15. LIMITATIONS ON PAYMENTS. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Employee under this Agreement or otherwise (collectively, the “Payments”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this Section 15, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then the Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the extent, but only to the extent, needed to ensure that no portion of the Payments constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code; provided, that no reduction in the Payments shall be made by reason of this Section 15 unless, on an after-tax basis taking into account the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code together with all applicable income taxes, the Payments payable to the Employee would be greater than if such reduction had not been made. Any reduction in the Payments required by the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied, first, against any cash severance payments, then against other payments and benefits to which Q&A 24(c) of Section 1.280G-1 of the Treasury Regulations does not apply, and finally against all remaining payments and benefits.
16. MISCELLANEOUS.
16.1 Notices. Any notice, request, demand or other communication required or permitted to be given to a party pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement will be in writing and will be effective and deemed given under this Agreement on the earliest of: (i) the date of personal delivery, (ii) the date of transmission by facsimile or e-mail, with confirmed transmission and receipt, (iii) two (2) days after deposit with an internationally-recognized courier or overnight service such as Federal Express, DHL, or (iv) five (5) days after mailing via certified mail, return receipt requested. All notices not delivered personally or by facsimile will be sent with postage and other charges prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be notified at the address set forth on the signature pages hereto.
16.2 Gender; Time. The parties agree that any use of words in any gender in this Agreement shall also refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, as the case may require. Time is of the essence in performance of the rights and obligations under this Agreement.
16.3 Survival. Provisions of this Agreement shall survive any termination of employment if so provided in this Agreement or if necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of other surviving provisions.
16.4 Binding Agreement; Benefit. The provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, legal representatives and successors of the parties hereto.
16.5 Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its principles or rules of conflict laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.
16.6 Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party must be in writing and will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party.
16.7 Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement, together with the Compliance Agreement, contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements or understanding among the parties with respect thereto. This Agreement may be amended only by an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.
-13-