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6-K 1 form6-k.htm 6-K (untitled)

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of March 2026

 

Commission File Number: 001-35722

 

TAOPING INC.

(Translation of registrant’s name in English)

 

21st Floor, Building 3, Tianjin Science and Technology Plaza

Keyan West Road

Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192

People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

 

 

 

 

Appointment of Mr. Bin Ma as Co-CEO

 

☒ Form 20-F ☐ Form 40-F On March 2, 2026, the board of directors (the “Board”) of Taoping Inc., a British Virgin Islands business company with limited liability (the “Company”) appointed Mr. Bin Ma (“Mr. Ma”) as a Co-Chief Executive Officer (the “Co-CEO”) of the Company (the “Mr. Ma’s Appointment”). As the Co-CEO, Mr. Ma will serve alongside Jianghuai Lin, who will continue as the Company’s Chairman of the Board and the Co-CEO.

 

Mr. Ma has over two decades of experience in real estate development and corporate management. Since 2023, Mr. Ma has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Skyladder Group Limited, a Hong Kong company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Since 2016, Mr. Ma has also served as Chairman of Shenzhen Smart Skyladder IoT Limited and Tianjin Haizhi Ronggang Industrial Co., Ltd. Mr. Ma holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Jinan University. Given his proven track record and wealth of knowledge, the Board believes that Mr. Ma is qualified to serve as the Co-CEO.

 

In connection with Mr. Ma’s Appointment, the Company has entered into an employment agreement and an indemnification agreement with Mr. Ma, which are attached to this Report on Form 6-K as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively.

 

Mr. Ma (i) was not appointed as the Co-CEO pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with any other person; (ii) does not have a family relationship with any of the Company’s directors or other executive officers; (iii) has not engaged, since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, nor proposes to engage, in any transaction in which the Company was or is a participant other than transactions that have been publicly disclosed by the Company.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  TAOPING INC.
     
Date: March 3, 2026 By: /s/ Jianghuai Lin
    Jianghuai Lin
    Co- Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number   Description
10.1   Employment Agreement, dated March 2, 2026 between Taoping Inc. and Bin Ma
     
10.2   Indemnification Agreement, dated March 2, 2026 between Taoping Inc. and Bin Ma

 

 

 

EX-10.1 2 ex10-1.htm EX-10.1 (untitled)

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of March 2, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), is entered between Taoping Inc., a British Virgin Islands business company, (the “Company”) and Bin Ma (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive wish to enter into an employment agreement whereby the Executive will be employed by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions stated below;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual promises set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Section 1.01. Employment. The Executive shall serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer the Company. The Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to devote substantially all of the Executive’s time and efforts to promoting the interests of the Company.

 

Section 1.02. Duties and Responsibilities. Subject to the supervision of and direction by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), the Executive shall perform such duties as are similar in nature to those duties and services customarily associated with the positions set forth above.

 

Section 1.03. Base of Operation. The Executive’s principal base of operation for the performance of his or her duties and responsibilities under this Agreement shall be the offices of the Company in Nankai District, Tianjin City, People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), and at such other places as shall from time to time be reasonably necessary to fulfill the Executive’s obligations hereunder.

 

ARTICLE 2

TERM

 

Section 2.01. Term. (a) The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall be specified in a separate agreement between the Executive and the Company’s designated subsidiary or affiliate entity (the “PRC Agreement”). The Term and this Agreement will be renewed automatically thereafter for successive one-year terms unless a one-month notice of non-renewal is given by one party to the other.

 

(b) The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder violates or will violate the provisions of any other agreement to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is bound.

 

(c) If the PRC Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms therein, the employment between the Executive and the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall also be terminated unless otherwise mutually agreed by both parties.

 

ARTICLE 3

COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES

 

Section 3.01. Salary And Benefits. The Executive’s salary and benefits shall be determined by the Company and shall be specified in the PRC Agreement. The Executive’s salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, as established from time to time. Unless otherwise provided in such separate agreement, the Executive’s salary and benefits are subject to annual review and adjustment by the Company.

 

 

 

Section 3.02 Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Executive for reasonable documented business-related expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder during the Term, subject, however, to the Company’s policies relating to business-related expenses as in effect from time to time during the Term.

 

Section 3.03. Equity Incentive Plan. The Executive shall be entitled to participate during the Term in any long-term compensation program as may be authorized and adopted from time to time by the Board, including any equity incentive plan the Company, subject to the terms and provisions of such plans and the execution of the award agreements between the Company and the Executive.

 

Section 3.04 Payer of Compensation. All compensation, salary, benefits and remuneration in this Agreement may be paid by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities, as decided by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE 4

EXCLUSIVITY, NON-COMPETE, ETC.

 

Section 4.01. Exclusivity. The Executive agrees to perform his or her duties, responsibilities and obligations hereunder efficiently and to the best of his or her ability. Unless otherwise approved by the Board, the Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his or her working time, care and attention and best efforts to such duties, responsibilities and obligations throughout the Term. The Executive agrees that all of his or her activities as an employee of the Company shall be in conformity with all present and future policies, rules and regulations and directions of the Company not inconsistent with this Agreement.

 

Section 4.02. Intellectual Property. The Executive agrees that Intellectual Property under this Agreement is the sole and exclusive property of the Company and further agrees to assign to the Company the ownership of all right, title and interest in Intellectual Property, including any Intellectual Property conceived, created, and otherwise obtained by the Executive (i) during the Term of this Agreement relating to the work he performs within the scope of such Executive’s employment with the Company, (ii) within twelve (12) months after the Executive retires or ends employment with the Company under the circumstances that such Intellectual Property relates to such Executive’s employment scope with the Company, and (iii) by using the resources of the Company during the Term of this Agreement. During the Executive’s employment with the Company and within twelve (12) months after his or her employment with the Company terminates, the Executive has the obligation to inform the Company of any Intellectual Property within ten days of its creation and the Executive has the obligation to assist the Company in its patent, copyright or trademark application related to the Intellectual Property.

 

“Intellectual Property” under this Section 4.02 means any and all intellectual property in any form or stage of development, including but not limited to any idea, concept, design, invention, method, process, system, model, software, know-how and any other subject matter, material or information that qualifies and/or is considered by the Company to qualify for patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, or any other protection under the laws of PRC or British Virgin Islands providing or creating intellectual property rights.

 

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Section 4.03. Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Confidentiality.

 

(a) Non-competition. During the Term, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, be employed or self-employed in, engage in or own or hold any interest in (whether as a principal, partner, director, employee, shareholder, agent, advisor or otherwise) any business that is in direct or indirect competition, or would compete, with any businesses conducted by the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliated entities (the “Group”) upon or prior to the termination of the employment of the Executive, provided, however, it shall not be a violation of this Section 4.03(a) for the Executive to become the registered or beneficial owner of up to five percent (5%) of any class of the capital stock of a publicly traded corporation in competition with the Group, provided that the Executive does not otherwise participate in the business of such corporation.

 

(b) Non-Solicitation; Non-Interference. During the Term and for twenty-four (24) months after his or her employment with the Company terminates for any reason, the Executive agrees that he or she will not, directly or indirectly, for the Executive’s benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity, do any of the following: (i) approach the suppliers, clients, direct or end customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the Executive in his or her capacity as a representative of the Group for the purpose of doing business of the same or of a similar nature to the business of the Group or doing business that will harm the business relationships of the Group with the foregoing persons or entities; (ii) solicit, encourage or assist other employees of the Group to seek employment with any business or organization in competition with the Group; or otherwise interfere with the business or accounts of the Group.

 

(c) Confidentiality. Throughout the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter, the Executive shall keep in strict confidence all non-public information relating to the business, financial condition and other aspects of the Company, including but not limited to trade secrets, business methods, products, processes, procedures, development or experimental projects, plans, service providers, customers and users, intellectual property, information technology and any other information which is material to the Company’s business operations, and without the prior express written approval of the Company, may not disclose or provide to any person, firm, corporation or entity such non-public information, and may not use such non-public information for any purpose other than to fulfill his or her responsibilities as the Co-Chief Executive Officer in the best interest of the Company. The Executive shall also comply with the Company’s corporate policies and any other agreements on confidentiality that the Executive may enter into with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities. In the event that the Executive is required by law to disclose any confidential information of the Company, the Executive agrees to give the Company prompt advance written notice thereof and to provide the Company with reasonable assistance in obtaining an order to protect such confidential information from public disclosure. This provision and such other confidentiality policies and agreements are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Confidentiality Terms.”

 

ARTICLE 5

TERMINATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 5.01. Termination by Company. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, the Company shall have the right to terminate the Executive’s employment at any time with or without “Cause” by giving a one-month advance notice in writing pursuant to the terms hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, in which case the PRC Agreement shall apply, “Cause” shall mean: (i) the Executive’s willful and continued failure to substantially perform his or her duties hereunder (other than as a result of total or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness), (ii) dishonesty in the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, (iii) an act or acts on the Executive’s part constituting a felony under the laws of PRC or of the United States or any state thereof, (iv) any other act or omission which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or (v) the Executive’s breach of Section 4.03 hereof. For purposes of this Section, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the act or omission of the Executive was in the best interest of the Company.

 

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Section 5.02. Termination by Executive. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, the Executive shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time by giving a one-month advance notice in writing pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

Section 5.03. Death. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, in the event the Executive passes away during the Term, this Agreement shall automatically terminate, such termination to be effective on the date of the Executive’s death.

 

Section 5.04. Disability. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, in the event that the Executive shall suffer any physical or mental impairment which, as reasonably determined by the Board, renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of his or her position at the Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an undue burden on the Company, for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, unless a longer period is required by applicable law, in which case that longer period shall apply, the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement, such termination to be effective upon the giving of notice thereof to the Executive in accordance with Section 6.02 hereof.

 

Section 5.05. Effect of Termination. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, (a) in the event of termination of the Executive’s employment, whether before or after the Term, by either party for any reason, or by reason of the Executive’s death or disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or his or her beneficiary in the event of his or her death) any base salary or other compensation earned but not paid to the Executive prior to the effective date of such termination. All other benefits due to the Executive following his or her termination of employment shall be determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company; and (b) in the event of termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company other than for Cause, the Company shall pay to the Executive any additional amount as provided by applicable law.

 

ARTICLE 6

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.01. Benefit Assignment; Assignment; Beneficiary. The Executive agrees that he or she will not transfer, sell, assign or otherwise dispose of (whether voluntarily, involuntarily or by operation of law) any rights or interests under this Agreement, and the rights of the Executive shall not be subject to any security interest or creditors’ claims. Any such transfer, assign or other disposal shall be invalid. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Company from merging into or with any other company or selling all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or transfer this Agreement or any obligation under this Agreement. In the event of any change in the ownership interest or the control of the Company, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply and shall be binding upon any successors. Notwithstanding and subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall also inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Executive and his or her personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to him or her hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive’s beneficiary, devisee, legatee or other designee, or if there is no such designee, to the Executive’s estate.

 

Section 6.02. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if personally delivered or if sent by registered or certified mail, national overnight courier, or email. In the case of the Company, to the office or email account of the human resource department; and in the case of the Executive, to the address or email account appearing on the employment records of the Company, from time to time. Any notice given hereunder shall be deemed to have been given at the time of receipt thereof by the person to whom such notice is given.

 

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Section 6.03. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment during the Term and supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties hereto with respect to compensation due for services rendered hereunder. This Agreement may not be amended or revised unless by a written instrument executed by both of the parties hereto.

 

Section 6.04. Waiver. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a continuing waiver or as a consent to or waiver of any subsequent breach hereof. Any failure or delay to assert any right, remedy or power shall not be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy or power. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

 

Section 6.05. Headings. The article and section headings herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

Section 6.06. Agreement To Take Actions. Each party hereto shall execute and deliver such documents, certificates, agreements and other instruments, and shall take such other actions, as may be reasonably necessary or desirable in order to perform his, her or its obligations under this Agreement or to effectuate the purposes hereof.

 

Section 6.07. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of PRC.

 

 Section 6.08. Submission to Jurisdiction. The parties hereto agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of PRC in the event of any dispute, claim or matter arising from this Agreement.

 

Section 6.09. Survivorship. The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.

 

Section 6.10. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision or provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 6.11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 6.12. Withholding. All payments to the Executive hereunder shall be subject to withholding to the extent required by applicable law.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

TAOPING INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/Jianghuai Lin

  Name: Jianghuai Lin

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE

   

 

/s/ Bin Ma

 

Name:

Bin Ma

 

Title:

Co-Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

 

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EX-10.2 3 ex10-2.htm EX-10.2

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”), made and entered into as of the 2nd day of March, 2026, by and between Taoping Inc., a British Virgin Islands business company (the “Company”) and Bin Ma (“Indemnitee”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Indemnitee has agreed to serve as a director or executive officer of the Company and in such capacity will render valuable services to the Company;

 

WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased risk of litigation and other claims being asserted against directors and executive officers of public companies;

 

WHEREAS, in order to induce and encourage highly experienced and capable persons such as the Indemnitee to serve as directors and officers of the Company, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it tis reasonably prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, including, without limitation, the service of the Indemnitee, the receipt of which hereby is acknowledged, and in order to induce the Indemnitee to serve, or continue to serve, as a director or an executive officer of the Company, the Company and the Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

 

(a). “Change of Control” shall mean any of the following:

 

(i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”)), but excluding (1) the Company, (2) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities pursuant to an employee benefit or welfare plan or employee share plan of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, or any entity organized, appointed, established or holding securities of the Company with voting power for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan and (3) any entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities without the prior approval of at least majority of the directors in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such interest;

 

(ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the Board or other governing body of such surviving entity;

 

(iii) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; (iv) any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item or any similar or successor schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirements; and

 

 

 

 

(v) during any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 1(a)(i), 1(a)(iii) or 1(a)(iv)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, ceasing for any reason to constitute a least a majority of the members of the Board.

 

(b). “Disinterested Director” with respect to any request by the Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder shall mean a director of the Company who neither is nor was a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification or advancement is being sought by the Indemnitee.

 

(c). “Expenses” shall mean shall mean, without limitation, expenses of Proceedings, including attorneys’ fees, disbursement and retainers, accounting and witness fees, expenses related to preparation for service as a witness and to service as a witness, travel and deposition costs, expenses of investigations, judicial or administrative proceedings and appeals, amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, costs of attachment or similar bonds, any expenses of attempting to establish or establishing a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses, under this Agreement, the Company’s Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association as currently in effect (the “Articles”), applicable law or otherwise, and reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense or appeal of a Proceeding or action for indemnification for which the Indemnitee is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. The term “Expenses” shall not include the amount of judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are actually levied against or sustained by the Indemnitee to the extent sustained after final adjudication.

 

(d). “Independent Legal Counsel” shall mean any firm of attorneys that is not presently representing and has not in the preceding five (5) years represented the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates, the Indemnitee, any entity controlled by the Indemnitee, or any party adverse to the Company in any matter material to any such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Legal Counsel” shall not include any person who, under applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Agreement, the Articles, applicable law or otherwise.

 

(e). “Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, or other proceeding (including, without limitation, an appeal therefrom), formal or informal, whether brought in the name of the Company or otherwise, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, and whether by, in or involving a court or an administrative, other governmental or private entity or body (including, without limitation, an investigation by the Company or its Board), by reason of (i) the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, whether or not the Indemnitee is serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or reimbursement is to be provided under this Agreement, (ii) any actual or alleged act or omission or neglect or breach of duty, including, without limitation, any actual or alleged error or misstatement or misleading statement, which the Indemnitee commits or suffers while acting in any such capacity, or (iii) the Indemnitee attempting to establish or establishing a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant to this Agreement, the Articles, applicable law or otherwise.

 

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(f). The phrase “serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise” or any similar terminology shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit or welfare plan or other enterprise, foreign or domestic. The phrase “serving at the request of the Company” shall include, without limitation, any service as a director/an executive officer of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director/executive officer with respect to the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries, affiliates, employee benefit or welfare plans, such plan’s participants or beneficiaries or any other enterprise, foreign or domestic. In the event that the Indemnitee shall be a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit or welfare plan or other enterprise, foreign or domestic, 50% or more of the ordinary shares, combined voting power or total equity interest of which is owned by the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, then it shall be presumed conclusively that the Indemnitee is so acting at the request of the Company.

 

2. Services By Indemnitee. The Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director or officer of the Company under the terms of the Indemnitee’s agreement with the Company for so long as the Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until such time as the Indemnitee tenders a resignation in writing or is removed from the Indemnitee’s position; provided, however, that the Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or other obligation imposed by operation of law).

 

3. Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, against all Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such a Proceeding, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company; except that no indemnification under this section shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudicated by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company for willful misconduct in the performance of his/her duty to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such amounts which such other court shall deem proper.

 

4. Proceeding Other Than a Proceeding by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, against all Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such a Proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that any settlement of a Proceeding must be approved in advance in writing by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld).

 

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5. Indemnification for Costs, Charges and Expenses of Witness or Successful Party. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that the Indemnitee (a) has prepared to serve or has served as a witness in any Proceeding in any way relating to (i) the Company or the Company’s subsidiaries, affiliates, employee benefit or welfare plans or such plan’s participants or beneficiaries or (ii) anything done or not done by the Indemnitee as a director or officer of the Company or in connection with serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, or (b) has been successful in defense of any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, on the merits or otherwise, including the dismissal of a Proceeding without prejudice or the settlement of a Proceeding without an admission of liability, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection therewith to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. All such indemnification against Expenses shall be offset by the amount of cash, if any, received by the Indemnitee resulting from his/her success therein.

 

6. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of Expenses, but not for the total amount of Expenses, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

7. Advancement of Expenses. The Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in any Proceeding shall be paid promptly by the Company in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding at the written request of the Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall set forth in such request reasonable evidence that such Expenses have been incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding and an undertaking in writing to repay any advances if it is ultimately determined as provided in Section 8(b) of this Agreement that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the Articles, applicable law or otherwise.

 

8. Indemnification Procedure; Determination of Right to Indemnification.

 

(a) Promptly after receipt by the Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, the Indemnitee shall, if a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement thereof in writing. The failure and delay to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which the Company may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement unless the Company shall have lost significant substantive or procedural rights with respect to the defense of any Proceeding as a result of such omission to so notify.

 

(b) The Indemnitee shall be conclusively presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement unless a determination is made that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the Articles, applicable law or otherwise by one of the following two methods, which, if there has not been a Change in Control, shall be at the election of the Board: (i) by a majority vote of the Board of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors or (ii) if a quorum of the Board consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, said Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee. If a Change in Control shall have occurred and the Indemnitee so requests in writing, such determination shall be made only by Independent Legal Counsel in the manner set forth in this subsection.

 

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(c) If (i) a determination is made that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement or (ii) a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement is not paid by the Company within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of written notice thereof, the Indemnitee is entitled to an adjudication in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such judicial proceeding shall be made de novo. The burden of proving that indemnification or advances are not appropriate shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the directors of the Company or Independent Legal Counsel to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification or advancement of Expenses is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, if any, nor an actual determination by the directors of the Company or Independent Legal Counsel that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct shall be a defense to an action by the Indemnitee or create a presumption for the purpose of such an action that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself (i) create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company and/or its shareholders, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful or (ii) otherwise adversely affect the rights of the Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement, except as may be provided herein.

 

(d) If a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the Indemnitee is entitled to any indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder, the Company shall pay all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such adjudication (including, but not limited to, any appellate proceedings).

 

(e) With respect to any Proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses is requested, the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense and, except as otherwise provided below, to the extent that it may wish, the Company may assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to the Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of a Proceeding, the Company will not be liable to the Indemnitee under this Agreement for any Expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof, other than as provided below. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner which would impose any penalty or limitation on the Indemnitee without the Indemnitee’s written consent. The Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his/her own counsel in any Proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense of the Proceeding shall be at the expense of the Indemnitee, unless (i) the employment of counsel by the Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of a Proceeding, or (iii) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of a proceeding, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of the Indemnitee’s counsel shall be advanced by the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which the Indemnitee has reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee.

 

9. Limitations on Indemnification. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against the Indemnitee:

 

(a) in connection with any Proceeding initiated or brought voluntarily by the Indemnitee and not by way of defense, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding prior to its initiation or (ii) the Proceeding is to enforce indemnification rights under this Agreement, the Articles, applicable law or otherwise and either (A) Indemnitee is successful in such Proceeding in establishing Indemnitee’s right, in whole or in part, to indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder (in which case such indemnification or advancement shall be to the fullest extent permitted by this Agreement) or (B) the court in such Proceeding shall determine that, despite Indemnitee’s failure to establish his or her right to indemnification, Indemnitee is entitled to indemnity for such expenses (in which case such indemnification or advancement shall be to the extent provided by such court);

 

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(b) in connection with the Indemnitee preparing to serve or serving, prior to a Change in Control, as a witness in voluntary cooperation with any non-governmental or non-regulatory party or entity who or which has threatened or commenced any action or proceeding against the Company, or any director, officer, employee, trustee, agent, representative, subsidiary, parent corporation or affiliate of the Company, but such indemnification may be provided by the Company if the Board finds it to be appropriate;

 

(c) for which payment has actually been made to the Indemnitee under a valid and collectible insurance policy, except in respect of any excess beyond the amount of payment under such insurance policy;

 

(d) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Act or similar provisions of any foreign or United States federal, state or local statute or regulation;

 

(e) for which the Indemnitee is indemnified and actually paid other than pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(f) for conduct that is finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by the Indemnitee’s dishonesty, willful default or fraud, including, without limitation, breach of the duty of loyalty, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such amounts which such court shall deem proper;

 

(g) if a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines that such indemnification is unlawful. In this respect, the Company and the Indemnitee have been advised that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) takes the position that indemnification for liabilities arising under securities laws is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable and that claims for indemnification should be submitted to appropriate courts for adjudication;

 

(h) in connection with Indemnitee’s personal tax matter;

 

(i) subject to the proviso in Section 9(a) hereof, in connection with any dispute or breach arising under any contract or similar obligation between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and such Indemnitee; or

 

(j) in connection with any reimbursement made by Indemnitee to the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or Section 954 of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules promulgated by the SEC thereunder.

 

10. Insurance. To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person serves at the request of the Company, the Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a Proceeding pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has directors’ and officers’ insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

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11. No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create in the Indemnitee any right to continued employment with the Company.

 

12. Continuation of Indemnification. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period that the Indemnitee is a director or an executive officer of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, foreign or domestic) and shall continue thereafter so long as the Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or an executive officer of the Company or is or was serving in any other capacity referred to in this Section 12.

 

13. Indemnification Hereunder Not Exclusive. The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which the Indemnitee may be entitled under the Articles, any agreement, vote of shareholders or vote of Disinterested Directors, provisions of applicable law, or otherwise, both as to action or omission in the Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action or omission in another capacity on behalf of the Company while holding such office.

 

14. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving rise to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s). The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 14 were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.

 

15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters covered hereby, and any other prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings or agreements with respect to the matters covered hereby are superseded by this Agreement, provided that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

16. Amendment. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by a written instrument executed by or on behalf of each of the parties hereto. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit, restrict or reduce any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any act or omission, or any event occurring, prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision limits rights with respect to indemnification, contribution or advancement of Expenses, it is the intent of the parties hereto that the rights with respect to indemnification, contribution or advancement of Expenses in effect prior to such change shall remain in full force and effect to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

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17. Waivers. The observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) by the party entitled to enforce such term only by a writing signed by the party against which such waiver is to be asserted. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, no delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party hereto of any right, power or privilege hereunder operate as a waiver of any other right, power or privilege hereunder nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

 

18. Assignment; Successors and Assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party thereto without the prior written consent of the other party, except that the Company may, without such consent, assign all such rights and obligations to a successor in interest to the Company which assumes all obligations of the Company under this Agreement in a written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Indemnitee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by and against the parties hereto and the Company’s successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, as well as the Indemnitee’s spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives.

 

19. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing (which may be by facsimile transmission or email). All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. in the place of receipt and such day is a business day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the next succeeding business day in the place of receipt. The address for notice to a party is as shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as any party shall have given by written notice to the other party as provided above.

 

20. Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

21. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby. To the extent required, any section, sentence, term or provision of this Agreement may be modified by a court of competent jurisdiction to preserve its validity and to provide the Indemnitee with the broadest possible indemnification permitted under applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to a court order or decision, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.

 

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22. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). The parties hereto agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of PRC in the event of any dispute, claim or matter arising from this Agreement.

 

23. Submission to Jurisdiction. The Company and Indemnitee hereby agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of PRC in the event of any dispute, claim or matter arising from this Agreement.

 

24. Headings. The Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

26. Use of Certain Terms. As used in this Agreement, the words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section, subsection, or other subdivision. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered to be effective as of the date first above written.

 

  TAOPING INC.
   
  By: /s/ Jianghuai Lin
  Name: Jianghuai Lin
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

  Address:
  Facsimile:
  Attention:
   
  With a copy to:
   
  Address:
  Facsimile:
  Attention:
   
  INDEMNITEE
   
  /s/ Bin Ma
   
  Address:
  Facsimile:
   
  With a copy to:
   
  Address:
  Facsimile:
  Attention:

 

[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]