UNITED STATES  

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT 

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 16, 2018

 

Commission File Number 000-54530

 

GOPHER PROTOCOL INC.  

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada 27-0603137
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

2500 Broadway, Suite F-125, Santa Monica, CA 90404  

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

424-238-4589  

(Issuer’s telephone number)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

 

☐     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

☐     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

☐     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

☐     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company  ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On April 16, 2018, Kevin F. Pickard was appointed by Gopher Protocol Inc. (the “Company”) to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

 

There is no understanding or arrangement between Mr. Pickard and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as an executive officer.  Mr. Pickard does not have any family relationship with any director, executive officer or person nominated or chosen by us to become an executive officer.  Except as set forth below, Mr. Pickard has not had direct or indirect material interest in any transaction or proposed transaction, in which the Company was or is a proposed participant, exceeding $120,000. The Company and Mr. Pickard entered into an Executive Retention Agreement dated April 16, 2018 pursuant to which Mr. Pickard agreed to serve as Chief Financial Officer in consideration of an annual salary of $120,000. The Company also issued Mr. Pickard 250,000 shares of common stock and granted Mr. Pickard a Stock Option to acquire 500,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $2.80 per share for a period of five years. The Stock Options vest in tranches of 100,000 shares commencing on the one year anniversary and continuing thereafter on an annual basis or in full in the event of a change of control. The Company and Mr. Pickard also entered into an Indemnification Agreement. The employment of Mr. Pickard is at will and may be terminated at any time, with or without formal cause. 

 

Mr. Pickard serves as the Chief Financial Officer. Since October 2017, Mr. Pickard has served as the chief financial officer, secretary and a director of Yayyo, Inc. From July 1998 to present, Mr. Pickard has owned Kevin F. Pickard, CPA, PC, where he has provided management consulting services to small and medium-sized companies, including due diligence on potential acquisitions, the preparation of projections and business plans, assistance with restructuring of companies, posturing companies for initial public offerings, review and preparation of filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. From August 1996 to July 1998, Mr. Pickard was a partner of Singer Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein, LLP, Los Angeles, California, where he co-managed the accounting its securities industry practice group. He served as a Business Assurance Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (formerly, Coopers & Lybrand, LLP) in various offices from September 1987 to July 1993 and from April 1994 to August 1996, where he focused on auditing companies in insurance, high-tech and industries. Mr. Pickard holds a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy from Brigham Young University. Mr. Pickard is currently a licensed Certified Public Accountant in North Carolina, and California.   

 

The above offers and sales of the securities were made to accredited investors and the Company relied upon the exemptions contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated there under with regards to the sales. No advertising or general solicitation was employed in offerings the securities. The offers and sales were made to accredited investors and transfer of the securities was restricted by the Company in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

The foregoing is only a brief description of the material terms of the above corporate actions and agreements, and does not purport to be a complete description of the rights and obligations of the parties under those agreements, and such descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the agreements which are filed as exhibits to this Current Report.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No. Description
4.1 Stock Option issued to Kevin Pickard dated April 16, 2018
10.1 Executive Retention Agreement by and between Gopher Protocol Inc. and Kevin Pickard dated April 16, 2018
10.2 Indemnification Agreement by and between Gopher Protocol Inc. and Kevin Pickard dated April 16, 2018

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

      GOPHER PROTOCOL INC.  
           
      By: /s/ Gregory Bauer  
      Name: Gregory Bauer  
      Title: Chief Executive Officer  
           
Date: April 18, 2018        
  Santa Monica, California        

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

GOPHER PROTOCOL INC. 

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT  

 

 

This Stock Option Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of the date set forth below, by and between GOPHER PROTOCOL INC., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), and the following employee of the Company (herein, the “ Optionee ”):

 

In consideration of the covenants herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

  1. Option Information.  
    (a) Date of Option: April 16, 2018
    (b) Optionee: Kevin Pickard
    (c) Number of Shares: 500,000
    (d) Exercise Price: $2.80 per share
         
  2. Acknowledgements.  

 

(a)   Optionee is an employee and executive officer of the Company and the Company and the Optionee have entered into that certain Executive Retention Agreement on the date hereof (the “ Retention Agreement ”).

 

(b)   The Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) has authorized the granting to Optionee of a stock option (“ Option ”) to purchase shares of common stock having a par value of $0.0001 per share of the Company (“ Stock ”) upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated and pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) provided by Rule 701 and Section 4(a)(2) thereunder.

 

3. Shares; Price. The Company hereby grants to Optionee the right to purchase, upon and subject to the terms and conditions herein stated, the number of shares of Stock set forth in Section 1(c) above (the “ Shares ”) for cash, or pursuant to a Cashless Exercise (as defined below) at the price per Share set forth in Section 1(d) above (the “ Exercise Price ”).

 

4. Term of Option. This Option shall expire, and all rights hereunder to purchase the Shares, shall terminate five (5) years from the date hereof. Vesting under this Option shall earlier terminate pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 hereof upon, and as of the date of, the termination of Optionee’s employment if such termination occurs prior to the end of such five (5) year period, subject to the terms of any retention or other employment agreement, which may have been or may be entered into by the Company with the Optionee, which shall prevail in the event of any conflict with the provisions of this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall confer upon Optionee the right to the continuation of his or her employment by or office with the Company or to interfere with the right of the Company to terminate such employment or to increase or decrease the compensation of Optionee from the rate in existence at the date hereof.

 

5. Vesting of Option. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof, this Option shall vest over five (5) years in tranches of 100,000 starting on the first anniversary of the date hereof and continuing thereafter in equal installments on an annual basis subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company; provided, however, the Option shall vest in full in the event of a Change in Control (as defined below) . “ Change of Control ” means: (a) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty-one (51%) percent or more of (i) the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, or (ii) the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities; (b) the Company is party to a merger or consolidation, or series of related transactions, which results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto failing to continue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), directly or indirectly, at least fifty-one (51%) percent of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; and (c) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or consummation of any transaction, or series of related transactions, having similar effect (other than to a subsidiary of the Company).

 

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6. Exercise. This Option may be exercised during the Term of this Option by delivery to the Company of (a) written notice of exercise stating the number of Shares being purchased (in whole shares only) and such other information set forth on the form of Notice of Exercise attached hereto as Appendix A , (b) a check or cash in the amount of the Exercise Price of the Shares covered by the notice (or such other consideration as has been approved by the Board of Directors) and (c) a written investment representation as provided for in Section 13 hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Option, this Option may be exercised by presentation and surrender of this Option to the Company at its principal executive offices with a written notice of the holder’s intention to effect a cashless exercise, including a calculation of the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon such exercise in accordance with the terms hereof (a “Cashless Exercise”). In the event of a Cashless Exercise, in lieu of paying the Exercise Price in cash, the holder shall surrender this Option for that number of shares of Common Stock determined by multiplying the number of Shares to which it would otherwise be entitled by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the difference between the then current Market Price per share of the Common Stock and the Exercise Price, and the denominator of which shall be the then current Market Price per share of Common Stock. Market Price is defined as the average closing price on the principal trading market for the Common Stock during the thirty (30) trading days immediately preceding the exercise date. This Option shall not be assignable or transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

7. Termination of Employment. If Optionee shall cease to be employed by the Company for any reason vesting of the Shares pursuant to Section 5 shall immediately cease.

 

8. Death of Optionee. If the Optionee shall die while in the employ of the Company, (a) vesting of the Shares pursuant to Section 5 shall immediately cease; and (b) Optionee’s personal representative or the person entitled to Optionee’s rights hereunder may at any time within six (6) months after the date of Optionee’s death, or during the remaining term of this Option, whichever is the lesser, exercise this Option and purchase Shares to the extent, but only to the extent, that Optionee could have exercised this Option as of the date of Optionee’s death; provided, in any case, that this Option may be so exercised only to the extent that this Option has not previously been exercised by Optionee.

 

9. No Rights as Shareholder. Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to the Shares covered by any installment of this Option until the effective date of the issuance of shares following exercise of this to Option, and no adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate or certificates are issued except as provided in Section 10 hereof.

 

10. Recapitalization. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by this Option, and the Exercise Price thereof, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares or the payment of a stock dividend.

 

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11. Taxation upon Exercise of Option.

 

(a) Optionee understands that, upon exercise of this Option, Optionee will become liable for Federal, state, local or foreign income taxes, based on the amount by which the fair market value of the Shares, determined as of the date of exercise, exceeds the Exercise Price.

 

(b) If the Company, in its discretion, determines that it is obligated to withhold any taxes in connection with the exercise of the Option, the Optionee must make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to pay or provide for any applicable federal, state, local or foreign withholding obligations of the Company. The Optionee may satisfy any federal, state, local or foreign tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise of the Option by any of the means set forth in Section 6, or the Company has the right to withhold Taxes from any compensation payable to Optionee.

 

(c) Notwithstanding any action the Company takes with respect to any or all taxes, the ultimate liability for all taxes is and remains the Optionee’s responsibility and the Company (a) makes no representation or undertakings regarding the calculation or treatment of any taxes in connection with the grant, vesting, or exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired on exercise; and (b) does not commit to structure the Option to reduce or eliminate the Optionee’s liability for any taxes.

 

12. Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options. The Board may modify, extend or renew this Option or accept the surrender thereof (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of a new option in substitution therefore (to the extent not theretofore exercised). Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, no modification shall, without the consent of the Optionee, alter to the Optionee’s detriment or impair any rights of Optionee hereunder.

 

13. Investment Intent; Restrictions on Transfer.

 

(a) Optionee represents and agrees that if Optionee exercises this Option in whole or in part, Optionee will in each case acquire the Shares upon such exercise for the purpose of investment and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof; and that upon such exercise of this Option in whole or in part, Optionee shall furnish to the Company a written statement to such effect, satisfactory to the Company in form and substance. If the Shares represented by this Option are registered under the Securities Act, either before or after the exercise of this Option in whole or in part, the Optionee shall be relieved of the foregoing investment representation and agreement and shall not be required to furnish the Company with the foregoing written statement.

 

(b) Optionee further represents that Optionee has had access to the financial statements or books and records of the Company, has had the opportunity to ask questions of the Company concerning its business, operations and financial condition, and to obtain additional information reasonably necessary to verify the accuracy of such information.

 

(c) Unless and until the Shares represented by this Option are registered under the Securities Act, all certificates representing the Shares and any certificates subsequently issued in substitution therefor and any certificate for any securities issued pursuant to any stock split, share reclassification, stock dividend or other similar capital event shall bear legends in substantially the following form: 

 

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED OR OTHERWISE QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE ‘SECURITIES ACT’) OR UNDER THE APPLICABLE OR SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NEITHER THESE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, UNLESS PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS THEREFROM.

 

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and/or such other legend or legends as the Company and its counsel deem necessary or appropriate. Appropriate stop transfer instructions with respect to the Shares have been or may be placed with the Company’s transfer agent.

 

14. Notices. Any notice required to be given pursuant to this Option shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be delivered upon receipt or, in the case of notices by the Company, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, addressed to Optionee at the address last provided by Optionee for use in Company records related to Optionee.

 

15. This Option has been granted, executed and delivered in the State of New York, and the interpretation and enforcement shall be governed by the laws thereof and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts therein.

 

In Witness Whereof , the parties hereto have executed this Option as of the date first above written.

 

COMPANY:

 

GOPHER PROTOCOL INC. ,
a Nevada corporation

 

By:  /s/ Gregory Bauer 

Name:  Gregory Bauer 

Title:  CEO 

   
 OPTIONEE:

KEVIN PICKARD 

 

/s/Kevin Pickard

 

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Appendix A

 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

GOPHER PROTOCOL INC.

_________________

_________________

_________________

 

Re: Stock Option

 

1)       Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 6 of my Stock Option Agreement that I elect to purchase the number of shares set forth below at the exercise price set forth in my option agreement:

 

Stock Option Agreement dated: ______________

 

Number of shares being purchased: ____________

 

Exercise Price: $____________

 

A check in the amount of the aggregate price of the shares being purchased is attached.

 

OR

 

2)       I elect a cashless exercise pursuant to Section 6 of my Stock Option Agreement. The Market Price as of _______ was $_______.

 

I hereby confirm that such shares are being acquired by me for my own account for investment purposes, and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof. I will not sell or dispose of my Shares in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any applicable federal or state securities laws.

 

I understand that the certificate representing the Option Shares will bear a restrictive legend within the contemplation of the Securities Act and as required by such other state or federal law or regulation applicable to the issuance or delivery of the Option Shares.

     
  By:  
    ( signature )
  Name:

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT

 

This Executive Retention Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of April 16, 2018 by and between GOPHER PROTOCOL INC. , a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), and KEVIN PICKARD (the “ Executive ”).

 

Recitals:

 

WHEREAS, the Executive is a key employee of the Company who possesses valuable proprietary knowledge of the Company, its business and operations and the markets in which the Company competes; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to enter into this Agreement to encourage the Executive to continue to devote the Executive’s full attention and dedication to the success of the Company, and to provide specified compensation and benefits to the Executive in the event of a Termination Upon Change of Control or certain other terminations pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

 

1.            PURPOSE AND TERM; DUTIES

 

1.1       Either the Executive or Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time for any reason, with or without notice. The term of this Agreement shall be the period from the date set forth above until Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason or this Agreement is terminated by mutual agreement of the parties.

 

1.2        The Executive’s job responsibilities will comprise managing and overseeing all financial operations and matters of the Company, including the subsidiaries, including but not limited to:

 

  (a)  Timely and accurate annual and quarterly financial reporting in accordance with Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations, applicable law and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).

 

  (b)  Management of our Finance Department and oversight of all financial personnel, accounting systems, procedures and policies.

 

(c) Establishing and maintaining adequate financial controls, sufficient as a minimum to enable your appropriate certification of the Company’s annual and quarterly reports in accordance with SEC rules.

 

  (d)  Managing the treasury functions for the Company, as well as all borrowings, debt facilities and equity fundraising, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”).

 

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  (e)  Undertaking financial planning for the Company, including preparing annual and other budgets and projections and managing in compliance with such budgets as may be approved by the Board.

 

  (f) Monthly management reporting and analysis for the Board.

 

(g) Investor relations to the extent reasonably requested by the CEO.

 

(h) All such functions as are customarily applicable to your position, as well as those that are reasonably assigned to you by the Company.

 

1.3        The Executive is entitled to four (4) weeks of vacation which will accrue on a pro-rata basis during the year, in addition to all public holidays when the office is closed.   Executive will be eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans established by the Company for its employees from time to time. In accordance with Company policies from time to time, Executive will reimburse you for all reasonable and proper travel and business expenses incurred by you in the performance of your duties.

 

2.             COMPENSATION AND TERMINATION GENERALLY

 

2.1          Compensation .

 

2.1.1        Annual Salary . The Executive’s current base salary of $120,000 per annum shall remain in place but shall be subject to periodic review and modification by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) as may be delegated to the Compensation Committee of the Board (references herein to the Compensation Committee shall include reference to the Board if no such Committee exists at any time) at such time or times as it shall determine; provided, however, such Annual Salary may not be decreased without the consent of the Executive. The Company’s Compensation Committee shall also from time to time, in its discretion, determine the type and amount of other forms of compensation for Executive’s service with the Company (including, without limitation, stock options or other forms of equity awards).

 

2.1.3        Options . The Executive will be provided with a grant of options to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock, vesting over five (5) years in tranches of 100,000 starting on the first anniversary of the date hereof and continuing thereafter in equal installments on an annual basis subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company.  The exercise price of the options shall be $2.80 per share and the term shall be five years.

 

2.1.4        Shares . The Executive will be issued 250,000 shares of common stock of the Company upon signing the Agreement.

 

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2.2           Termination of Employment Generally . In the event the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, for any reason whatsoever including death or disability the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits described in this Section 2.2.

 

2.2.1        Accrued Salary and Vacation . All salary and accrued vacation earned through the Termination Date shall be paid to Executive on such date.

 

2.2.2        Accrued Bonus Payment . The Executive shall receive a lump sum payment of any actual bonus amount to the extent that all the conditions for payment of such bonus have been satisfied and any such bonus was earned and is unpaid on the Termination Date.

 

2.2.3        Expense Reimbursement . Within ten (10) days following submission to the Company of proper expense reports by the Executive, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for all expenses incurred by the Executive, consistent with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy in effect prior to the incurring of each such expense, in connection with the business of the Company prior to the Termination Date.

 

3.            FEDERAL EXCISE TAX UNDER SECTION 280G

 

3.1             Excise Tax . If (a) any amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement or otherwise are characterized as excess parachute payments pursuant to Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and (b) the Executive thereby would be subject to any United States federal excise tax due to that characterization, then if Executive would thereby be in a better after-tax position, the Company may elect, in the Company’s sole discretion, to reduce the amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise, or to have any portion of applicable options or restricted stock not vest or become exercisable, in order to avoid any “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code.

 

3.2              Calculation by Independent Public Accountants . Unless the Company and the Executive otherwise agree in writing, any calculation of the amount of any excess parachute payments payable by the Executive shall be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants (the “ Accountants ”) whose conclusion shall be final and binding on the parties. For purposes of making such calculations, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Executive shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make the required calculations. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses the Accountants may charge in connection with these services, but the engagement of the Accountants for this purpose shall be pursuant to an agreement between the Executive and the Accountants.

 

4.            DEFINITIONS

 

4.1              Capitalized Terms Defined . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 4, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning.

 

(a)

 

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4.2              “ Company ” shall mean Gopher Protocol Inc.

 

4.3              “ Termination Date ” means the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company.

 

5.            EXCLUSIVE REMEDY

 

5.1              No Other Benefits Payable . The Executive shall be entitled to no termination, severance or change of control compensation, benefits, or other payments from the Company as a result of any termination.

 

5.2              No Limitation of Regular Benefit Plans . Except as may be provided elsewhere in this Agreement, this Agreement is not intended to and shall not affect, limit or terminate any plans, programs or arrangements of the Company that are regularly made available to a significant number of employees or officers of the Company, including, without limitation, the Company’s stock option plans.

 

6.             NON-COMPETE; PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

During the term of this Agreement and following any termination of employment, Executive agrees to continue to abide by the terms and conditions of each of the non-competition agreement (during the term of such Agreement) and the Employee Invention Assignment & Confidentiality Agreement between the Executive and the Company.

 

7.             ARBITRATION

 

7.1              Disputes Subject to Arbitration . Any claim, dispute or controversy arising out of this Agreement (other than claims relating to misuse or misappropriation of the intellectual property of the Company), the interpretation, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the alleged breach thereof shall be submitted by the parties to binding arbitration by a sole arbitrator under the rules of the American Arbitration Association; provided, however, that (a) the arbitrator shall have no authority to make any ruling or judgment that would confer any rights with respect to the trade secrets, confidential and proprietary information or other intellectual property of the Company upon the Executive or any third party; and (b) this arbitration provision shall not preclude the Company from seeking legal and equitable relief from any court having jurisdiction with respect to any disputes or claims relating to or arising out of the misuse or misappropriation of the Company’s intellectual property. Judgment may be entered on the award of the arbitrator in any court having jurisdiction.

 

7.2              Costs of Arbitration . All costs of arbitration, including reasonable attorney’s fees of the Executive, will be borne by the Company, except that if the Executive initiates arbitration and the arbitrator finds the Executive’s claims to be frivolous the Executive shall be responsible for his own costs and attorneys fees.

 

7.3              Site of Arbitration . The site of the arbitration proceeding shall be in Los Angeles, California.

 

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8.            NOTICES

 

For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or five (5) business days after being mailed, return receipt requested, as follows:

 

(a) if to the Company, attention: Chief Executive Officer, at the Company’s offices at 2500 Broadway, Suite F-125, Santa Monica CA 90404 and,

 

(b) if to the Executive, at the address indicated below or such other address specified by the Executive in writing to the Company. Either party may provide the other with notices of change of address, which shall be effective upon receipt.

 

12.           MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

12.1        Heirs and Representatives of the Executive; Successors and Assigns of the Company . This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal and legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devises and legatees. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the successors and assigns of the Company.

 

12.2        Amendment and Waiver . No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, amended, waived or discharged unless the modification, amendment, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing, specifying such modification, amendment, waiver or discharge, and signed by the Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Executive). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

 

12.3        Withholding Taxes . All payments made under this Agreement shall be subject to deduction of all federal, state, local and other taxes required to be withheld by applicable law.

 

12.4        Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

12.5        Choice of Law . The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to where the Executive has his residence or principal office or where he performs his duties hereunder.

 

12.6        No Duty to Mitigate . The Executive is not required to seek alternative employment following termination, and payments called for under this Agreement will not be reduced by earnings from any other source.

 

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12.7.       Section 409A of the Code . To the extent (a) any payments or benefits to which Employee becomes entitled under this Agreement, or under any agreement or plan referenced herein, in connection with Employee’s termination of employment with the Company constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and (b) Employee is deemed at the time of such termination of employment to be a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code, then such payments shall not be made or commence until the earliest of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Employee’s “separation from service” (as such term is at the time defined in Treasury Regulations under Section 409A of the Code) from the Company; or (ii) the date of Employee’s death following such separation from service; provided, however, that such deferral shall only be effected to the extent required to avoid adverse tax treatment to Employee, including (without limitation) the additional twenty percent (20%) tax for which Employee would otherwise be liable under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code in the absence of such deferral. Upon the expiration of the applicable deferral period, any payments which would have otherwise been made during that period (whether in a single sum or in installments) in the absence of this paragraph shall be paid to Employee or Employee’s beneficiary in one lump sum (without interest). Any termination of Employee’s employment is intended to constitute a “separation from service” as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1. It is intended that each installment of the payments provided hereunder constitute separate “payments” for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(i). It is further intended that payments hereunder satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemption from the application of Code Section 409A (and any state law of similar effect) provided under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) (as a “short-term deferral”).

 

12.8        Entire Agreement . This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein (whether oral or written and whether express or implied).

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT FOLLOWS]

 

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In Witness Whereof , each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company, by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

     
    Executive
     
    /s/ Kevin Pickard
    Kevin Pickard

     
    Gopher Protocol Inc.
     
    By: /s/Gregory Bauer
    Gregory Bauer, CEO  

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of April 16, 2018 is made by and between GOPHER PROTOCOL INC., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and KEVIN PICKARD, an officer of the Company (the “Indemnitee”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.          The Company is aware that competent and experienced persons are increasingly reluctant to serve as directors or officers of corporations unless they are protected by comprehensive liability insurance and/or indemnification, due to increased exposure to litigation costs and risks resulting from their service to such corporations, and because the exposure frequently bears no reasonable relationship to the compensation of such directors and officers;

 

B.           Based on their experience as business managers, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board’’) has concluded that, to retain and attract talented and experienced individuals to serve as officers and directors of the Company, and to encourage such individuals to take the business risks necessary for the success of the Company, it is necessary for the Company contractually to indemnify officers and directors and to assume for itself maximum liability for expenses and damages in connection with claims against such officers and directors in connection with their service to the Company;

 

C.           The Nevada Revised Statutes, under which the Company is organized (the “Law”), empowers the Company to indemnify by agreement its officers, directors, employees and agents, and persons who serve, at the request of the Company, as directors, officers, employees or agents of other corporations or enterprises, and expressly provides that the indemnification provided by the Law is not exclusive; and

 

D.           The Company desires and has requested the Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company free from undue concern for claims for damages arising out of or related to such services to the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

1.           Definitions.

 

1.1.        Agent . For the purposes of this Agreement, “agent” of the Company means any person who is or was a director or officer of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company; or is or was serving at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interest of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company as a director or officer of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or an affiliate of the Company; or was a director or officer of a foreign or domestic corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the Company, or was a director or officer of another enterprise or affiliate of the Company at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of such predecessor corporation. The term “enterprise” includes any employee benefit plan of the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates and predecessor corporations.

 

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1.2         Expenses . For purposes of this Agreement, “expenses” includes all direct and indirect costs of any type or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and related disbursements and other out-of-pocket costs) actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense or appeal of a proceeding or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Agreement, the Law or otherwise.

 

1.3          Proceeding . For the purposes of this Agreement, ‘‘proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or any other type whatsoever.

 

1.4          Subsidiary . For purposes of this Agreement, “subsidiary” means any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities is owned directly or indirectly by the Company, by the Company and one or more of its subsidiaries or by one or more of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

2.           Agreement to Serve . The Indemnitee agrees to serve and/or continue to serve as an agent of the Company, at the will of the Company (or under separate agreement, if such agreement exists), in the capacity the Indemnitee currently serves as an agent of the Company, faithfully and to the best of his ability, so long as he or she is duly appointed or elected and qualified in accordance with the applicable provisions of the charter documents of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that the Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any contractual obligation that the Indemnitee may have assumed apart from this Agreement), and the Company or any subsidiary shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue to indemnify the Indemnitee for any actions taken or not taken by him or her after the date of resignation or termination of such position.

 

3.           Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance . The Company shall, to the extent that the Board determines it to be economically reasonable, maintain a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (“ D&O Insurance ”), on such terms and conditions as may be approved by the Board.

 

4.            Mandatory Indemnification. Subject to Section 9 below, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee:

 

4.1          Third Party Actions. If the Indemnitee is a person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that he is or was an agent of the Company, or by reason of anything done or not done by him in any such capacity, against any and all expenses and liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; and

 

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4.2          Derivative Actions . If the Indemnitee is a person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was an agent of the Company, or by reason of anything done or not done by him in any such capacity, against any amounts paid in settlement of any such proceeding and all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company; except that no indemnification under this subsection shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been finally adjudged to be liable to the Company by a court of competent jurisdiction due to willful misconduct of a culpable nature in the performance of his duty to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such amounts which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper; and

 

4.3          Exception for Amounts Covered by Insurance . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee for expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) to the extent such have been paid directly to the Indemnitee by D&O Insurance.

 

5.            Partial Indemnification and Contribution.

 

5.1          Partial Indemnification . If the Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of any expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, BRISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by him or her in the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of a proceeding but is not entitled, however, to indemnification for all of the total amount thereof, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify the Indemnitee for such total amount except as to the portion thereof to which the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.

 

5.2          Contribution. If the Indemnitee is not entitled to the indemnification provided in Section 4 for any reason other than the statutory limitations set forth in the Law, then in respect of any threatened, pending or completed proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with the Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by the Indemnitee in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Indemnitee on the other hand from the transaction from which such proceeding arose and (ii) the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand in connection with the events which resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation that does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.

 

6.            Mandatory Advancement of Expenses.

 

6.1          Advancement. Subject to Section 9 below and except as prohibited by law, the Company shall advance all expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of any proceeding to which the Indemnitee is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was an agent of the Company or by reason of anything done or not done by him in any such capacity. The Indemnitee hereby undertakes to promptly repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, the Law or otherwise. The advances to be made hereunder shall be paid by the Company to the Indemnitee within 30 days following delivery of a written request therefor by the Indemnitee to the Company.

 

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6.2         Exception. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, the Company shall not be obligated to advance any expenses to the Indemnitee arising from a lawsuit filed directly by the Company against the Indemnitee if an absolute majority of the members of the Board reasonably determines in good faith, within 30 days of the Indemnitee’s request to be advanced expenses, that the facts known to them at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that the Indemnitee acted in bad faith. If such a determination is made, the Indemnitee may have such decision reviewed by another forum, in the manner set forth in Sections 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5 hereof, with all references therein to “indemnification” being deemed to refer to “advancement of expenses,” and the burden of proof shall be on the Company to demonstrate clearly and convincingly that, based on the facts known at the time, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith. The Company may not avail itself of this Section 6.2 as to a given lawsuit if, at any time after the occurrence of the activities or omissions that are the primary focus of the lawsuit, the Company has undergone a change in control. For this purpose, a change in control shall mean a given person or group of affiliated persons or groups increasing their beneficial ownership interest in the Company by at least twenty (20) percentage points without advance Board approval.

 

7.            Notice and Other Indemnification Procedures.

 

7.1         Promptly after receipt by the Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of or the threat of commencement of any proceeding, the Indemnitee shall, if the Indemnitee believes that indemnification with respect thereto may be sought from the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement or threat of commencement thereof.

 

7.2         If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of the commencement of a proceeding pursuant to Section 7. 1 hereof, the Company has D&O Insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable because of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such D&O Insurance policies.

 

7.3         In the event the Company shall be obligated to advance the expenses for any proceeding against the Indemnitee, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such proceeding, with counsel approved by the Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), upon the delivery to the Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by the Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to the Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee with respect to the same proceeding, provided that: (a) the Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his or her own counsel in any such proceeding at the Indemnitee’ s expense; (b) the Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his or her own counsel in connection with any such proceeding, at the expense of the Company, if such counsel serves in a review, observer, advice and counseling capacity and does not otherwise materially control or participate in the defense of such proceeding; and (c) if (i) the employment of counsel by the Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (ii) the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense or (iii) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such proceeding, then the fees and expenses of the Indemnitee’ s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.

 

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8. Determination of Right to Indemnification.

 

8.1          To the extent the Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding referred to in Section 4.1 or 4.2 of this Agreement or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter described therein, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the investigation, defense or appeal of such proceeding, or such claim, issue or matter, as the case may be.

 

8.2          In the event that Section 8.1 is inapplicable, or does not apply to the entire proceeding, the Company shall nonetheless indemnify the Indemnitee unless the Company shall prove by clear and convincing evidence to a forum listed in Section 8.3 below that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct required to entitle the Indemnitee to such indemnification.

 

8.3         The Indemnitee shall be entitled to select the forum in which the validity of the Company’s claim under Section 8.2 hereof that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification will be heard from among the following, except that the Indemnitee can select a forum consisting of the stockholders of the Company only with the approval of the Company:

 

(a)          A quorum of the Board consisting of directors who are not parties to the proceeding for which indemnification is being sought;

 

(b)          The stockholders of the Company;

 

(c)          Legal counsel mutually agreed upon by the Indemnitee and the Board, which counsel shall make such determination in a written opinion;

 

(d)          A panel of three arbitrators, one of whom is selected by the Company, another of whom is selected by the Indemnitee and the last of whom is selected by the first two arbitrators so selected; or

 

(e)          The Court of Chancery of Nevada.

 

8.4          As soon as practicable, and in no event later than 30 days after the forum has been selected pursuant to Section 8.3 above, the Company shall, at its own expense, submit to the selected forum its claim that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, and the Company shall act in the utmost good faith to assure the Indemnitee a complete opportunity to defend against such claim.

 

8.5          If the forum selected in accordance with Section 8.3 hereof is not a court, then after the final decision of such forum is rendered, the Company or the Indemnitee shall have the right to apply to the Court of Chancery of Nevada, for the purpose of appealing the decision of such forum, provided that such right is executed within 60 days after the final decision of such forum is rendered. If the forum selected in accordance with Section 8.3 hereof is a court, then the rights of the Company or the Indemnitee to appeal any decision of such court shall be governed by the applicable laws and rules governing appeals of the decision of such court.

 

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8.6          Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee against all expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with any hearing or proceeding under this Section 8 involving the Indemnitee and against all expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with any other proceeding between the Company and the Indemnitee involving the interpretation or enforcement of the rights of the Indemnitee under this Agreement unless a court of competent jurisdiction finds that each of the material claims and/or defenses of the Indemnitee in any such proceeding was frivolous or not made in good faith.

 

9.             Exceptions .   Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

 

9.1           Claims Initiated by Indemnitee . To indemnify or advance expenses to the Indemnitee with respect to proceedings or claims initiated or brought voluntarily by the Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to proceedings specifically authorized by the Board or brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification and/or advancement of expenses arising under this Agreement, the charter documents of the Company or any subsidiary or any statute or law or otherwise, but such indemnification or advancement of expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board finds it to be appropriate; or

 

9.2           Unauthorized Settlements . To indemnify the Indemnitee hereunder for any amounts paid in settlement of a proceeding unless the Company consents in advance in writing to such settlement, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; or

 

9.3          Securities Law Actions . To indemnify the Indemnitee on account of any suit in which judgment is rendered against the Indemnitee for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section l 6(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments thereto or similar provisions of any federal, state or local statutory law; or

 

9.4          Unlawful Indemnification . To indemnify the Indemnitee if a final decision by a court having jurisdiction in the matter shall determine that such indemnification is not lawful. In this respect, the Company and the Indemnitee have been advised that the Securities and Exchange Commission takes the position that indemnification for liabilities arising under the federal securities laws is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable and that claims for indemnification should be submitted to appropriate courts for adjudication.

 

10.           Non-Exclusivity. The provisions for indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which the Indemnitee may have under any provision of law, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, the vote of the Company’s stockholders or disinterested directors, other agreements or otherwise, both as to action in the Indemnitee’s official capacity and to action in another capacity while occupying his position as an agent of the Company, and the Indemnitee’s rights hereunder shall continue after the Indemnitee has ceased acting as an agent of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the Indemnitee.

 

11.           General Provisions.

 

11.1         Interpretation of Agreement . It is understood that the parties hereto intend this Agreement to be interpreted and enforced so as to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to the Indemnitee to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, except as expressly limited herein.

 

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11.2        Severability . If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, then: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraphs of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraphs of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable and to give effect to Section 11.1 hereof.

 

11.3        Modification and Waiver . No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

11.4        Subrogation. In the event of full payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary or desirable to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

11.5        Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed m one or more counterparts, which shall together constitute one agreement.

 

11.6        Successors and Assigns . The terms of this Agreement shall bind, and shall inure to the benefit of, the successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

11.7        Notice . All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given: (a) if delivered by hand and signed for by the party addressee; or (b) if mailed by certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the mailing date. Addresses for notice to either party are as shown on the signature page of this Agreement or as subsequently modified by written notice.

 

11.8        Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed exclusively by and construed according to the laws of the State of Nevada, without giving effect to that body of laws pertaining to conflict of laws.

 

11.9        Consent to Jurisdiction . The Company and the Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Nevada for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding that arises out of or relates to this Agreement.

 

11.10      Attorneys’ Fees . In the event Indemnitee is required to bring any action to enforce rights under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the expenses of any Proceeding described in Section 1.3) the Indemnitee shall be entitled to all reasonable fees and expenses in bringing and pursuing such action, unless a court of competent jurisdiction finds each of the material claims of the Indemnitee in any such action was frivolous and not made in good faith.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into this Indemnification Agreement effective as of the date first written above.

 

THE COMPANY: 

 

BY: /s/ Gregory Bauer

Name: Gregory Bauer

Title: CEO

 

THE INDEMNITEE:

 

/s/ Kevin Pickard 

Kevin Pickard