QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 10.45.1

INCENTIVE AGREEMENT

        This INCENTIVE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into as of
January 2, 2001 (the "Effective Date"), by and between Ask Jeeves, Inc. and
Claudio Pinkus ("Employee").

RECITALS

        WHEREAS the parties signed a Letter of Intent dated December 23, 1999
("Letter of Intent") as a framework proposed to compensate Employee; and

        NOW THEREFORE, the parties have agreed to address the subject matter of
compensation with (a) a grant of equity in Company, and (b) a grant of equity in
three Joint Ventures of Company, all as described herein.

AGREEMENT

        1.    Company Equity.    

        1.1    Option Grant.    On March 12, 2001, Employee will be granted an
option to purchase 250,000 shares (the "Option Shares") of the Company's Common
Stock pursuant to its 1999 Equity Incentive Plan at a strike price of $1.625.

        1.2    Exercise; Vesting Schedule.    The per share exercise price of
the Option Shares shall be equal to fair market value of the Company's Common
Stock on the date of grant. The Option shall be subject to Employee executing
the Company's standard stock option agreement. So long as Employee remains
employed with AJ, the Option Shares shall vest on the following schedule: fifty
percent (50%) of the Option Shares shall vest on the date six months from the
Effective Date of this Agreement; and the remaining Option Shares shall vest
ratably over the next eighteen (18) months of Employee's employment thereafter.
The term of the Option shall be ten (10) years, subject to earlier expiration in
the event of termination of Employee's employment. Vested Option Shares would be
exercisable by Employee for a period of 90 days following termination as
described in Company's 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.

        1.3    Acceleration Provisions.    If either (a) Employee is terminated
without cause, or (b) Company experiences a Change of Control and Employee is
terminated without cause, then Employee will be entitled to acceleration of 50%
of the Option Shares not vested at the time of termination; provided, however,
that with respect to these options there shall be no acceleration for any
constructive termination (defined as any material changes to Employee's duties,
title, responsibilities, or compensation) where Employee is not terminated or is
terminated for cause; except if there has first been a Change of Control and
within six months Employee is constructively terminated, then the acceleration
described above would occur.

        2.    Joint Venture Equity Transfers.    

        2.1    Identification of Existing Joint Ventures.    Since the
commencement of Employee's employment with AJI, AJI has formed the following
three joint ventures:

Ask Jeeves UK
Ask Jeeves en Espanol (comprised of a holding company and a Delaware LLC)
Ask Jeeves Japan

        2.2    Grant.    

        (a)  On the Effective Date, and subject to approval of Company's joint
venture partners for the joint ventures listed above, AJI will transfer to
Employee a 0.95% equity interest (that percentage being out of Ask Jeeves'
interest, and that percentage being of the whole entity) (the "Joint Venture
Equity Transfers") in each of the three (3) AJI joint venture entities (the
"Existing Ventures") identified above in Section 2.1 pursuant to the terms set
forth herein. Company shall

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

not be in breach of its obligations hereunder if a joint venture partner of an
Existing Venture refuses to permit transfer of the above equity percentage.
Employee shall have no further right to equity in any other Company joint
ventures.

        (b)  If by the midnight on the day 90 days from the signature of this
Agreement by both parties (the "Grant Deadline"), any joint venture entity has
either refused to permit the transfer of the full amount of the Joint Venture
Equity Transfer for that entity or has not effectuated the full transfer, then
at that time (i) Employee will be granted options to purchase Ask Jeeves, Inc.
stock, the number of shares being calculated as the percentage of that Joint
Venture Equity Transfer not completed times 16,667 (the "Alternate
Compensation"); and (ii) Employee will no longer have the right to any
additional portion of the Joint Venture Equity Transfer not made by that date.
The vesting period of the Alternate Compensation will be 1/4 vesting on
September 4, 2001 the remainder vesting in equal portions of 1/48th of the total
grant monthly thereafter for the next thirty-six months; and the strike price
will be the fair market value on market close on the Grant Deadline.

Example: On the Grant Deadline, AJEE has agreed to transfer the full 0.95% Joint
Venture Equity Transfer to Employee; AJUK has agreed to transfer only 0.475% of
its equity to Employee, and AJ Japan has not agreed to transfer any equity
interest to Employee.

At that time, Employee is entitled to (i) the 0.95% interest in AJEE under the
terms of this Agreement, (ii) the 0.475% interest in AJUK under the terms of
this Agreement, plus be granted 8,334 options in Ask Jeeves, Inc. (reflecting
that only 50% of the 0.95% interest was conveyed to Employee); and (iii) be
granted 16,667 options in Ask Jeeves, Inc. (reflecting that 0% of the interest
in AJ Japan was conveyed). Employee would no longer be entitled to the remaining
0.475% interest in AJUK and 0.95% interest in AJ Japan not received.

        2.3    Loan.    

        Prior to the date on which any taxes, including quarterly tax payments
(whether estimate or actual amount payments), are due by Employee under
then-current tax rates, but in any event no later than April 15, 2002, the
Company will loan Employee an amount of money equal to (a) 100% of the amount of
the US federal and state taxes due on the taxable income that must be recognized
by Employee during calendar year 2001 as a result of the Joint Venture Equity
Transfers to Employee (believed by both parties to be 49%), plus (b) on 8 year's
interest on the foregoing loan under the terms of this Agreement. The loan shall
be evidenced by a promissory note secured by a pledge of the entirety of the
Joint Venture Equity transfers granted to Employee pursuant to section 2.2
above. Interest on the promissory note shall accrue at the minimum applicable
federal rate under the Internal Revenue Code to avoid imputed income and
accounting charges. Interest shall be due quarterly. The principal balance and
any remaining unpaid interest shall be due in full on the earlier of (x) the
fourth anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement; (y) 90 days after
the termination of Employee's employment for any reason; or (z); upon the sale
or initial public offering of any or all of the Joint Venture Equity Transfers
and the expiration of any applicable lock up agreement as to such shares
(provided that the amount due shall only be accelerated up to the amount
received by Employee in the sale or initial public offering). The form of the
Note is attached as Exhibit A and the form of Stock Pledge Agreement is attached
as Exhibit B. The Promissory Note will not be a full recourse note, but rather,
the only recourse for default will be against the Joint Venture Equity
Transfers, and any value on those interests not necessary to pay off the Note
would remain with Employee. If Employee asserts that the loan amount would be
greater than 49% of the value of the Joint Venture Equity Transfers, then
Employee shall provide adequate documentation to demonstrate the reasons why the
tax rate is greater than 49%.

2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        In the event that Company and Employee agree in the future that Company
will accept all or a portion of the Joint Venture Equity Transfers in
satisfaction of the loan described in this Section 2.3, then Company and
Employee agree that they shall agree on an internationally-recognized
independent third-party valuation firm to value the Joint Venture Equity
Transfers for this purpose, and that the cost of this valuation will be borne
equally between Company and Employee.

        2.4    Liquidity.    

        Pursuant to the terms set forth below, Employee shall have the right to
sell some or all of the interest he holds in an Existing Venture as a result of
the Joint Venture Equity Transfers upon the occurrence of a "Liquidity Event"
(as defined below) in regard to that Existing Venture, at the same ratio and at
the same terms as the Company and AJI. Employee acknowledges that there may or
may not be a Liquidity Event in any joint venture, and that Ask Jeeves is not
obligated to pursue any particular liquidity-related course of action with
respect to any Existing Venture. For purposes of this Section, the occurrence of
any of the following (any only these enumerated events) as to a particular
Existing Venture shall constitute a "Liquidity Event" for that Existing Venture:

        (a)  The public offering of the securities of an Existing Venture.
Employee's ability to sell his interest in this event shall be subject to the
terms of any applicable lock-up agreement and the terms of the securities laws
to which Employee is subject.

        (b)  The acquisition of an Existing Venture by a third party without
having gone public, whether by merger, sale of interests, or otherwise. In such
an event, Employee shall be entitled to the same right to sell his interest as
that of other holders of the same class of equity of the Existing Venture.

        (c)  The sale by AJI or the Company of some or all of AJI's interest in
an Existing Venture to a joint venture party or to a third party, in which case
Employee shall have the right to sell the same ratio of his equity interest in
the identical Existing Venture under the same terms and conditions of such sale.

        (d)  The acquisition by AJI or the Company of some or all of the equity
interest held in an Existing Venture by other joint venture parties, in which
case AJI or the Company shall repurchase the same ratio of Employee's equity
interest in the identical Existing Venture at a price equal to the price paid by
AJI or the Company. In no event, however, shall such repurchase from Employee
occur until six (6) months have elapsed from the effective date of the Joint
Venture Equity Transfers.

        2.5    Voting Rights.    

        Employee agrees to vote Employee's equity interests in the Joint Venture
Equity Transfers in the manner specified by Company, and Employee agrees to
enter into a Voting Rights Agreement waiving any right of voting, approval, or
other like right (other than economic rights). In lieu of an equity grant in an
Existing Venture, Company may grant Employee equity in a holding company which
holds Company's equity stake in a Existing Venture (e.g., Ask Jeeves Jersey),
provided that (a) the amount reflects an interest in the Existing Venture of the
percentage listed in Section 3.2 above, and (b) Company grants Employee a
liquidity opportunity equivalent to the terms set forth in Section 3.4.

        2.6    Negotiation with Joint Venture Entities.    

        Employee will be permitted to be the primary negotiator of the Joint
Venture Equity Transfers, provided the following: (a) Employee will notify
Company of any discussions on the topic and Company may have a Company employee
of its choice present for any discussion with a joint venture on this topic,
(b) An employee of Company's designation shall be copied on all correspondence
relating to this topic, and (c) Employee represents that except for the Joint
Venture Equity Transfers, Employee shall not obtain any further compensation
(whether in cash, equity, or debt) from the joint ventures during the term of
Employee's employment with Company, except as agreed in writing between

3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company and Employee. Employee agrees that in the course of these discussions he
will not compromise the relationship between Ask Jeeves and the joint venture
partners. If Company, in its good faith reasonable discretion, believes that
Employee's negotiation of the Joint Venture Equity Transfers may compromise its
relationship with the joint venture partner, Company may assume the role of
primary negotiator, with Employee present but not directly contacting the joint
venture partner on the topic of the Joint Venture Equity Transfers.

        3.    Miscellaneous.    

        3.1    Notice.    Notices and all other communications contemplated by
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when personally delivered or when mailed by overnight courier, U.S. registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage repaid. In the case of
Employee, mailed notices shall be addressed to him at the home address that he
most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the
Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and
all notices shall be directed to the attention of its General Counsel.

        3.2    Modifications and Waivers.    No provision of this Agreement
shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver, or
discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Employee, an authorized officer
of the Company. No waiver by any party of any breach of, or of compliance with,
any condition or provision of this Agreement by any other party shall be
considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition
or provision at another time.

        3.3    Whole Agreement.    This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any and all prior written, oral, or other types of representations
and agreements between Employee and Company, except for Employee's prior equity
grants in Ask Jeeves, Inc. as detailed on Exhibit C. Nothing in this Agreement
or in any prior proposals or drafts shall constitute any obligation on the part
of either Employee or Company to offer, agree or accept any additional terms of
compensation except as may be agreed by the parties in a mutually signed writing
after the date hereof. This Agreement may be modified only in a writing signed
by an authorized officer of the Company and by Employee.

        3.4    Choice of Law.    The validity, interpretation, construction, and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
California (except provisions governing choice of law).

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

        3.6    No Assignment.    This Agreement and all rights and obligations
of Employee hereunder are personal to Employee and, except as described in
Section 2.4 above, may not be transferred or assigned by Employee at any time,
except that Employee may assign his financial interest to his spouse or
children, or a trust created for their benefit. Company may assign its rights
under this Agreement to any entity that assumes the Company's obligations
hereunder in connection with any sale or transfer or all or a substantial
portion of the Company's assets to such entity.

        3.7    Headings.    The headings of the paragraphs contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the
meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

        3.8    At Will Employee.    The terms of this Agreement do not change
Employee's "at will" employment status with Company, and Company may terminate
Employee's employment for any reason at any time, with or without notice, and
with or without cause. Similarly, Employee is free to resign at any time, for
any reason or for no reason.

4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[signature page follows—remainder of page intentionally left blank]

5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in
the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year
first above written.

    EMPLOYEE
 
 
/s/ Claudio Pinkus

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Claudio Pinkus
 
 
ASK JEEVES, INC.
 
 
By:
/s/ A. George Battle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
 
Title:
3/23/01, CEO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
 
Date:
    

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exhibit A: Note
Exhibit B: Stock Pledge Agreement
Exhibit C: Employee's Prior Grants & Offer Letters

6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exhibit A

ASK JEEVES, INC.
NOTE SECURED BY STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT

$            .00   March     , 2001

        FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Claudio Pinkus ("Maker") promises to pay to the
order of Ask Jeeves, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), at its
corporate offices at 5858 Horton Street, Suite 350, Emeryville, California
94608, the principal sum of                    Dollars ($            .00),
together with all accrued interest thereon, upon the terms and conditions
specified below.

        1.    Indebtedness.    The proceeds of this Note Secured by Stock Pledge
Agreement ("Note") shall be applied solely and exclusively to the payment by
Maker of U.S. federal or state income taxes due on the taxable income that must
be recognized by Employee during calendar year 2001 as a result of the Joint
Equity Venture Transfers (the "Collateral") (as defined in the Incentive
Agreement between Maker and the Company, dated January 2, 2001 (the "Incentive
Agreement")). In the event that the Company loans Maker an amount greater than
required for payment of the taxes and interest stated in this paragraph 1, Maker
shall immediately pay the overage to Company towards satisfaction of this Note.

        2.    Interest.    Interest shall accrue on the unpaid balance
outstanding from time to time under this Note at the rate of       % per annum,
the minimum applicable federal rate necessary to avoid both imputed income and
accounting charges, compounded quarterly. Accrued and unpaid interest shall
become due and payable quarterly, on each successive three (3)-month anniversary
of the date first stated above. Interest on the outstanding principal balance of
this Note shall accrue until the obligations hereunder are repaid in full.

        3.    Due Dates.    The principal balance of this Note shall become due
and payable in one lump sum on March 12, 2005, the fourth anniversary of the
date first stated above, subject to acceleration in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph 5 below. The accrued and unpaid interest shall become
due and payable as stated in paragraph 2 above.

        4.    Payment.    Payment shall be made in lawful tender of the United
States of America and shall be applied first to the payment of all accrued and
unpaid interest and then to the payment of principal. Prepayment of the
principal balance of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest on
the portion of principal so prepaid, may be made in whole or in part at any time
without penalty.

        5.    Events of Acceleration.    The entire unpaid principal balance of
this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall become
immediately due and payable prior to the due date of this Note specified in
paragraph 3 above upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

        A.    the expiration of the ninety (90)-day period immediately following
the date on which the Maker's employment with the Company terminates for any
reason; or

        B.    the failure of the Maker to pay any principal or installment of
accrued interest under this Note when due and the continuation of such default
for more than ten (10) days; or

        C.    the insolvency of the Maker, the commission of any act of
bankruptcy by the Maker, the execution by the Maker of a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors, the filing by or against the Maker of any petition in
bankruptcy or any petition for relief under the provisions of the Federal
bankruptcy act or any other state or Federal law for the relief of debtors and
the continuation of such petition without dismissal for a period of thirty (30)
days or more, the appointment of a receiver or trustee to take possession of any
property or assets of the Maker or the attachment of or execution against any
property or assets of the Maker, or

7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        D.    the consummation of the initial public offering of the common
stock of any one or more of the Existing Ventures (as defined in the Incentive
Agreement) pursuant to an underwritten offering registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended or under any laws of any other country providing for the
sale of securities to the public; provided, however, that should the
underwriter(s) for such offering impose a market black-out, lock up, or
stand-off period upon the common stock of the Existing Venture in question, then
acceleration of this Note shall not occur until the end of the sixty (60)-day
period immediately following the end of that black-out or stand-off period; or

        E.    the occurrence of any event of default under the Stock Pledge
Agreement securing this Note or any obligation secured thereby.

        6.    Special Acceleration Event.    In the event the Maker sells or
otherwise transfers for value any portion of the Collateral, then any unpaid
portion of the principal balance of this Note shall become immediately due and
payable, together will all accrued and unpaid interest on that principal
portion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount accelerated upon any such
transfer of the Collateral shall not exceed the amount received by Maker for the
transfer.

        7.    Employment.    The Maker shall be deemed to continue in employment
with the Company for so long as he renders services as an employee of the
Company or one or more of the Company's fifty percent (50%) or more owned
(directly or indirectly) subsidiaries.

        8.    Security.    Payment of this Note shall be secured by a pledge of
all of the Collateral pursuant to the attached Stock Pledge Agreement to be
executed this date by the Maker. Personal assets of the Maker (aside from the
Collateral) will not be applied to the satisfaction of the Maker's obligations
hereunder, and Company's sole recourse for the amount due under this Note shall
be against the Collateral.

        9.    Collection.    The only recourse for default will be against the
Collateral, and any value on those interests not necessary to pay off the Note
will remain with Maker. If any action is instituted to collect this Note, the
Maker promises to pay all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees) incurred in connection with such action.

        10.    Waiver.    A waiver of any term of this Note, the Stock Pledge
Agreement or of any of the obligations secured thereby must be made in writing
and signed by a duly-authorized officer of the Corporation and any such waiver
shall be limited to its express terms. No delay or previous waiver by the
corporation in acting with respect to the terms of this Note or the Stock Pledge
Agreement shall constitute a waiver of any breach, default, or failure of a
condition under this Note, the Stock Pledge Agreement or the obligations secured
thereby.

        The Maker hereby expressly waives presentment, demand, notice of
dishonor, notice of default or delinquency, notice of acceleration, notice of
protest and nonpayment, notice of costs, expenses or losses and interest
thereon, notice of interest on interest and diligence in taking any action to
collect any sums owing under this Note or in proceeding against any of the
rights or interests in or to properties securing payment of this Note.

        11.    Conflicting Agreements.    In the event of any inconsistency
between the terms of this Note and the terms of any other document related to
the loan evidenced by the Note (other than the Incentive Agreement or documents
relevant to the Joint Venture Equity Transfer), the terms of this Note shall
prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the documents
relevant to the Joint Venture Equity Transfer or the terms of the Incentive
Agreement and the terms of this Note, the terms of the documents relevant to the
Joint Venture Equity Transfer or the terms of the Incentive Agreement, as
appropriate, shall apply.

8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        12.    Governing Law.    This Note shall be construed in accordance with
the laws of the state of California without resort to that State's
conflict-of-laws rules.

Date
 
 
Signature
   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Claudio Pinkus (Maker)

9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exhibit B

ASK JEEVES, INC.
STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT

        This STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of this       
day of                   , 2001 by and between Ask Jeeves, Inc., a Delaware
Corporation (the "Company") and Claudio Pinkus ("Pledgor").

RECITALS

        A.    In connection with the Joint Venture Equity Transfers (as defined
in the Incentive Agreement effective January 2, 2001 between Pledgor and the
Company (the "Incentive Agreement")) made to Pledgor as of the Effective Date of
the Incentive Agreement, Pledgor has issued that certain Note Secured by Stock
Pledge Agreement (the "Note") dated the date hereof, payable to the order of the
Company in the principle amount of                  Dollars
($                  ).

        B.    Such Note is secured by the Joint Venture Equity Transfers upon
the terms set forth in this Agreement.

        NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

        1.    Grant of Security Interest.    Pledgor hereby grants the Company a
security interest in, and assigns, transfers to and pledges with the Company,
the following securities and other property (collectively, the "Collateral"):

        1.1  the Joint Venture Equity Transfers;

        1.2  any and all new, additional or different securities or other
property subsequently distributed with respect to the Collateral which are to be
delivered to and deposited with the Company pursuant to the requirements of
Paragraph 3 of this Agreement;

        1.3  the proceeds of any sale, exchange or disposition of the property
and securities described in subparagraphs 1.1 or 1.2 above.

        2.    Warranties.    Pledgor hereby warrants that Pledgor is the owner
of the Collateral and has the right to pledge the Collateral and that the
Collateral is free from all liens, adverse claims and other security interests
(other than those created hereby).

        3.    Duty to Deliver.    Any new, additional or different securities or
other property (other than regular cash dividends) which may now or hereafter
become distributable with respect to the Collateral by reason of (i) any stock
split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of
shares or other change affecting the Joint Venture Equity Transfers without the
Company's receipt of consideration or (ii) any merger, consolidation or other
reorganization affecting the capital structure of the Company shall, upon
receipt by Pledgor by promptly considered Collateral hereunder.

        4.    Payment of Taxes and Other Charges.    Except as set forth in the
Note, Pledgor shall pay, prior to the delinquency date, all taxes, liens,
assessments and other charges against the Collateral, and in the event of
Pledgor's failure to do so, the Company may at its election pay any or all of
such taxes and other charges without contesting the validity or legality
thereof. The payments so made shall become part of the indebtedness secured
hereunder and until paid shall bear interest at the minimum per annum rate,
compounded annually, required to avoid the imputation of interest income to the
Company and compensation income to Pledgor under the Federal tax laws and
accounting charges to the Company.

10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        5.    Shareholder Rights.    Under the terms of the Incentive Agreement,
Company shall, and Pledgor may not, exercise any and all shareholder voting
rights (if any exist) and all proxy statements and other shareholder materials
pertaining to the Collateral. Pledgor shall be entitled to receive any and all
regular cash dividends paid on the Collateral.

        6.    Rights and Powers.    The Company may, without obligation to do
so, exercise at any time and from time to time one or more of the following
rights and powers with respect to any or all of the Collateral without prior
notice:

        6.1  subject to the applicable limitations of Paragraph 9, accept in its
discretion other property of Pledgor in exchange for all or part of the
Collateral and release Collateral to Pledgor to the extent necessary to effect
such exchange, and in such event the other property received in the exchange
shall become part of the Collateral hereunder;

        6.2  perform such acts as are necessary to preserve and protect the
Collateral and the rights, powers and remedies granted with respect to such
Collateral by this Agreement; and

        6.3  transfer record ownership of the Collateral to the Company or its
nominee and receive, endorse and give receipt for, or collect by legal
proceedings or otherwise, dividends or other distributions made or paid with
respect to the Collateral, provided and only if there exists at the time an
outstanding event of default under Paragraph 10 of this Agreement. Any cash sums
which the Company may so receive shall be applied to the payment of the Note and
any other indebtedness secured hereunder, in such order of application as the
Company deems appropriate. Any remaining cash shall be paid over to Pledgor.

        Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such action shall be
payable by Pledgor and form part of the indebtedness secured hereunder as
provided in Paragraph 12.

        7.    Care of Collateral.    Company shall have no obligation to
preserve the rights of Pledgor against adverse claims or protect the Collateral
against the possibility of a decline in market value or take any action with
respect to the Collateral requested by Pledgor unless the request is made in
writing and the Company determines that the requested action will not
unreasonably jeopardize the value of the Collateral as security for the Note and
other indebtedness secured hereunder.

        Subject to the limitations of Paragraph 9, the Company may at any time
release and deliver all or part of the Collateral to Pledgor, and the receipt
thereof by Pledgor shall constitute a complete and full acquittance for the
Collateral so released and delivered. The Company shall accordingly be
discharged from any further liability or responsibility for the Collateral, and
the released Collateral shall no longer be subject to the provisions of this
Agreement.

        8.    Transfer of Collateral.    In connection with the transfer or
assignment of the Note (whether by negotiation, discount or otherwise), the
Company may transfer all or any part of the Collateral, and the transferee shall
thereupon succeed to all the rights, powers and remedies granted the Company
hereunder with respect to the Collateral so transferred. Upon such transfer, the
Company shall be fully discharged from all liability and responsibility for the
transferred Collateral.

        9.    Release of Collateral.    Provided all indebtedness secured
hereunder shall at the time have been paid in full and there does not otherwise
exist any event of default under Paragraph 10, the Joint Venture Equity
Transfers, together with any additional Collateral which may hereafter be
pledged and deposited hereunder, shall be released from pledge and returned to
Pledgor. Under no circumstances, however, shall any Collateral be released if
previously applied to the payment of any indebtedness secured hereunder.

11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        10.    Events of Default.    The occurrence of one or more of the
following events shall constitute an event of default under this Agreement:

10.1    the failure of Pledgor to pay, when due under the Note, any payment
required by the Note; or

10.2    the occurrence of any other acceleration event specified in the Note; or

10.3    the failure of Pledgor to perform any obligation imposed upon Pledgor by
reason of this Agreement; or

10.4    the breach of any warranty of Pledgor contained in this Agreement.

        Upon the occurrence of any such event of default, the Company may, at
its election, declare the Note and all other indebtedness secured hereunder to
become immediately due and payable and may exercise any or all of the rights and
remedies granted to a secured party under the provisions of the Delaware Uniform
Commercial Code (as now or hereafter in effect), including (without limitation)
the power to dispose of the Collateral by public or private sale or to accept
the Collateral in full payment of the Note and all other indebtedness secured
hereunder.

        Any proceeds realized from the disposition of the Collateral pursuant to
the foregoing power of sale shall be applied first to the payment of expenses
incurred by the Company in connection with the disposition, then to the payment
of the Note and finally to any other indebtedness secured hereunder. Any surplus
proceeds shall be paid over to the Pledgor.

        Any transfer of the Collateral to Company (or its transferees) which
Company and Pledgor agree is in satisfaction of the indebtedness under this Note
shall be at the Collateral's fair value at the time of transfer, as determined
under the Incentive Agreement. If the amount of the Collateral returned to the
Company exceeds the indebtedness, the excess Collateral shall be returned to
Pledgor.

        11.    Other Remedies.    The rights, powers and remedies granted to the
Company pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be in addition to all
rights, powers and remedies granted to the Company under any statute or rule of
law. Any forbearance, failure or delay by the Company in exercising any right,
power or remedy under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such
right, power or remedy. Any single or partial exercise of any right, power or
remedy under this Agreement shall not preclude the further exercise thereof, and
every right, power and remedy of the Company under this Agreement shall continue
in full force and effect unless such right, power or remedy is specifically
waived by an instrument executed by the Company.

        12.    Costs and Expenses.    All costs and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Company in the exercise or
enforcement of any right, power or remedy granted it under this Agreement shall
become part of the indebtedness secured hereunder and shall constitute a
personal liability of Pledgor payable immediately upon demand and bearing
interest until paid at the minimum per annum rate, compounded quarterly,
required to avoid the imputation of interest income to the Company and
compensation income to Pledgor under the Federal tax laws.

        13.    Applicable Law and Integration.    This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California
without resort to that State's conflict-of-laws rules. To the extent that there
is a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Incentive Agreement,
the terms of the Incentive Agreement shall control.

        14.    Successors.    This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company
and its successors and assigns and upon Pledgor and the executors, heirs and
legatees of Pledgor's estate.

        15.    Severability.    If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
invalid under applicable law, then such provision shall be ineffective only to
the extent of such invalidity, and neither the remainder of such provision nor
any other provisions of this Agreement shall be affected thereby.

12

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by Pledgor and the
Company on this        day of                   , 2001.

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:   Claudio Pinkus, PLEDGOR
ASK JEEVES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By:
 
 
 
Address:
 
     

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title:
 
 
 
 
 
     

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dated:
 
 
 
 
 
     

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exhibit C
Employee's Prior Equity Grants & Offer Letters

Date

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Grant

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Price

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Notes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6/18/1999   10,000   $ 10.00   special acceleration in offer letter 6/18/1999  
90,000   $ 10.00   special acceleration in offer letter 10/1/1999   91,666   $
32.94     6/19/2000   80,000   $ 18.50    

   

<attached: initial offer letter>

14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.45.1

Exhibit B