Exclusive Distribution Agreement
THIS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement” or this “Exclusive Distribution
Agreement) is entered into effective as of [Effective date] (the “Effective Date”) by and
between [Sender.Company] (“Supplier”) and [Client.Company] (“Distributor”).
The parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment
a. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Exclusive Distribution Agreement, Supplier appoints
Distributor, and Distributor accepts such appointment and agrees to act as Supplier’s exclusive
distributor of the Supplier Products (defined below) within the geographical territory defined as
follows (the “Territory”):
b. Distributor agrees to exercise its best efforts to (a) promote the sale of and obtain orders for the
Supplier Products in the Territory; (b) abide by Supplier’s policies and procedures with regard to
the purchase, sale and support of Supplier Products; and (c) conduct its business in a manner that
reflects favorably at all times on the Supplier Products and the good name, goodwill and reputation
of Supplier or its affiliates. Distributor acknowledges and agrees that it has no rights or claims of
any type to the Supplier Products, or any aspect thereof, except such rights as are created by this
Exclusive Distribution Agreement. Distributor agrees that it shall not and is not authorized to
promote, resell, deliver, install, service or otherwise support the Supplier Products outside of the
Territory.
2. Products and Pricing
Supplier Products consist of the items or classifications of items listed in this Section below, and
the purchase price or license fee to Distributor of all Supplier Products delivered pursuant to this
Agreement shall be as set forth in this Section below.
3. Approvals
Distributor shall obtain, at its own expense, such approvals, consents, certifications, permits and
other authorizations, including all approvals as are required to qualify the Supplier Products for
sale and use in the Territory for all purposes, both governmental and non-governmental
(collectively, the “Approvals”), as soon as is reasonably practicable; provided, however, that
Supplier shall not be obligated to deliver any Supplier Products unless and until Distributor
provides Supplier with satisfactory evidence that such Approvals have been obtained. Supplier
agrees to cooperate with Distributor to obtain such Approvals.
4. Exclusivity
Supplier’s appointment of Distributor in Section 1 of this Agreement is an exclusive appointment to
distribute the Products in the Territory. Supplier shall not independently advertise, solicit and make
sales of Supplier Products, support Supplier Products or appoint additional distributors for Supplier
Products in the Territory.
5. Sales Targets
Distributor shall use reasonable commercial efforts to purchase and sell during each calendar year
at least the dollar value of Supplier Products listed in this Section below (the “Annual Target”). If
Distributor does not purchase and sell the Annual Target during a given calendar year, Supplier
may terminate this Agreement effective immediately upon notice to Distributor (but Supplier may
not require Distributor to purchase or sell any additional Supplier Products in order to meet the
Annual Target Amount).
6. Sales Outside of the Territory
Distributor shall promote the sale of Supplier Products in the Territory on its website.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Distributor shall not actively advertise or actively solicit
orders for Supplier Products outside of the Territory. In the event Distributor receives an order
from outside its Territory, Distributor will work with Supplier to fulfill the order in a manner
financially beneficial to Supplier, Distributor and the distributor located in the region where the
order originated (as determined by Supplier in its sole discretion and in compliance with applicable
law).
7. No Third Party Agents
Distributor shall not sell/license the Supplier Products through third parties (such as original
equipment manufacturers, distributors, value added resellers or other dealers or agents) without
Supplier’s prior written consent to the proposed relationship (including the specific terms of such
relationship).
8. Orders
All orders will be transmitted by Distributor to Supplier and shall be subject to acceptance in writing
by Supplier. Supplier may (in its sole discretion) refuse acceptance of any order. Each order
submitted shall constitute an offer by Distributor to purchase or license the Supplier Products
described in such order and, upon acceptance by Supplier, shall give rise to a contractual
obligation of Distributor to purchase or license the said products on the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement. Conflicting, inconsistent or additional terms or conditions contained in any
order submitted by Distributor shall not be binding unless Supplier specifically accepts such terms
or conditions in writing. All expenses arising out of the change or cancellation of an order after
acceptance by Supplier, including the cost of diversion, cancellation or re-consignment of
shipments, and any reasonable restocking charge, shall be paid by Distributor to Supplier, on
demand.
9. Payment and Delivery
The purchase price shall be quoted and payable in Rands to Supplier at the address specified on
the invoice. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties in writing, payment shall be made by
Distributor by EFT in advance of shipment from the Supplier facilities. Risk of loss for the Supplier
Products shall pass upon delivery to the named carrier at Supplier’s facilities. If Supplier pays any
shipping, insurance or handling costs, such costs will be billed to Distributor and will be
reimbursed to Supplier by Distributor.
10. Security Interest
Notwithstanding the passage of title, Supplier shall retain a security interest in all Supplier
Products delivered until amounts for which Distributor is responsible under this Agreement have
been received by Supplier. Supplier shall have all rights of a secured party, including the right to
file a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or a comparable law within the
Territory to protect Supplier’s security interest. In the event Distributor defaults in its payment
obligations, Supplier will have the right to enter the premises of Distributor to recover possession
of all Supplier Products on said premises, to recover all Supplier Products supplied by Distributor
to its customers and associated supplies or software, and to pursue any other remedy existing at
law or equity. Distributor, for itself and on behalf of its customers, hereby waives a prior hearing
and demand for Supplier’s exercise of such rights.
11. Resale Price and Expenses
Distributor shall set the selling price and license fees at which the Supplier Products are sold or
licensed by it in the Territory. Distributor shall be solely responsible for the costs involved in the
distribution of the Supplier Products, including sales costs, import duties, any and all banking
charges, shipping and handling costs, installation costs or other operating expenses, letter of
credit costs, wire transfer fees and other costs associated with making payment, and taxes,
however designated, except that Distributor shall not be liable for taxes imposed that are based on
Supplier’s income.
12. Promotional Literature
Supplier agrees to furnish, in English, to Distributor (via email in pdf format) such descriptive
literature, advertising materials, technical manuals and sales promotional materials concerning the
Supplier Products as Supplier may, from time to time, have available for such purposes.
Distributor shall have the right to translate such materials into the languages of the Territory at its
own expense. Supplier shall retain ownership of all proprietary rights, including, intellectual
property rights to the translated versions of the materials. Distributor will be solely responsible for
the accuracy of the translations and will provide Supplier with a copy of each translated work.
Distributor shall promptly revise (at Distributor’s costs) the materials upon notice from Supplier.
13. Use of Trademarks
Distributor shall not be permitted to print, post or otherwise use letterhead, calling cards, literature,
signage or other representations in the name of Supplier (or any of its affiliates) or to represent
itself as Supplier (or any of its affiliates) or make commitments on behalf of Supplier (or any of its
affiliates) without the express, written permission of Supplier. Distributor expressly agrees that no
license to use Supplier (or any of its affiliates’ trademarks, trade names, service marks or logos
(collectively, the “Supplier Trademarks”) is granted by this Agreement. Distributor may, however,
indicate in its advertising and marketing materials that it is a distributor for Supplier Products and
may, as necessary, incidentally use the Supplier Trademarks in its sales/marketing efforts. Upon
request by Supplier, Distributor will place proper trademark, copyright and patent notices in its
advertisements, promotional brochures and other marketing materials for Supplier Products.
Supplier reserves the right to review Distributor’s marketing and sales materials prior to their
publication or use. No rights shall inure to Distributor as a result of any such use or reference, and
all such rights, including goodwill shall inure to the benefit of and be vested in Supplier.
Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, Distributor will immediately cease using the
Supplier Trademarks as allowed in this Section and shall immediately take all appropriate and
necessary steps to (a) remove and cancel any listings in public records, telephone books, other
directories, remove any visual displays or literature at Distributor’s location, the Internet and
elsewhere that would indicate or would lead the public to believe that Distributor is the
representative of Supplier (or any of its affiliates) or Supplier’s (or any of its affiliates’) products or
services; and (b) cancel, abandon or transfer (as requested by Supplier) any product licenses,
trade name filings, trademark applications or registrations or other filings with the governments of
the Territory (whether or not such filings were authorized by Supplier) that may incorporate the
Supplier Trademarks or any marks or names confusingly similar to the Supplier Trademarks. Upon
Distributor’s failure to comply with this paragraph, Supplier may make application for such
removals, cancellations, abandonments or transfers in Distributor’s name. Distributor shall render
assistance to and reimburse Supplier for expenses incurred in enforcing this paragraph.
14. Infringement by Third Parties
Distributor will cooperate fully with and assist Supplier in its efforts to protect Supplier’s intellectual
property rights within the Territory and shall exercise reasonable diligence to detect and shall
immediately advise Supplier if Distributor has knowledge of any infringement of any patents,
trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property rights owned or used by Supplier.
15. Confidential Information; No Reverse Engineering
Supplier may provide Distributor with certain confidential or proprietary information (“Confidential
Information”). Confidential Information includes information, whether written, electronic or oral,
which Distributor knows or reasonably should know is proprietary, confidential or a trade secret of
Supplier, including any and all technical or business information, the Software including its source
codes and documentation, specifications and design information for the Supplier Products,
servicing information, customer lists, pricing information, marketing information, policies,
procedures and manuals regarding Supplier’s distributors or distribution channels, research and
development and other proprietary matter relating to the Supplier Products or business of
Supplier. Distributor will refrain from using the Confidential Information except to the extent
necessary to exercise its rights or perform its obligations under this Agreement. Distributor will
likewise restrict its disclosure of the Confidential Information to those who have a need to know
such Confidential Information in order for Distributor to perform its obligations and enjoy its rights
under this Agreement. Such persons will be informed of and will agree to the provisions of this
Section and Distributor will remain responsible for any unauthorized use or disclosure of the
Confidential Information by any of them. Upon termination of this Agreement (or earlier, upon
request by Supplier), Distributor shall cease to use all Confidential Information and promptly return
to Supplier (or destroy, upon request by Supplier) any documents (whether written or electronic) in
its possession or under its control that constitutes Confidential Information. During the term of this
Agreement and thereafter, neither Distributor, nor Distributor’s employees, independent
contractors nor other agents shall (a) reverse engineer, decompile or otherwise disassemble the
Supplier Products from the products themselves or from any other information made available to
them, or (b) otherwise use any of the Confidential Information or Supplier provided training to
support, maintain or otherwise service a third party’s products or services.
16. Compliance with Laws
In connection with its obligations under this Agreement, Distributor agrees to comply with all South
African and foreign laws, constitutions, codes, statutes and ordinances of any governmental
authority that may be applicable to Distributor, its activities under this Agreement or the Supplier
Products, including all applicable export control laws and regulations. Distributor agrees to take all
such further acts and execute all such further documents as Supplier reasonably may request in
connection with such compliance.
17. Product Warranties
1. Limited Manufacturing Warranty. Supplier warrants for a period of [Days supplier
warrants] days following delivery of the Products (the “Warranty Period”) that the Products
shall be free from defects in materials and workmanship. Supplier’s sole obligation under this
warranty shall be to provide, at no charge to Distributor, replacement Products. Defective
Products must be returned to Supplier (at Distributor’s cost) in order to receive warranty
replacement (unless Supplier determines such return is not necessary) and shall become
Supplier’s property. For a warranty claim to be made, Distributor must follow the procedures
established by Supplier from time to time.
2. Warranty of Good Title. Supplier agrees to indemnify Distributor from any liability to any third
party for infringement of United States patents, copyrights, trademarks or trade secrets with
respect to Supplier Products sold/licensed by Distributor pursuant to this Agreement. This
obligation does not extend to any foreign patents, copyrights, trademarks, or trade secrets or
to any Supplier Products manufactured or modified by Supplier to meet Distributor’s or a
customer’s specifications. Supplier shall, at its option, be allowed sole and exclusive control
over the defense, settlement and compromise of any claims of infringement. Supplier must
be notified in writing by Distributor within 10 days of any third party claim which, if upheld,
might result in a liability subject to indemnification under this Subsection. If the distribution of
the Supplier Products is threatened by a claim of infringement, or is likely to be enjoined or
liability for infringement is found, Supplier may, in its discretion and at its sole option: (i)
procure for Distributor the right to continue distributing the Supplier Products; or (ii) modify
the Supplier Products so as to make them non-infringing; or (iii) substitute non-infringing
products; or (iv) refund the price paid by Distributor for the Supplier Products in its
possession subject to their return by Distributor and terminate this Agreement with respect to
the allegedly infringing products. THIS SUBSECTION STATES THE ENTIRE LIABILITY OF
SUPPLIER WITH RESPECT TO INFRINGEMENT OF ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT,
TRADEMARK, TRADE SECRET OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT BY ANY
SUPPLIER PRODUCT.
3. Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, SUPPLIER MAKES NO OTHER
WARRANTY, PROMISE OR OBLIGATION WITH RESPECT TO THE SUPPLIER
PRODUCTS, THEIR USE, REPAIR OR PERFORMANCE. SUPPLIER DISCLAIMS ANY
WARRANTY, PROMISE OR OBLIGATION THAT THE SUPPLIER PRODUCTS SHALL BE
FIT FOR ANY PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH
USE OR PURPOSE IS MADE KNOWN TO SUPPLIER OR NOT. SUPPLIER DISCLAIMS
ANY WARRANTY, PROMISE OR OBLIGATION THAT THE SUPPLIER PRODUCTS
CONFORM TO ANY SAMPLES OR MODELS. SUPPLIER HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, PROMISES AND OBLIGATIONS, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR
STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES, PROMISES AND OBLIGATIONS ARISING
FROM A COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE. THE WARRANTIES SET
FORTH IN THIS SECTION ARE INTENDED SOLELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF
DISTRIBUTOR. ALL CLAIMS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE MADE BY
DISTRIBUTOR AND MAY NOT BE MADE BY DISTRIBUTOR’S CUSTOMERS.
4. Distributor’s Warranties. Distributor agrees, at its cost, to provide its customers with, at a
minimum, substantially the same warranties as set forth in Subsection 17(a). Distributor will
assume all costs involved in providing any additional warranties.
18. Reporting
Every month Distributor shall e-mail to Supplier a rolling 3 month, non-binding sales forecast of the
expected sales of Supplier Products in the Territory. In addition, Distributor shall furnish such other
information in a timely manner in response to Supplier requests for information pertaining to
Distributor’s activities in the Territory. Such requests may include, prospect lists and status of
prospect sales activity, information applicable to specific sales activities, data regarding
competition in the Territory, product operational data and other information required by Supplier to
effectively coordinate its international sales and marketing efforts.
19. Inspection of Records
Distributor shall keep accurate records of all its activities as reasonably necessary to determine its
compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including accounting records,
customer sales records and governmental filings. Distributor shall retain such records for at least a
3-year period following their creation or preparation. During the term of this Agreement and for a
period of 18 months thereafter, Supplier shall have the right to inspect and audit such records.
20. Term and Termination
Unless earlier terminated as provided in this Agreement, the term of this Agreement shall
commence as of the Effective Date and shall automatically expire at the end of [Expiration after
number of years] years following the Effective Date. Either party may terminate this Agreement as
follows: (a) Immediately upon [Number days prior notice] days’ prior notice with or without cause;
(b) Immediately, for any breach or default of this Agreement by the other party which has not been
cured within [Number days after delivery] days after the delivery of notice thereof to the party
alleged to be in breach, specifying with particularity the condition, act, omission or course of
conduct asserted to constitute such breach or default; (c) Immediately, upon the dissolution,
insolvency or any adjudication in bankruptcy of, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors by,
the other party or if the other party ceases to conduct business in the ordinary or normal course;
(d) Immediately, if required by law or by any rule, regulation, order, decree, judgment or other
governmental act of any governmental authority; or (e) Immediately by Supplier if Supplier
reasonably suspects that Distributor breached any of its obligations of confidentiality or protection
of Supplier’s proprietary rights.
21. Effect of Termination
Upon notice of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) Supplier shall have the right to immediately appoint another distributor to serve existing
customers and continue sales efforts in the Territory; (b) Supplier may continue to fill any orders
from Distributor that have been accepted by Supplier prior to the termination of this Agreement
under the terms and conditions of this Agreement; (c) All outstanding balances owed by Distributor
to Supplier shall become immediately due and payable to Supplier; (d) Both parties shall at all
times thereafter refrain from any conduct that would be inconsistent with or likely to cause
confusion with respect to the nature of their business relationship; (e) All rights granted to
Distributor under this Agreement shall cease, and where appropriate, revert to Supplier; and (f)
Supplier, in its sole discretion, shall have the right, but shall in no way be obligated (unless
otherwise required by law), to inspect and repurchase all or any quantity of the Supplier Products
(including Supplier Products for demonstration and parts to service the Supplier Products) then
owned or ordered by Distributor at the lesser of (i) the original price paid by Distributor for such
Supplier Products, or (ii) at the then-current price to Distributor, and under both (i) or (ii), less any
applicable restocking or refurbishing charge.
Supplier shall have the right to assign such option to repurchase to any other person whom it may
designate. No consideration or indemnity shall be payable to Distributor either for loss of profit,
goodwill, customers or other like or unlike items, nor for advertising costs, costs of samples or
supplies, termination of employees, employees’ salaries and other like or unlike items. In no event
shall Distributor continue to represent itself as a Supplier distributor or representative after
termination of this Agreement. Supplier shall have no liability to Distributor by reason of any
termination by Supplier. Distributor shall indemnify and hold harmless Supplier from and against
any and all liability, loss, damages and costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of
any claim by Distributor or any third party standing in the right of Distributor to any right of
entitlement contrary to the express terms of this Section.
22. Indemnification
Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold Supplier harmless from any and all actions, awards,
claims, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) attributable to
Distributor’s breach of this Agreement or to any negligent, grossly negligent, wilful or unlawful acts
or omissions of Distributor, its employees, officers, agents, subcontractors, dealers or
representatives.
23. Relationship of the Parties
Distributor is an independent contractor and not an employee, agent, affiliate, partner or joint
venture with or of Supplier. Neither Distributor nor Supplier shall have any right to enter into any
contracts or commitments in the name of, or on behalf of the other or to bind the other in any
respect whatsoever, except insofar as is allowed by this Agreement.
24. Force Majeure
Neither party shall be liable in the event that its performance of this Agreement is prevented, or
rendered so difficult or expensive as to be commercially impracticable, by reason of an Act of God,
labour dispute, unavailability of transportation, goods or services, governmental restrictions or
actions, war (declared or undeclared) or other hostilities, or by any other event, condition or cause
which is not foreseeable on the Effective Date and is beyond the reasonable control of the party. It
is expressly agreed that any failure of the United States Government to issue a required license
for the export of any Supplier Product ordered by Distributor shall constitute an event of force
majeure. In the event of non-performance or delay in performance attributable to any such causes,
the period allowed for performance of the applicable obligation under this Agreement will be
extended for a period equal to the period of the delay. However, the party so delayed shall use its
best efforts, without obligation to expend substantial amounts not otherwise required under this
Agreement, to remove or overcome the cause of delay. In the event that the performance of a
party is delayed for more than 6 months, the other party shall have the right, which shall be
exercisable for so long as the cause of such delay shall continue to exist, to terminate this
Agreement without liability for such termination.
25. Limitation of Liability
SUPPLIER SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE OR FOR ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST
SAVINGS OR LOSS OF REVENUES SUFFERED BY DISTRIBUTOR ARISING FROM OR IN
ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SALE, DISTRIBUTION OR USE OF
SUPPLIER PRODUCTS. DISTRIBUTOR SHALL INDEMNIFY SUPPLIER AND HOLD IT
HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LIABILITIES, SUIT OR EXPENSES OF ANY
KIND ARISING OUT OF THE SALE, SUBLICENSE OR USE OF SUPPLIER PRODUCTS IN THE
TERRITORY OR BY DISTRIBUTOR’S CUSTOMERS. THIS SECTION SHALL SURVIVE THE
TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY REASON.
26. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed in all respect by the laws of the Republic of South Africa which
shall be applied without reference to any conflict-of-laws rule under which different law might
otherwise be applicable. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of
Goods shall not apply to any purchases or transactions entered into pursuant to this Agreement.
Venue for any lawsuits brought by the parties to this Agreement against each other regarding or
as a result of this Agreement shall be proper only in the High Court of South Africa . Distributor
hereby submits itself to the exclusive jurisdiction of said courts and consents to service of process
by confirmed facsimile transmission or commercial courier (with written verification of receipt
returned to the sender).
27. Assignment and Delegation
Distributor shall have no right to assign any of its rights or delegate its obligations under this
Agreement without the prior written consent of Supplier. Any assignment or delegation attempted
without such written consent shall be void and of no legal effect whatsoever. This Agreement shall
be binding upon the parties’ respective successors and permitted assigns.
28. Severability
In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be unenforceable or invalid under any
applicable law or be so held by applicable court or arbitration decision, such unenforceability or
invalidity shall not render this Agreement unenforceable or invalid as a whole, and, in such event,
such provisions shall be changed and interpreted so as to best accomplish the objectives of such
unenforceable or invalid provision within the limits of applicable law or applicable court or
arbitration decision.
29. Construction
The headings or titles preceding the text of the Sections and Subsections are inserted solely for
convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement, nor shall they affect
the meaning, construction or effect of this Agreement. Both parties have participated in the
negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement is executed in the English language
and may be translated into another language for informational purposes only. In the event an
ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, the English version of this Agreement shall
prevail and this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted by both of the parties and no
presumption or burden of proof shall arise favouring or disfavouring either party by virtue of the
authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
30. Notice
Any notice, consent or other communication required or permitted under this Agreement shall be
written in English and shall be deemed given when (a) delivered personally; (b) sent by confirmed
email transmission; or (c) sent by commercial courier with written verification of receipt returned to
the sender. Notice, consent or other communications (but not service of process) may also be
given by e-mail. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of changed
address or facsimile number of which no notice was given shall be deemed to constitute receipt of
the notice, consent or communication sent. Names, addresses and email addresses for notices
(unless and until written notice of other names, addresses are provided by either or both parties)
are provided below.
31. Entire Agreement; Modifications; No Waiver; Counterparts and Survival
This Agreement and the Exhibit attached hereto (which is specifically incorporated herein by this
reference) contain the full and entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof. It supersedes all prior negotiations, representations and proposals, written or
otherwise, relating to its subject matter. Any modifications, revisions or amendments to this
Agreement must be set forth in a writing signed by authorized representatives of both parties.
Distributor acknowledges and agrees that any failure on the part of Supplier to enforce at any time
or for any period of time, any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed
to be a waiver of such provisions or of the right of Supplier thereafter to enforce each and every
provision. This Agreement may be made in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
an original. The provisions of this Agreement that, by express terms of this Agreement, will not be
fully performed during the term of this Agreement, shall survive the termination of this Agreement
to the extent applicable.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have caused this Exclusive Distribution Agreement to be
executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives.
[Sender.Company]
Signature
MM / DD / YYYY
[Sender.FirstName][Sender.LastName]
[Client.Company]
Signature
MM / DD / YYYY
[Client.FirstName][Client.LastName]
