6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Employment Agreements On July 30, 2019, CytoSorbents Corporation entered into amended and restated executive employment agreements with its principal executives, Dr. Phillip P. Chan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Capponi, Chief Operating Officer, and Kathleen P. Bloch, Chief Financial Officer. Each of the agreements has an initial term of three years, and was retroactively effective as of January 1, 2019. After the expiration of the initial terms, the employment agreements will automatically renew for additional terms of one year unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal at least 60 days prior to a renewal. On May 30, 2017, CytoSorbents Corporation announced the appointment of Dr. Eric R. Mortensen as the Companys Chief Medical Officer, pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement dated May 23, 2017. Dr. Mortensens employment agreement provides for an initial term commencing on June 1, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2019. The foregoing employment agreements each provide for base salary and other customary benefits which include participation in group insurance plans, paid time off and reimbursement of certain business related expenses, including travel and continuing educational expenses, as well as bonus and/or equity awards at the discretion of the Board of Directors. In addition, the agreements provide for certain termination benefits in the event of termination without Cause or voluntary termination of employment for Good Reason, as defined in each agreement. The agreements also provide for certain benefits in the event of a Change of Control of the Company, as defined in each agreement. Litigation The Company is from time to time subject to claims and litigation arising out of the ordinary course of business. The Company intends to defend vigorously against any future claims and litigation. The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings. Royalty Agreements Pursuant to an agreement dated August 11, 2003, an existing investor agreed to make a $4 million equity investment in the Company. These amounts were received by the Company in 2003. In connection with this agreement, the Company granted the investor a future royalty of 3% on all gross revenues received by the Company from the sale of its CytoSorb device. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company has recorded royalty costs of approximately $169,000 and $152,000, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company has recorded royalty costs of approximately $478,000 and $438,000, respectively. License Agreements In March 2006, the Company entered into a license agreement which provides the Company the exclusive right to use its patented technology and proprietary know how relating to adsorbent polymers for a period of 18 years. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has agreed to pay royalties of 2.5% to 5% on the sale of certain of its products if and when those products are sold commercially for a term not greater than 18 years commencing with the first sale of such product. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, per the terms of the license agreement, the Company has recorded royalty costs of approximately $282,000 and $253,000, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded royalty costs of approximately $797,000 and $731,000, respectively.