The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company, upon the terms set forth in this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third (3 rd ) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 below (such period is the “ Employment Period ”); provided however, that if no later than six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Employment Period, the Company and the Executive are negotiating but have not yet agreed to extend, renew or novate this Agreement for an additional term, then, for each month or partial month such negotiations continue, the Employment Period shall be extended for an additional two (2) months after the third anniversary, up to a maximum extension of twelve (12) months. During any such extension of the Employment Period (the “ Extended Period ”), all of the terms, conditions and obligations specified in this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect, except that the Executive shall not be entitled to any of the payments under Section 9(e)(iii) if he is terminated during the Extended Period. For avoidance of doubt, at any time after six (6) months prior to the Expiration Date, if negotiations have been conducted, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, unilaterally end such negotiations with Executive.