Document:

ex10_4.htm

Exhibit 10.4

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

PATENT INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This PATENT INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT, dated and effective as of July 13, 2010, is entered into by and among, on one side, Toshiba Corporation, a Japanese corporation (“Toshiba”), and, on the other side, SanDisk Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“SanDisk Corporation”), and SanDisk **** and SanDisk together with Toshiba, the “Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, Toshiba and SanDisk are parties to that certain Flash Forward Master Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “FF Master Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, Toshiba and SanDisk are parties to that certain 3D Collaboration Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2008 (the “3D Collaboration Agreement”), pursuant to which the Parties have agreed to expand their collaboration through a project for the joint development of and technical collaboration on **** (as defined in the 3D Collaboration Agreement) and technology;

 

****

 

WHEREAS, recognizing that the products SanDisk will acquire from the Company will have been manufactured using Toshiba patents and technology, and recognizing that SanDisk, as an owner of the equity interests in the Company, will benefit from Toshiba’s making available its patents and technology to the Company, the Parties have determined to enter into this Agreement, which is required by the FF Master Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. INDEMNIFICATION.

 

	
1.1  

	
Patent Infringement. With regard to any and all sales of Y5 NAND Flash Memory Products and ****, if applicable, by the Company to SanDisk (“Company Products”):

 

	
(a)  

	
Subject to the terms and conditions listed below, Toshiba agrees to indemnify and defend SanDisk in any legal proceeding, lawsuit or other judicial action, **** claims that the Company Products supplied by the Company infringe any **** patent(s). With regard to any claim of patent infringement for which Toshiba has indemnification obligations hereunder, Toshiba’s obligations are subject to the following conditions:

 

	
(i)  

	
SanDisk shall notify Toshiba in writing of such claim ****;

 

	
(ii)  

	
SanDisk shall also notify Toshiba in writing ****;

 

	
(iii)  

	
SanDisk shall provide Toshiba with notice of any other written communication indicating potential patent infringement claims against the Company Products ****; provided, however, SanDisk’s failure to provide such notice shall in no way constitute a breach of this Agreement by SanDisk nor in any way excuse Toshiba’s obligations under this Agreement;

 

	
(iv)  

	
****, Toshiba shall have the sole and exclusive control of the defense or settlement of such claim; ****; and

 

	
(v)  

	
SanDisk shall provide all reasonable assistance in defending such claim.

 

  

1

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.4

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
(b)  

	
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Toshiba shall not be obligated to indemnify or defend SanDisk in the event that such infringement arises from:

 

	
(i)  

	
****;

 

	
(ii)  

	
****

 

	
(iii)  

	
****

 

	
(c)  

	
****

 

	
(d)  

	
****

 

	
(e)  

	
****

 

	
(f)  

	
In addition to the obligations set forth above, should any third party patent claim result in a temporary or permanent injunction against the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale, importation or otherwise disposal of the Company Products by SanDisk, Toshiba shall use best efforts to undertake one of the following actions:

 

	
(i)  

	
****

 

	
(ii)  

	
****

 

	
(g)  

	
The total cumulative liability of Toshiba under this Agreement, exclusive of the remedy set forth in subparagraph (e) above, shall be limited (i), with respect to ****, to an amount not to exceed the greater of (x) **** or (y) ****, and (ii), with respect to ****, if applicable, to an amount not to exceed the greater of (x) ****or (y) ****.

 

	
1.2  

	
Qualifying Claims.

 

	
(a)  

	
If either Party receives a notice of a **** or becomes aware that the Company has received such a notice, it shall promptly notify the other Party. Promptly following the notified Party’s receipt of such notice from the notifying Party, the Parties shall meet and discuss in good faith whether and how ****, in accordance with the principles set forth in Section 1.2(b).

 

	
(b)  

	
In discussing and evaluating each ****, Toshiba and SanDisk shall discuss and agree upon ****

 

	
(c)  

	
If despite their good faith efforts the Parties are not able to agree upon **** pursuant to Section 1.2(b) for ****, the matter shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in the FF Master Agreement.

 

	
(d)  

	
****.

 

	
1.3  

	
****.

 

2. TERMINATION

 

This Agreement shall terminate ****, and upon such termination, this Agreement shall be of no further force and effect, and Toshiba and SanDisk shall thereafter have no liability hereunder.

 

  

2

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.4

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

 

3. MISCELLANEOUS

 

	
3.1  

	
Certain Definitions and Interpretive Rules.

 

	
(a)  

	
As used herein, the term “Agreement” means this Patent Indemnification Agreement together with any exhibits, schedules, appendices and attachments hereto.

 

	
(b)  

	
Capitalized terms used but not defined in the main body of this Agreement shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in attached Appendix A. If any capitalized term used in this Agreement is not defined in either the main body of this Agreement or Appendix A, it shall have the meaning assigned to it in the FF Master Agreement.

 

	
(c)  

	
The rules of construction and documentary conventions and general terms and conditions set forth in Appendix A shall apply to this Agreement.

 

	
3.2  

	
****

 

	
(a)  

	
****

 

	
(i)  

	
****

 

	
(ii)  

	
****

 

	
(iii)  

	
****

 

	
3.3  

	
Survival. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, all covenants, agreements, representations and warranties of the Parties made in or pursuant to such agreement or instrument shall survive the execution and delivery of such agreement or instrument and the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby, notwithstanding any investigation by or on behalf of any party. Further, the provisions set forth in this Article III shall survive and shall apply with respect to this Agreement following termination thereof pursuant to Article II hereof.

 

	
3.4  

	
Assignment. Neither Party shall transfer, or grant or permit to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on, this Agreement or any of its rights hereunder, (except for any transfer to an Affiliate or in connection with a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all the assets or the outstanding securities of such Party, which transfer shall not require any consent of the other Party) without the prior written consent of the other Party (which consent may be withheld in each such other Party’s sole discretion), and any such purported transfer or Lien without such consent shall be void.  ****

 

	
3.5  

	
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed as to all matters including validity, construction and performance by and under the substantive laws of the State of California.

 

	
3.6  

	
****  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.9 of Appendix A, any other provision of this Agreement, and any delay beyond the date of hereof of execution by **** of this Agreement, Toshiba and SanDisk acknowledge and agree that, by the execution and delivery hereof to Toshiba and SanDisk Corporation: (i) this Agreement shall be effective as between Toshiba and SanDisk Corporation as of the date hereof; and (ii) ****.

 

 

 

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

 

 

 

3

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.4

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

  

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

 

 

	 	TOSHIBA CORPORATION
	 	 By:	 /s/ Kiyoshi Kobayashi
	 	 Name:	 Kiyoshi Kobayashi
	 	 Title:	 President and CEO
	 	 	 Semiconductor Company
	 	 	 Corporate Senior Vice President
	 	 	 
	 	 SANDISK CORPORATION
	 	 By:	 /s/ Eli Harari
	 	 Name:	 Eli Harari
	 	 Title:	 Chairman and CEO
	 	 	 
	 	 
	 	****	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Flash Forward Patent Indemnification Agreement]

 

  

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.ex10_5.htm

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

 

OPERATING AGREEMENT OF FLASH FORWARD, LTD.

Dated as of [__], 2010

between

TOSHIBA CORPORATION

and

SANDISK FLASH B.V.

 

 

 

  

  

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

	 	 	Page
	 1.	 Definitions, Rules of Construction and Documentary Conventions	 1
	 	 1.1 	 Certain Definitions	 1
	 	 1.2	 Additional Definitions	 1
	 	 1.3	 Rules of Construction and Documentary Conventions	3
	 2.	 General Provisions	 3
	 	 2.1	 Ownership of Interests; Capital Increase	 3
	 	 2.2	 Name	 3
	 	 2.3	 Principal Office	 3
	 	 2.4	 Term; Extension	 3
	 	 2.5	 Scope of Activity	 3
	 	 2.6	 Powers	 3
	 	 2.7	 Articles of Incorporation	 3
	 	 2.8	 Company Actions	 3
	 3.	 Business Operations	 4
	 	 3.1	 Business Dealings with the Company	 4
	 	 3.2	 Other Activities	 4
	 	 3.3	 Personnel	 4
	 	 3.4	 Business Plans and Related Matters	 4
	 	 3.5	 Standard of Care	 5
	 	 3.6	 Use of Names	 5
	 4.	Actions by the Members	 6
	 	 4.1	 Matters Requiring the Approval of the Members	 6
	 	 4.2	 General Meetings of Members	 7
	 	 4.3	 Restrictions on Members	 8
	 5.	 Management and Operations of Company	 8
	 	 5.1	 Meetings of the Board of Executive Officers	 8
	 	 5.2	 Officers; Employees	12
	 	 5.3	 Y5 Representatives; Y5 Operating Committee	 13
	 	 5.4	 Insurance	 13
	 	 5.5	 Records	 14
	 6.	 Capital Contributions; Distributions	 14
	 	 6.1	 Capital Contributions	 14
	 	 6.2	 Distributions	 15
	 	 6.3	 No Interest	 15
	 	 6.4	 Return of Capital Contributions	 15
	 7.	 Additional Contributions	 15
	 8.	 Accounting and Taxation	 15
	 	 8.1	 Financial Accounting Conventions	 15
	 	 8.2	 Maintenance of Books of Account	 15
	 	 8.3	 Financial Statements	 16
	 	 8.4	 Other Reports and Inspection	 17
	 	 8.5	 Deposit of Funds	 17
	 9.	 Share of Contribution; Disposition of Interests	 18
	 	 9.1	 Restrictions on Transfer of Interests	 18
	 	 9.2	 Admission of New Members	19
	 	 9.3	 Withdrawal Prohibited	 19
	 	 9.4	 Purchase of Additional Interest	 19

 

  

i

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

	 	 	 Page
	 10.	 Certain Agreements of the Members	20
	 	 10.1	 Taxes and Charges; Governmental Rules	 20
	 	 10.2	 Further Assurances	 20
	 	 10.3	 Dispute Resolution; Deadlock	21
	 	 10.4	 Remedies Upon Event of Default; Termination on Breach	 21
	 	 10.5	 Mechanics of Sale	 22
	 11.	 Dissolution	 22
	 	 11.1	 Events of Dissolution	 22
	 	 11.2	 Dissolution by Agreement	 22
	 	 11.3	 Dissolution Upon Event of Default	 22
	 	 11.4	 [Intentionally omitted.]	 22
	 	 11.5	 Dissolution upon Notice	 22
	 	 11.6	 Financing Defaults	 23
	 	 11.7	 Winding Up	23
	 	 11.8	 Liquidation Proceeds	 24
	 12.	 Indemnification and Insurance	 24
	 	 12.1	 Indemnification	 24
	 	 12.2	 Insurance	 25
	 	 12.3	 Indemnification by the Members	 25
	 	 12.4	 Assertion of Claims	 25
	 13.	 Miscellaneous	 26
	 	 13.1	 Governing Law	 26
	 	 13.2	 Effectiveness	 26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

ii

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A                                -          Articles of Incorporation of the Company

SCHEDULES

Schedule 5.3                                -          Management and Operating Reports

Schedule 6.1                                -          Capital Contributions

Schedule 8.3                                -          Monthly Reports

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

iii  

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

OPERATING AGREEMENT of FLASH FORWARD, LTD., a Japanese limited liability company (godo kaisha), dated as of __, 2010, between TOSHIBA CORPORATION, a Japanese corporation (“Toshiba”), and SANDISK FLASH B.V., a Netherlands company (“SanDisk”).

 

WHEREAS, Flash Forward, Ltd. (the “Company”) is a Japanese limited liability company (godo kaisha);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Member Interests Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between SanDisk and Toshiba, concurrently with the execution hereof, SanDisk has acquired from Toshiba equity interests in the Company representing 49.9% of all outstanding membership interests (any or all of such membership interests (mochibun) of the Company shall be referred to herein as “Interests”);

 

WHEREAS, Toshiba holds the remaining 50.1% of outstanding Interests; and

 

WHEREAS, SanDisk and Toshiba (each a “Member”) desire to enter into this Operating Agreement in order to provide, subject to the Companies Act and the Articles of Incorporation of the Company (as amended from time to time, the “Articles”) for (i) the business of the Company, (ii) the conduct of the Company’s affairs and (iii) the rights, powers, preferences, limitations and responsibilities of the Company’s Members, employees and Executive Officers.

 

Accordingly, Toshiba and SanDisk agree as follows:

 

	
1.  

	
Definitions, Rules of Construction and Documentary Conventions

 

	
1.1  

	
Certain Definitions.

 

	
(a)  

	
Capitalized terms used but not defined in the main body of this Agreement shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in that certain Flash Forward Master Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among SanDisk, SanDisk Corporation and Toshiba (the “Master Agreement”) or in Appendix A to the Master Agreement.

 

	
(b)  

	
As used herein, the term “Agreement” means this Operating Agreement together with any Exhibits, Schedules, Appendices and Attachments hereto.

 

	
1.2  

	
Additional Definitions.  The following capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings assigned in the sections indicated below:

 

  

1

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

 

	
Term

	
Defined in

	
“Appendix A”

	
Recitals

	
“Articles”

	
Recitals

	
“Bankruptcy Event”

	
Section 11.1(f)

	
“Board of Executive Officers”

	
Section 5.1(a)

	
“Claim”

	
Section 12.4(a)

	
“Company”

	
Recitals

	
“Deadlock”

	
Section 10.3(c)

	
“Deadlock Dissolution Notice”

	
Section 10.3(e)

	
“Defaulting Member”

	
Section 10.4

	
“Designated Individuals”

	
Section 10.3(b)

	
“Executive Officer(s)”

	
Section 3.5(a)

	
“Executive Vice President”

	
Section 5.2(a)

	
“General Meeting of Members”

	
Section 4.2(a)

	
“Indemnified Party”

	
Section 12.4(a)

	
“Indemnifying Party”

	
Section 12.4(a)

	
“Initiating Member”

	
Section 10.3(e)

	
“Interests”

	
Recitals

	
“Losses”

	
Section 12.1(a)

	
“Master Agreement”

	
Section 1.1(a)

	
“Member”

	
Recitals

	
“Nondefaulting Member”

	
Section 10.4

	
“Notified Party”

	
Section 11.5

	
“Notifying Party”

	
Section 11.5

	
“Permissible Assignee”

	
Section 9.1(c)

	
“Permissible Assignment Agreement”

	
Section 9.1(c)

	
“President”

	
Section 5.2(a)

	
“Responding Member”

	
Section 10.3(e)

	
“SanDisk Representative”

	
Section 5.3(a)

	
“Toshiba Representative”

	
Section 5.3(a)

	
“Y5 Operating Committee”

	
Section 5.3(a)

 

  

2

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
1.3  

	
Rules of Construction and Documentary Conventions.  The rules of construction, documentary conventions and general terms and conditions set forth in Appendix A shall apply to, and are hereby incorporated in, this Agreement.

 

	
2.  

	
General Provisions

 

	
2.1  

	
Ownership of Interests; Capital Increase.  The rights and obligations of the Members shall be as set forth herein, subject to the Articles and mandatory provisions of the Companies Act.

 

	
2.2  

	
Name.  The name of the Company is “Flash Forward Godo Kaisha,” which shall be translated as “Flash Forward, Ltd.” in English, and all Company business shall be conducted in that name or such other name as the Members shall mutually agree.

 

	
2.3  

	
Principal Office.  The principal office of the Company shall be located in Yokkaichi, Mie, or such other place as the Members shall mutually agree.

 

	
2.4  

	
Term; Extension.  The Company shall be terminated on December 31, 2025, unless extended by mutual written agreement of all of the Members or earlier terminated in accordance with Section 11 (Dissolution).  Any such extension shall be effective only upon the written agreement of all of the Members and shall be on such terms and for such period as set forth in such agreement.  The Members agree to meet, no later than December 31, 2024, to discuss the possible extension of the term of the Company.

 

	
2.5  

	
Scope of Activity.  The scope of activity of the Company shall be as set forth in Sections 3.1 (Purpose) and 6.7 (Capacity Sharing Arrangement) of the Master Agreement.

 

	
2.6  

	
Powers.  The Company shall have all the powers now or hereafter conferred by applicable law on limited liability companies formed under the Companies Act and may do any and all acts and things necessary, incidental or convenient to the purpose specified in Section 2.5 (Scope of Activity).

 

	
2.7  

	
Articles of Incorporation.  On the date hereof and immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the Members shall hold a General Meeting of the Members and, among other matters agreed between them, vote their Interests to amend the Articles so that they will be in the form of Exhibit A.  In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Articles, the Members confirm their intent that the terms of this Agreement shall prevail, and on the request of either Member, the Members shall amend the Articles to conform with this Agreement to the extent legally possible; provided that the inability to implement such amendment shall not relieve any Member from liability for any breach of its obligations hereunder.  The Articles shall provide that each of the Members shall have the authority of a gyomu shikko shain (a “Managing Member”) under the Companies Act.

 

	
2.8  

	
Company Actions.  The Members hereby authorize the Company, and ratify (including for purposes of Section 4.1 (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Members)) all action having been taken by or on behalf of the Company (including by its Members and Executive Officers) prior to the date hereof, to execute and deliver the FF Operative Documents to which it is a party, including all certificates, agreements and other documents required in connection therewith.

 

  

3

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
3.  

	
Business Operations

 

	
3.1  

	
Business Dealings with the Company.  Subject to Sections 4.1(a) (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Members) and 5.1(d) (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Board of Executive Officers), the Company may enter into contracts or agreements, or otherwise enter into transactions or dealings, with any Member or any of their respective Affiliates, and derive and retain profits therefrom.  The validity of any such contract, agreement, transaction or dealing or any payment or profit related thereto or derived therefrom shall not be affected by any relationship between the Company and any Member or any of their respective Affiliates, subject to the Companies Act.  The Members agree that where practicable and contractually allowable (based on competitive price, availability and other material terms), the Board of Executive Officers will consider whether to utilize any Member or any of their respective Affiliates as the preferred providers of products and services that may be required in the manufacturing operations of the Company, subject to the ability of such Member or Affiliate to meet the Company’s manufacturing requirements on competitive terms.  Unless otherwise approved by the Members or otherwise expressly provided in the FF Operative Documents, all business dealings of the Company with any Member or any of their respective Affiliates shall be on the most beneficial standard commercial terms and conditions, including volume, price and credit terms, currently offered or made available to unaffiliated customers by such Member or Affiliate, as the case may be, with respect to the products and services to be offered and provided to the Company.

 

	
3.2  

	
Other Activities.  The provisions of Section 6.13 (Other Activities) of the Master Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

	
3.3  

	
Personnel.  The provisions of Section 6.10 (FF Management Structure and Headcount) of the Master Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

	
3.4  

	
Business Plans and Related Matters.

 

	
(a)  

	
Initial and Subsequent Business Plans.  The initial Business Plan of the Company, consistent with the Phase I Minimum RUP Commitment and Toshiba’s proposed schedule therefor and setting forth the Company’s products, pricing, operating budget, capital expenditures, expense budgets, financing plans and other business activities of the Company through the **** will be agreed upon and certified by the Board of Executive Officers as soon as practicable after the Closing.

 

	
(i)  

	
The initial Business Plan and each successive Business Plan will, at the time such Business Plan is in effect, represent the Company’s then-current forecast of the proposed operations of the Company.

 

	
(ii)  

	
An updated Business Plan complying with Section 3.4(b) (Form and Scope) in respect of each successive Fiscal Year after the **** shall be prepared under the direction of the President of the Company and submitted to the Board of Executive Officers for review and approval not later than the **** preceding the commencement of such Fiscal Year.

 

	
(iii)  

	
When the proposed Business Plan in respect of a Fiscal Year is approved by the Board of Executive Officers, it shall constitute the Business Plan of the Company for such Fiscal Year and the Company and its Executive Officers and employees shall implement such Business Plan, which shall be the basis of the Company’s operations for such Fiscal Year.  Upon approval, the approved Business Plan shall constitute the approved operational, financing and capital expenditure budget, subject to Section 6.3 of the Master Agreement.  The Board of Executive Officers shall have the authority pursuant to Section 5.1(d) (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Board of Executive Officers) to amend the most recently approved Business Plan, including the operating budget contained therein, and any Member may request that the Board of Executive Officers review the Company’s operating results and prospects, as well as market conditions, and consider a proposal for amendment or review of the most recently approved Business Plan at any regularly scheduled or special meeting of the Board of Executive Officers and upon such request, the Board of Executive Officers shall in good faith make such review and/or consider such proposal.

 

  

4

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
(b)  

	
Form and Scope.  Each Business Plan shall contain a statement of long-range strategy and short-range tactics detailing quantitative and qualitative goals for the Company and relating the attainment of those goals to the Company’s manufacturing objectives, and shall include such items as planned capital expenditures, planned product development, planned product output and projected product cost, sales forecasts, total headcount, total spending and revenue and profit projections, financing plans and tax planning.  No Business Plan shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.  Any capital commitments made in any Business Plan for a period after the Fiscal Year to which the Business Plan applies shall be considered non-binding for purposes of any FF Operative Document.

 

	
(c)  

	
Approval.  Other than the initial Business Plan (which shall be approved in accordance with Section 3.4(a)), the Board of Executive Officers shall vote upon any proposed Business Plan, with such modifications as it may deem necessary, before **** preceding the commencement of each Fiscal Year.  Subject to Sections 10.3(c), (e) and (f) (Dispute Resolution; Deadlock) herein and Section 6.3 of the Master Agreement, pending approval by the Board of Executive Officers of any proposed Business Plan, the most recently approved Business Plan shall continue in effect; provided, however, the Board of Executive Officers may, by unanimous vote, adopt an amended interim business plan for the Company’s operations until it is able to reach agreement on the proposed Business Plan for the forthcoming year.

 

	
3.5  

	
Standard of Care.

 

	
(a)  

	
Each Member and each Executive Officer, shall be entitled to rely (unless such Person has knowledge or information concerning the matter in question that makes reliance unwarranted) on information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, if prepared or presented by:

 

	
(i)  

	
one or more managers or employees of the Company who such Member or Executive Officer believes in good faith to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; or

 

	
(ii)  

	
legal counsel, public accountants or other Persons as to matters that such Member or Executive Officer believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence.

 

	
(b)  

	
Each Member shall also be entitled to rely upon information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, prepared or presented by the Board of Executive Officers pursuant to the responsibilities delegated to the Board of Executive Officers pursuant to this Agreement.

 

	
3.6  

	
Use of Names.  Except as may be expressly provided in the FF Operative Documents, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring on the Company or any Member the right to use in advertising, publicity or other promotional activities any name, trade name, trademark or other designation of any other Member or any of its Affiliates, including any contraction, abbreviation or simulation of any of the foregoing.

 

  

5

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
4.  

	
Actions by the Members

 

	
4.1  

	
Matters Requiring the Approval of the Members.

 

	
(a)  

	
Notwithstanding any provision of the Articles to the contrary, no action shall be taken by or on behalf of the Company in connection with any of the following matters without the prior unanimous written approval of the Members, each acting through the Executive Officers appointed by it:

 

	
(i)  

	
any amendment, restatement or revocation of the Articles;

 

	
(ii)  

	
any amendment to or renewal of any FF Operative Document between the Company and any Member or any of their respective Affiliates;

 

	
(iii)  

	
any change in the scope of activity or strategic direction of the Company’s business;

 

	
(iv)  

	
any merger, consolidation or other business combination to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or any other transaction to which the Company is a party resulting in a Change of Control of the Company;

 

	
(v)  

	
any sale, lease, pledge, assignment or other disposition of assets of the Company in an amount (in terms of consideration to be received by the Company) in excess of ¥5,000,000 in one transaction or a series of related transactions, other than as expressly provided for in the FF Operative Documents or as set forth in the most recently approved Business Plan;

 

	
(vi)  

	
the approval of any transaction or agreement between the Company and any Member or any of their respective Affiliates (other than transactions or agreements expressly provided for or authorized by an FF Operative Document or the most recently approved Business Plan) or any amendment thereto (including the waiver of any material term thereof), other than any such transaction, agreement or amendment that contains generally available, arm’s length commercial terms and is in an amount (in terms of payments to be made or the value of services or products to be provided or delivered) less than ¥5,000,000 for any single transaction or agreement or for substantially identical transactions within a twenty-four (24) month period (or a waiver that does not materially adversely affect the rights and benefits of the Company), other than as set forth in the most recently approved Business Plan;

 

	
(vii)  

	
incurring Indebtedness in an amount in excess of ¥1,000,000 or an increase in aggregate Indebtedness in excess of ¥1,000,000 in any calendar quarter, other than as authorized by Section 5.1(d) (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Board of Executive Officers);

 

	
(viii)  

	
with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (A) the voluntary commencement of any proceeding or the voluntary filing of any petition seeking relief under Japanese or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (B) the consent to the institution of, or the failure to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any involuntary proceeding or any involuntary filing of any petition of the type described in clause (A) above, (C) the application for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Company, or for a substantial part of its property or assets, (D) the filing of an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against the Company in any such proceeding described above, (E) the consent to any order for relief issued with respect to any such proceeding described above, (F) the making of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (G) the admission in writing of the Company’s inability, or the failure of the Company generally, to pay its debts as they become due or (H) the taking of any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

 

	
(ix)  

	
subject to Section 9.1(a) and Appendix A, the granting of consent to the transfer of any Interests;

 

  

6

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
(x)  

	
the winding up, dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the dissolution of the Company pursuant to and as contemplated by Section 11 (Dissolution));

 

	
(xi)  

	
the acquisition of any business, entry into any joint venture or partnership, or creation of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company;

 

	
(xii)  

	
the commitment of the Company to any development project;

 

	
(xiii)  

	
the sale, license, assignment or other Transfer of any of the Company’s intellectual property owned or in its possession (including any technology or know-how, whether or not patented, any trademark, trade name or service mark, any copyright or any software or other method or process;

 

	
(xiv)  

	
any increase or decrease in the capital amount of the Company;

 

	
(xv)  

	
any other matter material to the operation, staffing, business or financial condition of the Company; and

 

	
(xvi)  

	
any matter required by the Companies Act to be decided, in the case of a limited liability company (godo kaisha) by its Members (or its Managing Members, as the case may be).

 

	
(b)  

	
Each Member may exercise its vote by proxy; provided, that such proxy shall submit to the Company, prior to the relevant General Meeting of Members, a power of attorney duly signed by the Member and/or other document establishing its power of representation; and provided, further, that the conferment of the power of proxy for one General Meeting of Members shall not be deemed to be a conferment of the power of proxy for any subsequent General Meeting of Members.

 

	
(c)  

	
Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 4.1(a) (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Members) relating to agreements between the Company and any Member or any of their respective Affiliates, any question regarding a material default or alleged material default (including any question regarding a breach of representation or alleged breach of representation) under any FF Operative Document between the Company and any Member or any of their respective Affiliates shall be subject to the dispute resolution process set forth in Sections 10.3(a) and (b) (Dispute Resolution; Deadlock).

 

	
4.2  

	
General Meetings of Members.

 

	
(a)  

	
The Members acknowledge and agree that while under the Companies Act a limited liability company (godo kaisha) does not have a requirement to convene a General Meeting of Members, for convenience they will in this Agreement (and elsewhere in the FF Operative Documents) refer to such meeting or meetings as are required under this Agreement as a “General Meeting of Members.”  An annual General Meeting of Members shall be held within three (3) months from the date immediately following the last day of each Fiscal Year of the Company.  A special General Meeting of Members may be held at any time and may be called by each Member, a resolution of the Board of Executive Officers or in any other manner permitted by the Articles.  All General Meetings of Members shall be called and held in accordance with the Articles.  The General Meetings of Members may be held at the Company’s principal office or at any other location, or, if all the Members agree, by telecommunications conferences by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear and be heard by each other, provided that such communications equipment continues to be operational throughout the meeting.  The Members may by unanimous written consent effect any resolution that could otherwise be resolved at a General Meeting of the Members.

 

	
(b)  

	
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Member shall be entitled to one vote for each JPY 1 contributed by such Member in respect of its Interests.

 

	
(c)  

	
The minutes of every General Meeting of Members shall be kept with the Company’s records referred to in Section 5.5 (Records).

 

	
(d)  

	
The quorum necessary for any General Meeting of Members shall be those Persons entitled to cast all of the votes held by the Members.  A quorum shall be deemed not to be present at any meeting for which notice was not properly given under the Articles, unless the Member as to whom such notice was not properly given attends such meeting without protesting the lack of notice or duly executes and delivers a written waiver of notice or a written consent to the holding of such meeting.

 

  

7

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
4.3  

	
Restrictions on Members.  No Member may, without the prior written consent of the other Member:

 

	
(a)  

	
confess any judgment against the Company;

 

	
(b)  

	
enter into any agreement on behalf of or otherwise purport to bind the other Member or the Company;

 

	
(c)  

	
do any act in contravention of this Agreement;

 

	
(d)  

	
except as contemplated by Section 11 (Dissolution), dispose of the goodwill or the business of the Company; or

 

	
(e)  

	
assign the property of the Company in trust for creditors or on the assignee’s promise to pay any Indebtedness of the Company.

 

	
5.  

	
Management and Operations of Company

 

	
5.1  

	
Meetings of the Board of Executive Officers.

 

	
(a)  

	
General.  The Members agree to form a steering committee consisting of executive officers nominated by each of the Members (each person so nominated, an “Executive Officer”).  The Members acknowledge and agree that while under the Companies Act a limited liability company (godo kaisha) does not have a Board of Executive Officers, for convenience they will in this Agreement (and elsewhere in the FF Operative Documents) refer to such committee as the “Board of Executive Officers” (“yakuin kai”).  Except as otherwise provided herein, as between the Parties the Board of Executive Officers is vested with complete and exclusive power to direct and control the Company and to manage the Company as provided by the Articles and this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.  The Board of Executive Officers shall have the power to delegate such responsibilities as it may deem appropriate from time to time (including certain day-to-day responsibilities set forth in Section 5.2 (Officers; Employees) and Section 5.3 (Y5 Operating Committee)).  The Members shall cooperate in taking any necessary corporate steps under the Companies Act to attain the purposes of this Section 5, including without limitation, approval by the Executive Officers and General Meeting of Members with respect to decisions made by the Board of Executive Officers.

 

	
(b)  

	
Members of the Board of Executive Officers; Voting; etc.

 

	
(i)  

	
The Board of Executive Officers of the Company shall consist of six (6) Executive Officers, three (3) of which shall be nominated by Toshiba, and the other three (3) of which shall be nominated by SanDisk; provided that the total number of Executive Officers of the Company may be changed by mutual agreement of the Members.

 

	
(ii)  

	
Executive Officers shall be elected to serve until complete adjournment of the annual General Meeting of Members for the Fiscal Year last to end within one (1) year after his or her assumption of the office of Executive Officer, and shall be eligible for re-election.

 

	
(iii)  

	
Subject to the fiduciary duty of the shokumu shikko sha under the Companies Act, as applicable, each Executive Officer shall serve at the pleasure of the designating Member and may be removed as such, with or without cause, and his or her successor designated, by the designating Member.  Each Member shall have the right to designate a replacement Executive Officer in the event of any vacancy among such Member’s appointees.

 

	
(iv)  

	
Each Member shall bear any cost incurred by any Executive Officer nominated by it to serve on the Board of Executive Officers, and no Executive Officer shall be entitled to compensation from the Company for serving in such capacity.

 

  

8

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
(v)  

	
Each Member shall notify the other Member and the Company of the name, business address and business telephone, e-mail address and facsimile numbers of each Executive Officer that such Member has nominated.  Each Member shall promptly notify the other Member and the Company of any change in such Member’s nominated or of any change in any such address or number.

 

	
(vi)  

	
For purposes of any approval or action taken by the Board of Executive Officers, each Executive Officer shall have one vote.  Unless otherwise required under Japanese law, unanimous agreement of all Executive Officers is required for valid action to be taken by the Board of Executive Officers.

 

	
(vii)  

	
At any meeting of the Board of Executive Officers, each Executive Officer may exercise his or her vote by proxy; provided, that such proxy shall submit to the Company, prior to the relevant meeting, a power of attorney duly signed by the Executive Officer and/or other document establishing his or her power of representation; and provided, further, that the conferment of the power of proxy for one meeting of the Board of Executive Officers shall not be deemed to be a conferment of the power of proxy for any subsequent meeting of the Board of Executive Officers.

 

	
(viii)  

	
The quorum necessary for any meeting of the Board of Executive Officers shall be those Executive Officers entitled to cast all of the votes held by the members of the Board of Executive Officers.  A quorum shall be deemed not to be present at any meeting for which notice was not properly given under Section 5.1(c) (Meetings, Notices, etc.), unless the Executive Officer or Executive Officers as to whom such notice was not properly given attend such meeting without protesting the lack of notice or duly execute and deliver a written waiver of notice or a written consent to the holding of such meeting.

 

	
(ix)  

	
In the event that, under the Companies Act, an action approved by the Board of Executive Officers requires the approval of each Member in order to be a duly authorized action of the Company, each Member agrees promptly to provide such further evidence of approval as may be required by any third parties with whom the Company transacts or wishes to transact business.

 

	
(c)  

	
Meetings, Notice, etc.  Meetings of the Board of Executive Officers shall be held at such location or locations as may be selected by the Board of Executive Officers from time to time.

 

	
(i)  

	
Regular meetings of the Board of Executive Officers shall be held on such dates and at such times as shall be determined by the Board of Executive Officers and shall be held at least on a quarterly basis, unless otherwise agreed by the Executive Officers.

 

	
(ii)  

	
Notice of any regular meeting or special meeting pursuant to Section 5.1(c)(iii) shall be given to each Executive Officer at least ten (10) Business Days prior to such meeting in the case of a meeting in person or at least five (5) Business Days prior to such meeting in the case of a meeting by conference telephone or similar communications equipment pursuant to Section 5.1(c)(vii), which notice shall state the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is being called and include any supporting documentation relating to any action to be taken at such meeting.

 

	
(iii)  

	
Special meetings of the Board of Executive Officers may be called by any Executive Officer by notice given in accordance with the notice requirements set forth in Section 5.1(c)(ii); provided that the Executive Officers appointed by the Member that is not represented by the Executive Officer calling such special meeting shall be entitled to select a convenient location for the meeting and to suggest an alternative time or times if the designated time is not convenient for them.  No action may be taken and no business may be transacted at such special meeting which is not identified in such notice unless (A) such action or business is incidental to the action or business for which the special meeting is called or (B) such action or business does not materially adversely affect any Member or the Company.

 

	
(iv)  

	
Each Member may invite a reasonable number of observers to all meetings of the Board of Executive Officers.

 

  

9

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
(v)  

	
The minutes of each meeting of the Board of Executive Officers shall be delivered to all Executive Officers within twenty (20) calendar days after such meeting.  Material to be presented at a Board of Executive Officers meeting shall be delivered to all Executive Officers ten (10) Business Days prior to such meeting if feasible in light of the circumstances giving rise to the need for such meeting, or in any event a minimum of five (5) Business Days prior to such meeting.

 

	
(vi)  

	
The actions taken by the Board of Executive Officers at any meeting, however called and noticed, shall be as valid as though taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if (but not until), either before, at or after the meeting, each Executive Officer as to whom such meeting was improperly held duly executes and delivers a written waiver of notice or a written consent to the holding of such meeting; provided, however, any Executive Officer who is present at a meeting and does not protest the failure of notice shall be deemed to have received adequate notice thereof.  A vote of the Board of Executive Officers may be taken only (A) at a meeting of the members thereof duly called and held or (B) without a meeting by the execution by the Executive Officers eligible to cast all the votes on the Board of Executive Officers of a consent setting forth the action so taken, and identified as a unanimous written consent of the Executive Officers.

 

	
(vii)  

	
Upon the consent of both the President and the Executive Vice President, meetings of the Board of Executive Officers may be held by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all Executive Officers participating in the meeting can be heard by all other participants; provided that such communications equipment continues to be operational throughout the meeting.  Any Executive Officer may elect to participate in a meeting by conference telephone or similar communications equipment upon sufficient advance notice to permit arrangements therefor to be made.

 

	
(viii)  

	
At each meeting, the Board of Executive Officers shall consider (A) any of the items set forth in Section 5.1(d) (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Board of Executive Officers) that may require the Board of Executive Officers’ attention, (B) any items added to the Board of Executive Officers’ agenda for discussion by any Member and (C) such other matters as the Board of Executive Officers decides to review; provided, however, that the Executive Officers shall not be required to vote or take other action (other than carrying on discussions) on matters that were not placed on the meeting agenda at least five (5) Business Days in advance of the time set for the meeting unless such action or business is incidental to the action or business which was otherwise properly on the agenda and considered at such meeting.

 

	
(ix)  

	
The Board of Executive Officers shall, from time to time, elect one of its members to preside at its meetings.  The Board of Executive Officers may establish reasonable rules and regulations to (A) require Executive Officers to call meetings and perform other administrative duties, (B) limit the number and participation of observers, if any, and require them to observe confidentiality obligations and (C) otherwise provide for the keeping and distribution of minutes and other internal Board of Executive Officers governance matters not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement.

 

	
(x)  

	
The Board of Executive Officers shall have the authority to establish subcommittees and to delegate to any such subcommittee any of the Board of Executive Officers’ responsibilities; provided, however, the power of the Board of Executive Officers to approve the matters set forth in Section 5.1(d) (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Board of Executive Officers) may not be delegated to a subcommittee.

 

  

10

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
(d)  

	
Matters Requiring the Approval of the Board of Executive Officers.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Articles to the contrary, no action may be taken by or on behalf of the Company in connection with any of the following matters without the unanimous written approval of the Board of Executive Officers:

 

	
(i)  

	
any sale, lease, pledge, assignment or other disposition of assets of the Company in an amount (in terms of consideration to be received by the Company) in excess of ¥1,000,000 in one transaction or a series of related transactions, other than as set forth in the most recently approved Business Plan;

 

	
(ii)  

	
the approval of any transaction or agreement between the Company and any Member or any of their respective Affiliates (other than transactions or agreements expressly provided for or authorized by an FF Operative Document or the most recently approved Business Plan) or any amendment thereto (including the waiver of any material term thereof), other than any such transaction, agreement or amendment that contains generally available, arm’s length commercial terms and is in an amount (in terms of payments to be made or the value of services or products to be provided or delivered) less than ¥1,000,000 for any single transaction or agreement or for substantially identical transactions within a twenty-four (24) month period (or a waiver that does not materially adversely affect the rights and benefits of the Company), other than as set forth in the most recently approved Business Plan;

 

	
(iii)  

	
the purchase, lease, license or other acquisition of (A) personal property or services or (B) any list of capital equipment approved by the Members, in each case in an amount (in terms of payments to be made or the value of services of products to be provided or delivered) exceeding ¥1,000,000 in any one transaction or a series of related transactions, other than as provided for in the most recently approved Business Plan;

 

	
(iv)  

	
the selection of attorneys, accountants, auditors and financial advisors;

 

	
(v)  

	
the adoption of accounting and tax policies, procedures and principles;

 

	
(vi)  

	
incurring any Indebtedness;

 

	
(vii)  

	
the hiring or termination of any employees referenced in Section 5.2(a) (Officers; Employees) who are not members of the SanDisk Team, if any;

 

	
(viii)  

	
the adoption of or changes to the forms of confidentiality, assignment or disclosure of intellectual property or employment agreements to be entered into between the Company and its employees;

 

	
(ix)  

	
the adoption of or changes to any employee benefit plan, including any incentive compensation plan;

 

	
(x)  

	
the amount and timing of any distributions;

 

	
(xi)  

	
the commencement or settlement of litigation by or against the Company;

 

	
(xii)  

	
the purchase, sale or lease (as lessor or lessee) of any real property;

 

	
(xiii)  

	
any acquisition of securities or any other ownership interest in any entity;

 

	
(xiv)  

	
the making of any public announcements by or on behalf of the Company; provided, that in any case any such public announcements must otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 5.2 (Public Announcements) of the Master Agreement, if applicable;

 

	
(xv)  

	
the entry into or amendment of any collective bargaining arrangements or the waiver of any material provision or requirement thereof;

 

  

11

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
(xvi)  

	
the approval of a proposed Business Plan, or the amendment to the most recently approved Business Plan, in each case including the operating budget contained therein;

 

	
(xvii)  

	
the incurrence of capital expenditures in excess of those provided for in the most recently approved Business Plan or the commitment of the Company to any development projects other than as provided for in the most recently approved Business Plan;

 

	
(xviii)  

	
subject to Section 5.1(c)(x), the establishment of any subcommittees or delegation of authority of the Board of Executive Officers;

 

	
(xix)  

	
the authorization and approval of any filing with, public comments to, or negotiation/discussion with, any Governmental Authority (excluding regular operating filings and other routine administrative matters);

 

	
(xx)  

	
the approval of Unique Activities to be performed by the Company at the request of any Member, in connection with which the Board of Executive Officers shall be satisfied that such Member has reached agreement with the Company as to the payment by such Member of all costs incurred in connection with such Unique Activities and that adequate provision has been made by such Member for the funding of any additional required capital expenditures required in conjunction with such Unique Activities;

 

	
(xxi)  

	
the decision of the Company to negotiate external sources of additional wafer fabrication capacity for NAND Flash Memory Products;

 

	
(xxii)  

	
any dispute referred to the Board of Executive Officers by the Y5 Operating Committee pursuant to Section 5.3(b); and

 

	
(xxiii)  

	
such other matters as the Board of Executive Officers decides, in its sole discretion, to review.

 

	
5.2  

	
Officers; Employees.

 

	
(a)  

	
Unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Members, the Executive Officers of the Company with specific titles shall be designated as: the President/Chief Executive Officer (“President”) and the Executive Vice President (“Executive Vice President”).  The President and Executive Vice President shall be elected by the Board of Executive Officers and serve three successive one-year terms, with the first such set of terms ending at complete adjournment of the annual meeting of Members for the Fiscal Year last to end within one (1) year after his or her assumption of the officership.  Toshiba shall have the right to nominate the first President and SanDisk shall have the right to nominate the first Executive Vice President, and then the Members will then alternate such nominating rights for each three year term for such positions.  The President or Executive Vice President, as applicable, nominated by a Member, shall be designated by such Member as a shokumu shikko sha of the Company on behalf of such Member for purposes of the Companies Act.  Each nominee for the President and for the Executive Vice President shall be subject to the consent of the non-nominating Member, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.  In addition to the President and Executive Vice President, the Board of Executive Officers may appoint such other officers from time to time as it deems necessary or advisable in the conduct of the business and affairs of the Company.  Any individual may hold more than one office.

 

	
(b)  

	
The President shall have the authority to retain other senior management of the Company, subject to the prior approval of the Board of Executive Officers.

 

	
(c)  

	
The Company shall have agreements with and policies applicable to each of its officers, employees and consultants who are not members of the SanDisk Team, in forms acceptable to each Member, and shall also have appropriate arrangements with its members of the SanDisk Team, in each case with respect to (i) protection of confidential information, (ii) patent and copyright assignment, (iii) invention disclosure (including improvements and advances) and assignments thereof and (iv) in respect of certain employees who are not members of the SanDisk Team, non-competition.

 

  

12

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
5.3  

	
Y5 Representatives; Y5 Operating Committee.

 

	
(a)  

	
The Company shall have an Operating Committee for Y5 Facility operations (the “Y5 Operating Committee”‘) consisting of a senior executive designated by each of SanDisk and Toshiba (each such individual the “SanDisk Representative” and the “Toshiba Representative,” respectively) each of whom shall represent the designating Party on a day-to-day basis at the Y5 Facility.  Each Member shall notify the other Member in advance of any replacement of its representative.  If a Member requests in good faith that the other Member’s representative be replaced with another person from the other Member’s organization, the other Member shall consider and discuss in good faith with the requesting Member such request, provided that such replacement, if any, shall be determined solely by such other Member.  ****

 

	
(b)  

	
The Y5 Operating Committee shall work together and endeavor to make the Y5 Facility the most advanced and competitive memory fabrication facility in the world.  The Y5 Operating Committee shall have the authority to determine all matters concerning the day-to-day operations of the Company and the Y5 Facility (including staffing matters as provided in Section 6.10(a)(iii) of the Master Agreement), subject to those matters reserved herein to the Board of Executive Officers or the Members as well as to the requirements of this Agreement, the Articles and the Companies Act.  The Y5 Operating Committee shall communicate on a day-to-day basis with respect to the status of Y5 Facility operations and any other issues that may arise, and shall meet in person no less than two (2) times per week, or such other times and frequency as may be agreed upon by all members of such committee.  If the members of the Y5 Operating Committee are unable to agree on any issue after thirty (30) days, they shall submit such matter together with their respective recommendations to the Board of Executive Officers, which shall endeavor to immediately resolve the issue.  If the Board of Executive Officers is unable to agree on any such issue after ten (10) days, such issue shall be submitted to the Management Representatives for final resolution.

 

	
(c)  

	
The Y5 Operating Committee shall hold a monthly review meeting in English at the Yokkaichi Facility on **** of each calendar month, unless otherwise agreed by the Members or the Y5 Operating Committee.  The Y5 Operating Committee shall prepare and distribute to each Member (at least three (3) Business Days in advance of the monthly review meetings) monthly reports in English with respect to the engineering activities, operations and financial affairs of the Company and the Y5 Facility.

 

	
(d)  

	
Upon the request of either Member, the Y5 Operating Committee shall provide the Members with (i) any management or operation reports of the Company related to the Y5 Facility (which neither Member shall have an obligation to translate) and (ii) simultaneously in Japanese and English, those management and operating reports identified on Schedule 5.3 as mutually agreed upon from time to time by the Parties.  Upon reasonable request from SanDisk, Toshiba employees shall explain such reports to SanDisk’s employees and respond to questions from SanDisk’s employees; provided, however that SanDisk acknowledges and agrees that Toshiba shall not be responsible for SanDisk’s failure to understand any such reports.

 

	
5.4  

	
Insurance.  The Company shall maintain insurance against such liabilities and other risks associated with the conduct by the Company of its business and in such amounts and against such risks as agreed by the Members, and in any event as is generally maintained by companies engaged in a business similar to that of the Company.

 

  

13

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
5.5  

	
Records.  The Company shall maintain the following records at its principal office:

 

	
(a)  

	
a current list of the full name set forth in alphabetical order and last known business address of each Member and Executive Officer;

 

	
(b)  

	
a copy of the Articles, and all articles of amendment thereto;

 

	
(c)  

	
a copy of this Agreement and all amendments hereto;

 

	
(d)  

	
a copy of all financial statements of the Company for the three most recent Fiscal Years;

 

	
(e)  

	
a copy of the Company’s income tax or information returns and reports, if any, for the three most recent years;

 

	
(f)  

	
a copy of all indentures, loan agreements, lease agreements, guarantees, security agreements, promissory notes, licensing or other intellectual property agreements, agreements that relate to the payment or receipt by the Company of amounts in excess of ¥5,000,000 or that are not terminable by the Company upon ninety (90) days notice, documents, if any, evidencing employee compensation arrangements, employee pension or other benefit arrangements, and similar documents and instruments executed and delivered by the Company;

 

	
(g)  

	
a list of all contributions made to the Company by the Members; and

 

	
(h)  

	
a record of all distributions by the Company to each Member.

 

The Members and/or the Executive Officers and/or their respective designees (which shall be limited to its employees or professional advisers subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations) shall have reasonable access to the records of the Company during normal business hours upon reasonable request.  Copies of records shall be made available and delivered to the Members and/or the Executive Officers promptly after reasonable request for same, provided the requesting party pays for copy and delivery charges.

 

	
6.  

	
Capital Contributions; Distributions

 

	
6.1  

	
Capital Contributions.

 

	
(a)  

	
The Members shall be deemed to have made Capital Contributions to the Company in the amounts set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule 6.1.

 

	
(b)  

	
No Member shall be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Company, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the Members in writing, in which case such additional Capital Contributions shall be made in proportion to the Members’ respective Percentages as of the date of such additional Capital Contribution.

 

  

14

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
6.2  

	
Distributions.

 

	
(a)  

	
General.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Articles to the contrary, and subject to Section 11.8 (Liquidation Proceeds), unless otherwise agreed by the Members, no distributions of cash (or in the case of Section 11.8, other property) shall be made by the Company to the Members for a period of three (3) years from the date of this Agreement, and thereafter all distributions of cash (or, in the case of Section 11.8, other property) by the Company to the Members shall be made in Japanese Yen at the times and in the amounts determined by the Board of Executive Officers.  Except as provided in Section 11.8, each distribution to the Members shall be made on a pro rata basis based upon the respective Percentages of the Members as of the date of such distribution.

 

	
(b)  

	
Distribution for Taxes.  Notwithstanding Section 6.2(a), subject to the Companies Act and other applicable law, the Company shall make, in respect of each Fiscal Year in which SanDisk or its Affiliates must recognize taxable income of the Company in SanDisk’s tax returns, including, but not limited to, its US federal, state and local income (including withholding tax) and franchise tax returns, a distribution to SanDisk to the extent necessary to meet SanDisk’s aggregate US tax liability with respect to such taxable income, with such liability calculated at the highest US, state and local corporate tax rates as may be then applicable to SanDisk.  SanDisk will make a request upon the Company for such distribution as soon as is practicable after the filing of SanDisk Corporation’s applicable US tax returns.  Following receipt of such request, the Company shall make the requested distribution on the next date on which the Company is permitted to make distributions pursuant to the Companies Act.  Simultaneously therewith, the Company shall also make a distribution to Toshiba in an amount equal to the amount of the per Interest distribution made to SanDisk pursuant to this Section 6.2(b).  Any such prior distributions shall be taken into account upon any purchase and sale of Interests under Section 10 (Certain Agreements of the Members) or dissolution of the Company under Section 11 (Dissolution) hereof.  If necessary, the Board of Executive Officers shall consider capital reductions to the extent that any such capital reduction will not adversely affect the Y5 Facility’s operations.

 

	
6.3  

	
No Interest.  No interest shall be payable to the Members on their Capital Contributions or otherwise in respect of the capital of the Company.

 

	
6.4  

	
Return of Capital Contributions.  Except as expressly provided herein, no Member shall be entitled to the return of any part of such Member’s Capital Contributions.

 

	
7.  

	
Additional Contributions

 

No Member shall be obligated under this Agreement or the Articles to contribute any additional amounts to the Company or otherwise to be liable for the debts and obligations of the Company.

 

	
8.  

	
Accounting and Taxation

 

	
8.1  

	
Financial Accounting Conventions.

 

	
(a)  

	
The Company shall adopt and follow Japanese GAAP.

 

	
(b)  

	
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Appendix A, the first Fiscal Year shall begin on the date of formation of the Company and end on March 31, 2011.

 

	
(c)  

	
The Company shall in principle (but subject to applicable Law) utilize a five-year straight line depreciation method for manufacturing equipment.

 

	
8.2  

	
Maintenance of Books of Account.  The Company shall keep or cause to be kept at its principal office, or such other location as the Board of Executive Officers shall designate, full and complete books of account.  The books of account shall be maintained in a manner that provides sufficient assurance that transactions of the Company are recorded so as to comply with all applicable laws and to permit (a) the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with Japanese GAAP and (b) the Members to account for their interest in the Company in accordance with Japanese GAAP.

 

  

15

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
8.3  

	
Financial Statements.

 

	
(a)  

	
Annual Statements.  As soon as practicable following the end of each Fiscal Year (and in any event not later than fifty-two (52) days after the end of such Fiscal Year), the Company shall prepare and deliver to each Member and each Executive Officer, audited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of the Company as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related audited consolidated and consolidating statements of operations, the Members’ capital accounts and cash flows of the Company for such Fiscal Year (or similar statements if such statements change as the result of changes in Japanese GAAP), together with appropriate notes to such consolidated financial statements, and in each case setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and for the budget for the Fiscal Year just completed.  Such financial statements shall be accompanied by (i) the report of the Accountants to the effect that such financial statements (except for the comparison to the budget) have been prepared in conformity with Japanese GAAP (except as otherwise specified in such report) and that the audit of such financial statements has been performed in accordance with Japanese GAAP and (ii) a report as to all transactions (including the nature, type and amount) between the Company and each Member and their respective Affiliates.  The Company shall conduct its business such that the report of the Accountants shall not contain any qualifications as to the scope of the audit or with respect to the Company’s compliance with Japanese GAAP, except for changes in methods of accounting in which such Accountants concur and except that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate any Member to contribute any capital to the Company.  The Company shall also provide SanDisk with an English version of such report, which shall contain sufficient data to enable SanDisk to prepare a reconciliation of the Company’s financial reports from Japanese GAAP to United States GAAP.  The Company shall deliver to SanDisk, at SanDisk’s request and expense, any other financial information related to the Company that is reasonably requested by SanDisk for tax purposes, including, but not limited to, US Federal, state, and local income (including withholding tax) or franchise tax purposes.

 

	
(b)  

	
Quarterly Statements.

 

	
(i)  

	
As soon as practicable following the end of each Fiscal Quarter (and in any event not later than ten (10) days after the end of such Fiscal Quarter), the Company shall prepare and deliver to each Member and each Executive Officer unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of the Company as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related unaudited consolidated and consolidating statements of operations, the Members’ capital accounts and cash flows of the Company for such Fiscal Quarter and for the Fiscal Year to date (or similar statements if such statements change as the result of changes in Japanese GAAP), in each case setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Quarter, for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter of the preceding Fiscal Year and for the budget for the Fiscal Quarter just completed and for the Fiscal Year to date.

 

	
(ii)  

	
The financial statements for such Fiscal Quarter shall be accompanied by a certificate of the principal accounting or financial officer of the Company to the effect that such financial statements have been prepared under such officer’s supervision and that, although such financial statements do not contain the footnotes and other disclosures required to be presented in interim financial statements by Japanese GAAP, such financial statements, in such officer’s judgment, fairly present the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the date and for the periods indicated, subject to normal recurring year-end audit adjustments.  The Company shall deliver to SanDisk, at SanDisk’s request and expense and, except as otherwise provided herein, in the same manner as is delivered in connection with the Operating Agreement of Flash Alliance, Ltd. dated as of July 7, 2006, by and between Toshiba and SanDisk (Ireland) Ltd., any other financial information related to the Company (including an English translation thereof), that is reasonably requested by SanDisk for US financial reporting or Federal, state, and local income (including withholding tax) or franchise tax purposes.

 

  

16

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
(c)  

	
The Company shall obtain a professional tax audit from a qualified accountant complying with Japanese GAAP by May 22 of each year (including an English translation thereof).  As part of its engagement of its auditors, the Company shall cause its auditors to provide such English language financial statements, audit reports, US GAAP reconciliations and consents as are required (or reasonably requested by SanDisk) in connection with SanDisk Corporation’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; provided that SanDisk shall pay for all the costs relating to such auditors’ work.  SanDisk may also request that the Company provide SanDisk with “comfort letters” in the manner customary for Japanese auditors in connection with public offerings in the United States, at SanDisk’s own expense.

 

	
(d)  

	
Monthly Reports.  Each month, the Company shall prepare and deliver to each Member and each Executive Officer the reports and other information set forth on Schedule 8.3.  Such reports and other information will become available at the respective times set forth on Schedule 8.3.

 

	
(e)  

	
Business Plan.  Subject to Sections 10.3(c), (e) and (f), and provided that the most recently approved Business Plan does not provide for the next Fiscal Year, the Company shall, not later than **** prior to the commencement of each Fiscal Year, deliver to each Member a copy of the Business Plan, including the Company’s monthly budgets, for the upcoming Fiscal Year, as approved by the Board of Executive Officers.

 

	
(f)  

	
Legal Proceedings.  The Company shall promptly inform each Member and each Executive Officer with regard to litigation, governmental investigations, material government notices and threatened legal proceedings.

 

	
8.4  

	
Other Reports and Inspection.  The Company shall furnish promptly to each Member such other reports, financial data and information relating to the Company as such Member may reasonably request and shall require the Accountants to provide to each Member copies of any document related to the Company in the possession of the Accountants as such Member may reasonably request.  The Company shall, upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, make available to each Member and their respective professional advisors, from time to time as requested by such Member, all properties, assets, books of account, corporate records, contracts and documentation, if any, relating to employee benefits of the Company, and any other material requested by such Member for inspection and, in the case of books of account, corporate records, contracts and documentation, if any, relating to employee benefits, copying, and shall use reasonable efforts to make available to such Member the Accountants and the key employees of the Company for interviews to verify any information furnished or to enable such Member otherwise to review the Company and its operations.  The Company may condition such availability upon the entering into of reasonable and appropriate confidentiality agreements.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not make available to any Member information provided to the Company on a confidential basis by any other Member without the consent of such other Member.

 

	
8.5  

	
Deposit of Funds.  All funds of the Company and its Subsidiaries not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to its credit in such banks, trust companies or other depositories, or invested in such other investments held as cash equivalents, as the Board of Executive Officers shall authorize.  The funds of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be commingled with the funds of any Member or any of their respective Affiliates.

 

  

17

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
9.  

	
Share of Contribution; Disposition of Interests

 

	
9.1  

	
Restrictions on Transfer of Interests.

 

	
(a)  

	
No Member (nor any permitted transferees of any Member) may Transfer any interest in the Company, including any of such Member’s Interests, to any Person, except by a Change of Control; provided, that any Member may Transfer all of its interest in the Company, including all of its Interests, subject to the Companies Act, to any one (1) of their respective Affiliates, with the prior written consent of every other Member, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and provided, further, that (i) the transferee agrees in writing to become a party hereto and assumes all the obligations of the transferring Member hereunder and under each other FF Operative Document to which the transferring Member is a party (except to the extent the express terms of the Patent Indemnification Agreement condition its transferability on the consent of the non-transferring Member and such Member has not consented to Transfer thereof), and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such Transfer, no Event of Default or an event or condition that with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default with respect to the transferee Member shall exist.  Following the effectiveness of any such Transfer, the transferring Member shall no longer have the transferred right, title or interest in the Company or any rights under this Agreement and the transferee shall be substituted as a Member for all purposes of this Agreement.  The transferring Member shall, however, remain responsible for all obligations under this Agreement and the other FF Operative Documents for any transferee which is an Affiliate of the transferring Member and shall not be released or discharged from any existing liability or obligation to any Person.  Any subsequent Transfer of an ownership interest in such Affiliate by the transferring Member shall be deemed to constitute a Transfer of Interests requiring compliance with this Section 9.1.

 

	
(b)  

	
If a Member Transfers its entire interest in the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(a), the transferee shall succeed to all the rights and obligations of such Member under this Agreement.

 

	
(c)  

	
Any Member may agree to pay amounts equal to distributions received by such Member from the Company to a third party in its sole discretion pursuant to a Permissible Assignment Agreement.  “Permissible Assignment Agreement” means an agreement between a Member and another Person (the “Permissible Assignee”) which:

 

	
(i)  

	
provides for the grant by such Member to the Permissible Assignee of the right to receive amounts equal to distributions received by such Member from the Company pursuant to Section 6 or 11 of this Agreement, but does not give the Permissible Assignee any Interests or any other rights whatsoever with respect to the Company;

 

	
(ii)  

	
provides that under no circumstances (including any Bankruptcy Event in respect of such Member) may any claim be made by the Permissible Assignee against the Company or any such Member or any Affiliate of any such Member or any of their respective assets, under or in connection with such agreement, even if such Member defaults in performance thereunder;

 

	
(iii)  

	
provides that the rights of the Permissible Assignee under such agreement may not be transferred without the prior written consent of each Member and that any such Transfer without such consents shall be null and void;

 

	
(iv)  

	
may not be amended, nor any provision thereof waived, in a manner that would cause it not to be a Permissible Assignment Agreement, without the prior written consent of the non-assigning Member;

 

	
(v)  

	
provides that the assigning Member is authorized to Transfer its entire interest in the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(a) free and clear of any interest of the Permissible Assignee and without any liability on the part of the transferee thereunder to the Permissible Assignee; and

 

	
(vi)  

	
contains an express acknowledgment by the Permissible Assignee, for the benefit of the non-assigning Member and the Company, to the effect of clauses (i)-(v) above.

 

The assigning Member shall ensure that any payment due to a Permissible Assignee pursuant to or in connection with a Permissible Assignment Agreement shall be made in full to such Permissible Assignee when due.

 

  

18

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
9.2  

	
Admission of New Members.  No Person shall have the right to become a Member unless and until all the following conditions are satisfied:

 

	
(a)  

	
except in the case of a Transfer of all of a Member’s Interests of such Member in accordance with Section 9.1(a) (Restrictions on Transfer of Interests), such Person, the terms and conditions of such Person’s admission as a Member and the rights appurtenant to the Interests to be granted or Transferred, as applicable, to such Person are approved by all existing Members and, if applicable, the creation of any new class or group of Interests in the Company having different rights, powers and duties is reflected in amendments to the Articles and to this Agreement;

 

	
(b)  

	
such Person executes a counterpart of this Agreement and such other instrument or instruments as the Company and a non-transferring Member may reasonably deem appropriate to affirm that the representations and warranties contained in the Master Agreement are true and correct with respect to such Person and that such Person agrees to be bound as a Member by this Agreement and all of the covenants and agreements herein; and

 

	
(c)  

	
if requested by the Company, an opinion of counsel, a purchaser representation letter or other appropriate documentation is furnished to the Company establishing that the grant or Transfer, as applicable, of Interests to the new Member will comply with the Companies Act.

 

Except to the extent required by law, the Company shall have no obligation to recognize or to furnish information or make distributions to any new Member or any transferee of a Member who does not become a Member in accordance with Section 9.1 (Restrictions on Transfer of Interests) or this Section 9.2.

 

	
9.3  

	
Withdrawal Prohibited.  Except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement or the Master Agreement, (i) no Member may withdraw from the Company and (ii) no Member may effect or cause a termination or dissolution of the Company without the prior written consent of all other Members (which consent may be withheld in such other Member’s sole discretion).

 

	
9.4  

	
Purchase of Additional Interest.  At any time during the term of this Agreement and so long as SanDisk is a Member, SanDisk shall have the right to purchase from Toshiba 0.1% of the total Interests then outstanding in the event that (i) Toshiba’s patent umbrella does not adequately protect the Company or (ii) dissolution of the Company is commenced pursuant to Section 11 hereof.  The purchase price of such Interests shall equal **** as of the date of such transaction.

 

  

19

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
10.  

	
Certain Agreements of the Members

 

	
10.1  

	
Taxes and Charges; Governmental Rules.  Each Member and the Company shall (a) promptly pay all applicable Taxes and other governmental charges imposed against such Member and the Company except to the extent any such Taxes or other charges are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (b) comply with all applicable Governmental Rules, in each case except to the extent that nonpayment or noncompliance will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

	
10.2  

	
Further Assurances.  Following the Closing, each Member shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and the Company to take all reasonable actions necessary or appropriate to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and to obtain (and cooperate with the other Member in obtaining) any Governmental Action or third party consent required to be obtained or made by it in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that no Burdensome Condition shall be made to exist with respect to such Member or any of its Affiliates in connection therewith.

 

	
10.3  

	
Dispute Resolution; Deadlock.

 

	
(a)  

	
The Members shall endeavor to settle, through their respective designees to the Board of Executive Officers, any disputes which may arise between them, including without limitation, failure by the Board of Executive Officers to reach agreement (or failure to take a vote) on any matter requiring Executive Officers approval pursuant to Section 5.1(d) (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Board of Executive Officers).  The Members shall attempt to resolve the issue or proposed action in question, to the extent practicable, in a manner consistent with the Company’s most recently approved Business Plan, unless the issue in dispute is the adoption of a new Business Plan, in which case, except as provided for in Section 6.3 of the Master Agreement, the provisions of Sections 10.3(c), (e) and (f) shall apply.

 

	
(b)  

	
If (i) the Members are unable to agree on any matter requiring the approval of the Members pursuant to Section 4.1(a) (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Members), (ii) the Board of Executive Officers is unable to agree on any matter requiring the approval of the Board of Executive Officers pursuant to Section 5.1(d) (Matters Requiring the Approval of the Board of Executive Officers) (other than the approval of any Business Plan, with respect to which the failure to agree shall be governed by Sections 10.3(c), (e) and (f)) or (iii) the Members or the Board of Executive Officers are otherwise unable to resolve a dispute on any other item (other than the approval of any Business Plan, with respect to which the failure to agree shall be governed by Sections 10.3(c), (e) and (f)), then any Member may bring the matter to the attention of the General Manager Memory Division, Semiconductor Company of Toshiba, and the Chief Operating Officer of SanDisk (the “Designated Individuals”), who will attempt to find a resolution.  If the matter has not been resolved within thirty (30) days of referral to the Designated Individuals, the matter will be referred to the Management Representatives for a final decision, which decision will be final and binding on the Company and the Members with respect to any matter specified in Sections 10.3(b)(i) and (ii) above.  If an agreement is reached by the Management Representatives, the mutually agreed resolution shall be implemented by the Company.  Should no solution be agreed upon within thirty (30) days after submission of the matter to the Management Representatives with respect to the matters specified in (iii) above, such matter shall be submitted to arbitration in accordance with Section 2.5 of the Appendix A.  Should no solution be agreed upon within sixty (60) days after submission of the matter to the Management Representatives with respect to the matters specified in Sections 10.3(b)(i) and (ii) above, then the action for which approval was requested will not occur, unless it is already included in the most recently approved Business Plan, subject to Section 6.5 of the Master Agreement.

 

	
(c)  

	
Except as provided below and subject to Section 6.3 of the Master Agreement, if by **** of any calendar year during the term of this Agreement, commencing ****, the Board of Executive Officers and the Members have not approved and agreed upon a Business Plan for the upcoming Fiscal Year, then any Member may refer the dispute to the Management Representatives for a decision, which decision shall be final and binding on the Company and the Members.  If a decision is reached by agreement of the Management Representatives, such decision shall be implemented by the Company.  Should no decision be reached within ninety (90) days after submission of the matter to the Management Representatives, and unless the Members have agreed to continue operations under the most recently approved Business Plan until a new Business Plan is approved, then within ten (10) Business Days thereafter any Member may elect by written notice to all other Members to declare a deadlock (“Deadlock”), except with respect to any issue where the Master Agreement expressly prohibits declaration of a Deadlock.

 

  

20

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
(d)  

	
If demand for both Members’ NAND Flash Memory Products is significantly below expectations, they shall address the matter as contemplated in Section 6.6(b)(ii) of the Master Agreement.

 

	
(e)  

	
Within thirty (30) days after a Member has notified the other Member of a Deadlock, either Member (the “Initiating Member”) may submit to the other Member (the “Responding Member”) a written irrevocable notice (the “Deadlock Dissolution Notice”) to the effect that the Initiating Member offers to sell to the Responding Member or its designee the Initiating Member’s Interests for a cash payment, by wire transfer of immediately available Japanese Yen, in an amount equal to the **** as of the date of such transaction multiplied by the Initiating Member’s Percentage as of such date.

 

	
(f)  

	
The Responding Member may accept such offer by written response to the Initiating Member within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the Deadlock Dissolution Notice indicating that the Responding Member elects to purchase the Interests of the Initiating Member.  If the Responding Member declines to exercise its right to purchase the Interests of the Initiating Member pursuant to this Section 10.3 or fails to respond to such Deadlock Dissolution Notice (or if both Members submit Deadlock Dissolution Notices), the Company shall be dissolved pursuant to Section 11.1(d) (Events of Dissolution), at the end of a one-year period for the wind-down of operations commencing with the receipt of the Deadlock Dissolution Notice by the Responding Member.  During such one-year period, the Company’s business shall be conducted in accordance with the most recently approved Business Plan except that additional capital expenditures will not be made except as required for line maintenance.

 

	
10.4  

	
Remedies Upon Event of Default; Termination on Breach.  If there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default with respect to a Member (upon such occurrence, such Member is referred to herein as the “Defaulting Member”) in addition to all other remedies available to the Company or the other Member (the “Nondefaulting Member”), whether under any of the FF Operative Documents or other agreements or by law, the Nondefaulting Member shall have the option to take one or more of the following actions:

 

	
(a)  

	
give written notice to the Defaulting Member of its intention to acquire all of the Interests of the Defaulting Member for a cash payment, by wire transfer of immediately available Japanese Yen, in an amount equal to the **** as of the date of such transaction multiplied by the Defaulting Member’s Percentage as of such date; and/or

 

	
(b)  

	
elect to dissolve the Company pursuant to Section 11.3 (Dissolution Upon Event of Default), in which case the affairs of the Company shall be wound up and the Company shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 11 (Dissolution).

 

	
10.5  

	
Mechanics of Sale.

 

	
(a)  

	
The closing of any purchase and sale of Interests pursuant to Section 10.3 (Dispute Resolution; Deadlock), 10.4 (Remedies Upon Event of Default; Termination on Breach) or 11.5 (Dissolution Upon Notice) shall take place not later than the thirtieth (30th) Business Day after notice of the purchase is given, as the case may be, except that such period shall be extended as necessary in order to comply with any Governmental Rule.  The purchasing Member shall pay for the Interests being acquired by wire transfer of immediately available funds in Japanese Yen to an account specified by the selling Member.  The selling Member shall execute all documents necessary to effect the conveyance of its Interests, free and clear of all Liens, to the purchasing Member.  In addition, the Members shall enter into an indemnity and release agreement, in a form reasonably satisfactory to each Member, indemnifying and holding harmless the selling Member and its Affiliates for liabilities or claims made after the date of the purchase and sale under any guarantees or other agreements supporting the obligations of the Company which may have been extended by the selling Member or any of its Affiliates.  The Members shall also reach agreement on a reasonable transition plan of up to six (6) months in connection with services provided to the Company by members of the SanDisk Team assigned to the Company by the Selling Member.

 

	
(b)  

	
If a Member elects to acquire all of the Interests of the other Member pursuant to Section 10.3 (Dispute Resolution; Deadlock), 10.4 (Remedies Upon Event of Default; Termination on Breach) or 11.5 (Dissolution Upon Notice), such Member shall be obligated to take all actions required of it to consummate the applicable purchase and sale on the date determined pursuant to this Section 10.5 (Mechanics of Sale).  If any Member has the right to purchase the Interests of any other Member, such Member shall have the right to assign such right to purchase to any other Person.

 

  

21

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
11.  

	
Dissolution

 

	
11.1  

	
Events of Dissolution.  The Company shall be dissolved and shall commence winding up its affairs upon the first to occur of the following.  The Members shall cooperate in taking any necessary corporate steps under the Companies Act to attain the purpose of this Section 11:

 

	
(a)  

	
the expiration of the term of the Company pursuant to Section 2.4 (Term; Extension);

 

	
(b)  

	
the agreement of the Members to dissolve the Company pursuant to Section 11.2 (Dissolution by Agreement);

 

	
(c)  

	
the election of the Nondefaulting Member pursuant to Section 11.3 (Dissolution Upon Event of Default);

 

	
(d)  

	
the first anniversary of the receipt by either Member of a Deadlock Dissolution Notice submitted with respect to a failure of the Members to approve and agree upon a Business Plan pursuant to Section 10.3 (Dispute Resolution; Deadlock) if either (i) the Responding Member declines to exercise its right to purchase the Interests of the Initiating Member or fails to respond to such Deadlock Dissolution Notice, or (ii) both Members submit Deadlock Dissolution Notices with respect to such failure to agree;

 

	
(e)  

	
[Intentionally omitted.]

 

	
(f)  

	
the bankruptcy, dissolution, expulsion or incapacity of a Member or the occurrence of any other event which terminates the membership of a Member in the Company (“Bankruptcy Event”); or

 

	
(g)  

	
the election of the Notifying Party to dissolve the Company pursuant to Section 11.5 (Dissolution Upon Notice) unless the Notified Party elects to purchase the Interests of the Notifying Party pursuant to Section 11.5 (Dissolution Upon Notice).

 

	
11.2  

	
Dissolution by Agreement.  The Company may be dissolved at any time by the unanimous written consent of the Members.

 

	
11.3  

	
Dissolution Upon Event of Default.  During the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default (other than a Bankruptcy Event) with respect to a Member, the Nondefaulting Member may elect, by written notice to the Defaulting Member, to dissolve the Company, in which event the Company shall be dissolved and the Members shall take all actions necessary to wind up the affairs of the Company in accordance with Section 11.7 (Winding Up).  This Section 11.3 shall not be construed to limit the rights of the Nondefaulting Member under Section 10.4 (Remedies Upon Event of Default) or to seek damages from the Defaulting Member or any other Person for the breach of its obligations under any of the FF Operative Documents.

 

	
11.4  

	
[Intentionally omitted.]

 

	
11.5  

	
Dissolution upon Notice.  At any time between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018, any Member (the “Notifying Party”) may elect, by giving notice to all other Members (the “Notified Party”), to dissolve the Company, in which event the Company will be dissolved and, within the one (1) year period following the giving of such notice, the Members shall mutually agree upon a plan for winding up the affairs of the Company in accordance with Section 11.7 (Winding Up), unless the Notified Party, directly or through any of its Affiliates, elects in writing within three (3) months of receiving such notice, to purchase from the Notifying Party all of its Interests for a cash payment, by wire transfer of immediately available Japanese Yen, in an amount equal to the **** as of the date of such transaction multiplied by the Notifying Party’s Percentage as of such date.

 

  

22

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
11.6  

	
Financing Defaults.

 

	
(a)  

	
If pursuant to Section 6.3(a)(i) of the Master Agreement either Party, as the Investing Party, exercises its election to terminate this Agreement, the Members shall cooperate in good faith to effect the purchase by Toshiba (or its designated Affiliate) and sale by SanDisk of all of SanDisk’s Interests, at a price equal to SanDisk’s percentage Interest of the outstanding Interests in the Company multiplied by the **** as of the date such transaction is closed (with estimated **** as agreed by the Members in good faith paid on the closing of such transaction and any true-up payment made by the appropriate Party promptly after determination of the actual **** as of the closing of such purchase and sale transaction).

 

	
(b)  

	
****

 

	
(c)  

	
If pursuant to Section 6.12(d)(ii) of the Master Agreement either Party, as the Non-Defaulting Party, exercises its election to terminate this Agreement, the Non-Defaulting Party shall have the same rights as provided in Section 11.6(a) and the Members shall cooperate in good faith to effect the purchase by the Non-Defaulting Party (or its designated Affiliate) and sale by the Defaulting Party of all of the Defaulting Party’s Interests.

 

	
11.7  

	
Winding Up.

 

	
(a)  

	
Upon the dissolution of the Company, the Members shall proceed as promptly as practicable to (i) wind-up the affairs of the Company and cause the Company to satisfy the Company’s liabilities, (ii) dispose of the Company’s assets as quickly as possible consistent with obtaining the full fair market value of the Company, preferably, to the extent it is commercially practicable to do so, by selling the Company as a going concern (provided, however, no Member shall be under any obligation to extend the terms of any FF Operative Document or to offer to enter into any other agreement with a prospective purchaser of the Company for the purchase or sale of goods or services or the use of facilities or any other business arrangement), and (iii) distribute any net proceeds to the Members in accordance with Section 11.8 hereof and applicable Law.  In connection with a sale of the Company’s assets under clause (ii), each Member or any of their respective Affiliates shall have a right of first offer to acquire the Company’s tangible personal property in the liquidation process and may also acquire such property through participation at auction except in the event of a dissolution pursuant to Section 11.3 (Dissolution Upon Event of Default), in which event the Defaulting Member and its Affiliates shall not have such right of first offer to acquire the Company’s tangible personal property.  Each of the Members shall be furnished with a statement setting forth the assets and liabilities of the Company as of the date of the complete liquidation of the Company.  The Accountants shall review the final accounting and shall render their opinion with respect thereto.

 

	
(b)  

	
During the period of winding-up, the Company shall continue to operate and all the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.  The Company shall notify all known creditors and claimants of the dissolution of the Company in accordance with applicable law.

 

  

23

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
11.8  

	
Liquidation Proceeds.

 

	
(a)  

	
In the case of the dissolution and liquidation of the Company, the Company may make a distribution in kind.  Any cash and all distributions in kind that are to be distributed shall be distributed to the Members, on a pro rata basis based upon the respective Percentages of the Members as of the date of such distribution.

 

	
(b)  

	
Unless otherwise agreed by the Members, and to the extent permitted under any agreements with third parties, all assets to be distributed upon the dissolution and liquidation of the Company shall be distributed as follows:

 

	
(i)  

	
first, to creditors, including Members who are creditors, to the extent permitted by law, in satisfaction of liabilities of the Company, other than for distributions to Members pursuant to Section 6.2 (Distributions); and

 

	
(ii)  

	
second, to the Members on a pro rata basis based upon the respective Percentages of the Members as of the date of such distribution.

 

For purposes of this Section 11.8, instruments of transfer and other documents reasonably requested by the distributee shall be executed by the Company or the other Member, or both.

 

	
(c)  

	
Any distribution made pursuant to this Section 11.8 shall be made as soon as practicable under and in accordance with applicable Japanese law.

 

	
12.  

	
Indemnification and Insurance

 

	
12.1  

	
Indemnification.

 

	
(a)  

	
Subject to Section 12.1(c), the Company shall indemnify each Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including an action by or in the right of a Member or the Company), by reason of the fact that such Person is or was a Member or is or was or has agreed to become an Executive Officer or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as an Executive Officer, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of another partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, arising from any action alleged to have been taken in any such capacity or by reason of any liability or obligation of the Company, against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, costs, charges, expenses (including interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (collectively, “Losses”) actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any of such Losses shall be deemed to arise out of a Company liability or obligation if it arises out of or is based upon the conduct of the business of the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) or the ownership of the property of the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries).

 

	
(b)  

	
The indemnification provided under this Section 12.1 shall inure to the benefit of the successors, heirs and personal representatives of any Person entitled to the benefit of such indemnification.  Such indemnification shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid advances of reasonable expenses incurred by any such Person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.

 

  

24

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
(c)  

	
The indemnification provided under this Section 12.1 shall not inure to the benefit of any Person in respect of Losses to the extent that such Losses (i) arise out of or are based upon the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Person or (ii) constitute a tax, levy or similar governmental charge not imposed upon the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) or on their respective properties.  The indemnification provided under this Section 12.1 shall also not be available to any Person in respect of any Losses if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such Person establishes (x) that such Person’s acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of action so adjudicated or (y) that such Person gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which such Person was not legally entitled.  It is understood and agreed that, for the purposes of this Section 12.1, Losses shall be deemed not to arise out of or be based upon the gross negligence or willful misconduct of a Person solely because it arises out of or is based upon the gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty of an Executive Officer, officer or employee of such Person if at the time of such gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty, such Executive Officer, officer or employee was also a member of the SanDisk Team or an Executive Officer acting in his capacity as such.

 

	
(d)  

	
The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the indemnified Person did not meet the standard set forth in Section 12.1(c) (Indemnification).

 

	
12.2  

	
Insurance.  The Company may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, purchase and maintain insurance against any liability that may be asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity pursuant to Section 12.1.

 

	
12.3  

	
Indemnification by the Members.

 

	
(a)  

	
Each Member agrees to, and does hereby, indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the other Member from and against any and all Losses arising out of, or based upon, the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Member under this Agreement or such Member exceeding its authority under this Agreement.

 

	
(b)  

	
The provisions of this Section 12.3 shall survive each of the termination of this Agreement, the dissolution of the Company and the withdrawal of any Member.

 

	
12.4  

	
Assertion of Claims.

 

	
(a)  

	
In the event that a Person (the “Indemnified Party”) desires to assert its right to indemnification from a Person (an “Indemnifying Party”) required to indemnify such Indemnified Party under this Section 12, the Indemnified Party will give the Indemnifying Party prompt notice of the claim giving rise thereto (a “Claim”), and the Indemnifying Party shall undertake the defense thereof (unless the Claim is asserted against or related to or results from any action or failure to take action by such Indemnifying Party).  The failure to promptly notify the Indemnifying Party hereunder shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by the failure to so notify promptly.

 

	
(b)  

	
The Indemnified Party shall not settle or compromise any Claim without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party unless the Indemnified Party agrees in writing to forego any and all claims for indemnification from the Indemnifying Party with respect to such Claim.  However, if the Indemnifying Party, within a reasonable time after notice of any such Claim, fails to defend such Claim, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to undertake the defense, compromise or settlement of such Claim on behalf of and for the account and risk of the Indemnifying Party, subject to the right of the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of such Claim at any time prior to settlement, compromise or final determination thereof.

 

	
(c)  

	
IF THE INDEMNIFYING PARTY HAS UNDERTAKEN THE DEFENSE OF A CLAIM AND (I) IF THERE IS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT (X) A CLAIM MAY MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY OTHER THAN AS A RESULT OF MONEY DAMAGES OR OTHER MONEY PAYMENTS OR (Y) THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY OR MEMBERS MAY HAVE LEGAL DEFENSES AVAILABLE TO IT OR THEM THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR ADDITIONAL TO THE DEFENSES AVAILABLE TO THE INDEMNIFYING PARTY, OR (II) IF THE INDEMNIFYING PARTY SHALL NOT HAVE EMPLOYED COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY, THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY SHALL NEVERTHELESS HAVE THE RIGHT, AT THE INDEMNIFYING PARTY’S COST AND EXPENSE, TO DEFEND SUCH CLAIM.

 

  

25

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

	
13.  

	
Miscellaneous

 

	
13.1  

	
Governing Law.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Appendix A, this Agreement shall in all respects be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan, without regard to the conflict of laws principles.

 

	
13.2  

	
Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first written above and shall remain in effect until the Termination Date.  Sections 1, 7, 11.7, 11.8 and 13 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

26

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

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

 

 

	 	TOSHIBA CORPORATION
	 	 By:	 /s/ Kiyoshi Kobayashi
	 	 Name:	 Kiyoshi Kobayashi
	 	 Title:	 President and CEO
	 	 	 Semiconductor Company
	 	 	 Corporate Senior Vice President
	 	 	 
	 	 SANDISK FLASH B.V.
	 	 By:	 /s/ Sanjay Mehrotra
	 	 Name:	 Sanjay Mehrotra
	 	 Title:	 Director
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Flash Forward Operating Agreement]

  

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

Schedule 5.3

 

Management and Operating Reports

 

 

****

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

1

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

Schedule 6.1

Capital Contributions

 

 

****

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

2

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

Exhibit 10.5

FOIA Confidential Treatment Requested

Execution Version

 

Schedule 8.3

Monthly Reports

 

 

****

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

3

**** Indicates that certain information contained herein has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

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