Document:

Exhibit 10.6

 

EIGHTH AMENDMENT

TO THE

BROOKLINE SAVINGS BANK EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

 

Pursuant to Section 13.4 of the Brookline Savings Bank Employee
Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”), the Plan is hereby amended, effective as of
January 1, 2003, unless otherwise set forth below, in order to change the
name of the Plan to reflect the new name of the Bank, and to exclude dividend
equivalent rights from the definition of “cash compensation” for purposes of
contribution allocations under the Plan:

 

1.                                       Section 1.1
shall be amended by substituting the following therefor:

 

“1.1                           Name. The name of this Plan
is “Brookline Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan.”

 

2.                                       The definition
of “Cash Compensation” in Section 4.3 of the Plan shall be amended by
substituting the following therefor:

 

“Cash Compensation means a Participant’s 415 Compensation as defined in
Section 2 of the Plan, excluding cash payments made pursuant to any
dividend equivalent rights awarded to Employees pursuant to a stock option plan
adopted by the Company or an affiliate”.

 

This Amendment was approved by the Board of Directors of Brookline Bank
and approved by Brookline Bank on July 17, 2003.EXHIBIT 10.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

INDEMNITY AND JOINT DEFENSE AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Indemnity and Joint
Defense Agreement (this “Agreement”), is entered into as of July 30,
2004, by and among VNU, N.V., a corporation organized under the laws of the
Netherlands (“VNU”), VNU, Inc., a New York corporation and a wholly
owned subsidiary of VNU (“VNU Inc.”), ACNielsen Corporation, a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of VNU (“ACNielsen”), AC
Nielsen (US), Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of VNU
Inc. (“New ACN”), Nielsen Media Research, Inc. (formerly, Cognizant
Corporation (“Cognizant”)), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned
subsidiary of VNU Inc. (“NMR”), R.H. Donnelley Corporation (formerly,
The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (“Old D&B”)), a Delaware
corporation (“Donnelley”), The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (“D&B”), Moody’s Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (“Moody’s”), and IMS Health Incorporated, a Delaware
corporation (“IMS”) (each individually, a “Party,” and
collectively, the “Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, Old
D&B, ACNielsen Company (a subsidiary of ACNielsen) and I.M.S.
International, Inc. (formerly a subsidiary of Cognizant and a predecessor of
IMS) have been named as defendants in an action commenced by Information
Resources, Inc. (“IRI”) by the filing of its complaint dated July 29,
1996 in the action captioned Information Resources, Inc. v. The Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation, A.C. Nielsen Co. and I.M.S. International, Inc. (S.D.N.Y.)
96 Civ. 5716 (this action and any amended complaint or action arising out of
the same or substantially similar factual allegations by IRI or any successor
or Affiliate thereof are referred to herein as the “Lawsuit”);

 

WHEREAS, Old
D&B, Cognizant and ACNielsen are parties to an Indemnity and Joint Defense
Agreement, dated as of October 28, 1996 (the “Original Agreement”),
which provided for, among other things (i) allocation of financial
responsibility among Old D&B, Cognizant and ACNielsen for the liabilities
arising out of, or in connection with, the Lawsuit, and (ii) terms and
conditions for the joint defense by the parties thereto against the Lawsuit;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to
the terms of the Distribution Agreement, dated as of October 28, 1996, among
Old D&B, Cognizant and ACNielsen (the “1996 Distribution Agreement”),
the shares of Cognizant and ACNielsen were distributed by Old D&B to the
stockholders of Old D&B (the “1996 Distribution”);

 

WHEREAS, the 1996
Distribution Agreement provided for, among other things, assumptions of
liabilities and cross indemnities designed to allocate among Old D&B,
Cognizant and ACNielsen financial responsibility for the liabilities arising
out of, or in connection with, the businesses conducted by Old D&B and its
Subsidiaries before the 1996 Distribution;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to
the terms of the Distribution Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1998, between
Cognizant (subsequently renamed NMR) and IMS (the “1998 Cognizant/IMS
Distribution Agreement”), the shares of IMS were distributed by Cognizant
to the stockholders of Cognizant (the “1998 Cognizant/IMS Distribution”);

 

 

WHEREAS, the 1998
Cognizant/IMS Distribution Agreement provided for, among other things,
assumptions of liabilities and cross indemnities designed to allocate between
Cognizant and IMS financial responsibility for the liabilities arising out of,
or in connection with, the businesses conducted by Cognizant and its
subsidiaries before the 1998 Cognizant/IMS Distribution, including Cognizant’s
liabilities under the 1996 Distribution Agreement and the Original Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, under the
terms of the 1996 Distribution Agreement, as a condition to the 1998
Cognizant/IMS Distribution, IMS was required to undertake, and did undertake,
to each of Old D&B and ACNielsen to be jointly and severally liable with
Cognizant for all of Cognizant’s liabilities under the 1996 Distribution
Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to
the terms of the Distribution Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1998, between Old
D&B (subsequently renamed Donnelley) and The New Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation (subsequently renamed The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation) (the “1998
Old D&B/Donnelley Distribution Agreement”), the shares of The New Dun
& Bradstreet Corporation were distributed by Old D&B to the stockholders
of Old D&B (the “1998 Old D&B/Donnelley Distribution”);

 

WHEREAS, the 1998
Old D&B/Donnelley Distribution Agreement provided for, among other things,
assumptions of liabilities and cross indemnities designed to allocate between
Old D&B and The New Dun & Bradstreet Corporation financial
responsibility for the liabilities arising out of, or in connection with, the
businesses conducted by Old D&B and its subsidiaries before the 1998 Old
D&B/Donnelley Distribution, including Old D&B’s liabilities under the
1996 Distribution Agreement and the Original Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, under the
terms of the 1996 Distribution Agreement, as a condition to the 1998 Old
D&B/Donnelley Distribution, The New Dun & Bradstreet Corporation was
required to undertake, and did undertake, to each of Cognizant and ACNielsen to
be jointly and severally liable with Old D&B for all of Old D&B’s
liabilities under the 1996 Distribution Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to
the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 15, 1999,
among VNU USA, Inc. (“VNU USA”), Niner Acquisition, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of VNU USA (“Niner”), and NMR, Niner merged with and into
NMR, with NMR continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned
subsidiary of VNU USA;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to
the terms of the Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2000,
between The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (subsequently renamed Moody’s) and
The New Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (subsequently renamed

 

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D&B) (the “2000
D&B/Moody’s Distribution Agreement”), the shares of D&B were
distributed by Moody’s to the stockholders of Moody’s (the “2000
D&B/Moody’s Distribution”);

 

WHEREAS, the 2000
D&B/Moody’s Distribution Agreement provided for, among other things,
assumptions of liabilities and cross indemnities designed to allocate between
The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and The New Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation financial responsibility for the liabilities arising out of, or in
connection with, the businesses conducted by The Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation and its subsidiaries before the 2000 Distribution, including The
Dun & Bradstreet Corporation’s liabilities under the 1996 Distribution
Agreement, the Original Agreement and the 1998 Old D&B/Donnelley
Distribution Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, under the
terms of the 1996 Distribution Agreement, as a condition to the 2000
D&B/Moody’s Distribution, The New Dun & Bradstreet Corporation was
required to undertake, and did undertake, to each of NMR (as successor to
Cognizant) and ACNielsen to be jointly and severally liable with Donnelley (as
successor to Old D&B) for all of Old D&B’s liabilities under the 1996
Distribution Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, under the
terms of the 1998 Old D&B/Donnelley Distribution Agreement, as a condition
to the 2000 D&B/Moody’s Distribution, The New Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation was required to undertake, and did undertake, to Donnelley (as
successor to Old D&B) to be jointly and severally liable with The Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation for all of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation’s
liabilities under the 1998 Old D&B/Donnelley Distribution Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to
the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 17, 2000,
among VNU, Artist Acquisition, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of VNU (“Artist”),
and ACNielsen, Artist merged with and into ACNielsen, with ACNielsen continuing
as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of VNU (the “ACNielsen
Acquisition”);

 

WHEREAS, under the
terms of the Original Agreement, in connection with the ACNielsen Acquisition,
VNU was required to assume, and did assume, all of ACNielsen’s obligations
under the Original Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to
the terms and subject to the limitations hereof, VNU, VNU Inc., ACNielsen, New
ACN  and NMR, jointly and
severally, have agreed, inter alia,
(i) to assume and duly and punctually perform, be bound by, and otherwise
discharge in accordance with their terms the IRI Liabilities and (ii) indemnify
Donnelley (as successor to Old D&B), D&B, Moody’s and IMS against any
IRI Liabilities which may be incurred, directly or indirectly, by any of them;

 

WHEREAS, the Parties
believe that they have a mutuality of interest in a joint defense in connection
with the Lawsuit and any additional actions, investigations or 

 

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proceedings that have arisen or
may arise in connection with the subject matter of the Lawsuit;

 

WHEREAS, it is the
intention and understanding of the Parties that communications between and
among them as provided herein and any joint interviews of prospective witnesses
for the purpose of a joint defense are confidential and are protected from
disclosure to any third party by the attorney-client privilege, the work
product doctrine and any other applicable privileges;

 

WHEREAS, in order to
pursue a joint defense effectively, the Parties have also concluded that, from
time to time, their mutual interests will be best served by sharing privileged
material, mental impressions, memoranda, interview reports and other work
products and information, including the confidences of each party;

 

WHEREAS, it is a
purpose of this Agreement to insure that the exchanges and disclosures of
privileged materials contemplated herein do not diminish or constitute a waiver
of any privilege that may otherwise be available by virtue of any prior
agreement, conduct, operation of law or otherwise;

 

WHEREAS, the Parties
desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement as set forth herein and each
Party expressly acknowledges that the execution and delivery of this Agreement
does not in any manner constitute an admission that the Lawsuit has any merit.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and releases contained in this
Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as
follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.1.          Definitions.  The following terms
shall have the following meanings:

 

“1996 Distribution” shall have the
meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“1996 Distribution Agreement” shall
have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“1998 Cognizant/IMS Distribution”
shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“1998 Cognizant/IMS Distribution Agreement”
shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“1998 Old D&B/Donnelley Distribution
“ shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

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“1998 Old D&B/Donnelley Distribution
Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“2000 D&B/Moody’s Distribution”
shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“2000 D&B/Moody’s Distribution
Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“ACNielsen” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“ACNielsen Acquisition” shall have the
meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person
means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.  For the purposes of this definition,
“control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or otherwise; and
the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

 

“Ancillary Agreements” shall mean all
of the written agreements, instruments, assignments or other written
arrangements (other than this Agreement and the 1996 Distribution Agreement)
entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the 1996 Distribution Agreement, including, without limitation, the
Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments, the Data Services Agreement, the
Employee Benefits Agreement, the Intellectual Property Agreement, the Shared
Transaction Services Agreements, the TAM Master Agreement, the Tax Allocation
Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement.

“Artist” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“Board of Directors” shall mean, when
used with respect to a specified corporation, the board of directors of the
corporation so specified, and when used with respect to VNU, the executive
board of VNU.

 

“Business Combination” means, with
respect to any Person, any consolidation or merger or any sale, conveyance,
assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the properties and assets of such Person as an entirety in one transaction or
series of transactions.

 

“Business Day” means any day that is
not a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which banks are required or
authorized by law to be closed in New York, New York.

 

“Capital Lease Obligations” of a
Person means any obligation which is required to be classified and accounted
for as a capital lease for financial reporting 

 

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purposes in accordance with GAAP;
the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof,
determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to
any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights to purchase,
warrants, options, or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock
of a corporation, and any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person
other than a corporation, in each case whether now outstanding or hereafter
issued.

 

“Cash Equivalents” means, at any time,
(a) any evidence of Indebtedness with a maturity of 180 days or less from the
date of acquisition issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the
United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided,
that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in
support thereof); (b) certificates of deposit, money market deposit accounts
and acceptances with a maturity of 180 days or less from the date of
acquisition of any financial institution that is a member of the Federal
Reserve System having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not
less than $500 million; (c) commercial paper with a maturity of 180 days or
less from the date of acquisition issued by a corporation that is not an
Affiliate of a VNU Party whose debt rating, at the time as of which such
investment is made, is at least “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s Corporation or
at least “P-1” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or rated at least an
equivalent rating category of another nationally recognized securities rating
agency; (d) repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements having a
term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described
in clause (a) above entered into with a financial institution meeting the
qualifications described in clause (b) above; (e) any security, maturing not
more than 180 days after the date of acquisition, backed by standby or direct
pay letters of credit issued by a bank meeting the qualifications described in
clause (b) above; and (f) any security, maturing not more than 180 days after
the date of acquisition, issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth,
or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision
thereof, and rated at least “A” by Standard & Poor’s Corporation or at
least “A” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or rated at least an equivalent
rating category of another nationally recognized securities rating agency.

 

“Cognizant” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“Consolidated EBITDA” means for any
period the sum of Consolidated Net Income plus,
to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated
Interest Expense, Consolidated Tax Expense, all depreciation and, without
duplication, all amortization, in each case, for such period, of the Relevant
Party and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, all as determined in
accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means
for any period the sum of (a) the aggregate of the interest expense on
Indebtedness of the Relevant Party and its Subsidiaries for such period, on a
consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding the
amortization of costs relating to original debt issuances but including the
amortization of debt discount) plus
(b) without duplication, that portion of 

 

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Capital Lease Obligations of
the Relevant Party and its Subsidiaries representing the interest factor for
such period as determined in accordance with GAAP plus (c) without duplication, dividends paid in respect of
preferred stock of Subsidiaries or Disqualified Stock of the Relevant Party and
its Subsidiaries to Persons other than the Relevant Party or a wholly owned
Subsidiary of the Relevant Party.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for
any period, the net income or loss of the Relevant Party and its Subsidiaries
for such period on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP,
adjusted by excluding the after-tax effect of (a) any gains (but not losses)
from currency exchange transactions not in the ordinary course of business; (b)
the net income of any Person which is not a Subsidiary of the Relevant Party or
is accounted for by the equity method of accounting except to the extent of the
amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in cash by such Person to
the Relevant Party or a Subsidiary of the Relevant Party during such period;
(c) except to the extent includible pursuant to clause (b), the net income of
any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Relevant
Party or is merged into or consolidated with the Relevant Party or any of its
Subsidiaries or such Person’s assets are acquired by the Relevant Party or any
of its Subsidiaries; (d) net gains attributable to write-ups (determined after
taking into account losses attributable to write-downs) of assets or
liabilities other than in the ordinary course of business; (e) the cumulative
effect of a change in accounting principles; and (f) net income from discontinued
operations.

 

“Consolidated Net Worth” of a Person
and its Subsidiaries means as of any date all amounts that would be included
under stockholders’ equity on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and
its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Tax Expense” means for
any period the aggregate of the federal, state, local and foreign income tax
expense of the Relevant Party and its Subsidiaries for such period, on a
consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP, to the extent
deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income.

 

“Covenant Party” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1 hereto.

 

“Counsel of Record” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereto.

 

“D&B” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“D&B Party” shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.2 hereto.

 

“D&B Parties Counsel” shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereto.

 

“Defense Costs” shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 4.1 hereto.

 

“Defense Costs Statement” shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereto.

 

7

 

“Defense Materials” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereto.

 

“Designated Officers” means, with
respect to any VNU Party, the chief financial officer (or equivalent officer)
of such VNU Party.

 

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital
Stock which pays a mandatory dividend (other than in Capital Stock) or which,
by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or
exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (i) matures or is
mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,
(ii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part or
(iii) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of
any Relevant Party or its Subsidiaries.

 

“Donnelley” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any
period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such
period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal
funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business
Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York.

 

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means
for any period the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Interest
Expense for such period; provided, however,
that in making such computation, the interest expense on any Indebtedness to be
incurred and computed on a pro forma basis and bearing a floating interest rate
shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the date of computation had been
the applicable rate for the entire period.

 

“GAAP” means the generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States, including those set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession in the United States, in each case applied on a consistent basis.

 

“IMS” shall have the meaning set forth
in the recitals hereto.

 

“IMS Counsel” shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 4.1 hereto.

 

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to
any Person, without duplication, (a) the principal of and premium (if any) in
respect of (i) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (ii)
indebtedness evidenced by notes, indentures, bonds, other similar instruments
for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (b) all Capital
Lease Obligations of such Person; (c) all obligations of such Person issued or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property; (d) all obligations of such
Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit or similar
credit transaction; (e) all dividends on Capital Stock issued by third parties
for the payment of which such 

 

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Person is responsible; (f) all
obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above of third
parties secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person, the amount
of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property
or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; (g) indebtedness secured
by any Lien existing on property acquired by such Person subject to such Lien,
whether or not the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed; provided,
that if such Person has not assumed such Indebtedness the amount of
Indebtedness of such Person shall be deemed to be the lesser of the value of
such acquired property or the amount of the indebtedness secured; (h)
guarantees, endorsements and other obligations, whether or not contingent, in
respect of, or agreements to purchase or otherwise acquire, Indebtedness of
other Persons; (i) all Disqualified Stock issued by such Person valued at the
greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus
accrued and unpaid dividends; (j) preferred stock issued by any Subsidiary of
such Person valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed
repurchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and (k) all obligations
under or in respect of Interest Rate Protection and Other Hedging Agreements.

 

For purposes of this definition, “maximum
fixed repurchase price” of any preferred stock issued by any Subsidiary of a
Person and of any Disqualified Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase
price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such preferred stock
or such Disqualified Stock as if such preferred stock or such Disqualified
Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be
determined pursuant to this Agreement, and if such price is based upon, or
measured by, the fair market value of such preferred stock or Disqualified
Stock, such fair market value shall be determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the issuer of such preferred stock or such Disqualified Stock.

 

“Indemnified Parties” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2 hereto.

 

“Interest Rate Protection and Other
Hedging Agreements” means one or more of the following agreements entered
into by one or more financial institutions: (a) interest rate protection
agreements (including, without limitation, interest rate, swaps, caps, floors,
collars and similar agreements), (b) foreign exchange contracts, currency swap
agreements or other similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect
against fluctuations in currency values and/or (c) other types of hedging
agreements from time to time.

 

“IRI” shall have the meaning set forth
in the recitals hereto.

 

“IRI Investor” shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.3 hereto.

 

“IRI Liabilities” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereto.

 

“Lawsuit” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

9

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, lien,
pledge, security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement
or other security interest or encumbrance of any kind (including any agreement
to give any security interest).

 

“Moody’s” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“Niner” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“NMR” shall have the meaning set forth
in the recitals hereto.

 

“Officer “ means the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief
Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the relevant party.

 

“Officer’s Certificate” means a
certificate signed by an Officer.

 

“Old D&B” shall have the meaning
set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“Original Agreement” shall have the
meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“Parent” of a Person means any other
Person with the power to direct the management and policies of such Person,
directly or indirectly, whether through ownership of Voting Stock, by contract
or otherwise.

 

“Party” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“Party Counsel” shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 4.1 hereto.

 

“Permitted Related Person Subordinated
Indebtedness” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.6 hereto.

 

“Person” means any natural person,
corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership
or government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“Prime Rate” means a fluctuating
interest rate per annum in effect from time to time, which shall at all times
be equal to the higher of (i) the rate of interest announced publicly by
Citibank, N.A. in New York, New York, from time to time, as Citibank, N.A.’s
prime rate and (ii) 1⁄2 of 1% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate.

 

“Process Agent” shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 5.13 hereto.

 

“Related Person” means (a) any
Affiliate of a Relevant Party, (b) any Person who directly or indirectly holds
5% or more of any class of Voting Stock of a Relevant Party or any Subsidiary
of a Relevant Party, (c) any Person who is an executive officer or director of
a Relevant Party and (d) any Affiliate of or any relative by blood, 

 

10

 

marriage or adoption not more
remote than first cousin of any such Person referred to in clause (b) or (c)
above.

 

“Relevant Party” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.4 hereto.

 

“Restricted Payment” means, with
respect to a Covenant Party and its Subsidiaries, (a) any declaration or
payment of any dividend on, or any distribution in respect of, or any purchase,
redemption or retirement for value of, any Capital Stock of such Covenant Party
or its Subsidiary or any deposit with respect to the foregoing (other than
dividends or distributions payable solely to such Covenant Party), (b) any
charitable contribution, (c) any voluntary payments to pension or other benefit
plans, (d) any payments in respect of any Permitted Related Person Subordinated
Indebtedness (other than amounts paid solely to a Covenant Party) or (e) any
accelerated payment of any accounts payable or any cancellation or discounting
of, or delay or extension in the collection of, any accounts receivable, unless
such acceleration, cancellation, discounting, delay or extension, as the case
may be, is in the ordinary course of such Person’s business.

 

“Strategic Transaction” shall mean any
direct or indirect acquisition or disposition of any business or of any assets
comprising a business, or any acquisition or disposition of any interest in a
joint venture or other equity investment in any business.

 

“Subordination Agreement” shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 3.6 hereto.

 

“Subsidiary” shall mean any
corporation, partnership or other entity of which another entity (a) owns,
directly or indirectly, ownership interests sufficient to elect a majority of
the Board of Directors (or persons performing similar functions) (irrespective
of whether at the time any other class or classes of ownership interests of
such corporation, partnership or other entity shall or might have such voting
power upon the occurrence of any contingency) or (b) is a general partner or an
entity performing similar functions (e.g.,
a trustee).  For purposes of this
Agreement, the term “Subsidiary” as it relates to IMS shall be deemed to
include the following former affiliates of IMS: 
Gartner Inc., Synavant, Inc. and Cognizant Technology Solutions
Corporation, and their respective successors and assigns, provided, in the case
of any such assigns, that VNU has granted its prior written consent to such
assignment.

 

“Trust” shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.3 hereto.

 

“VNU” shall have the meaning set forth
in the recitals hereto.

 

“VNU USA” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“VNU Inc.” shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“VNU Party” shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.1 hereto.

 

11

 

“Voting Stock” means all outstanding
classes of Capital Stock of any Person ordinarily entitled (without regard to
the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
managers, trustees or other voting members of the governing body of such
Person.

 

“Withdrawing Party” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereto.

 

ARTICLE II

ALLOCATION OF LIABILITIES/

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 2.1. 
Allocation of Liabilities.  The Parties agree that in the event
that liabilities are incurred by any Party hereto or any Subsidiary (including, with respect to IMS, Gartner Inc.,
Synavant, Inc. and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, and their
respective successors and assigns, provided, in the case of any such assigns,
that VNU has granted its prior written consent to such assignment) thereof, relating to,
arising out of or resulting from a judgment being entered, or any settlement
permitted hereby being entered into, in connection with the Lawsuit, any and
all of such liabilities (“IRI Liabilities”) shall be jointly and
severally assumed and duly and fully paid and discharged in accordance with
their terms exclusively by VNU, VNU Inc., ACNielsen, New ACN and NMR (each, a “VNU
Party” and, collectively, the “VNU Parties”).  IRI Liabilities shall not include Defense
Costs (whether or not paid), which shall be shared by the Parties in accordance
with Section 4.1(h).

 

SECTION 2.2.  Indemnification.  The VNU Parties shall, jointly and severally,
indemnify, defend and hold harmless Donnelley, D&B, Moody’s (collectively,
the “D&B Parties”) and IMS and their respective Subsidiaries
(including, with respect to IMS, Gartner Inc., Synavant, Inc. and Cognizant
Technology Solutions Corporation, and their respective successors and assigns,
provided, in the case of any such assigns, that VNU has granted its prior
written consent to such assignment) (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”)
from and against, and shall reimburse the same for and in respect of, any and
all IRI Liabilities assessed against any of them, or to which any of them
becomes subject, as a result of the Lawsuit.

 

SECTION 2.3.  Other Agreements Relating to Allocation of IRI Liabilities. 

 

(a)       If
any of the D&B Parties or IMS acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more
of the outstanding contingent value rights issued by the Information Resources
Inc. Litigation Contingent Payment Rights Trust (or any successor thereof) (the
“Trust”) (an “IRI Investor”), then such IRI Investor shall be
deemed to be Withdrawing Party for purposes of and with the consequences set
forth in Section 4.1(g).

 

(b)       The
VNU Parties agree that if it shall be necessary to post any bond pending any
appeal of the Lawsuit or otherwise in connection therewith, the 

 

12

 

VNU Parties shall promptly procure such a
bond and shall exclusively pay the full cost thereof.

 

(c)       The
directors of A.C. Nielsen Company immediately prior to the 1996 Distribution
shall be third-party beneficiaries of the agreements set forth in Article II.

 

ARTICLE III

COVENANTS/ REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES

 

SECTION 3.1.          Limitation on Restricted Payments.  

 

(a)           Neither
ACNielsen nor New ACN (each a “Covenant Party” and, collectively, the “Covenant
Parties”) will, nor will they permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly
or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment if, at the time of such Restricted
Payment, and after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of such
Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments declared or made for the
then current calendar year shall exceed the sum of:

 

(i)    $30
million; and

 

(ii)   20%
of the aggregate, without
duplication, Consolidated Net Income (which, for purposes of this Section 3.1,
shall not be less than zero) of the Covenant Parties accrued on a cumulative
basis during the last four completed calendar quarters ending on or prior to
the date of such proposed Restricted Payment;

 

provided,
however, that the foregoing provisions will not prevent the payment of a
dividend within 60 days after the date of its declaration if at the date of
declaration such payment was permitted by the foregoing provisions.

 

(b)           The
amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market
value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities
proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by such Covenant Party or its
Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment.  The fair market value of any non-cash
Restricted Payment shall be determined by the Board of Directors of such Covenant
Party acting in good faith, whose determination shall be conclusive and whose
resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered to each of the D&B
Parties and IMS not later than three (3) days following the date of making such
Restricted Payment, such determination to be based upon an opinion or appraisal
issued by an internationally recognized investment banking firm if such fair
market value is estimated to exceed $15 million.

 

SECTION 3.2.      Limitation on Transactions with Related Persons.

 

(a)       Neither
Covenant Party will, nor will it permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or suffer to exist any
transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation,
the sale, purchase, exchange or 

 

13

 

lease of assets,
property or services) with any Related Person unless (i) such transaction or series of transactions is on
terms that are no less favorable to the relevant Covenant Party or its Subsidiary, as the case may be, than would be
available in a comparable transaction with an unrelated third party and (ii) where such transaction or series of transactions
involves aggregate consideration (including, without limitation, the assumption
of indebtedness) in excess of 7.5% of the aggregate Consolidated Net Worth of the Covenant Parties on a
combined basis (without duplication) as of the end of the prior fiscal year, the
relevant Covenant Party shall also deliver to each of the D&B Parties and
IMS not later than the date of entering into any such transaction, an opinion from an internationally recognized
investment banking firm chosen by such Covenant Party as to the fairness of
such transaction or series of transactions to such Covenant Party or such Subsidiary from a financial point of view.

 

(b)           For
purposes of the foregoing, a series of related transactions will be deemed to
include, without limitation, a series of transactions if, within six months of
closing one transaction, another transaction is entered into with the same
Person or with a successor or affiliate thereof.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 3.2 will not apply to (i)
compensation or employee benefit arrangements with any officer or director of a
Covenant Party or (ii) any Restricted Payment permitted to be made pursuant to
this Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.3.      Merger and Consolidation.  Neither Covenant Party may engage in any
Business Combination with any Person, unless:

 

(a)           either:

 

(i)    the Covenant Party shall be the continuing
corporation and the Persons who were such Covenant Party’s stockholders
immediately prior to such Business Combination continue to hold more than 50%
of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of the continuing corporation
upon consummation of such Business Combination; or

(ii)   (A) such Person and such Person’s Parent, if
any, (x) shall be a corporation, partnership or trust organized and validly
existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the
District of Columbia or (y) shall duly execute and deliver to each of the
D&B Parties and IMS a consent to jurisdiction in the form set forth in Exhibit
3.3(A) hereto and (B) such Person and such Person’s Parent, if any, shall
expressly assume, by an instrument of assumption in the form set forth in Exhibit
3.3(B) hereto executed and delivered to each of the D&B Parties and
IMS, all of the VNU Parties’ obligations hereunder;

 

(b)           immediately
after the Business Combination, the Covenant Party and its Subsidiaries or such
Person, or such Person’s Parent, if any, and its Subsidiaries shall have a
Consolidated Net Worth equal to or greater than the

 

14

 

Consolidated Net Worth of such Covenant Party
and its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such Business Combination;

 

(c)           the
Covenant Party shall have delivered to each of the D&B Parties and IMS (i)
an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Business Combination complies with
this Agreement and (ii) an Officer’s Certificate and an opinion of reputable
outside counsel, each stating that such consent to jurisdiction, in the event
clause (a)(ii)(A)(y) is applicable, and such instrument of assumption, in the
event clause (a)(ii)(B) is applicable, constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of such Person and such Person’s Parent, if any, enforceable in
accordance with their terms; and

 

(d)           such
Business Combination is permitted under Section 3.4 below.

 

SECTION 3.4.      Limitation on Certain Transactions. 

 

(a)           Neither
Covenant Party will enter into any Strategic Transaction or engage in any
Business Combination unless an Officer’s Certificate is delivered to each of
the D&B Parties and IMS certifying that, after giving pro forma effect to
such Strategic Transaction or Business Combination, the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio of the Covenant Parties on a combined basis, or, in the case of a
Business Combination, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a combined basis of
the continuing corporation (or, in the case of a Business Combination that is a
sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the properties and assets of the Covenant Party, the
purchaser, recipient, assignee, transferee or lessor of such properties and
assets) following such Business Combination (the Covenant Party engaging in
such Strategic Transaction or Business Combination, or such continuing
corporation, purchaser, recipient, assignee, transferee or lessor, as the case
may be, and the other Covenant Party referred to individually as the “Relevant
Party”) and of the other Covenant Party, in each case calculated as set
forth in Section 3.4(c) below, is greater than 2 to 1, which Officer’s
Certificate shall be accompanied by a letter from each Relevant Party’s
independent accountants confirming that such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio has
been correctly calculated in accordance with the requirements hereof and based
on financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

(b)           In
addition, neither Covenant Party will enter into any Strategic Transaction or
engage in any Business Combination involving aggregate consideration
(including, without limitation, the assumption of indebtedness) in excess of
$50 million, unless the following conditions are met:

 

(i)    the Board of Directors of such Covenant
Party has received an opinion in writing from an internationally recognized
investment bank chosen by such Covenant Party, to the effect that such
transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Covenant Party, a
copy of which opinion shall have been delivered to the D&B Parties and IMS;
and

 

15

 

(ii)   in the case of a disposition of a business,
an equity interest in a business or the disposition of assets comprising a
business, which disposition does not involve the simultaneous equity investment
in a joint venture entity which is the acquirer of such business, equity
investment or assets, the consideration therefor is limited to cash, Cash
Equivalents and/or marketable securities which are freely tradable on a public
stock exchange or inter-dealer quotation system.

 

(c)           The
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be for the most recent four consecutive full
fiscal quarters ending prior to such certification, taken as one period, and
calculated on the assumptions that (i) any Indebtedness to be incurred in
connection with an acquisition or Business Combination had been incurred on the
first day of such four-quarter period, (ii) any other Indebtedness incurred,
repaid or retired by the Relevant Party and its Subsidiaries since the
beginning of such four-quarter period was incurred, repaid or retired, as the
case may be, on the first day of such four-quarter period (except that, in
making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit
facility outstanding on the date of such calculation shall be computed based on
(A) the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such four-quarter
period or during such shorter included period when such facility was
outstanding or (B) if such facility was created after the end of such four-quarter
period, the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the period from
the date of creation of such facility to the date of the calculation) and (iii)
any acquisition or disposition by the Relevant Party or its Subsidiaries of any
assets out of the ordinary course of business or of any company, division or
line of business, in each case since the first day of its last four completed
fiscal quarters, had been consummated on such first day of such four-quarter
period.

 

(d)           For
purposes of the foregoing, any issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock of a
wholly owned Subsidiary which is a holder of obligations of a Subsidiary that
constitute Indebtedness shall be deemed an incurrence of Indebtedness if such
issuance or transfer results in such wholly owned Subsidiary no longer being a
wholly owned Subsidiary.

 

SECTION
3.5.      Limitation on
Reincorporation.  Neither Covenant
Party will, without the prior written consent of each D&B Party and IMS,
re-incorporate or re-organize its corporate form under the laws of a
jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware unless such Covenant Party, as
re-incorporated or re-organized under the laws of such other jurisdiction,
could take substantially the same actions without stockholder (or equity
holder) consent or approval under the laws of such jurisdiction and such
Covenant Party’s then applicable certificate of incorporation, charter, by-laws
or other organizational documents as such Covenant Party could take without
stockholder consent or approval under the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware and such Covenant Party’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws
as of the date hereof, and counsel reasonably satisfactory to the D&B
Parties and IMS confirms the foregoing in writing to the reasonable satisfaction
of the D&B Parties and IMS.

 

16

 

 

SECTION
3.6.      Subordination. No
Covenant Party shall (i) directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or
guaranty, suffer to exist, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly
liable with respect to any Indebtedness to any Related Person except any such
Indebtedness which is expressly subordinated and made junior to the payment and
performance in full of all of the obligations of the Covenant Parties under
this Agreement in accordance with a subordination agreement in the form of Exhibit
3.6 hereto (the “Subordination Agreement”) or (ii) permit any of its
Subsidiaries to directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or guaranty,
suffer to exist, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable
with respect to any Indebtedness to any Related Person except any such
Indebtedness which is expressly subordinated and made junior to the payment and
performance in full of all of the obligations of the Covenant Parties under
this Agreement to the same extent as set forth in the Subordination Agreement
(such subordinated Indebtedness under clauses (i) and (ii), “Permitted
Related Person Subordinated Indebtedness”).

 

SECTION
3.7.      Notices. Each VNU
Party shall deliver to each of the D&B Parties and IMS, promptly upon
actual awareness of any Designated Officer becoming aware of any default by
such VNU Party in the performance or observance of its obligations or covenants
under this Agreement, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such default.

 

SECTION
3.8.      VNU Covenants. VNU
covenants and agrees to cause each Covenant Party and its respective
Subsidiaries to fully comply with the covenants set forth in this Agreement.

 

SECTION
3.9.      Representations and
Warranties of the VNU Parties. To induce the D&B Parties and IMS to
enter into this Agreement, each VNU Party represents and warrants, as of the
date first written above, that the following statements are true and correct:

 

(a)       Organization;
Requisite Power and Authority. Each VNU Party (a) is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization as identified in the preamble hereto, and (b) has all requisite
power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business
as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into this Agreement
to which it is a party and to fulfill the obligations contemplated hereby.

 

(b)       Due
Authorization; Binding Obligation. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part
of each VNU Party.  This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by each VNU Party and is a legally valid and
binding obligation of each VNU Party, enforceable against each VNU Party in
accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

(c)       Properties
and Assets.  New ACN and its
Subsidiaries collectively own, hold, lease, are licensees of, or otherwise have
the legal right to the use 

 

17

 

of, substantially all of the assets and
properties (in each case, tangible and intangible) utilized in the business and
operations of ACNielsen and New ACN and their respective Subsidiaries as
presently conducted.

 

SECTION
3.10.    Representations and
Warranties of Donnelley. To induce the VNU Parties to enter into this
Agreement, Donnelly represents and warrants, as of the date first written above,
that the following statements are true and correct:

 

(a)       Organization;
Requisite Power and Authority. Donnelley (a) is duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization as identified in the preamble hereto, and (b) has all requisite
power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business
as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into this Agreement
to which it is a party and to fulfill the obligations contemplated hereby.

 

(b)       Due
Authorization; Binding Obligation. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part
of Donnelley.  This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by Donnelley and is a legally valid and binding
obligation of Donnelley, enforceable against Donnelley in accordance with its
terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or by
equitable principles relating to enforceability.

 

SECTION 3.11.    Representations
and Warranties of D&B. To induce the VNU Parties to enter into this
Agreement, D&B represents and warrants, as of the date first written above,
that the following statements are true and correct:

 

(a)       Organization;
Requisite Power and Authority. D&B (a) is duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization as identified in the preamble hereto, and (b) has all requisite
power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business
as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into this Agreement
to which it is a party and to fulfill the obligations contemplated hereby.

 

(b)       Due
Authorization; Binding Obligation. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part
of D&B.  This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by D&B and is a legally valid and binding obligation
of D&B, enforceable against D&B in accordance with its terms, except as
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or by equitable
principles relating to enforceability.

 

SECTION
3.12.    Representations and
Warranties of Moody’s. To induce the VNU Parties to enter into this
Agreement, Moody’s represents and warrants, as of the date first written above,
that the following statements are true and correct:

 

(a)       Organization;
Requisite Power and Authority. Moody’s (a) is duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization
as identified in the preamble hereto, and (b) has all requisite power and 

 

18

 

authority to own and operate its properties,
to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to
enter into this Agreement to which it is a party and to fulfill the obligations
contemplated hereby.

 

(b)       Due
Authorization; Binding Obligation. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part
of Moody’s.  This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Moody’s and is a legally valid and binding obligation
of Moody’s, enforceable against Moody’s in accordance with its terms, except as
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or by equitable
principles relating to enforceability.

 

SECTION
3.13.    Representations and
Warranties of IMS. To induce the VNU Parties to enter into this Agreement,
IMS represents and warrants, as of the date first written above, that the
following statements are true and correct:

 

(a)       Organization;
Requisite Power and Authority. IMS (a) is duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization as
identified in the preamble hereto, and (b) has all requisite power and
authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now
conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into this Agreement to
which it is a party and to fulfill the obligations contemplated hereby.

 

(b)       Due
Authorization; Binding Obligation. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part
of IMS.  This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by IMS and is a legally valid and binding obligation of
IMS, enforceable against IMS in accordance with its terms, except as may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or by equitable principles
relating to enforceability.

 

ARTICLE IV

JOINT DEFENSE PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 4.1.          Counsel.

 

(a)       ACNielsen
shall select counsel of record to represent ACNielsen Company, Donnelley (as
successor to Old D&B), D&B, Moody’s, NMR (as successor to Cognizant)
and IMS (which reference to IMS shall be deemed to include I.M.S.
International, Inc.), in the Lawsuit (“Counsel of Record”).  Counsel of Record shall communicate and
consult with all Parties in connection with the defense of the Lawsuit, but
shall be subject to direction only from ACNielsen.

 

(b)       Each
of the D&B Parties and IMS shall be free to retain at their own expense
counsel to monitor the Lawsuit (“D&B Parties Counsel” and “IMS
Counsel” respectively, and, collectively, “Party Counsel”).  Counsel of Record shall communicate and
consult with any Party Counsel.  Neither
Party Counsel nor any other 

 

19

 

counsel retained by any of the D&B
Parties or IMS shall appear in the Lawsuit unless such Party shall have become
a Withdrawing Party under Section 4.1(g) hereof.

 

(c)       Counsel
of Record and Party Counsel shall make available to other such counsel and any
Party confidential oral information and memoranda or other documents related to
the defense of the Lawsuit (“Defense Materials”) to the extent that they
deem it prudent and consistent with the objectives of the joint defense
provided for herein.

 

(d)       The
Defense Materials obtained by counsel for any Party shall remain confidential
and shall be protected from disclosure to any third party except as provided
herein.

 

(e)       Counsel
of Record and Party Counsel shall not disclose Defense Materials or the
contents thereof to anyone except their respective clients, expert witnesses
and consultants, counsel for other Parties to the Agreement, or attorneys,
paralegals and staff within their firms, without first obtaining the consent of
Counsel of Record and Party Counsel whose clients (or who themselves) may be
entitled to claim any privilege with respect to such materials.  All persons permitted access to Defense
Materials shall be specifically advised that the Defense Materials are
privileged and subject to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(f)        If
any other person or entity requests or demands, by subpoena or otherwise, any
Defense Materials from any of the Parties or their counsel, the recipient of
the request will immediately notify Counsel of Record and Party Counsel, and
each such counsel shall take all steps necessary to permit the assertion of all
applicable rights and privileges with respect to such Defense Materials and
shall cooperate fully with such other counsel in any proceeding relating to the
disclosure of Defense Materials.

 

(g)       If
any of the D&B Parties or IMS decides that it no longer wishes to engage in
a joint defense (a “Withdrawing Party”), the Withdrawing Party
immediately shall notify the other Parties to this Agreement in writing and
shall simultaneously return to Counsel of Record the originals and all copies
of Defense Materials provided to it.  In
such event, the Withdrawing Party shall no longer have any rights to obtain
Defense Materials, but shall retain other rights and obligations set forth in
the Agreement, including the obligations to share Defense Costs pursuant to and
on the terms of Section 4.1(h) below, unless otherwise specifically
provided.  The Withdrawing Party shall
lose its right to indemnification by the VNU Parties under this Agreement.  ACNielsen shall have the absolute right to
continue to be represented in all matters in and affecting the Lawsuit by
Counsel of Record.  All Parties expressly
agree that Counsel of Record may continue to represent Parties that have not
withdrawn, and all Parties agree and acknowledge that receipt and use of
Defense Materials by Counsel of Record or any action taken or knowledge gained
by Counsel of Record in connection with its representation of a Withdrawing
Party shall not be grounds for disqualification of Counsel of Record as counsel
for any other Party to this Agreement in the Lawsuit.

 

20

 

(h)       It
is the intention of the Parties that ACNielsen, the D&B Parties
(collectively, in accordance with their separate agreements) and NMR and IMS
(collectively, in accordance with their separate agreement) shall each pay one
third of the costs of defending the Lawsuit, including attorneys’ fees, expert
witness and consultants’ fees and all other costs and expenses for the defense
of the Lawsuit (or prosecution of any counterclaim to the Lawsuit) duly
incurred by ACNielsen or Counsel of Record (“Defense Costs”).  ACNielsen shall forward to each of the D&B
Parties, IMS and NMR, on a monthly basis, a statement of the Defense Costs
incurred in the preceding month (the “Defense Costs Statement”) and the
D&B Parties (collectively, in accordance with their separate agreements)
and NMR and IMS (collectively, in accordance with their separate agreement)
shall each reimburse ACNielsen for one third of such Defense Costs promptly
thereafter.  Any such Defense Costs that
are not so reimbursed to ACNielsen within thirty (30) days following receipt of
the Defense Costs Statement by the Party required to reimburse such Defense
Costs to ACNielsen under this Section 4.1(h) shall accrue interest on the
amount of such Defense Costs at the Prime Rate payable by such Party,
commencing on the later of (i) the 31st day following such receipt
or (ii) the date of actual payment of such costs by ACNielsen, and continuing
until (but not including) the date of payment in full of such Defense Costs
together with all interest accrued thereon. In the event that ACNielsen obtains
reimbursement for Defense Costs from IRI or the Trust in accordance with a
certain Settlement Agreement and Release between ACNielsen and IRI, dated as of
July 1, 1985, or for any other reason, the VNU Parties shall repay to each of
the D&B Parties (collectively) and NMR and IMS (collectively) one third of
such reimbursement up to the extent of their respective payments of Defense
Costs pursuant to the Original Agreement or this Agreement.

 

(i)        No
Party may enter into any settlement agreement in the Lawsuit without express
consent in writing of the other Parties, except that ACNielsen may, if it so
chooses, enter into a full and final settlement of the Lawsuit provided that
the VNU Parties pay the full amount of the settlement and obtain a full and
final release of each of the D&B Parties, IMS, I.M.S. International, Inc.
and their respective Subsidiaries  with respect
to the Lawsuit.  Such a settlement shall
impose no obligation on any other Party to this Agreement without such Party’s
express consent in writing.  In the event
that any Party receives a settlement proposal with respect to the Lawsuit, it
shall immediately communicate the substance of the offer to the Counsel of
Record.

 

(j)        All
other Parties to this Agreement shall cooperate with ACNielsen in the defense
of the Lawsuit and the prosecution of any counterclaim therein, including
providing, or causing to be provided, records or witnesses as soon as
practicable after receipt of any request therefor from or on behalf of
ACNielsen.

 

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 5.1.          Complete Agreement; Construction.  This Agreement, including the Exhibits
hereto, shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations,
commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter, including the
Original 

 

21

 

Agreement. 
In the event and to the extent that there is a conflict between the
provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the 1996 Distribution
Agreement, this Agreement shall control.

 

SECTION 5.2.          Ancillary Agreements.  This Agreement is not intended to address,
and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and
expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements.

 

SECTION 5.3.          Counterparts. 
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which
shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when
one or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and
delivered to the other Parties.

 

SECTION 5.4.          Notices. 
All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested) or sent by any means of electronic message transmission with
delivery confirmed (by voice or otherwise) to the Parties at the following
addresses (or at such other addresses for a Party as shall be specified by like
notice) and will be deemed given on the date on which such notice is received:

 

If
to any VNU Party, to:

 

VNU

770 Broadway, 8th Floor

New York, NY 10003

Facsimile: 
(646) 654-5060

Attention: 
Chief Legal Officer

 

with a copy to:

 

Shearman & Sterling LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Facsimile: 
(212) 848-7179

Attention: 
Henry Weisburg, Esq.

 

If to
Donnelley, to:

 

R.H. Donnelley Corporation

1001 Winstead Dr.

Cary, NC 27513

Facsimile: 
(919) 297-1518

Attention: 
General Counsel

 

22

 

If
to D&B, to:

 

The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation

103 John F. Kennedy Parkway

Short Hills, NJ 07078

Facsimile: 
(866) 561-5154

Attention: 
General Counsel

 

with a copy to:

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Four Times Square

New York, NY 10036

Facsimile: (212) 735-2000

Attention: 
David Fox, Esq.

 

If
to Moody’s, to:

 

Moody’s Corporation

99 Church Street

New York, NY 10007

Facsimile: 
(212) 553-0084

Attention: 
General Counsel

 

with a copy to:

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Four Times Square

New York, NY 10036

Facsimile: (212) 735-2000

Attention: 
David Fox, Esq.

 

If
to IMS, to:

 

IMS Health Incorporated

1499 Post Road

Fairfield, CT 06824

Facsimile: 
(203) 319-4552

Attention: 
General Counsel

 

with a copy to:

 

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

125 Broad Street

New York, NY 10004

Facsimile: 
(212) 558-3588

Attention: 
Alan J. Sinsheimer, Esq.

 

23

 

SECTION 5.5.          Waivers. 
The failure of any Party to require strict performance by any other
Party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that
Party’s right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other
provision hereof.

 

SECTION 5.6.          Amendments. 
This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in
writing signed by each of the Parties hereto.

 

SECTION 5.7.          Assignment. 
This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or
indirectly, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other
Parties, and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this
Agreement without such consent shall be void.

 

SECTION 5.8.          Successors and Assigns.  The provisions to this Agreement shall be
binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

SECTION 5.9.              Termination. 
This Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing
signed by all Parties.

 

SECTION 5.10.            Third Party Beneficiaries.  Except as provided in Article II, this
Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective
Subsidiaries (including, with respect to IMS, Gartner Inc., Synavant, Inc. and Cognizant Technology Solutions
Corporation, and their respective successors and assigns, provided, in the case of any such assigns, that VNU has granted its prior
written consent to such assignment) and Affiliates and should not be deemed to
confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim of
action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this
Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.11.            Title and Headings.  Titles and headings to sections herein are
inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a
part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.12.            GOVERNING LAW. 
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED
IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OR CONFLICT OF LAW
PROVISIONS OR RULES THEREOF.

 

SECTION 5.13.            Consent to Jurisdiction.

 

(a)       Each
of the Parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of (a) the
Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, and (b) the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York, for the purposes
of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any
transaction contemplated hereby.  Each of
the Parties agrees to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating hereto
either in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New
York or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be 

 

24

 

brought in such court for jurisdictional
reasons, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County.

 

(b)       Each
of the Parties further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or
document by U.S. registered mail to such Party’s respective address set forth
above shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding
in New York with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to
jurisdiction in this Section, except that in the event that at any time VNU
ceases to maintain an office in New York, New York, VNU hereby agrees to
irrevocably appoint CT Corporation System (the “Process Agent”), with an
office on the date hereof, at 111 Eight Avenue, 13th Floor, New
York, New York 10011, United States, as its agent to receive on behalf of VNU
service of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process which may
be served in all such actions and proceedings. 
Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process
to VNU in care of the Process Agent at the Process Agent’s above address, and
VNU hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to accept such
service on behalf of VNU.

 

(c)       Each
of the parties irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the
laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated hereby in (i) the Supreme Court of the State
of New York, New York County, or (ii) the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York, and hereby further irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that
any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought
in an inconvenient forum.

 

(d)       Concurrently
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the D&B Parties
and IMS have received opinions from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V., outside
Dutch counsel for VNU, and Bird & Bird, outside Dutch counsel for D&B,
each dated as of the date hereof, to the effect that, under Dutch law and VNU’s
organizational documents, this Agreement (i) has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by VNU, (ii) constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of
VNU and (iii) is enforceable against VNU in accordance with its terms.  Copies of such opinions are attached as Exhibit
5.13 hereto.

 

SECTION 5.14.            Severability. 
In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this
Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained
herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.  The Parties shall endeavor in good-faith
negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with
valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that
of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.15.            Further Assurances.  From time to time, as and when reasonably
requested by any other Party hereto, each Party hereto shall execute and
deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and
instruments and shall take, or cause to be taken, all such further or other
actions as such other Party may 

 

25

 

reasonably deem necessary or desirable to
effect the purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereunder.

 

SECTION 5.16.            Specific Enforcement.  The parties agree that irreparable damage
would occur and that the parties would not have any adequate remedy at law in
the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached.  It is accordingly agreed that the parties
shall be entitled to a preliminary and/or permanent injunction or injunctions
to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions of this Agreement in any court set forth in Section 5.13, this being
in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

 

26

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF
the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the
date first above written.

 

 

	
   

  	
  VNU, N.V.

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   /s/ F. J. G. M. Cremers

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Name:  F. J. G. M. Cremers

  
	
   

  	
  Title:  Member of the Executive
  Board

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  VNU, Inc.

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   /s/ Michael E. Elias

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Name:  Michael E. Elias

  
	
   

  	
  Title:  Vice President &
  Deputy General Counsel

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  ACNielsen Corporation

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   /s/ Michael E. Elias

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Name:  Michael E. Elias

  
	
   

  	
  Title:  Vice President &
  Assistant Secretary

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Nielsen Media Research, Inc.

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   /s/ James Ross

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Name:  James Ross

  
	
   

  	
  Title:  Assistant Secretary

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  AC Nielsen (US), Inc.

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   /s/ Michael E. Elias

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Name:  Michael E. Elias

  
	
   

  	
  Title:  Vice President &
  Assistant Secretary

  

 

 

	
   

  	
  R.H Donnelley Corporation

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   

  	
  /s/ Robert J. Bush

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Name:

  	
  Robert J. Bush

  
	
   

  	
  Title:

  	
  Vice President, General Counsel

  and Corporate Secretary

  
	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   

  	
  /s/ David Lewinter

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Name:

  	
  David Lewinter

  
	
   

  	
  Title:

  	
  Senior Vice President and General

  Counsel

  
	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Moody’s Corporation

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   

  	
  /s/ John Goggins

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Name:

  	
  John Goggins

  
	
   

  	
  Title:

  	
  Senior Vice President and General

  Counsel

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  IMS Health Incorporated

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   

  	
  /s/ Robert H. Steinfeld

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Name:

  	
  Robert H. Steinfeld

  
	
   

  	
  Title:

  	
  Senior Vice President, General

  Counsel and Corporate Secretary

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