 8.

“Corporation” means Hard Rock Hotel, Inc.,
a Nevada corporation.

“Employee” means any officer (whether or
not also a director), any key salaried employee, or any other employee of the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries who is deemed eligible by the Committee
to receive an Award.

 

 

“EBITDA” means the Corporation’s
consolidated income from operations plus depreciation and amortization.

“EPS” means earnings per common share on a
fully diluted basis determined by dividing (a) net earnings, less dividends on
preferred stock of the Corporation by (b) the weighted average number of common
shares and common share equivalents outstanding.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Executive Officer” means executive officer
as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act, provided that, if the Board has
designated the executive officers of the Corporation for purposes of reporting
under the Exchange Act, the designation shall be conclusive for purposes of
this Plan.

“Fair Market Value” with respect to a
security that is not publicly traded shall be determined by the Committee,
using criteria as it shall determine, in its reasonable direction, to be
appropriate for the valuation.  For a
publicly traded security, Fair Market Value means the closing price of the
security as reported on the composite tape of New York Stock Exchange issues
(or, if the security is not so listed or if the principal market on which it is
traded is not the New York Stock Exchange, such other reporting system as shall
be selected by the Committee) on the relevant date, or, if no sale of the
security is reported for that date, the next preceding day for which there is a
reported sale.

“Gaming Authorities” means all gaming
licensing and regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the ownership or
gaming operations of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, which
authorities include the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Nevada State Gaming
Control Board and the Clark County Liquor and Gaming Licensing Board.

“Insider” means any person who is subject
to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

“Participant” means an Employee who is
granted an Award pursuant to this Plan that remains outstanding.

“Performance-Based Awards” is defined in
Section 4(b).

“Performance Goal” means EPS or ROE or
EBITDA or Cash Flow or Total Stockholder Return, and “Performance Goals” means
any combination thereof.

“Publicly Held Corporation” means a
corporation having a class of common equity securities required to be
registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act or a corporation that is a
member of an affiliated group (as defined in Code Section 1504 without regard
to Section 1504(b)) that includes a corporation having a class of common equity
securities required to be registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

“ROE” means consolidated net income of the
Corporation (less preferred dividends, if any), divided by the average
consolidated common stockholders’ equity.

“Rule l6b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under Section
16 of the Exchange Act,

 

2

 

“Share-Based Awards” means Awards that are
payable or denominated in or have a value derived from the value of shares of
Stock, as described in Section 4(a)(2).

“Stock” means shares of common stock of the
Corporation.

“Subsidiary” means, as to any person,
corporation, association, partnership, joint venture or other business entity
of which 50% or more of the voting stock or other equity interests (in the case
of entities other than corporations), is owned or controlled (directly or
indirectly) by that entity, or by one or more of the Subsidiaries of that
entity, or by a combination thereof

“Total Stockholder Return” means with
respect to the Corporation or other entities (if measured on a relative basis),
the (i) change in the market price of its common stock (as quoted in the
principal market on which it is traded as of the beginning and ending of the
period) plus dividends and other distributions paid, divided by (ii) the
beginning quoted market price, all of which is adjusted for any changes in equity
structure, including but not limited to stock splits and stock dividends.

(a)           Financial
and Accounting Terms.  Except
as otherwise expressly provided or the context otherwise requires, financial
and accounting terms, including terms defined herein as Performance Goals, are
used as defined for purposes of, and shall be determined in accordance with,
generally accepted accounting principles and as derived from the audited
consolidated financial statements of the Corporation, prepared in the ordinary
course of business.

(b)           Rules
of Construction.  For
purposes of this Plan and the Award Agreements, unless otherwise expressly
provided or the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Plan
include the plural and the singular, and pronouns of either gender or neuter
shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms.

3.             Required Approvals of Gaming Authorities;
Applicability of Certain Provisions When Corporation is a Publicly Held
Corporation.

(a)           Notwithstanding
anything in this Plan or in any Award Agreement to the contrary, no Award may
be granted or amended under this Plan nor may any benefits be paid in respect
of any Award unless and until in each case any and all required approvals or
consents of Gaming Authorities have been obtained for the grant, amendment, or
payment of benefits, as the case may be, in respect of such Award.

(b)           The
provisions of this Plan or of any Award Agreement requiring compliance with, or
imposing limitations under, Code Section 162(m) (including rules, regulations
and interpretations thereunder) shall, unless the Committee or the Board
provides otherwise, only apply if and when the Corporation is a Publicly Held
Corporation.

4.             Awards.

(a)           Type of Awards.  Under this Plan the Committee may grant any of the following
types of Awards, either singly, in tandem or in combination with other Awards,
to any Employee who is designated by the Committee to receive an Award.

 

3

 

(1)           Cash-Based Awards.  Awards that provide Participants with the
opportunity to earn a cash payment based upon the level of performance of the
Corporation relative to one or more Performance Goals established by the
Committee for an award cycle of more than one but not more than five
years.  For each award cycle, the
Committee shall determine the size of each Award, the Performance Goals, the
performance targets as to each of the Performance Goals, the level or levels of
achievement necessary for award payments and the weighting of the Performance
Goals, if more than one Performance Goal is applicable.  If and when the Corporation is a Publicly
Held Corporation, Awards to Executive Officers that are either granted or
become vested or payable based on attainment of one or more Performance Goals
shall only be granted as Performance-Based Awards under Section 4(b).

(2)           Share-Based Awards.  The Committee may from time to time grant
Awards under this Plan that, in specified events including, without limitation,
a sale by the Corporation of Stock or other equity securities convertible into
Stock in a public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, provide benefits that have a
value derived from the value of, or an exercise or conversion privilege at a
price related to, or that are otherwise payable in shares of Stock.  The Awards shall be in a form determined by
the Committee, provided that the Awards shall not be inconsistent with the
other express terms of this Plan.  Awards
under this Section 4(a)(2) to Executive Officers that are either granted or
become vested or payable based on attainment of one or more of the Performance
Goals shall only be granted as Performance-Based Awards under Section 4(b).

(b)           Performance-Based Awards.  Awards described in Section 4(a) may be
granted as awards that, ii and when the Corporation is a Publicly Held
Corporation, satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation”
within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) (“Performance-Based Awards”), the
grant, vesting, exercisability or payment of which depends on the degree of
achievement of the Performance Goals relative to preestablished targeted levels
for the Corporation on a consolidated basis. 
An Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements of this Section
4(b) shall be designated as a Performance-Based Award at the time of grant.

(1)           Eligible Class.  The eligible class of persons for Awards under this Section 4(b)
shall be all Employees.

(2)           Performance Goals.  The performance goals for any Awards under
this Section 4(b) shall be, on an absolute or relative basis, one or more of
the Performance Goals.  The specific
performance target(s) with respect to Performance Goal(s) must be established
by the Committee in advance of the deadlines applicable under Code Section
162(m) and while the performance relating to the Performance Goal(s) remains
substantially uncertain.

(3)           Committee Certification.  Before any benefits under a
Performance-Based Award under this Section 4(b) are paid, the Committee must
certify in writing (by resolution or otherwise) that the applicable Performance
Goal(s) and any other material terms of the Performance-Based Award were
satisfied; provided, however, that benefits under a Performance-Based Award may
be paid without regard to the satisfaction of the applicable Performance Goal in
the event of a Change in Control as provided in Section 7(b).

 

4

 

(4)           Terms and Conditions of Awards; Committee Discretion
to Reduce Performance Awards. 
The Committee shall have discretion to determine the conditions,
restrictions or other limitations, in accordance with the terms of this Plan
and Code Section 162(m), on the payment of individual Performance-Based Awards
under this Section 4(b).  To the extent
set forth in an Award Agreement, the Committee may reserve the right to reduce
the amount payable in accordance with any standards or on any other basis
(including the Committee’s discretion), as the Committee may impose.

(5)           Adjustments for Material Changes.  In the event of (i) a change in corporate
capitalization, a corporate transaction or a complete or partial corporate
liquidation, or (ii) any extraordinary gain or loss or other event that is
treated for accounting purposes as an extraordinary item under generally
accepted accounting principles, or (iii) any material change in accounting policies
or practices affecting the Corporation and/or the Performance Goals or targets,
then, to the extent any of the foregoing events (or a material effect thereof)
was not anticipated at the time the targets were set, the Committee may make
adjustments to the Performance Goals and/or targets, applied as of the date of
the event, and based solely on objective criteria, so as to neutralize, in the
Committee’s judgment, the effect of the event on the applicable
Performance-Based Award.

(6)           Interpretation.  Except as specifically provided in this Section 4(b), the
provisions of this Section 4(b) shall be interpreted and administered by the
Committee in a manner consistent with the requirements for exemption of
Performance-Based Awards granted to Executive Officers as “performance-based
compensation” under Code Section 162(m) and regulations and other
interpretations issued by the Internal Revenue Service thereunder.

(c)           Maximum Term of Awards.  No Award that contemplates exercise or
conversion may be exercised or converted to any extent, and no other Award that
defers vesting, shall remain outstanding and unexercised, unconverted or
unvested more than ten years after the date the Award was initially granted.

5.             Stock Available Under Plan.

(a)           Aggregate Share Limit.  The maximum amount of Stock that may be
issued pursuant to all Share-Based Awards is                            shares and to any individual
Share-Based Award is                                             , subject to
adjustment as provided in this Section 5 or Section 7.

(b)           Reissue of Shares.  Any unexercised, unconverted or
undistributed portion of any expired, cancelled, terminated or forfeited Award,
or any alternative form of consideration under an Award that is not paid in
connection with the settlement of an Award or any portion of an Award, shall
again be available for Award under Section 5(a), whether or not the Participant
has received benefits of ownership during the period in which the Participant’s
ownership was restricted or otherwise not vested.  Stock that is issued pursuant to Awards and subsequently
reacquired by the Corporation pursuant to the terms and conditions of the
Awards shall be available for reissuance under the Plan.

 

5

 

(c)           Interpretive Issues.  Additional rules for determining the number
of shares of Stock authorized under this Plan may be adopted by the Committee,
as it deems necessary or appropriate.

(d)           Treasury Shares; No Fractional Shares.  The Stock which may be issued pursuant to an
Award under this Plan may be treasury or authorized but unissued Stock or Stock
acquired, subsequently or in anticipation of a transaction under this Plan, in
the open market or in privately negotiated transactions to satisfy the requirements
of this Plan.  No fractional shares
shall be issued but fractional interests may be accumulated.

(e)           Withholding.  Any withholding obligation under applicable tax laws shall be
paid in cash or, subject to the Committee’s express authorization and the restrictions,
conditions and procedures as the Committee may impose, any one or combination
of (i) cash, (ii) the delivery of Stock, (iii) a reduction in the amount of
Stock or other amounts otherwise issuable or payable pursuant to such Award, or
(iv) the delivery of a promissory note, or other obligation for the future
payment in money, the terms and conditions of which shall be determined
(subject to Section 10(d)) by the Committee. 
In the case of a payment by the means described in clause (ii) or (iii)
above, the Stock to he so delivered or offset shall be determined by reference
to the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date as of which the payment or
offset is made.

6.             Award Agreements.

(a)           Each
Award under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in a form
approved by the Committee setting forth the following:

(1)           the
amount, term and vesting schedule of the Award;

(2)           provisions
describing the treatment of an Award in the event of the retirement,
disability, death or other termination of a Participant’s employment with or
services to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including any provisions
relating to the vesting, exercisability, forfeiture or cancellation of the
Award in these circumstances, subject, in the case of Performance-Based Awards,
to the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section
162(m);

(3)           terms
consistent with the terms of this Plan as are necessary and appropriate to
effect the Award to the Participant, including but not limited to the vesting
provisions, any requirements for continued employment, any other restrictions
or conditions (including performance requirements) of the Award, and the method
by which (consistent with Section 7) the restrictions or conditions lapse, and
the effect on the Award of a Change in Control; and

(4)           in
the case of Performanced-Based Awards, the applicable Performance Goals.

The
Award Agreement shall also set forth (or incorporate by reference) other
material terms and conditions applicable to the Award as determined by the
Committee consistent with the limitations of this Plan.

 

6

 

(b)           Incorporated
Provisions.  Award Agreements shall be
subject to the terms of this Plan and shall be deemed to include the following
terms, unless the Committee in the Award Agreement otherwise (consistent with
applicable legal considerations) provides:

(1)           Non-assignability:  The Award shall not be assignable nor
transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and
during the lifetime of a Participant benefits under the Award shall be payable
to only such Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative.  The designation of a Beneficiary hereunder
shall not constitute a transfer prohibited by the foregoing provisions.

(2)           Rights as Stockholder:  A Participant shall have no rights as a
holder of Stock with respect to any unissued securities covered by an Award
until the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of those
securities.

(3)           Withholding:  The Participant shall be responsible for payment of any taxes or
similar charges required by law to be withheld from an Award or an amount paid
in satisfaction of an Award and these obligations shall be paid by the
Participant on or prior to the payment of the Award.  In the case of an Award payable in cash, the withholding
obligation shall be satisfied by withholding the applicable amount and paying
the net amount in cash to the Participant. 
In the case of an Award paid in Stock, a Participant shall satisfy the
withholding obligation as provided in Section 5(e).

(c)           Other Provisions.  Award Agreements may include other terms and
conditions as the Committee shall approve, including but not limited to the
following:

(1)           Replacement and Substitution:  Any provisions permitting or requiring the
surrender of outstanding Awards or securities held by the Participant in whole
or in part in order to exercise or realize rights under or as a condition
precedent to other Awards, or in exchange for the grant of new or amended
Awards under similar or different terms.

(2)           Other Awards:  Any provisions for successive or replenished Awards.

(d)           Contract Rights, Forms and Signatures.  Any obligation of the Corporation to any
Participant with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon contractual
obligations created by this Plan and an Award Agreement.  No Award shall be enforceable until the
conditions of Section 3(a) have been satisfied with respect to the Award and
the Award Agreement or a receipt has been signed by the Participant and on
behalf of the Corporation by an Executive Officer (other than the recipient) or
his or her delegate or, in the case of an Award to an Insider, by the
Participant and the Corporation, whose signature shall be acknowledged by a member
of the Committee.  By executing the
Award Agreement or receipt, a Participant shall be deemed to have accepted and
consented to the terms of this Plan and any action taken in good faith under
this Plan by and within the discretion of the Committee, the Board of Directors
or their delegates.  Unless the Award
Agreement otherwise expressly provides, there shall be no third party
beneficiaries of the obligations of the Corporation to the Participant under
the Award Agreement.

7.             Adjustments; Change in Control; Acquisitions.

 

7

 

(a)           Adjustments.  If there shall occur any recapitalization, stock split (including
a stock split in the form of a stock dividend), reverse stock split, merger,
combination, consolidation, or other reorganization or any extraordinary
dividend or other extraordinary distribution in respect of the Stock (whether
in the form of cash, Stock or other property), or any split-up, spin-off,
extraordinary redemption, or exchange of outstanding Stock, or there shall
occur any other similar corporate transaction or event in respect of the Stock,
or a sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation as an
entirety (on a consolidated basis), then the Committee shall, in the manner and
to the extent, if any, as it deems appropriate and equitable to the
Participants and consistent with the terms of this Plan, and taking into
consideration the effect of the event on the holders of the Stock:

(1)           proportionately
adjust any or all of

(A)          the
number and type of shares of stock which thereafter may be made the subject of
Share-Based Awards (including the specific amount of Stock set forth elsewhere
in this Plan),

(B)           the
number and type of securities or cash subject to any or all outstanding Awards,

 

(C)           the
securities, cash or other property payable as benefits under any or all
outstanding Awards,

(D)          subject
to Section 4(b), the performance targets or standards appropriate to any
outstanding Performance-Based Awards, or

(E)           any
other terms as are affected by the event; or

(2)           subject
to any applicable limitations in the case of a transaction to be accounted for
as a pooling of interests under generally accepted accounting principles,
provide for

(A)          an
appropriate and proportionate cash settlement or distribution, or

(B)           the
substitution or exchange of any or all outstanding Awards, or the cash,
securities or property payable as benefits under any Awards.

The
Committee may act prior to an event described in this paragraph (a) (including
at the time of an Award by means of more specific provisions in the Award
Agreement) if deemed necessary or appropriate to permit the Participant to
realize the benefits intended to be conveyed by an Award in the case of an
event described in this paragraph (a).

(b)           Change in Control.  The Committee may, in the Award Agreement,
provide for the effect of a Change in Control on an Award.  Such provisions may include, but are not
limited to any one or more of the following with respect to any or all Awards:
(i) the specific consequences of a Change in Control on the Awards; (ii) a
reservation of the Committee’s right

 

8

 

to determine in its discretion at any time that there shall be full
acceleration or no acceleration of vesting and benefits under the Awards; (iii)
that only limited vesting or only certain or limited benefits under the Awards
shall be accelerated; (iv) that the Awards shall be accelerated for a limited
time only; or (v) that acceleration of the Awards shall be subject to
additional conditions precedent (such as a termination of employment following
a Change in Control).

In addition to any action required or authorized by the terms of an
Award, the Committee may take any other action it deems appropriate to ensure
the equitable treatment of Participants in the event of or in anticipation of a
Change in Control, including but not limited to any one or more of the
following with respect to any or all Awards: (i) the acceleration or extension
of time periods for purposes of payment of benefits under Awards; (ii) the
waiver of conditions on Awards that were imposed for the benefit of the
Corporation, (iii) provision for the cash settlement of Awards for their
equivalent cash value, as determined by the Committee, as of the date of the
Change in Control; or (iv) such other modification or adjustment to Awards as
the Committee deems appropriate to maintain and protect the rights and
interests of Participants upon or following the Change in Control.  The Committee also may accord any
Participant a right to refuse or defer any acceleration of vesting of Awards or
payment of benefits thereunder, whether pursuant to the Award Agreement or
otherwise, in such circumstances as the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion
(except as provided in the next sentence hereof) may approve.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(b) or any
provision in an Award Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the
Committee be deemed to have discretion to accelerate or not accelerate or make
other changes in or to any or all Awards, in respect of a transaction, if such
action or inaction (i) would be inconsistent with or would otherwise frustrate
the intended accounting for a proposed transaction as a pooling of interests
under generally accepted accounting principles or (ii) requires the prior
approval or consent of Gaming Authorities and such approval or consent has not
been obtained.

(c)           Change in Control Definition.  For purposes of this Plan, a Change in Control
shall include and be deemed to occur upon the following events:

(1)           The
Corporation is merged, combined, consolidated, recapitalized or otherwise
reorganized with one or more other entities that are not Subsidiaries and, as a
result of the merger, combination, consolidation, recapitalization or other
reorganization, less than 75% of the outstanding voting securities of the
surviving or resulting corporation shall immediately after the event be owned
beneficially in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Corporation (directly
or indirectly), determined as of the date of determination of holders entitled
to vote on the action (or in the absence of a vote, the day immediately prior
to the event).

(2)           Any
person (as this term is used in Sections 3(a)(9) and 1 3(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act, but excluding any person described in and satisfying the conditions of
Rule 13d-l(b)(l) thereunder), becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule
1 3d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Corporation representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the
Corporation’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote in the election of
directors of the Corporation.

 

9

 

(3)           The
stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of liquidation and dissolution
or the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s
business and/or assets as an entirety (on a consolidated basis) to an entity
that is not a Subsidiary.

(d)           Business
Acquisitions.  Awards may be granted
under this Plan on the terms and conditions as the Committee considers
appropriate, which may differ from those otherwise required by this Plan to the
extent necessary to reflect a substitution for or assumption of incentive
awards held by employees of other entities who become employees of the
Corporation or a Subsidiary as the result of a merger of the employing entity
with, or the acquisition of the property or stock of the employing entity by,
the Corporation or a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly.

8.             Administration.

(a)           Committee Authority and Structure.  This Plan and all Awards granted under this
Plan shall be administered by the [Compensation] Committee of the Board or such
other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board and constituted
so as to permit this Plan to comply with the disinterested administration
requirements of Rule I 6b-3 under the Exchange Act and the “outside director”
requirement of Code Section 162(m).  The
members of the Committee shall be designated by the Board.  A majority of the members of the Committee
(but not fewer than two) shall constitute a quorum.  The vote of a majority of a quorum or the unanimous written
consent of the Committee shall constitute action by the Committee.

(b)           Selection and Grant.  The Committee shall have the authority to
determine the Employees to whom Awards will be granted under this Plan, the
type of Awards to be made, and the nature, amount, vesting, timing, and other
terms of Awards to be made to any one or more of these individuals, subject to
the terms of this Plan.

(c)           Construction and Interpretation.  The Committee shall have the power to
interpret and administer this Plan and Award Agreements, and to adopt, amend
and rescind related rules and procedures. 
All questions of interpretation and determinations with respect to this
Plan, the number and amount of Awards granted, and the terms of any Award
Agreements, the adjustments required or permitted by Section 7, and other
determinations hereunder shall be made by the Committee and its determination
shall be final and conclusive upon all parties in interest.  In the event of any conflict between an
Award Agreement and any non-discretionary provisions of this Plan, the terms of
this Plan shall govern.

(d)           Express Authority (and Limitations on Authority) to
Change Terms of Awards. 
Without limiting the Committee’s authority under other provisions of
this Plan (including Sections 7 and 9), but subject to any express limitations
of this Plan (including under Sections 3(a), 7 and 9), the Committee shall have
the authority to accelerate the exercisability or vesting of an Award, to
extend the term or waive early termination provisions of an Award (subject to
the maximum ten-year term under Section 4(b)), to waive the Corporations rights
with respect to an Award or restrictive conditions of an Award (including
forfeiture conditions).  with or without
adjusting any holding period or other terms of the Award, in any case in such
circumstances as the Committee deems appropriate.

 

10

 

(e)           Rule 16b-3 Conditions; Bifurcation of Plan.  If and when Section 16 of the Exchange Act
is applicable to the Corporation and its Insiders, it is the intent of the
Corporation that this Plan and Share-Based Awards hereunder satisfy and be
interpreted in a manner, that, in the case of Participants who are or may be
Insiders, satisfies any applicable requirements of Rule 1 6b-3, so that these
persons will be entitled to the benefits of Rule 16b-3 or other exemptive rules
under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and will not be subjected to avoidable
liability thereunder as to Awards intended to, be entitled to the benefits of
Rule l6b-3.  If any provision of this
Plan or of any Award would otherwise frustrate or conflict with the intent
expressed in this Section 8(e), that provision to the extent possible shall be
interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.  To the extent of any remaining
irreconcilable conflict with this intent, the provision shall be deemed
disregarded as to Awards intended as Rule 16b-3 exempt Awards.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Plan, the provisions of this Plan may at any time be bifurcated by the
Board or the Committee in any manner so that certain provisions of this Plan or
any Award Agreement intended (or required in order) to satisfy the applicable
requirements of Rule 16b-3 are only applicable to insiders and to those Awards
to Insiders intended to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3.

(f)            Delegation and Reliance.  The Committee may delegate to the officers
or employees of the Corporation the authority to execute and deliver those
instruments and documents, to do all acts and things, and to take all other
steps deemed necessary, advisable or convenient for the effective
administration of this Plan in accordance with its terms and purpose, except
that the Committee may not delegate any discretionary authority to grant or
amend an Award or with respect to substantive decisions or functions regarding
this Plan or Awards as these relate to the material terms of Performance-Based
Awards to Executive Officers or to the timing, eligibility, pricing, amount or
other material terms of Awards to Insiders. 
In making any determination or in taking or not taking any action under
this Plan, the Board and the Committee may obtain and may rely upon the advice
of experts, including professional advisors to the Corporation.  No director, officer, employee or agent of
the Corporation shall be liable for any such action or determination taken or
made or omitted in good faith.

(g)           Exculpation and Indemnity.  Neither the Corporation nor any member of
the Board of Directors or of the Committee, nor any other person participating
in any determination of any question under this Plan, or in the interpretation,
administration or application of this Plan, shall have any liability to any
party for any action taken or not taken in good faith under this Plan or for
the failure of an Award (or action in respect of an Award) to satisfy Code
requirements or to realize other intended tax consequences, to qualify for
exemption or relief under Rule 16b-3 or to comply with any other law,
compliance with which is not required on the part of the Corporation.

9.             Amendment and Termination of this Plan.  The Board of Directors may at any time
amend, suspend or discontinue this Plan, subject to (i) any prior approvals or
consents required from the Gaming Authorities and (ii) any stockholder approval
that may be required under applicable law. 
The Committee may at any time alter or amend any or all Award Agreements
under this Plan in any manner that would be authorized for a new Award under
this Plan, including but not limited to any matter set forth in Section 8(d) (subject
to any applicable limitations thereunder). 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such action by the Board or the
Committee shall, in any manner adverse to a Participant other than as expressly
permitted by the

 

11

 

terms of an Award Agreement, affect any Award then outstanding arid
evidenced by an Award Agreement without the consent in writing of the
Participant or a Beneficiary who has become entitled to an Award.

10.           Miscellaneous.

(a)           Unfunded
Plans.  This Plan shall be
unfunded.  Neither the Corporation nor
the Board of Directors nor the Committee shall be required to segregate any
assets that may at any time be represented by Awards made pursuant to this
Plan.  Neither the Corporation, the
Committee, nor the Board of Directors shall be deemed a trustee of any amounts
to be paid or securities to be issued under this Plan.

(b)           Rights of Employees.

(1)           No
Right to an Award.  Status as an
Employee shall not be construed as a commitment that any one or more Awards
will be made under this Plan to an Employee or to Employees generally.  Status as a Participant shall not entitle
the Participant to any additional Award.

(2)           No
Assurance of Employment.  Nothing
contained in this Plan (or in any other documents related to this Plan or to
any Award) shall confer upon any Employee or Participant any right to continue
in the employ or other service of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or
constitute any contract (of employment or otherwise) or limit in any way the right
of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to change a person’s compensation or other
benefits or to terminate the employment of a person with or without cause.

(c)           Effective Date; Duration.  This Plan has been adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation.  This Plan
shall become effective upon and shall be subject to the approvals of(i) the
Gaming Authorities and (ii) holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
Stock; provided further, however, that this Plan shall again be submitted to
the shareholders of the Corporation for approval by not later than the first
regularly scheduled shareholders’ meeting that occurs more than twelve (12)
months after the Corporation becomes a Publicly Held Corporation.  This Plan shall remain in effect until any and
all Awards under this Plan have been exercised, converted or terminated under
the terms of this Plan and applicable Award Agreements.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Award may
be granted under this Plan after                                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Award granted prior to
such date may be amended after such date in any manner that would have been
permitted prior to such date, except that no such amendment shall increase the
number of shares subject to, comprising or referenced in a Share-Based Award.

(d)           Compliance with Laws.  This Plan, Award Agreements, and the grant,
exercise, conversion, operation and vesting of Awards, and the issuance and
delivery of shares of Stock and/or other securities or property or the payment
of cash under this Plan, Awards or Award Agreements, are subject to compliance
with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including,
without limitation, gaming laws and insider trading, registration, reporting
and other securities laws) and to such approvals or consents by any listing,
regulatory or governmental authority, including Gaming Authorities, as may, in
the opinion of counsel for

 

12

 

the Corporation, be necessary or advisable in connection
therewith.  Any securities delivered
under this Plan shall be subject to such restrictions (and the person acquiring
such securities shall, if requested by the Corporation, provide such evidence,
assurance and representations to the Corporation as to compliance with any
thereof) as the Corporation may deem necessary or desirable to assure
compliance with all applicable legal requirements and requirements of Gaming
Authorities.

(e)           Applicable Law.  This Plan, Award Agreements and any related documents and matters
shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, except as
to matters of United States federal law.

(f)            Non-Exclusivity of Plan.  Nothing in this Plan shall limit or be
deemed to limit the authority of the Corporation, the Board or the Committee to
grant awards or authorize any other compensation, with or without reference to
the Stock, under any other plan or authority.

 

13

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