EX-10 2 cttc8kversantx101.htm FACTORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND VERSANT FUNDING LLC ENTERED INTO ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2011 AND EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 9, 2011. Converted by EDGARwiz

Exhibit 10.1


Factoring Agreement


This Factoring Agreement made as of the 9th day of September, 2011 by and between Versant Funding

LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company, having an office at 2200 Fletcher Avenue, 5th Floor, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024 ("Versant") and Competitive Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, having a place of business at 1375 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 ("Seller").

WHEREAS:

A.

Seller has requested that Versant purchase from Seller, from time to time, all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to certain accounts receivable due to Seller from its customers; and

B.

Versant has agreed to purchase certain of such accounts receivable from Seller, from time to time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Factoring Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce Versant to purchase such accounts receivable, and for ten dollars ($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which being hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.

Sale and Purchase of Accounts Receivable. Seller will tender to Versant certain of Seller's invoices to be rendered to Seller's customers ("Account Debtors") with respect to goods sold and delivered to, or services performed for, such Account Debtors by Seller (individually, an "Account Receivable" and collectively, the "Accounts Receivable"). Such invoices shall be forwarded by Versant to the respective Account Debtors, in accordance with the standard billing procedures of Versant, together with or after notice from Seller and/or Versant to such Account Debtors of the irrevocable assignment to Versant of payment there under. Versant will conduct such examination and verification of the invoices so tendered, and such credit investigation of such Account Debtors, as Versant considers necessary or desirable, and will notify Seller as to which of the individual Accounts Receivable so tendered, if any, Versant elects to purchase. Versant shall at all times have the absolute right in its sole discretion to reject any or all of the Accounts Receivable, whether or not Versant has previously purchased Accounts Receivable from Seller or previously purchased Accounts Receivable of any particular Account Debtor.

2.

Account Agreements. The Accounts Receivable that Versant elects to purchase from Seller shall be purchased upon the terms and subject to the conditions of separate Purchase and Sale Agreements, between Seller and Versant, the form of which has heretofore been provided to Seller (the "Account Agreements"). Versant shall advance against the Purchase Price (as defined in the Account Agreements) for the Accounts Receivable Versant elects to purchase pursuant to the provisions hereof, Seventy-Five (75%) Percent of the face amount of such Accounts Receivable purchased. Versant shall pay the balance of the Purchase Price, as calculated pursuant to the applicable Account Agreement, pursuant to the further provisions of this Section 2. For the purposes hereof, the term "Schedule Closure Date" shall mean, with respect to each of the schedules or batches of Accounts Receivable purchased pursuant to each Account Agreement (a "Schedule"), the date with respect to each Schedule on which the applicable Account Debtors have either paid all such Accounts Receivable in the Schedule or, a Chargeback (as defined in the Account Agreements) has been taken there against; provided, however, that Seller may, at its election, repurchase any such Accounts Receivable from Versant, for a price equal to the face amount of such Account Receivable, in which event such Account Receivable shall be deemed duly paid for the purposes of determining the Schedule Closure Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the Accounts Receivable purchased by Versant pursuant to an Account Agreement, may be aggregated and administered as a single Account Receivable, or as several discreet Accounts Receivable, in the discretion of Versant (each, an "Aggregate Receivable" or Schedule as previously defined). Periodically, from and after each Schedule Closure Date, the balance of the Purchase Price, if any, payable in respect of the Accounts Receivable purchased pursuant to each Account Agreement (the "Purchase Price Balance") shall be aggregated with the Purchase Price Balance, if any, from all other Schedules in respect of which there has occurred other Schedule closures (the "Aggregate Purchase Price Balance"), and Versant shall credit to Seller's reserve account, the positive amount, if any, of such Aggregate Purchase Price Balance.



Chargebacks from all Account Agreements shall be debited against the Seller's reserve account and the net credit balance, if any, shall be rebated to the Seller in accordance with Versant's standard rebate practices. Capitalized terms not herein defined shall have the respective meanings attributed thereto in the Account Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of an Account Agreement and this Factoring Agreement, the provisions of this Factoring Agreement shall govern and control. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 2, if either Seller or Versant shall fail to execute an Account Agreement with respect to a particular Account Receivable tendered by Seller to Versant, and Versant shall nevertheless pay an Advance Amount to Seller for such Account Receivable, Versant shall be presumed conclusively to have purchased, and Seller shall be presumed conclusively to have sold, such Account Receivable pursuant to an Account Agreement, and such Account Receivable shall be governed by the terms and conditions (including, without limitation, Seller's representations, warranties and covenants to Versant contained therein) set forth in the Account Agreement in the form heretofore provided to Seller.

3.

Conditions Precedent. Versant shall not be required to purchase any Accounts Receivable pursuant to an Account Agreement unless and until each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:


(a)

Versant and Seller shall have entered into a Security Agreement in the form heretofore provided to Seller (the "Security Agreement"), to secure the performance by Seller of certain representations, warranties and covenants set forth in the Account Agreements (the "Representations") (but not the payment of the Accounts Receivable purchased thereby);

(b)

Intentionally left blank;

(c)

Seller shall have authorized Versant to file Uniform Commercial Code financing statements with the appropriate filing officer or officers in each jurisdiction where, in the reasonable opinion of Versant, such filing is necessary or desirable to perfect the security interests granted pursuant to the Security Agreement and to provide notice of the factoring arrangement; and

(d)

Seller shall have executed and delivered to Versant an Account Agreement in the form heretofore provided to Seller, together with the schedule of proposed Accounts Receivable attached thereto as Schedule A, which Schedule A shall be duly executed and dated by Seller.

Versant's failure to require the satisfaction of any one or more of these conditions precedent shall not be deemed a waiver thereof, nor shall such failure in any way alter, modify or vitiate Seller's obligations hereunder or any guarantor's obligations under the respective Performance Guaranties.

4.

Cross-Collateralization. If a Default (as defined in the Security Agreement) shall have occurred, Versant shall have the right, which may be exercised in its sole and absolute discretion at any time and from time to time during the continuance of such Default, to apply all amounts collected with respect to Accounts Receivable, as follows, before any payment from such collections shall be made to Seller: (i) first, against the unreimbursed balance of the Advance Amounts made by Versant to Seller with respect to Accounts Receivable purchased from Seller under one or more Account Agreements; (ii) next, to the payment of all fees and expense reimbursements (as described in the Account Agreements) accrued with respect to Accounts Receivable purchased by Versant from Seller, whether or not such fees have become due and payable pursuant to the terms of the Account Agreements; and (iii) the balance, if any, to the payment of any and all other liabilities and obligations of Seller to Versant pursuant to this Factoring Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Account Agreements and any other agreement entered into between Versant and Seller concurrently or in connection herewith.

5.

Collection of Accounts Receivable. Seller will instruct all of the Account Debtors obligated with respect to the Accounts Receivable assigned to Versant to mail or deliver payments on such Accounts Receivable directly to Versant at its address herein above set forth or at such other address as Versant may specify in a written notice to Seller. Such instructions shall not be rescinded or modified without Versant's prior written consent. If, despite such instructions, Seller shall receive any collections or other proceeds of the Accounts Receivable assigned to Versant, Seller shall as soon as practicable, but in no event later than



two (2) business days after such receipt, deliver such payments, in the exact form received, to Versant. Failure to deliver such payments to Versant as provided herein shall be deemed a default under the Factoring Agreement and under the Security Agreement and shall, in addition to any and all other amounts due, cause Seller to be obligated to pay to Versant, a charge of fifteen (15%) percent of the amount of any such payment which has been received by Seller and not delivered in kind to Versant as provided herein. All payments received by Versant shall be applied as provided in Section 4 above. Versant shall have no liability to Seller for any mistake in the application of any payment received with respect to any Account Receivable, provided Versant shall have acted in good faith and without gross negligence in respect thereof.

6.

Payment of Expenses and Taxes. Seller will (a) pay or reimburse Versant for all of Versant's out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to this Factoring Agreement, the Security Agreement, any of the Account Agreements and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel to Versant (whether or not such counsel is affiliated with Versant); (b) pay or reimburse Versant for all its costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Factoring Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Account Agreements and such other documents, and the verification of the Accounts Receivable and the creditworthiness of the Account Debtors, including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel to Versant (whether or not such counsel is affiliated with Versant); (c) pay, indemnify, and hold harmless from and against any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from, any delay in paying, stamp, excise and other taxes, if any, which may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation of, any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of this Factoring Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Account Agreements and any such other documents; and (d) pay, indemnify, and hold Versant harmless from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement and performance of this Factoring Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Account Agreements and such other documents (all of the foregoing being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "indemnified liabilities"); provided, however, that Seller shall have no obligation hereunder to Versant with respect to indemnified liabilities arising from (i) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Versant, (ii) salaries and other amounts payable by Versant to its employees in the ordinary course of business or (iii) expenses incurred by Versant (other than those specifically enumerated in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above) in the ordinary course of business in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder. In recognition of Versant's right to have its attorneys' fees and other expenses incurred in connection with this Factoring Agreement secured by the collateral pledged by Seller pursuant to the Security Agreement, notwithstanding payment in full of all obligations by Seller, Versant shall not be required to record any terminations or satisfactions of any of Versant's liens on the collateral unless and until Seller has executed and delivered to Versant, a general release in a form reasonably satisfactory to Versant. Seller understands that this provision constitutes a waiver of its rights under section 9-513 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The agreements in this Section 6 shall survive the termination of this Factoring Agreement.

7.

Amendments. The provisions of this Factoring Agreement may be modified or amended only by a written instrument duly executed on behalf of Versant and Seller by their respective duly authorized representatives and no such amendment or modification hereof will in any way release or diminish any guarantor's obligations under the respective Performance Guaranties.

8.

Termination. This Factoring Agreement shall begin on the date hereof and, unless sooner terminated as herein provided, terminate at 11:59 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the second year anniversary of the date hereof (the "Scheduled Term"), except that the Representations, warranties and covenants of Seller and the remedies of Versant for a breach of such Representations, warranties and/or covenants shall survive the termination of this Factoring Agreement. Such termination shall not affect the rights of Versant in enforcing its remedies against Seller or any collateral upon any default by Seller hereunder or upon a Default under the Security Agreement. This Factoring Agreement shall be deemed automatically renewed



from year to year (the "Rescheduled Term") unless Seller shall deliver written notice of cancellation to Versant at least 60 days but not more than 90 days prior to the expiration date then in effect hereunder.

9.

Fee. The fee to be earned by Versant for the purchase of Accounts Receivable from Seller as set forth in the Fee and Reimbursements Schedule attached to the Account Agreements (the "Fee") has been established after negotiation between the parties based upon the delivery by Seller of not less than $600,000.00 per semi-annum of approved Accounts Receivable (the "Semi-Annual Base Sales Amount") to Versant during each 180 day period (a "Term Semi-Annual") of the Scheduled Term or Rescheduled Term as applicable. Seller expressly acknowledges that Versant has agreed to the fee in reliance upon Seller's agreement during each Term Semi-Annual to deliver at least the Semi-Annual Base Sales Amount and that Versant would have required an increased Fee in the event a lesser volume of approved Accounts Receivable had been agreed upon in any Term Semi-Annual. Consequently, if the aggregate amount of approved Accounts Receivable delivered by Seller to Versant during any Term Semi-Annual, whether by reason of Seller's premature termination, reduced level of sales, or otherwise, shall be less than the Semi-Annual Base Sales Amount, then Seller shall pay to Versant an adjustment fee on account of such Term Semi-Annual equal to (a) the product of (i) the actual aggregate fees earned by Versant from the purchase of Accounts Receivable from Seller for the applicable Term Semi-Annual (or then expired portion thereof) (the "Partial Fee") and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Semi-Annual Base Sales Amount and the denominator of which is the actual aggregate amount of Accounts Receivable theretofore delivered by Seller in such Term Semi-Annual, less (b) the Partial Fee, provided, however if, in any Term Semi-Annual, Seller shall deliver no Accounts Receivable to Versant, then Seller shall pay to Versant in respect of such Term Semi-Annual an adjustment fee equal to the product of (c) the Semi-Annual Base Sales Amount and (d) a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate Fees theretofore earned by Versant pursuant to this Factoring Agreement and the denominator of which is the actual aggregate amount of Accounts Receivable theretofore purchased by Versant pursuant to this Factoring Agreement (the "No Delivery Fee"). If Seller shall deliver no Accounts Receivable whatsoever to Versant under this Factoring Agreement, then Seller shall pay to Versant an adjustment fee equal to the product of (e) the minimum Discount as set forth in the Fee and Reimbursement Schedule of the Purchase and Sale Agreement and (f) the total amount of Accounts Receivable committed by Seller to be delivered to Versant under this Factoring Agreement (also a "No Delivery Fee"). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, this Factoring Agreement may be terminated by Versant, in Versant's sole discretion on three (3) days written notice to Seller if, for a period of forty five (45) days, Seller shall deliver no Accounts Receivable to Versant for purchase as herein provided (a "No Delivery Termination"). Upon any such No Delivery Termination, Seller shall pay to Versant the No Delivery Fee calculated as above-provided, for each and every unexpired Term Semi-Annual remaining in the Scheduled Term or Rescheduled Term, as applicable.

10.

Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given when mailed, postage prepaid, by certified or registered mail, sent by courier or telefaxed, return receipt requested, or confirmation of receipt requested in the case of a telefax, and the sender shall have received such return receipt or confirmation, addressed to the party intended to receive the same at the address herein above set forth. Each of the parties hereto shall have the right to rely on as an original any notice given hereunder by telefax as aforesaid.

11.

Successors, Governing Law, Consent to Jurisdiction, Waiver of Service, Jury Trial Waiver. This Factoring Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of the parties hereto, except that this Factoring Agreement may not be assigned by Seller without the prior written consent of Versant. This Factoring Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey applicable to agreements made and to be performed exclusively within such state. The parties hereto mutually agree that any legal action relating to or arising from the Factoring Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Account Agreements or the Performance Guaranty (or Guaranties), if any, or relating in any way to the factoring relationship between Versant and the Seller and Guarantor(s), shall be maintained only in (a) the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, County of Bergen, (b) the federal courts in and for the District of New Jersey, Newark vicinage, (c) the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, or (d) the federal courts in and for the Southern District of New York (the "Courts of Jurisdiction"), and the parties hereto expressly consent and agree, and waive any objection, to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Jurisdiction over any such legal action, and over



the parties hereto, and to the laying of venue in any of the Courts of Jurisdiction. The parties expressly agree that no legal action may be maintained between or among the parties hereto other than in the Courts of Jurisdiction, however, nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the rights of the parties to domesticate, or otherwise pursue, any judgment obtained in the Courts of Jurisdiction in any other court, state, territory or nation. Furthermore, the parties hereto expressly agree to waive all otherwise applicable statutes, rules, or other requirements relating to the service of legal process, including, but not limited to, the service of a summons and/or complaint, and hereby agree to accept service of process in any such legal action pursuant solely to the notice provisions contained herein. Any such service of legal process made pursuant to the notice provisions hereof shall be deemed to be good and valid service, without regard for any contrary or inconsistent statute, rule or provision. The parties hereto do hereby waive any and all right to a trial by jury in any action or proceeding arising out of this Factoring Agreement or any of the other Factoring Documents.

12.

Nonconforming Receivables. If any one or more of the Accounts Receivable is not paid by the Account Debtor(s) within 100 days from the invoice date of such Account Receivable and such failure to pay is not the result of the insolvency or other financial inability to pay of the Account Debtor or, if any Account Debtor asserts that it is entitled to a deduction or otherwise asserts a dispute, contingency, set-off or counterclaim with respect to any Account Receivable, Seller shall reimburse Versant on demand for the Advance Amount (as defined in the Account Agreement) with respect to such Account Receivable. Seller shall be obligated to pay and Versant shall have the right to retain all applicable fees earned by Versant with respect to the Account Receivable notwithstanding Seller's obligation to reimburse Versant as set forth in this section 12. For the purposes hereof, (i) any failure of an Account Debtor to pay all or any portion of an invoice shall be deemed to have been for other than the insolvency or financial inability to pay of such Account Debtor unless Seller provides evidence to the contrary acceptable to Seller, and even if Seller provides such evidence under clause (i) above, any failure of an Account Debtor to pay all or part of an invoice shall be deemed to have been for a reason other than the insolvency or financial inability of such Account Debtor if such Account Debtor has asserted any defense, dispute, contingency, deduction, or set off, regardless of the financial condition of such Account Debtor and therefore shall be presumed to be the result of a breach by the Seller of one or more of the Representations set forth in section 2 of the Account Agreement.

13.

Bankruptcy. The parties expressly agree that in the event Seller voluntarily files for protection pursuant to any provision of the United States Bankruptcy Code or, in the event an involuntary petition in bankruptcy is filed against the Seller, (a) this Factoring Agreement shall automatically terminate upon such filing, and (b) Seller's obligations under this Factoring Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Account Agreements and the Performance Guaranties, if any, shall be automatically accelerated and all sums due under any provision of the aforementioned documents shall be immediately due and payable. Following either of the aforementioned bankruptcy filings, Versant may elect to offer financing to the debtor-in-possession, but nothing in this paragraph shall obligate Versant to offer or provide such financing.

14.

Merger. It is understood and agreed that all understandings and agreements heretofore had between the parties, if any, with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Factoring Agreement and the related Account Agreements, Security Agreement and Performance Guaranties (collectively the "Factoring Documents") which alone fully and completely express their agreement.

15.

Audit. Versant shall be entitled in its sole discretion, upon at least two (2) business days notice to Seller, to conduct or cause to be conducted an audit of Seller's books and records and Seller hereby agrees to make available all invoices, bills, bank books and account statements, cancelled checks, accounts receivable and payable ledgers, tax returns and like financial information, and otherwise fully to cooperate with Versant or its designated representative, in connection therewith. Seller shall pay upon demand as set forth in the Account Agreement(s) the cost of not more than two (2) such audits performed in any twelve (12) month period; provided, however, that if there shall occur a Default and this Agreement shall not be terminated by Versant, Seller shall thereafter pay the cost of any and all such audits conducted or caused to be conducted by Versant.



16.

No Waiver. No course of dealing between Versant and Seller, nor any failure or delay by Versant to exercise any right, power or remedy under this Factoring Agreement or under any of the other Factoring Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder. The rights and remedies provided in the Factoring Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers or remedies now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.

17.

Headings. The section headings set forth in bold type throughout the Factoring Documents are included in the Factoring Documents for the convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of the Factoring Documents for any other purpose.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Factoring Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


For:

Versant Funding LLC

 

For:

Competitive Technologies, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark D. Weinberg

 

By:

/s/ Johnnie D. Johnson

 

Mark D. Weinberg, Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Johnnie D. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer