Document:

Exhibit 10.4

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of              , 201   by and between China Online Education Group, an exempted company with limited liability incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”) and              , an individual (the “Executive”). The term “Company” as used herein with respect to all obligations of the Executive hereunder shall be deemed to include the Company and all of its direct or indirect subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “Group”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.            The Company desires to employ the Executive and to assure itself of the services of the Executive during the term of Employment (as defined below).

 

B.            The Executive desires to be employed by the Company during the term of Employment and under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

The parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                      POSITION

 

The Executive hereby accepts a position of               (the “Employment”) of the Company.

 

2.                                      TERM

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the initial term of the Employment shall be commencing on            , 20   (the “Effective Date”), until            , 20  , unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Company and the Executive can determine to extend the Employment through mutual agreement. .

 

3.                                      PROBATION

 

There is no probation period for the Employment.

 

4.                                      DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Executive’s duties at the Company will include all jobs assigned by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or, if authorized by the Board, by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

The Executive shall devote all of his/her working time, attention and skills to the performance of his/her duties at the Company and shall faithfully and diligently serve the Company in accordance with this Agreement and the guidelines, policies and procedures of the Company approved from time to time by the Board.

 

The Executive shall use his/her best efforts to perform his/her duties hereunder.  The Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, become an employee or consultant of

 

 

any entity other than the Company and/or any member of the Group, and shall not carry on or be interested in the business or entity that competes with that carried on by the Group (any such business or entity, a “Competitor”), provided that nothing in this clause shall preclude the Executive from holding any shares or other securities of any Competitor that is listed on any securities exchange or recognized securities market anywhere.  The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of his/her interest in such shares or securities in a timely manner and with such details and particulars as the Company may reasonably require.

 

5.                                      NO BREACH OF CONTRACT

 

The Executive hereby represents to the Company that: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive and the performance by the Executive of the Executive’s duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of any other agreement or policy to which the Executive is a party or otherwise bound, except for agreements that are required to be entered into by and between the Executive and any member of the Group pursuant to applicable law of the jurisdiction where the Executive is based, if any; (ii) that the Executive has no information (including, without limitation, confidential information and trade secrets) relating to any other person or entity which would prevent, or be violated by, the Executive entering into this Agreement or carrying out his/her duties hereunder; and (iii) that the Executive is not bound by any confidentiality, trade secret or similar agreement with any other person or entity except for other member(s) of the Group, as the case may be.

 

6.                                      LOCATION

 

The Executive will be based in             , China until both parties hereto agree to change otherwise.

 

7.                                      COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

Unless set forth separately in Schedule A, Executive shall receive such compensation and benefits as described in this Section 7.

 

(a)                                 Cash Compensation.  The Executive’s cash compensation (including salary and bonus) shall be determined by the Company and specified in a standalone agreement between the Executive and the Company’s designated subsidiary or affiliated entity and such compensation is subject to annual review and adjustment by the Company, except in the case of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, his compensation shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company or the compensation committee thereof, subject to annual review and adjustment.

 

(b)                                 Equity Incentives.  The Executive will be eligible for participating in the Company’s equity incentive plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof as determined by the Board, and any award granted thereunder will be governed by an award agreement to be entered into separately between the Company and the Executive.

 

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(c)                                  Benefits.  The Executive is eligible for participation in any standard employee benefit plan of the Company that currently exists or may be adopted by the Company in the future, including, but not limited to, any retirement plan, life insurance plan, health insurance plan and annual holiday plan.

 

8.                                      TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT

 

(a)                                 By the Company.  The Company may terminate the Employment for cause, at any time, without advance notice or remuneration, if (1) the Executive is convicted or pleads guilty to a felony or to an act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement, (2) the Executive has been negligent or acted dishonestly to the detriment of the Company, (3) the Executive has engaged in actions amounting to misconduct or failed to perform his/her duties hereunder and such failure continues after the Executive is afforded a reasonable opportunity to cure such failure, (4) the Executive has died, or (5) the Executive has a disability which shall mean a physical or mental impairment which, as reasonably determined by the Board, renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of his/her employment with the Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an undue hardship on the Company, for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, unless a longer period is required by applicable law, in which case that longer period would apply.  In addition, the Company may terminate the Employment without cause, at any time, upon three-month prior written notice to the Executive.  Upon termination without cause, the Company shall provide severance payments to the Executive as expressly required by applicable law of the jurisdiction where the Executive is based.

 

(b)                                 By the Executive.  The Executive may resign from the Company at any time with a three-month prior written notice to the Company.

 

(c)                                  Notice of Termination.  Any termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be communicated by written notice of termination from the terminating party to the other party.

 

9.                                      CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE

 

(a)                                Confidentiality and Non-disclosure.  The Executive agrees at all times during and after the Employment, to hold in the strictest confidence, and not to use, or to disclose to any person, corporation or other entity without written consent of the Company, any Confidential Information, except as required in the performance of the Executive’s duties in connection with the Employment or pursuant to applicable law. The Executive understands that “Confidential Information” means any proprietary or confidential information of the Company, its affiliates, or their respective clients, customers or partners, including, without limitation, technical data, trade secrets, research and development information, product plans, services, customer lists and customers, supplier lists and suppliers, software developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, hardware configuration information, personnel information, marketing, finances, information about the suppliers, joint ventures, franchisees, distributors and other persons with whom the Company does business, information regarding the skills and compensation of other employees of the Company or other business information disclosed to the Executive by or obtained by the Executive from the Company, its affiliates, or their respective clients, customers or partners either directly or indirectly in

 

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writing, orally or otherwise, if specifically indicated to be confidential or reasonably expected to be confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include information that is generally available and known to the public through no  breaching the confidential obligations of this agreement by  the Executive.

 

(b)                                 Trade Secrets.   During and after the Employment, the Executive shall hold the Trade Secrets (as defined below) in strict confidence; the Executive shall not disclose the Trade Secrets to anyone except other employees of the Company who have a need to know the Trade Secrets in connection with the Company’s business.  The Executive shall not use the Trade Secrets other than for his /her duties of the Company and for the benefits of the Company.

 

“Trade Secrets” means information deemed confidential by the Company, treated by the Company or which the Executive knows or ought reasonably to have known to be confidential, and trade secrets, including without limitation designs, processes, pricing policies, methods, inventions, conceptions, technology, technical data, financial information, corporate structure and know-how, relating to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates and business associates, whether embodied in memoranda, manuals, letters or other documents, computer disks, tapes or other information storage devices, hardware, or other media or vehicles.  Trade Secrets do not include information generally known or released to public domain through no breaching the confidential obligations of this agreement by  the Executive.

 

(c)                                 Company Property. The Executive understands that all documents (including computer records, facsimile and e-mail) and materials created, received or transmitted in connection with his or her work or using the facilities of the Company are property of the Company and subject to inspection by the Company, at any time. Upon termination of the Employment (or at any other time when requested by the Company), the Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to his work with the Company and will provide written certification of his or her compliance with this Agreement. Under no circumstances will the Executive have, following his or her termination, in his or her possession any property of the Company, or any documents or materials or copies thereof containing any Confidential Information.

 

(d)                                Former Employer Information.  The Executive represents and agrees that, during the term of his/her employment with the Company, he/she has not improperly used or disclosed, and will not improperly use or disclose, any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer or other person or entity with which the Executive has an agreement to keep in confidence information acquired by the Executive, if any.  The Executive will indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from and against all claims, liabilities, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of suit, arising out of or in connection with any violation of the foregoing.

 

(e)                                  Third Party Information.  The Executive recognizes that the Company may have received, and in the future may receive, from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes.  The Executive agrees that the Executive owes the Company and such third parties, during the Executive’s employment by the Company and thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person or

 

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firm and to use it in a manner consistent with, and for the limited purposes permitted by, the Company’s agreement with such third party.

 

This Section 9 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason.  In the event the Executive breaches this Section 9, the Company shall have right to seek remedies permissible under applicable law.

 

10.                               INVENTIONS

 

(a)                                 Inventions Retained and Licensed. The Executive has attached hereto, as Schedule B, a list describing all inventions, ideas, improvements, designs and discoveries, whether or not patentable and whether or not reduced to practice, original works of authorship and trade secrets made or conceived by or belonging to the Executive (whether made solely by the Executive or jointly with others) that (i) were developed by the Executive prior to the Executive’s employment by the Company (collectively, “Prior Inventions”), (ii) relate to the Company’ actual or proposed business, products or research and development, and (iii) are not assigned to the Company hereunder; or, if no such list is attached, the Executive represents that there are no such Prior Inventions.  Except to the extent set forth in Schedule B, the Executive hereby acknowledges that, if in the course of his/her service for the Company, the Executive incorporates into a Company product, process or machine a Prior Invention owned by the Executive or in which he/she has an interest, the Company is hereby granted and shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right and license (which may be freely transferred by the Company to any other person or entity) to make, have made, modify, use, sell, sublicense and otherwise distribute such Prior Invention as part of or in connection with such product, process or machine.

 

(b)                                 Disclosure and Assignment of Inventions.     The Executive understands that the Company engages in research and development and other activities in connection with its business and that, as an essential part of the Employment, the Executive is expected to make new contributions to and create inventions of value for the Company.

 

From and after the Effective Date, the Executive shall disclose in confidence to the Company all inventions, improvements, designs, original works of authorship, formulas, processes, compositions of matter, computer software programs, databases, mask works and trade secrets (collectively, the “Inventions”), which the Executive may solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to practice, or cause to be conceived or developed or reduced to practice, during the period of the Executive’s Employment at the Company.  The Executive acknowledges that copyrightable works prepared by the Executive within the scope of and during the period of the Executive’s Employment with the Company are “works for hire” and that the Company will be considered the author thereof.  The Executive agrees that all the Inventions shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and the Executive hereby assigns all his/her right, title and interest in and to any and all of the Inventions to the Company or its successor in interest without further consideration.

 

(c)                                  Patent and Copyright Registration.  The Executive agrees to assist the Company in every proper way to obtain for the Company and enforce patents, copyrights, mask work rights, trade secret rights, and other legal protection for the Inventions.  The Executive will execute any documents that the Company may reasonably request for use in obtaining or enforcing such patents, copyrights, mask work rights, trade secrets and other

 

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legal protections.  The Executive’s obligations under this paragraph will continue beyond the termination of the Employment with the Company, provided that the Company will reasonably compensate the Executive after such termination for time or expenses actually spent by the Executive at the Company’s request on such assistance.

 

(d)                                 Return of Confidential Materials.  In the event of the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason whatsoever, the Executive agrees promptly to surrender and deliver to the Company all records, materials, equipment, drawings, documents and data of any nature pertaining to any confidential information or to his/her employment, and the Executive will not retain or take with him/her any tangible materials or electronically stored data, containing or pertaining to any confidential information that the Executive may produce, acquire or obtain access to during the course of his/her employment.

 

This Section 10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason.  In the event the Executive breaches this Section 10, the Company shall have right to seek remedies permissible under applicable law.

 

11.                               NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION

 

In consideration of the Employment, the Executive agrees that during the term of the Employment and for a period of two (2) years following the termination of the Employment for whatever reason:

 

(a)                                 The Executive will not approach suppliers, clients, customers or contacts of the Company or other persons or entities introduced to the Executive in the Executive’s capacity as a representative of the Company for the purposes of doing business with such persons or entities which will harm the business relationship between the Company and such persons and/or entities;

 

(b)                                 unless expressly consented to by the Company, the Executive will not assume employment with or provide services as a director or otherwise for any Competitor, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, any Competitor; and

 

(c)                                  unless expressly consented to by the Company, the Executive will not seek directly or indirectly, by the offer of alternative employment or other inducement whatsoever, to solicit the services of any employee of the Company employed as at or after the date of such termination, or in the year preceding such termination.

 

In consideration of the foregoing, the Company shall pay, through its designated subsidiary or affiliated entity, compensation to the Executive in an aggregate amount equal to       % of the Executive’s annual base salary for the last year prior to the termination of the Employment, in        equal installments on a monthly basis after the termination of the Employment.

 

The provisions contained in this Section 11 are considered reasonable by the Executive and the Company.  In the event that any such provisions should be found to be void under applicable laws but would be valid if some part thereof was deleted or the period or area of application reduced, such provisions shall apply with such modification as may be necessary to make them valid and effective.

 

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This Section 11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason.  In the event the Executive breaches this Section 11, the Executive acknowledges that there will be no adequate remedy at law, and the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief and/or a decree for specific performance, and such other relief as may be proper (including monetary damages if appropriate).  In any event, the Company shall have right to seek all remedies permissible under applicable law.

 

12.                               WITHHOLDING TAXES

 

Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the Company may withhold (or cause there to be withheld, as the case may be) from any amounts otherwise due or payable under or pursuant to this Agreement such national, provincial, local or any other income, employment, or other taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

13.                               ASSIGNMENT

 

This Agreement is personal in its nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that (i) the Company may assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder to any member of the Group without such consent, and (ii) in the event of a merger, consolidation, or transfer or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company with or to any other individual or entity, this Agreement shall, subject to the provisions hereof, be binding upon and inure to the benefit of such successor and such successor shall discharge and perform all the promises, covenants, duties, and obligations of the Company hereunder.

 

14.                               SEVERABILITY

 

If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications and to this end the provisions of this Agreement are declared to be severable.

 

15.                               ENTIRE AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Executive and the Company regarding the terms of the Employment and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements concerning such subject matter.  The Executive acknowledges that he/she has not entered into this Agreement in reliance upon any representation, warranty or undertaking which is not set forth in this Agreement.

 

16.                               GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the Cayman Islands.

 

17.                               AMENDMENT

 

This Agreement may not be amended, modified or changed (in whole or in part), except by a formal, definitive written agreement expressly referring to this Agreement, which agreement is executed by both of the parties hereto.

 

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18.                               WAIVER

 

Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence.  No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

 

19.                               NOTICES

 

All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if (i) delivered by hand, (ii) otherwise delivered against receipt therefor, or (iii) sent by a recognized courier with next-day or second-day delivery to the last known address of the other party.

 

20.                               COUNTERPARTS

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.  Photographic copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.

 

21.                               NO INTERPRETATION AGAINST DRAFTER

 

Each party recognizes that this Agreement is a legally binding contract and acknowledges that such party has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of choice.  In any construction of the terms of this Agreement, the same shall not be construed against either party on the basis of that party being the drafter of such terms.

 

[Remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
China Online Education   Group
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Executive
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Signature:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

 

 

Schedule A

 

Terms of Compensation and Benefits

 

 

Schedule B

 

List of Prior Inventions

 

	
Title
    	
 
    	
Date
    	
 
    	
Identifying Number
   or Brief Description
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

             No inventions or improvements

 

             Additional Sheets Attached

 

	
Signature of Executive:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Print Name of Executive:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:Exhibit 10.5

 

Amended and Restated Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

 

This Amended and Restated Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between the following parties on December 14, 2015 in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”).

 

Party A:            Beijing Dasheng Online Technology Co., Ltd.

Address:             South No.1, Floor 6, No. 9 Shangdi East Street, Haidian District, Beijing

 

Party B:            Beijing Dasheng Zhixing Technology Co., Ltd.

Address:             Room 9154, Suite 3, No.3 Xi Jing Street, High-tech Park, Ba Da Chu, Shijingshan District, Beijing

 

Each of Party A and Party B shall be hereinafter referred to as a “Party” respectively, and as the “Parties” collectively.

 

Whereas,

 

1.                  Party A is a wholly foreign owned enterprise established in China, and has the necessary resources to provide technical and consulting services;

 

2.                  Party B is a company established in China with exclusively domestic capital and is permitted to engage in online English training by relevant PRC government authorities.  The businesses conducted by Party B currently and any time during the term of this Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Principal Business”;

 

Strictly Confidential

 

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3.                  Party A and Party B have executed the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement dated June 18, 2013 (“Prior Agreement”), pursuant to which Party A  provides Party B with technical support, consulting services and other services on exclusive basis in relation to the Principal Business, utilizing its advantages in technology, human resources, and information. Now, the Parties agree to continue the cooperation, and intend to enter into this Agreement to amend and restate the terms and conditions under the Prior Agreement, to further clarify the rights and obligations of each Party in relation to the cooperation.

 

Now, therefore, through mutual discussion, the Parties have reached the following agreements:

 

1.                              Provision of Services

 

1.1                               Party B hereby appoints Party A as Party B’s exclusive services provider to provide Party B with comprehensive technical support, consulting services and other services during the term of this Agreement, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including but not limited to the follows:

 

(1)                      Licensing Party B to use any software legally owned by Party A;

 

(2)                      Development, maintenance and update of software involved in Party B’s business;

 

(3)                      Design, installation, daily management, maintenance and updating of network system, hardware and database design;

 

(4)                      Technical support and training for employees of Party B;

 

(5)                      Assisting Party B in consultancy, collection and research of technology and market information (excluding market research business that wholly foreign-owned enterprises are prohibited from conducting under PRC law);

 

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(6)                      Providing business management consultation for Party B;

 

(7)                      Providing marketing and promotion services for Party B;

 

(8)                      Providing customer order management and customer services for Party B;

 

(9)                      Leasing of equipments or properties;

 

(10)               Sourcing and selecting qualified third-party service providers for Party B;

 

(11)               Daily management and development of third party service providers for Party B;

 

(12)               Providing curriculum design and quality management services for Party B;

 

(13)               Providing offshore business consultation services for Party B; and

 

(14)               Other services requested by Party B from time to time to the extent permitted under PRC law and the laws of other jurisdiction where the services are provided.

 

1.2                               Party B agrees to accept all the services provided by Party A.  Party B further agrees that unless with Party A’s prior written consent, during the term of this Agreement, Party B shall not directly or indirectly accept the same or any similar services provided by any third party and shall not establish similar cooperation relationship with any third party regarding the matters contemplated by this Agreement.  Party A may,

 

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at its sole discretion, appoint other parties (including Party A’s affiliates, referred to hereinafter as “Party A  Designees”, and each a “Party A  Designee”; together with Party A, collectively, “Service Providers”, and each a “Service Provider”), to enter into certain agreements described in Section 1.3 with Party B, to provide Party B with the services under this Agreement.

 

1.3                               Service Providing Methodology

 

1.3.1                     Party A and Party B agree that during the term of this Agreement, where necessary, Party B and the Service Providers may enter into one or more separate service agreements  to specify the contents, manner, personnel, and fees arrangement for the services.

 

1.3.2                     To fulfill this Agreement, Party A and Party B agree that, during the term of this Agreement, where necessary, Party B and Service Providers may, based on the needs of the business of Party B, enter into one or more equipment or property leases that permit Party B to use relevant equipment or property owned by the Service Providers.

 

1.3.3                     Party B hereby grants to Party A an irrevocable and exclusive option to purchase from Party B, at Party A’s sole discretion, any or all of the assets and business of Party B, to the extent permitted under PRC law, at the lowest purchase price permitted by PRC law.  The Parties shall then enter into a separate assets or business transfer agreement, specifying the terms and conditions of the transfer of the assets.

 

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2.                              The Calculation and Payment of the Service Fees

 

2.1                             The service fee payable by Party B for the services provided hereunder shall  consist of management fee and fee for services provided, which shall be determined by the Party A after considering:

 

(1)                                 Complexity and difficulty of the services provided by the Service Providers;

 

(2)                                 Title of and time consumed by employees of the Service Providers providing the services;

 

(3)                                 Contents and value of the services provided by the Service Providers;

 

(4)                                 The benchmark price of the similar services in the market;

 

(5)                                 Operation conditions of the Party B.

 

2.2                              Service Providers will calculate service fee payable on a monthly basis and send the corresponding invoices to Party B. Party B shall pay the fee to the bank account designated by the Service Providers within ten (10) business days after receipt of such invoices. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, Party A may adjust the time and method of the payment of service fee at its sole discretion. Party B shall accept such adjustments.

 

2.3                              If Service Providers transfers technology to Party B or develops software or other technology as entrusted by Party B or leases equipments or properties to Party B, the technology transfer price, development fees or rent shall be determined by the Parties based on the actual situations.

 

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3.                              Intellectual Property Rights and Confidentiality Clauses

 

3.1                               Party A shall have exclusive and proprietary ownership, rights and interests in any and all intellectual properties arising out of or created during the performance of this Agreement, including but not limited to copyrights, patents, patent applications, software, technical secrets, trade secrets and others.  Party B shall execute all appropriate documents, take all appropriate actions, submit all filings and/or applications, render all appropriate assistance and otherwise conduct whatever is necessary as deemed by Party A at its sole discretion for the purposes of vesting any ownership, right or interest of any such intellectual property rights in Party A, and/or perfecting the protections for any such intellectual property rights in Party A.

 

3.2                               The Parties acknowledge that the existence and the terms of this Agreement and any oral or written information exchanged between the Parties in connection with the preparation and performance of this Agreement are regarded as confidential information.  Each Party shall maintain confidentiality of all such confidential information, and without obtaining the written consent of the other Party, it shall not disclose any relevant confidential information to any third party, except for the information that: (a) is or will be in the public domain (other than through the receiving Party’s unauthorized disclosure); (b) is under the obligation to be disclosed pursuant to the applicable laws or regulations, rules of any stock exchange, or orders of the court or other government authorities; or (c) is required to be disclosed by any Party to its shareholders, directors, employees, legal counsels or financial advisors regarding the transaction contemplated hereunder, provided that such shareholders, directors, employees, legal counsels or financial advisors shall be bound by the confidentiality obligations similar to those set forth in this Section.  Disclosure of any confidential

 

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information by the shareholders, director, employees of or agencies engaged by any Party shall be deemed disclosure of such confidential information by such Party and such Party shall be held liable for breach of this Agreement.

 

4.                              Representations and Warranties

 

4.1                             Party A hereby represents, warrants and covenants as follows:

 

4.1.1                     Party A is a wholly foreign owned enterprise legally established and validly existing in accordance with the laws of China; The execution and performance of this Agreement by Party A are within its corporate power and business scope..

 

4.1.2                     Party A has taken all necessary corporate actions, obtained all necessary authorizations as well as all consents and approvals from third parties and government agencies (if required) for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.    Party A’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not violate any explicit requirements under any law or regulation.

 

4.1.3                     Upon execution, this Agreement constitutes Party A’s legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

4.2                             Party B hereby represents, warrants and covenants as follows:

 

4.2.1                     Party B is a company legally established and validly existing in accordance with the laws of China. The execution and performance of this Agreement by Party B are within its corporate power and business scope.

 

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4.2.2                     Party B has taken all necessary corporate actions, obtained all necessary authorizations as well as all consents and approvals from third parties and government agencies (if required) for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.    Party B’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not violate any explicit requirements under any law or regulation.

 

4.2.3                     Upon execution, this Agreement constitutes Party B’s legal, valid and binding obligations, and shall be enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

5.                              Term of Agreement

 

5.1                             This Agreement shall become effective upon execution by the Parties.  Unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or terminated in writing by Party A, this Agreement shall remain effective.

 

5.2                             During the term of this Agreement, each Party shall renew its operation term prior to the expiration thereof so as to enable this Agreement to remain effective.  This Agreement shall be terminated upon the expiration of the operation term of a Party if the application for renewal of its operation term is not approved by relevant government authorities.

 

5.3                             The rights and obligations of the Parties under Sections 3, 6, 7 and this Section 5.3 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

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6.                              Governing Law and Resolution of Disputes

 

6.1                             The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the laws of China.

 

6.2                             In the event of any dispute with respect to the construction and performance of this Agreement, the Parties shall first resolve the dispute through friendly negotiations.  In the event the Parties fail to reach an agreement on the dispute within 30 days after either Party’s request to the other Party for resolution of the dispute through negotiations, either Party may submit the relevant dispute to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration, in accordance with its arbitration rules.  The arbitration shall be conducted in Beijing.  The arbitration award shall be final and binding on both Parties.

 

6.3                             Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.

 

7.                              Breach of Agreement and Indemnification

 

7.1                             If Party B conducts any material breach of any term of this Agreement, Party A shall have right to terminate this Agreement and/or require Party B to indemnify all damages; this Section 7.1 shall not prejudice any other rights of Party A herein.

 

7.2                             Unless otherwise required by applicable laws, Party B shall not have any right to terminate this Agreement in any event.

 

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7.3                             Party B shall indemnify and hold harmless Party A from any losses, injuries, obligations or expenses caused by any lawsuit, claims or other demands against Party A arising from or caused by the services provided by Party A to Party B pursuant this Agreement, except where such losses, injuries, obligations or expenses arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Party A.

 

8.                              Force Majeure

 

8.1                             In the case of any force majeure events (“Force Majeure”) such as earthquake, typhoon, flood, fire, flu, war, strikes or any other events that cannot be predicted and are unpreventable and unavoidable by the affected Party, which directly or indirectly causes the failure of either Party to perform or completely perform this Agreement, then the Party affected by such Force Majeure shall give the other Party written notices without any delay, and shall provide details of such event within 15 days after sending out such notice, explaining the reasons for such failure of, partial or delay of performance.

 

8.2                             If such Party claiming Force Majeure fails to notify the other Party and furnish it with proof pursuant to the above provision, such Party shall not be excused from the non-performance of its obligations hereunder.  The Party so affected by the event of Force Majeure shall use reasonable efforts to minimize the consequences of such Force Majeure and to promptly resume performance hereunder whenever the causes of such excuse are cured.  Should the Party so affected by the event of Force Majeure fail to resume performance hereunder when the causes of such excuse are cured, such Party shall be liable to the other Party.

 

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8.3                             In the event of Force Majeure, the Parties shall immediately consult with each other to find an equitable solution and shall use all reasonable endeavours to minimize the consequences of such Force Majeure.

 

9.                              Notices

 

9.1                             All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid, or by a commercial courier service to the address of such Party set forth below.    A confirmation copy of each notice shall also be sent by email.   Notices given by personal delivery, by courier service or by registered mail, postage prepaid, shall be deemed effectively given on the date of receipt or refusal at the address specified for notices.

 

9.2                             For the purpose of notices, the addresses of the Parties are as follows:

 

Party A:                                                Beijing Dasheng Online Technology Co., Ltd.

Address:                                                 South No.1, Floor 6, No. 9 Shangdi East Street, Haidian

District, Beijing

Attn:                                                                    Huang Jiajia

Email:                                                            huangjj@51talk.com

 

Party B:                                                Beijing Dasheng Zhixing Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Address:                                                 Room 9154, Suite 3, No.3 Xi Jing Street, High-tech
 Park, Ba Da Chu, Shijingshan District, Beijing

Attn:                                                                    Huang Jiajia

Email:                                                            huangjj@51talk.com

 

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9.3                             Any Party may at any time change its address for notices by a notice delivered to the other Party in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

10.                       Assignment

 

10.1                      Without Party A’s prior written consent, Party B shall not assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party.

 

10.2                      Party B agrees that Party A may assign its obligations and rights under this Agreement to any third party and in case of such assignment, Party A is only required to give written notice to Party B and does not need any consent from Party B for such assignment.

 

11.                       Severability

 

In the event that one or several of the provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any aspect in accordance with any laws or regulations, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or compromised in any aspect.  The Parties shall negotiate in good faith to replace such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with effective provisions that accomplish to the greatest extent permitted by law and the intentions of the Parties, and the economic effect of such effective provisions shall be as close as possible to the economic effect of those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

12.                       Amendments and Supplements

 

Any amendments and supplements to this Agreement shall be in writing.  The amendment agreements and supplementary agreements that have been signed by the Parties and relate to this Agreement shall be an integral part of this Agreement and shall have the same legal validity as this Agreement.

 

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13.                       Language and Counterparts

 

This Agreement is written in both Chinese and English language in two copies, each Party having one copy.  If there is any inconsistency or conflict between English and Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused their authorized representatives to execute this Amended and Restated Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

	
Party   A:
    	
Beijing Dasheng Online   Technology Co., Ltd.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/ Huang Jiajia
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
Huang Jiajia
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
Legal   Representative
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Party B:
    	
Beijing Dasheng Zhixing Technology   Co., Ltd.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/ Huang Jiajia
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
Huang Jiajia
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
Legal   Representative

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