Trimeris Inc. Contracts
Sample Business Contracts
License Agreement - New York Blood Center and Trimeris Inc.
LICENSE AGREEMENT
This License Agreement ("LICENSE AGREEMENT"), effective as of September
9, 1997 ("EFFECTIVE DATE"), is by and between THE NEW YORK BLOOD CENTER, a
not-for profit corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of New
York and having an office at 310 East 67th Street, New York, New York 10021
("NYBC"), and TRIMERIS, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of Delaware and having a principal place of business at 4727 University
Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27707 ("TRIMERIS").
ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this License Agreement, the following words and
phrases have the following meanings:
1.1 PATENT RIGHTS means:
1.1.1 United States Patent 5,444,044, as more fully described in
Appendix I;
1.1.2 United States Patent Application Serial No. 08/484,107, as
more fully described in Appendix I;
1.1.3 European Patent 565 164, as more fully described in Appendix
I;
1.1.4 Australian Patent No. 667078, as more fully described in
Appendix I;
1.1.5 Canadian Patent Application No. 2,092,519, as more fully
described in Appendix I;
1.1.6 Japanese Patent Application No.5-68199, as more fully
described in Appendix I;
1.1.7 South Korean Patent Application No. 93-4698, as more fully
described in Appendix I;
1.1.8 Any later-filed United States and foreign patent applications based
on the patents or patent applications listed in Appendix I, or corresponding
thereto, including any continuations, continuations-in-part,
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divisionals, reissues, reexaminations, or extensions thereof; and
1.1.9 Any United States and foreign patents issuing from any of
the foregoing.
1.2 LICENSED PRODUCT includes the following:
1.2.1 NYBC PRODUCT means any product which incorporates an HIV-1
polypeptide having any one of the following sequences, as set forth in U.S.
Patent No. 5,444,044, appended as Appendix II: amino acid residues 637 to
666 of the HIVIIIB1 envelope glycoprotein (Glu Trp Asp Arg Glu Ile Asn Asn
Tyr Thr Ser Leu Ile His Ser Leu Ile Glu Glu Ser Gln Asn Gln Gln Glu Lys Asn
Glu Gln Glu), SEQ ID NO's. 1 - 20, or which sequence is covered, in whole
or in part, by a claim contained in the Patent Rights.
1.2.2 TRIMERIS PRODUCT means any product which incorporates an
HIV-1 polypeptide having greater than fifty percent (50%) of an amino acid
sequence which is identical in amino acid sequence composition and amino
acid sequence order with an HIV polypeptide having any one of sequences set
forth in Paragraph 1.2.1.
1.2.3 OTHER PRODUCT means any product other than one specifically
defined in Paragraphs 1.2.1 and 1.2.2, which TRIMERIS may develop or sell,
at any time, during, or subsequent to, the term of this LICENSE AGREEMENT.
1.3 LICENSED PROCESS means any process or method which is covered in whole,
or in part, by a claim contained in the Patent Rights.
ARTICLE 2 - GRANT
2.1 NYBC hereby grants to TRIMERIS an exclusive, worldwide license to
practice under the PATENT RIGHTS and to make, have made, use, lease, offer to
sell, sell and import the LICENSED PRODUCTS and to practice the LICENSED
PROCESSES,
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to the full end of the term for which the PATENT RIGHTS are granted, unless
sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, said license to include the right to
sublicense and to be exclusive to TRIMERIS subject only to any license
heretofore granted to the United States government.
2.2 TRIMERIS agrees that any sublicenses granted by it will provide for
privity of contract between NYBC and sublicensee such that the obligations of
this LICENSE AGREEMENT will be binding upon the sublicensee as if it were in the
place of TRIMERIS.
ARTICLE 3 - DUE DILIGENCE
3.1 TRIMERIS will use its reasonable efforts to evaluate the commercial
potential of the PATENT RIGHTS. Subsequent to such evaluation, TRIMERIS, in its
sole discretion, will decide whether to commercialize any technology covered by
the PATENT RIGHTS.
3.2 TRIMERIS will use its best efforts to initiate a Pivotal Human Clinical
Trial, with any one NYBC PRODUCT or TRIMERIS PRODUCT, within five (5) years of
the EFFECTIVE DATE. In the event such trial is not initiated on any one such
royalty-bearing product, TRIMERIS will pay NYBC a one-time fee of ***********
******** Dollars (*******) such fee to be in addition to any other amounts that
otherwise might be due under Section 5.6.
ARTICLE 4 - LICENSE ISSUE FEE
Within fifteen (15) days of the EFFECTIVE DATE of this Agreement, TRIMERIS
will pay NYBC a License Issue Fee of *************** Dollars (*******).
ARTICLE 5 - ROYALTIES
For the rights, privileges and license granted hereunder, TRIMERIS agrees
to pay royalties to NYBC, to the end of the term of the PATENT RIGHTS [whether
by expiration,
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invalidation, abandonment, or other means] or until this Agreement is
terminated, whichever occurs first, as follows:
5.1 A royalty in an amount equal to **** Percent (*****) of NET SALES of
NYBC PRODUCTS, sold by TRIMERIS, or by any sublicensee, in any calendar year,
which are covered, in whole, or in part, by one or more issued, unexpired, and
valid claims contained in the PATENT RIGHTS, in the country in which the product
is sold.
5.2 A royalty in an amount equal to ***** Percent (******) of NET SALES of
NYBC PRODUCTS, sold by TRIMERIS, or by any sublicensee, in any calendar year,
which are covered, in whole, or in part, by one or more pending claims contained
in the PATENT RIGHTS, in the country in which the product is sold.
5.3 A royalty in an amount equal to ***** of NET SALES of TRIMERIS PRODUCTS
sold by TRIMERIS, or by any sublicensee, in any calendar year, until such time
as ************ of NET SALES of TRIMERIS PRODUCTS is attained; after which
TRIMERIS will pay NYBC a royalty in an amount equal to ***** of NET SALES of
TRIMERIS PRODUCTS sold by TRIMERIS and any sublicensee in any calendar year in
any country where the TRIMERIS PRODUCT is sold and NYBC has a pending, or
issued, unexpired and valid claim contained in the Patent Rights. Within one
year of the EFFECTIVE DATE, TRIMERIS, at its sole discretion, may substitute
TRIMERIS equity for up to ***** percent (***) of the royalties otherwise due
under this subsection.
5.4 Neither TRIMERIS nor any sublicensee will have any obligation during,
or subsequent to, the term of this LICENSE AGREEMENT, to pay any royalties to
NYBC for the manufacture, use, lease, sale, or offer to sell, of any OTHER
PRODUCT.
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5.5 Any royalties paid by TRIMERIS or any sublicensee to a third party, in
any calendar year, as a condition of the manufacture, use, lease or sale of any
LICENSED PRODUCTS, or practice of any LICENSED PROCESS, may be deducted from the
amounts otherwise due under Paragraph 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3; provided, however, that,
in no event, will NYBC receive less than ***** percent (***) of the amounts
otherwise due under Paragraphs 5.1 5.2, and 5.3.
5.6 Commencing with calendar year 1998 and for each calendar year
thereafter in which the LICENSE AGREEMENT remains in effect, should royalties
paid on LICENSED PRODUCTS not aggregate to the minimum set forth below,
TRIMERIS, with its last report for that year, will pay NYBC an amount equal to
the difference between the amount shown and the royalties already paid for that
year.
1998: $******
1999: $******
2000: $******
2001 and subsequent years $******
5.7 As used herein, the term NET SALES means the amount invoiced by
TRIMERIS or any sublicensee with respect to sale of any LICENSED PRODUCTS, less
the sum of the following:
(a) Discounts allowed in amounts customary in the trade;
(b) Sales, tariff duties, use taxes and/or insurance, directly
imposed and with reference to particular sales;
(c) Outbound transportation prepaid or allowed;
(d) Amounts allowed or credited on returns.
(e) Actual losses incurred due to changes in foreign currency
exchange rates.
5.8 Only one royalty will be payable to NYBC on NET SALES of LICENSED
PRODUCTS by TRIMERIS and/or by a sublicensee and/or by a subsidiary.
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5.9 At any time during the term of this LICENSE AGREEMENT, TRIMERIS may
elect to pay NYBC sponsored research funds in an amount equal to, and in lieu
of, up to ***** percent (***) of the total royalties otherwise due NYBC during
that calendar year, pursuant to Paragraphs 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3. TRIMERIS and NYBC
agree to enter into a Sponsored Research Agreement, to be negotiated in good
faith and to include such provisions as are reasonable and customary for such
agreements. With respect to any Sponsored Research Program funded, in any part,
by TRIMERIS pursuant to this Paragraph, NYBC hereby agrees to grant TRIMERIS a
right of first negotiation for an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to all
intellectual property arising out of such Sponsored Research Program, said
license to be negotiated in good faith and to include such provisions as are
reasonable and customary for such agreements.
5.10 Royalty payments shall be paid in United States dollars at the address
set forth in Article 14 or at such other place as NYBC may reasonably designate
consistent with the laws and regulations controlling in any foreign country. If
any currency conversion shall be required in connection with the payment of
royalties hereunder, such conversion shall be made by using the exchange rate
prevailing at the Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City, on the last business
day of the calendar quarterly reporting period to which such royalty payments
relate.
ARTICLE 6 - REPORTS AND RECORDS
6.1 TRIMERIS will keep and preserve complete and accurate books, records,
and accounts relating to the manufacture, use, and sale of LICENSED PRODUCTS and
TRIMERIS PRODUCTS, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
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principles and procedures. NYBC, including its designated accountants,
attorneys, agents, and other representatives, will have the right, twice per
year upon reasonable notice to TRIMERIS, to examine, inspect, and audit, the
books and records and accounts, kept and preserved by TRIMERIS, to verify the
accuracy and correctness of the royalty payments made by TRIMERIS. All such
examinations, inspections, and audits, shall be made by NYBC, or its designated
accountants, attorneys, agents, or other representatives, at reasonable times
and places, during business hours.
6.2 TRIMERIS, within thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter of each
calendar year, shall deliver to NYBC true and accurate reports, giving such
particulars of the business conducted by TRIMERIS during the preceding three (3)
month period under this LICENSE AGREEMENT as shall be pertinent to a royalty
accounting hereunder. These shall include at least the following:
(a) Number and type of NYBC PRODUCTS and TRIMERIS PRODUCTS sold
by TRIMERIS or by any sublicensee;
(b) Total billings for NYBC PRODUCTS and TRIMERIS PRODUCTS
sold;
(c) Detailed listing of all deductions applicable as provided
in Paragraph 5.7.
6.3 With each such report submitted, TRIMERIS will pay to NYBC the
royalties due and payable under this License Agreement. If no royalties are due,
TRIMERIS will so report.
ARTICLE 7 - PATENT PROSECUTION
7.1 Subject to Paragraph 7.3, NYBC will maintain the PATENT RIGHTS during
the term of this LICENSE AGREEMENT. All documents relating to the PATENT RIGHTS
will be forwarded to
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TRIMERIS within ten (10) business days of receipt by NYBC or its patent counsel,
whichever is earlier. NYBC will take no action with respect to the PATENT RIGHTS
without providing TRIMERIS a timely opportunity to review and comment upon such
action. NYBC will use its best efforts to ensure that all actions taken with
respect to any of the PATENT RIGHTS address the commercial and business needs of
TRIMERIS, as communicated by TRIMERIS hereunder.
7.2 Within fifteen (15) business days after the receipt of an itemized
bill, TRIMERIS will reimburse NYBC for fifty percent (50%) of all reasonable and
ordinary fees and costs related to the filing, prosecution, and maintenance of
the PATENT RIGHTS, which were incurred prior to the EFFECTIVE DATE, the
remaining fifty percent (50%) to be paid within six months of the EFFECTIVE
DATE.
7.3 Within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice, TRIMERIS will
reimburse NYBC for all reasonable and ordinary fees and costs relating to the
filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the PATENT RIGHTS, which are incurred
subsequent to the EFFECTIVE DATE.
7.4 TRIMERIS will have the sole right to decide whether to file, prosecute,
and/or maintain any patent application or patent contained in the PATENT RIGHTS.
Should TRIMERIS decide not to file, prosecute, and/or maintain any patent
application or patent contained in the Patent Rights, TRIMERIS, no later than
thirty (30) days prior to the applicable filing or other deadline, will provide
written notice to NYBC to this effect, which then shall have the right, but not
the obligation to file, prosecute and/or maintain the patent application or
patent at its own expense. TRIMERIS will have no further rights in any such
patent application and/or patent.
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ARTICLE 8 - TERMINATION
8.1 In the event that either party shall become bankrupt or insolvent, or
shall file a petition in bankruptcy, or if its business shall be placed in the
hands of a receiver, assignee or trustee for the benefit of creditors, whether
by voluntary act or otherwise, then to the extent permitted by law, the other
party may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice of termination to
the disabled party. This Agreement shall terminate upon receipt of such notice,
except with respect to all accrued, unpaid royalties and sales.
8.2 Should TRIMERIS fail in its payment to NYBC of royalties due in
accordance with the terms of this License Agreement, NYBC will have the right to
serve notice upon TRIMERIS, by certified mail to the address designated in
Article 15 hereof, of its intention to terminate this License Agreement within
thirty (30) days after receipt of said notice of termination unless TRIMERIS
shall pay to NYBC, within the thirty (30) day period, all such royalties due and
payable. Upon the expiration of the thirty (30) day period, if TRIMERIS shall
not have paid all such royalties due and payable, the rights, privileges and
license granted hereunder shall thereupon immediately terminate.
8.3 Upon any material breach or default of this License Agreement by
TRIMERIS, NYBC will have the right to terminate this License Agreement and the
rights, privileges and license granted hereunder by ninety (90) days' notice to
TRIMERIS by certified mail to the address designated in Article 14 hereof. Such
termination will become effective unless TRIMERIS will have cured any such
breach or default prior to the expiration of the ninety (90) day period from
receipt of the notice of termination.
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8.4 At any time subsequent to September 9, 2001, TRIMERIS will have the
right to terminate this LICENSE AGREEMENT on six (6) months' written notice to
NYBC.
8.5 Upon termination of this LICENSE AGREEMENT for any reason, nothing
herein shall be construed to release either party from any obligation that
matured prior to the effective date of such termination. TRIMERIS and/or any
sublicensee thereof may, however, after the effective date of such termination,
sell all Licensed Products, and complete Licensed Products in the process of
manufacture at the time of such termination, and sell the same, provided that
TRIMERIS shall pay to NYBC the royalties thereon as required by Article 5 of
this License Agreement and shall submit the reports required by Article 6 hereof
on the sales of Licensed Products.
ARTICLE 9 - INFRINGEMENT AND OTHER ACTIONS
9.1 TRIMERIS and NYBC will promptly provide written notice, to the other
party, of any alleged infringement by a third party of the Patent Rights and
provide such other party with any available evidence of such infringement.
9.2 During the term of this LICENSE AGREEMENT, TRIMERIS will have the
right, but not the obligation, to prosecute and/or defend, at its own expense
and utilizing counsel of its choice, any infringement of, and/or challenge to,
the PATENT RIGHTS. In furtherance of such right, NYBC hereby agrees that
TRIMERIS may join NYBC as a party in any such suit, without expense to NYBC. No
settlement, consent judgment or other voluntary final disposition of any such
suit may be entered into without the consent of NYBC, which consent shall not
unreasonably be withheld. TRIMERIS shall indemnify NYBC against any order for
costs that may be made against NYBC in any such suit.
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9.3 In the event that TRIMERIS shall undertake the enforcement and/or
defense of the Patent Rights, as provided in Paragraph 9.2, TRIMERIS may
withhold up to fifty percent (50%) of the royalties otherwise thereafter due
NYBC and apply the same toward reimbursement of its expenses, including
attorneys' fees, in connection therewith. Any recovery of damages by TRIMERIS,
in any such suit, shall be applied first in satisfaction of any unreimbursed
expenses and legal fees of TRIMERIS relating to the suit, and next toward
reimbursement of NYBC for any royalties past due or withheld and applied
pursuant to this paragraph. The balance remaining from any such recovery shall
belong to TRIMERIS.
9.4 If within six (6) months after receiving notice of any alleged
infringement, TRIMERIS shall have been unsuccessful in persuading the alleged
infringer to desist, or shall not have brought and shall not be diligently
prosecuting an infringement action, or if TRIMERIS shall notify NYBC, at any
time prior thereto, of its intention not to bring suit against the alleged
infringer, then, and in those events only, NYBC shall have the right, but not
the obligation, to prosecute, at its own expense and utilizing counsel of its
choice, any infringement of the Patent Rights, and NYBC may, for such purposes,
join the TRIMERIS as a party plaintiff. The total cost of any such infringement
action commenced solely by NYBC shall be borne by NYBC and NYBC shall keep any
recovery or damages for past infringement derived therefrom.
9.5 In any suit to enforce and/or defend the Patent Rights pursuant to this
License Agreement, the party not in control of such suit shall, at the request
and expense of the controlling party, cooperate in all respects and, to the
extent possible, have its employees testify when requested and
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make available relevant records, papers, information, samples, specimens, and
the like.
ARTICLE 10 - PATENT MARKING
TRIMERIS agrees to mark the LICENSED PRODUCTS sold in the United States
with all applicable United States patent numbers. All LICENSED PRODUCTS shipped
to, or sold in, other countries shall be marked in such a manner as to conform
with the patent laws and practice of the country of manufacture or sale.
ARTICLE 11- WARRANTY AND INDEMNIFICATION
11.1 NYBC warrants and represents that it has the full right and power to
grant the license set forth in Article 2 hereof, subject to the approval of both
parties at the time license negotiations are concluded, and shall take no action
to negate such right and power, and further warrants and represents that there
are no outstanding agreements, assignments, or encumbrances inconsistent with
the provisions of this License Agreement. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET
FORTH IN THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT, NYBC MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND
VALIDITY OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF PATENT RIGHT CLAIMS WHICH ARE ISSUED, OR
PENDING, RELATIVE TO INVENTION.
11.2 TRIMERIS shall, at all times during the term of this License Agreement
and thereafter, indemnify, defend and hold harmless NYBC, its officers,
employees, and affiliates, harmless against any claims, liabilities, judgments
and expenses, arising out of the death of, or injury to, any person or persons,
or out of any damage to property, and against any other claims of any kind
resulting from the production,
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manufacture, sale, advertising, lease, or transfer of Licensed Products or
Licensed Processes.
ARTICLE 12 - ASSIGNMENT
TRIMERIS may, without prior written consent, assign or otherwise transfer
this LICENSE AGREEMENT and the license granted hereunder and the rights acquired
by it hereunder so long as such assignment or transfer is to a subsidiary or
shall be accompanied by a sale or other transfer of TRIMERIS's entire business
or of that part of TRIMERIS's business to which the license granted hereunder
relates and so long as the transferee party expressly assumes, in writing, the
performance of all terms and conditions of this License Agreement. Any other
assignment of this LICENSE AGREEMENT by TRIMERIS will be permitted with NYBC's
written approval, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld and to be given
by NYBC within thirty (30) days of TRIMERIS providing the proposed Assignment to
NYBC for review. This License Agreement shall not be assignable by NYBC without
the prior written consent of TRIMERIS.
ARTICLE 13 - NON-USE OF NAMES
13.1 TRIMERIS shall not use the name of NYBC, or any of its employees, or
any adaptation thereof, in any advertising, promotional or sales literature
without prior written consent obtained from NYBC, in each case, except that
TRIMERIS may, without prior written consent, state that it is licensed by NYBC,
under one or more of the patents and/or applications comprising the PATENT
RIGHTS.
ARTICLE 14 - PAYMENTS, NOTICES
AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
Any payment, notice or other communication pursuant to this
License Agreement shall be sufficiently made or given on the date of mailing if
sent to such party by certified first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to
it at its
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address below or as it shall designate by written notice given to the other
party:
In the case of NYBC
Attn: Office of Patents and Licensing
Mark De Wyngaert, Ph.D.
The New York Blood Center
310 East 67th Street
New York, New York
cc: General Counsel
In the case of TRIMERIS:
Attn: Matthew A. Megaro
Chief Operating Officer
Trimeris, Inc.
4727 University Drive, Suite 100
Durham, North Carolina 27707
ARTICLE 15 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
15.1 This LICENSE AGREEMENT shall be construed, governed, interpreted and
applied in accordance with the laws of New York, except that questions affecting
the validity, enforceability, or infringement of any patent contained in the
Patent Rights shall be determined by the law of the country in which the patent
was granted.
15.2 The parties hereto acknowledge that this License Agreement sets forth
the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto as to the subject
matter hereof, and shall not be subject to any change or modification except by
the execution of a written instrument subscribed to by the parties hereto.
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15.3 The provisions of this License Agreement are severable, and in the
event that any provision of this License Agreement shall be determined to be
invalid or unenforceable under any controlling body of law, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of
the remaining provisions hereof.
15.4 The failure of either party to assert a right hereunder or to insist
upon compliance with any term or condition of this License Agreement shall not
constitute a waiver of that right or excuse a similar subsequent failure to
perform any such term or condition by the other party.
15.5 This LICENSE AGREEMENT may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this License
Agreement, in duplicate, by proper persons thereunto duly authorized.
NEW YORK BLOOD CENTER
By: /s/John F. Wurmser
Name: John F. Wurmser
Title: CEO
Date: Sept. 9, 1997
TRIMERIS
By: /s/M. Ross Johnson
Name: M. Ross Johnson
Title: President, Chief Executive Officer
Date: September 10, 1997
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NYBC/TRIMERIS
LICENSE AGREEMENT
APPENDIX I
1. U.S. Patent No. 5,444,044
Granted: August 22, 1995
To: Jiang and Neurath
For: Synthetic Polypeptides As Inhibitors Of HIV-1
Assignee: New York Blood Center
New York, New York
Based on: Appln. Serial No. 859,923
Filed March 26, 1992
2. U.S. Serial No.: 08/484,107
Filed: June 7, 1995
As a continuation of Ser. No. 859,923
(U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,044)
3. Foreign Counterparts of U.S. Patent No. 5,444,044:
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COUNTRY SERIAL NO. FILING/ISSUE DATE STATUS
======================= ====================== ================================= ============================
Australia 667078 Granted 6/25/1996 Patented
======================= ---------------------- --------------------------------- ============================
EPO 0 565 164 Granted 6/11/1997 Patented
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Canada 2,092,519 Filed 3/25/1993 Pending
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Japan 5-68199 Filed 3/26/1993 Pending
======================= ====================== ================================= ============================
S. Korea 93-4698 Filed 3/25/1993 Pending
======================= ====================== ================================= ============================
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