This
Master Services Agreement (“Agreement”)
is entered into as of the “Effective
Date”, as described in the SOW. If
the SOW has not been executed, then the Effective Date shall be determined as
the first use of any Service of CareTree by the Client. This Agreement is by and between
CareTree, Inc., an Illinois corporation ("CareTree”) and “Client”, as described in the SOW or as
originally registered as within the CareTree software service.
WHEREAS,
CareTree is in the business of providing a software as a service solution that enables
patients, caregivers and healthcare providers to interact and communicate to
facilitate care coordination and management services of the applicable patient (“SaaS Services”),
WHEREAS, Client desires to
engage CareTree to provide such SaaS Services and other services as set forth
in an SOW and CareTree desires to be so engaged.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained
herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Services.
1.1 Services; Statement of Work. CareTree shall provide the SaaS Services
and other services as described in the duly executed statements of work under
this Agreement which shall
be incorporated herein and made part of this Agreement (“SOW(s)”). Neither party will have any obligation with
respect to any draft SOW unless and until it is executed by both parties. Except as otherwise provided herein, if any
terms or conditions of this Agreement conflict with any terms or conditions of
any SOW, the SOW’s terms and conditions will control solely with respect to the
SaaS Services covered under such SOW.
1.2 Training Service. CareTree
will provide Client with access to documents online through its website and
such documents will outline features of the service (collectively “Training Services”). Upon the Client’s request, additional phone
and/or email Training Services may be provided during regular business hours at
CareTree’s then-current rates. SaaS
Services and other services set forth in the SOW and Training Services shall
collectively be referred to herein as “Services.”
1.3 Use of the Services. Client is solely
responsible for obtaining, maintaining, installing and supporting all ‘Internet’
access, computer hardware, software, telecommunications capabilities and other
equipment and services (specifically including responsibility for providing
appropriate personal computers and mobile devices) needed for it and its
authorized users to access the SaaS Services.
1.4 Illegal Use. Client shall not access, store,
distribute or transmit any Viruses or any material during the course of its use
of the SaaS Services that (i) is unlawful, harmful, threatening, defamatory,
obscene, infringing, harassing or racially or ethnically offensive, (ii)
facilitates illegal activity, and/or (iii) causes damage or injury to any
person or property. “Virus” shall mean any
thing or device (including without limitation any software, code, file
or program) which may prevent, impair or otherwise adversely affect the
operation of any computer software, hardware or network, any telecommunications
service, equipment or network or any other service or device, prevent, impair
or otherwise adversely affect access to or the operation of any program or
data, including the reliability of any program or data (whether by
re-arranging, altering or erasing the program or data in whole or part or
otherwise) and/or adversely affect the user experience, including worms, ‘Trojan’
horses, viruses and other similar things or devices. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, CareTree reserves the right, without liability to the Client, to
disable or suspend the Client’s access to the SaaS Services in the event (a) of
any breach or anticipated breach of this Agreement (b) Client and/or its users use of the Services disrupts or
poses a security risk to the Services and/or any other Client, may harm CareTree’s
systems and/or any provider of any third-party services and/or may subject CareTree
and/or any third-party to liability; (c) Client and/or its authorized users are
using the Services for fraudulent or illegal activities; and/or (d) CareTree’s
continued provision of any of the Services to the Client and/or its users is
prohibited by applicable law.
1.5 Client
Data. Client is responsible for providing all Client data and/or
information and responsible for the accuracy, quality, integrity and legality
of such data and of the means by which authorized users
access and use the Client data. Client
hereby grants CareTree a worldwide, non-exclusive right and license to
reproduce, distribute and display the Client Content as necessary to provide
the Services. Client represents and
warrants that Client owns all Client Content or that Client has permission from
the rightful owner to use each of the elements of Client Content; and that
Client has all rights necessary for CareTree to use the Client Content in
connection with the Services. Client and
its licensors retain title, all ownership rights, and all IP (as defined in
Article 7), in and to the Client Content and reserve all rights not expressly
granted to CareTree hereunder. “Client Content” means any elements of text, graphics, images, photos,
designs, artwork, logos, trademarks, service marks, and other materials or
content which Client provides in connection with any Services. Client Content excludes any content available
in the public domain; and any content owned or licensed by CareTree, whether in
connection with providing Services or otherwise.
1.6 Data
Security. Client acknowledges and
agrees that CareTree utilizes third-party service providers to host and provide
the SaaS Services and store Client data and the protection of such data will be
in accordance with such third party’s safeguards for the protection and the
security and confidentiality of Client’s data.
Client is responsible for properly configuring and using the SaaS
Service and taking appropriate steps to maintain security, protection and
backup of all Client Content and data.
1.7 Unauthorized
Access. CareTree is not responsible
for any unauthorized access to, alteration of, or the deletion, destruction,
damage, loss or failure to store any of, Client Content and data or other
information that Client or its users submits and/or uses in connection with the
Services (including as a result of Client errors, acts or omissions).
2. Use;
Maintenance; Prohibited Conduct.
2.1 Right to Use. Subject to CareTree’s receipt of the Fees for
the SaaS Service and provided Client is using such SaaS Service in accordance
with the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the applicable SOW, CareTree
hereby grants Client the right to access and use the SaaS Service during the term
solely for the Client’s business operations and in accordance with the terms
set forth herein. Client acknowledges
and agrees it will abide by CareTree’s terms of use https://web.caretree.me/terms
and privacy policy https://web.caretree.me/privacy, as may be changed from time
to time by CareTree in its sole and absolute discretion, and which such
then-current version shall be incorporated herein by reference.
2.2 Permitted Use. Client will ensure that its users of the
Services abide by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and Client
acknowledges and agrees that it shall be fully liable for any breach of the
terms set forth herein. The Client will determine the access
controls for its users and will be liable for activity occurring under Client’s
account, including compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Client agrees to: (i) maintain the accuracy and completeness of
information provided to CareTree and agrees to provide any changes to CareTree
within thirty (30) days of any such change, and (ii) notify CareTree
immediately of any unauthorized access to, or use of the Services.
2.3 Maintenance. During the term or as otherwise specified in
the applicable SOW, CareTree will make available to the Client updates, patches
and bug fixes with respect to the SaaS Service as may, from time to time, be
developed and made generally available by CareTree to its Clients.
2.4 Prohibited Conduct. Except as expressly permitted hereunder,
Client shall not, directly or indirectly, without the express, prior written
consent of CareTree: (i) use or permit the use of, reproduce or otherwise
duplicate, disclose, distribute, modify, encumber, time-share, license,
sublicense, rent, lease, or transfer the SaaS Service or any portion thereof,
or any of Client’s rights thereto; (ii) merge any SaaS Service or any portion
thereof with any other program or materials; (iii) reverse engineer, decompile,
disassemble, extract, or otherwise derive or attempt to derive the source code
of any SaaS Service or any other compiled software provided or made available
by CareTree hereunder; (iv) adapt, translate, localize, port, or otherwise
modify any SaaS Service or any other compiled software provided or made
available by CareTree hereunder; (v) remove, obliterate, or cancel from view
any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary or confidentiality notice or
legend appearing on or in any materials provided or made available by CareTree
hereunder, or fail to reproduce any such notice or legend on any copy made of
any such materials; (vi) take any action that materially interrupts or
interferes with, or that might reasonably have been expected to materially
interrupt or interfere with, the SaaS Service, CareTree’s business operations
or other Clients; and (vii) permit any other user, person or entity to engage
in any of the foregoing conduct.
3. Fees.
3.1 Fees.
In consideration of the provision
of Services described herein and/or in any SOW, Client shall pay CareTree the
fees set forth herein and in the applicable SOW (“Fee(s)”). All fees, expenses
and taxes due hereunder will be paid in U.S. dollars. All fees due and payable by Client to CareTree
hereunder must be paid in full without any deduction, set-off, counterclaim or
withholding of any kind unless required by law.
3.2 Invoices.
Unless otherwise set forth in an SOW, CareTree may provide Client
with a monthly invoice in arrears for Fees that become due hereunder and such
invoice shall be due and payable upon Client’s receipt of such invoice.
3.3 Credit Card Payments. Client may elect to pay fees due
hereunder via
credit card. Upon CareTree’s request,
Client agrees to promptly complete and submit a credit card authorization form
to CareTree. Client authorizes CareTree
to automatically charge such credit card for the Fees in
advance or as otherwise agreed to by the parties in the applicable SOW.
3.4 Expenses. Client shall promptly reimburse CareTree for
any out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the
performance of the Services.
3.5 Taxes. Fees are exclusive of applicable
taxes. Client is responsible for all
taxes, fees, duties, and charges, and any related penalties and interest,
arising from the payment of any and all fees under this Agreement (collectively,
“Taxes”) except for taxes based on CareTree’s
net income and/or payroll taxes. Client
will indemnify, defend and hold harmless CareTree for all taxes imposed which
may be attributable to the Services.
3.6 Out of Scope Services. In the event Client requests additional
Services outside the scope of Services described herein or the applicable SOW,
then Client shall submit such request in writing to CareTree. Thereafter, the parties shall memorialize any
agreed upon changes in writing via amendment to the SOW or enter into a new
SOW.
3.7 Late Payment. In the event Fees
are not paid on a timely basis, including without limitation due to an invalid
or expired credit card number, interest will be payable and calculated daily at
a rate of 2.0%
per month. Client shall be liable for any and all costs related to any credit card transaction disputes. In
the event of such dispute, Client shall pay CareTree a service
charge in the amount of Seventy Five Dollars ($75.00). CareTree may, in addition to other available
remedies, disable the password, account and access to all or part of the SaaS
Services if any Fees are not paid within the date such Fees are due and payable
hereunder. In the event of the foregoing, CareTree shall not be obligated to
provide any or all of the Services until such Fees are paid in full. Client acknowledges and agrees that CareTree
shall not be in breach of this Agreement or liable for failure to perform in
the event Client fails to make payments when due hereunder.
3.8 Invoice Dispute Process.
3.8.1
Process. If Client receives an invoice which it
reasonably believes, acting in good faith and with proper supporting evidence,
specifies a charge which is not valid and properly due (“Disputed Charge”), then Client shall notify CareTree in writing (“Dispute Notice”) within ten (10)
calendar days from the date such invoice is received to notify CareTree that it
has a bona fide dispute in relation to the amount invoiced. For avoidance of
doubt, disputed invoices do not relieve Client
of paying invoices in full on or before the date in which such payments are
due. Client shall specify
reasonable details of the nature of the dispute in the Dispute Notice. The parties shall discuss the Disputed Charge
within five (5) calendar days of the date of the Dispute Notice. In the event the Disputed Charge is not
resolved within such time period, then the matter shall be escalated to an
executive officer of each party. Such
executives shall initially discuss the Disputed Charge within five (5) calendar
days of receipt of notice and have up to ten (10) calendar days to seek
commercially reasonable efforts to resolve the Disputed Charge. If the dispute
is not resolved within such time period, then either party may at any time
thereafter submit such dispute to a court of competent jurisdiction as set
forth in Article 15.
3.8.2
Resolution of
Dispute. When the dispute is resolved, any payment to
be made to CareTree, or amount to be refunded to Client, as the case may be,
shall be made within ten (10) calendar days of the resolution of such Disputed
Charge.
3.8.3
Confidentiality. For avoidance
of doubt, all negotiations pursuant to this Section shall be treated as
confidential compromise and settlement negotiations. Nothing said or disclosed, nor any document
produced, in the course of such negotiations which is not otherwise
independently discoverable shall be disclosed to any third party nor offered or
received as evidence or used for impeachment or for any other purpose in any
current or future arbitration or litigation.
3.8.4
No Notice. In the event CareTree does not receive a Dispute
Notice within such ten (10) day period, then the relevant invoice shall be
deemed to be correct and shall be paid in full in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement or the relevant SOW.
4. Term
4.1 Term. This Agreement shall commence on the
Effective Date and shall continue until terminated in accordance with the terms
and conditions set forth herein.
4.2 SOW’s.
The term of the SOW will commence on
the date set forth in the SOW and continue thereafter as set forth in such SOW,
unless otherwise terminated earlier in accordance with the terms of such SOW and/or
this Agreement.
5. Termination.
5.1 Termination
for Breach. If a party materially
breaches this Agreement and/or any SOW (the "Defaulting Party"), and the Defaulting Party does not
cure such breach within thirty (30) calendar days after its receipt of written
notice of material breach, the non-defaulting party may terminate this
Agreement and/or any SOW upon written notice to the Defaulting Party. Termination of this Agreement and/or SOW will
be without prejudice to any other rights and remedies that the non-defaulting
party may have under this Agreement, the applicable SOW, at law and/or in
equity.
5.3 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination, Client will pay all outstanding Fees, charges and
expenses owed through the then-current term of this Agreement and/or the applicable
SOW.
6. Confidentiality
6.1 Business Associates Agreement. This Agreement is made pursuant to and
incorporates herein by reference the terms and conditions of the Business
Associates Agreement (“BAA”), https://web.caretree.me/baa. Client acknowledges and agrees it will abide
by CareTree’s BAA, as may be changed from time to time by CareTree in its sole
and absolute discretion, and which such then-current version shall be
incorporated herein by reference. Unless
otherwise noted and expressly agreed upon by both parties, the BAA shall
supersede the MSA.
6.2 Confidential Information. During the term of this Agreement, the
parties may have access to certain information that is not generally known to
others including any and all information relating to the party and its business
including without limitation: its business, legal, and operational practices,
financial, technical, commercial, marketing, competitive advantage or other
information concerning the business and affairs, partnerships and potential
partnerships, business model, fee structures, employees, funding opportunities,
metrics, know-how, systems, procedures and techniques that has been or may hereafter
be provided or shown to the other party, regardless of the form of the
communication and the terms and conditions of this Agreement ("Confidential Information"). The party disclosing Confidential Information
shall be referred to herein as the “Disclosing
Party” and the party receiving Confidential Information shall be referred
to herein as the “Receiving Party.”
6.3 Receiving Party. Receiving Party agrees not to use or disclose
the Confidential Information, and may disclose the Confidential Information
only as necessary and appropriate to perform its obligations hereunder and to
receive the benefit of the Services in accordance with this Agreement to its
officers, directors, employees, agents and subcontractors (and their employees)
(“Representatives”) who have a need
to know such Confidential Information solely in connection with this
Agreement. The Receiving Party will
cause such Representatives to comply with this Agreement and will assume full
responsibility for any failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement. The Receiving Party will not transfer or
disclose any Confidential Information to any third party without the Disclosing
Party’s prior written consent and without such third party having a contractual
obligation (consistent with this Article 6) to keep such Confidential
Information confidential. The Receiving
Party will not use any Confidential Information for any purpose other than to
perform its obligations under this Agreement.
6.4 Exclusions. Confidential Information does not include
information that: (i) is obtained by the Receiving Party from the public domain
without breach of this Agreement and independently of the Receiving Party’s
knowledge of any Confidential Information; (ii) was lawfully and demonstrably
in the possession of the Receiving Party without use of or reference to the
Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information; and/or (iv) becomes known by the
Receiving Party from a third party independently of the Receiving Party’s
knowledge of the Confidential Information and is not subject to an obligation
of confidentiality.
6.5 Legal
Requirements. If the Receiving Party
is requested or required to disclose any of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential
Information under a subpoena, court order, statute, law, rule, regulation or
other similar requirement (a "Legal
Requirement"), the Receiving Party will, if lawfully permitted to do
so, provide prompt notice of such Legal Requirement to the Disclosing Party so
that the Disclosing Party may seek an appropriate protective order or other
appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the provisions of this
Agreement. If the Disclosing Party is
not successful in obtaining a protective order or other appropriate remedy and
the Receiving Party is legally compelled to disclose such Confidential
Information, or if the Disclosing Party waives compliance with the provisions
of this Agreement in writing, the Receiving Party may disclose, without
liability hereunder, such Confidential Information solely to the extent
necessary to comply with the Legal Requirement.
6.6 Confidentiality
Breach. The parties agree that
ownership of any IP (as defined in Article 7) in any materials owned by the
other party shall remain with that party, and nothing in this Agreement shall
imply that any right or license in respect of such IP is being granted to the
other party.
6.7 Disposition
of Confidential Information on Termination or Expiration. Upon termination or expiration of this
Agreement or upon the Disclosing Party’s written request, the Receiving Party
will return to the Disclosing Party all copies of Confidential Information
already in the Receiving Party’s possession or within its control. Alternatively, with Disclosing Party’s prior
written consent, the Receiving Party may destroy such Confidential Information;
provided that the Confidential Information is (i) destroyed in accordance with
applicable law, rule or regulation and (ii) is rendered unreadable,
undecipherable and otherwise incapable of reconstruction, in which case an
officer of the Receiving Party will certify in writing to the Disclosing Party
that all such Confidential Information has been so destroyed. The obligations with respect to Confidential
Information, as set forth in this Article 6, shall continue in force and effect
for a period of five (5) years after termination or expiration of this
Agreement or, with respect to such portions of such Confidential Information
that constitute trade secrets under applicable law, for so long as such trade
secret status is maintained.
6.8 Remedy. Each party acknowledges that a breach of this
Article 6 may result in irreparable and continuing damage to the Disclosing
Party for which monetary damages may not be sufficient, and agrees that the
Disclosing Party will be entitled to seek, in addition to its other rights and
remedies hereunder or at law, injunctive or all other equitable relief, and
such further relief as may be proper from a court of competent jurisdiction.
The terms of this Article 6 shall survive the expiration or termination of this
Agreement.
7.
Ownership.
7.1 Intellectual Property. CareTree retains all rights, title, interest
and ownership of, any and all IP and proprietary rights with respect to the Services,
and any other materials provided or made available to Client by CareTree
hereunder. “IP” means all intellectual property including without limitation
all patents, inventions, trademarks, service marks, trade names and trade
dress, copyrights and copyrightable works, trade secrets, know-how, design
rights and database rights. Except for
the rights expressly granted to Client in this Agreement, all such Services and
other materials that are provided or made available, and all work product that
is developed, under this Agreement, all modifications, customizations,
compilations, and derivative works thereof, and all intellectual property and
proprietary rights pertaining thereto, are and shall remain the property of CareTree
and its respective licensors (and to the extent any rights of ownership in any
such materials, works, or rights might, for any reason, otherwise vest in
Client, Client hereby assigns such ownership rights to CareTree).
7.2 Rights.
CareTree confirms that it has all the rights necessary to provide the
SaaS Services described herein and has the ability to grant all the rights it
purports to grant under, and in accordance with, the terms of this Agreement.
8.
Warranties.
8.1 CareTree Warranty. CareTree
represents and warrants that (i) the SaaS Service will perform substantially in
accordance with the terms set forth herein and in the applicable SOW, (ii) it
will, at all times, comply with all applicable local, state, federal and foreign
laws in providing the Service, and (iii) it has taken all action necessary for
the approval and execution of this Agreement.
The warranty set forth in this Section 8.1
shall not apply to the extent of any non-conformance which is caused by use of
the Service contrary to CareTree’s
instructions, or modification or alteration of the Service by any party other than CareTree and/or authorized by
CareTree in writing.
8.2 Client represents and warrants that (i) it will, at all
times, comply with all applicable local, state, federal, and foreign laws in
using the Service and (ii) it has the requisite legal and corporate
power, right, and authority to enter into this Agreement.
8.3 Remedy. Client’s
sole and exclusive remedy and CareTree’s sole and exclusive liability for any breach
of CareTree’s warranties set forth herein is for CareTree to use commercially
reasonable efforts to correct any non-conformance within a reasonable period of
time or provide Client with an alternative means of accomplishing the desired
performance; provided that Client notifies CareTree of such breach in writing within
thirty (30) days after the date of CareTree’s alleged breach.
8.4 Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN SECTION 8.1
OF THIS AGREEMENT, CARETREE MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE SERVICES AND MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED BY CARETREE ON AN “AS-IS” bASIS. CARETREE DOES NOT REPRESENT, WARRANT, OR
COVENANT THAT THE SERVICES AND MATERIALS (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY
DOCUMENTATION, REPORTS, ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS, IN ANY FORM) PROVIDED BY CARETREE
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ARE OR WILL NECESSARILY ALWAYS BE COMPLETELY
ACCURATE, CURRENT, COMPLETE AND/OR CONTINUOUSLY AVAILABLE. CARETREE DOES NOT REPRESENT, WARRANT, OR
COVENANT THAT THE SERVICE AND MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION
OR TOTALLY ERROR-FREE, OR THAT ALL DEFECTS (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
MINOR OR COSMETIC DEFECTS THAT DO NOT SIGNIFICANTLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT
FUNCTIONALITY OR FEATURES) WILL BE CORRECTED.
CARETREE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DELAYS, DELIVERY FAILURES OR OTHER
LOSS OR DAMAGE RESULTING FROM (A) TRANSFER OF DATA OVER COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
SUCH AS THE INTERNET AND/OR (B) INABILITY TO ACCESS OR GET ACCURATE DATA FROM
THIRD-PARTY SYSTEMS AND/OR APPLICATIONS THAT THE SERVICES ARE DEPENDENT ON.
9. Limitation of
Liability
CARETREE’S TOTAL AND CUMULATIVE LIABILITY
FOR DIRECT DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR
ANY SOW SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE FEES PAYABLE BY CLIENT TO CARETREE FOR THE
SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THE APPLICABLE SOW THAT GAVE RISE TO THE LIABILITY
DURING THE TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF SUCH
CLAIM. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS AGREEMENT, IN NO EVENT
WILL CARETREE BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL OR
PUNITIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA AND
BUSINESS) EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
10. Indemnification
10.1 Indemnification by CareTree. CareTree agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless
Client, its members, trustees, employees, agents, officers and officials, from
and against any liabilities, losses, costs, damages, demands and expenses,
including reasonable attorney fees, arising out of, or relating to, any claim
(“Claim”) that Client’s use of the
Services constitutes infringement, violation, trespass, contravention or breach
in the United States of any patent, copyright, trademark, license or other
property or proprietary right of any third party, or constitutes the unauthorized
use or misappropriation of any trade secret of any third party. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the indemnity in this Section 10.1, shall not
apply (i) to a Claim arising from any modification of the Services by Client or
any third party, or from the use of the Services in a manner contrary to those
specific business functions outlined in the SOW and/or as expressly provided under
this Agreement, to
the extent such modification or use resulted in the Claim, (ii) if such Claim results
from Client’s use of the Services after notice of the alleged or actual
infringement from CareTree or any appropriate authority, and/or (iii) in the
event of any breach of
Client’s obligations under this Agreement, or the use of the Services other than
in connection with this Agreement, or in a manner not reasonably contemplated
by this Agreement. The indemnities set
forth herein shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
10.2 Indemnification
by the Client. Client shall indemnify,
defend and hold CareTree and its officers, associates, employees, contractors
and agents harmless from and against all Claims arising out of or related to
(i) Client’s acts and/or omissions, (ii) Client’s breach of the terms of this
Agreement and/or any SOW, (iii) Client’s failure to use the Services in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein and/or in any SOW,
and/or (iv) CareTree’s use of Client’s IP and/or Client Content constitutes an
infringement, violation, trespass, contravention or breach of any patent,
copyright, trademark, license or other property or proprietary right of any
third party, or constitutes the unauthorized use or misappropriation of any
trade secret of any third party.
10.3 The indemnified party shall: (i) provide notice to the indemnifying party of any
Claim immediately upon becoming aware of the same; (ii) provide the
indemnifying party the sole right to conduct the defense of any claim or
action, or the negotiation of any settlement, in respect of a Claim and does
not at any time admit liability or otherwise settle or compromise or attempt to
settle or compromise the said claim or action except upon the express written
instructions of the indemnifying party; and (iii) act in accordance with the
reasonable instructions of the indemnifying party and gives the indemnifying
party such assistance as it shall reasonably require in respect of the conduct
of the said defense including without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing the filing of all pleadings and other court processes and the
provision of all relevant documents. The
indemnified party acknowledges and agrees that it shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to mitigate the costs and expenses related to such claim. The indemnified party may reasonably participate
in such defense, at its sole expense.
10.4 Claim. In the event of a Claim related to either party’s IP
infringement indemnification obligations described herein, the indemnifying
party shall be entitled at its own expense and option to (i) procure the right
for indemnified party to continue utilizing the IP which is at issue; (ii) modify the IP to render same non-infringing; or (iii) replace the IP with an equally suitable, functionally equivalent,
compatible, non-infringing IP. If none of the foregoing
is possible as determined by the indemnifying party in its sole and absolute
discretion, the indemnifying party may terminate this Agreement and/or SOW without
liability upon written notice to indemnified party. This Section sets forth the
indemnified party’s sole and exclusive remedy for any Claim related to either
party’s IP infringement indemnification obligations described herein.
11. Independent
Contractor
It is understood and agreed that the relationship of CareTree
to Client is and shall continue to be that of an independent contractor and
neither CareTree nor any of CareTree’s employees shall be entitled to receive
Client employee benefits. Nothing in
this Agreement will be construed to create an agency or employment relationship
between Client and CareTree for any purpose or create obligations of such party
to third parties. As an independent
contractor, CareTree agrees to be responsible for the payment of all taxes and
withholdings specified by law, which may be due in regard to compensation paid
by Client.
12. Force
Majeure
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
neither party shall be liable or deemed to be in default for any delay or
failure in performance hereunder to the extent resulting, directly or
indirectly, from acts of God, acts of war, terrorism, or civil insurrection,
strikes, walkouts, or other organized labor interruptions, telecommunications
or utility interruptions or failures, fire, explosions, floods, or other
natural disasters, any similar cause or any third party beyond the reasonable
control of such party, and any delay or failure of the other party to fulfill
its obligations hereunder (“Force
Majeure Event”). In the event of a
Force Majeure Event, the parties agree to meet and discuss how to resolve the
issue. Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving the other party
written notice if the other party fails to perform those obligations for sixty (60) days due to such Force Majeure Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Force Majeure
Event shall never excuse the failure to make a payment due under this Agreement
and/or any SOW, except to the extent that the Force Majeure Event physically
interferes with the delivery of the payment.
The party whose performance is affected shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to minimize the impact of such Force Majeure Event.
13. Notices
All notices required under this Agreement shall be in
writing and sent to the addresses and persons designated in the preamble or to
such other addresses as may be designated by a party in writing. All notices shall be deemed received when (i)
delivered personally; (ii) sent by facsimile with confirmation receipt; or
(iii) one (1) day after deposit with an overnight courier specifying next day
delivery, with written verification of receipt.
14. Assignment
This Agreement may be assigned by CareTree
at any time and for any reason. This
Agreement shall not be assigned, delegated or transferred by Client without
prior written consent from CareTree. This
Agreement will be binding upon the parties and their respective legal
successors and permitted assigns.
15. Governing Law
This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to
its choice of laws principles. Any
action related to or arising from this Agreement shall take place exclusively
in the courts situated in the City of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois and the
parties hereby submit to the venue of the courts situated therein.
16. Miscellaneous
16.1 Changes to Services. CareTree expressly reserves the exclusive
right to, without prior notice, at any time and from time to time: (i) offer
new, additional or substitute products and services; and (ii) modify, amend or
discontinue offering all or any particular Services.
16.2 Waiver. The failure by either party at
any time to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or any right or
remedy available hereunder or at law or in equity, or to exercise any option
herein provided, shall not constitute a waiver of such provision, right,
remedy, or option or in any way affect the validity of this Agreement. The waiver of any default by either party
shall not be deemed a continuing waiver, but shall apply solely to the instance
to which such waiver is directed.
16.3 Recitals. The recitals are hereby incorporated into and
made a part of this Agreement.
16.4 Severability. If any one or more of the provisions of this
Agreement and/or SOW are for any reason held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of
this Agreement will be unimpaired and will remain in full force and effect.
16.5 Survival. Any provision of this Agreement and/or SOW
which, by its nature, would survive termination of this Agreement and/or SOW will
survive any such termination of this Agreement and/or SOW.
16.6 Headings. The headings and titles of
the Sections of this Agreement are not part of this Agreement, but are for
convenience only and are not intended to define, limit or construe the contents
of the provisions contained herein.
16.7 Amendment. Client agrees that CareTree may make
modifications of or amendments to this Agreement and/or SOW. These shall be effective unless such
modification or amendment is not allowed as a part of the SOW and in writing
and signed by both parties hereto. Any
prior agreements or representations, either written or oral, relating to the
subject matter of this Agreement are of no force or
effect.
16.8 Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendments thereto may
be executed in counterparts and will not be effective or enforceable unless and
until it is executed by an authorized representative of each of the relevant
entities.
16.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement,
together with the applicable SOW, constitutes the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties.
16.10 Execution and Electronic Signature. This Agreement, to the extent signed and
delivered by means of a facsimile machine or electronic mail, shall be treated
in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be
considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed
version thereof delivered in person. The
parties agree that an electronic signature is the legal equivalent of its
manual signature on this Agreement. The parties agree that no certification
authority or other third party verification is necessary to validate its
electronic signature and that the lack of such certification of third party
verification will not in any way affect the enforceability of the parties’
electronic signature or any resulting agreement between CareTree and Client.
Unless otherwise noted, signature of the SOW shall
also serve as signature or agreement to this Agreement. If the SOW does not exist, then use of
CareTree services by the Client shall be deemed signature or agreement to this
Agreement.