Independent Agreements. The parties hereto agree that the foregoing restrictive covenants set forth herein are essential elements of this Agreement, and that, but for the agreement of Employee to comply with such covenants, Employer would not have agreed to enter into this Agreement. Such covenants by Employee shall be construed as agreements independent of any other provision in this Agreement. The existence of any claim or cause of action of Employee against Employer, whether predicated on this Agreement, or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by Employer of such covenants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee’s

Independent Agreements. The parties hereto agree that the foregoing restrictive covenants set forth herein are essential elements of this Agreement, and that, but for the agreement of Employee to comply with such covenants, Employer would not have agreed to enter into this Agreement. Such covenants by Employee shall be construed as agreements independent of any other provision in this Agreement. The existence of any claim or cause of action of Employee

Covenants as Essential Elements of this Agreement. It is understood by and between the parties hereto that the foregoing covenants contained in Sections 7(a) and (b) are essential elements of this Agreement, and that but for the agreement by the Employee to comply with such covenants, the Company would not have agreed to enter into this Agreement. Such covenants by the Employee shall be construed to be agreements independent of any other provisions of this Agreement. The existence of any other claim or cause of action, whether predicated on any other provision in this Agreement, or otherwise, as a result of the relationship between the parties shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of such covenants against the Employee.

Provisions Independent. The Restrictive Covenants will be construed as an agreement independent of any other agreement, including any employee benefit agreement, and independent of any other provision of this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action you bring against the Company or an Affiliate, whether predicated upon this Agreement or otherwise, will not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of such covenants.

The restrictive covenants contained in this agreement are given and made by you to induce the Employer to employ you and to enter into this Agreement with you, and you hereby acknowledge that employment with the Employer is valuable and sufficient consideration for these restrictive covenants. The restrictive covenants shall be construed as agreements independent of any other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action you may have against the Employer or the Company, whether predicated upon this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of any restrictive covenant. The refusal or failure of the Employer or the Company to enforce any restrictive covenant of this agreement (or any similar agreement) against any other employee, agent, or independent contractor, for any reason, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Employer or the Company of any such restrictive covenant, nor shall it give rise to any claim or cause of action by you against the Employer or the Company.