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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                            FORM OF PLEDGE AGREEMENT



                  PLEDGE AGREEMENT (as amended, modified or supplemented from
time to time, this "Agreement"), dated as of September 24, 1999, made by each of
the undersigned pledgors (each a "Pledgor" and, together with any other entity
that becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 25 hereof, the "Pledgors") to
Bankers Trust Company, as Collateral Agent (the "Pledgee"), for the benefit of
the Secured Creditors (as defined below). Except as otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement (as defined
below) shall be used herein as therein defined.


                              W I T N E S S E T H :


                  WHEREAS, Information Holdings, Inc. ("Holdings"), Warburg,
Pincus Information Ventures, Inc. ("WPIV" and together with Holdings, the
"Parent Guarantors"), Information Ventures L.L.C. (the "Borrower"), the lenders
from time to time party thereto (the "Lenders"), Bank of America, N.A., as
Documentation Agent and Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent (together
with any successor Administrative Agent, the "Administrative Agent"), have
entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 1999 (as amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), providing
for the making of Loans to, and the issuance of Letters of Credit for the
account of, the Borrower as contemplated therein (the Lenders, the
Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent, each Issuing Lender and the
Pledgee are herein called the "Lender Creditors");

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower may at any time and from time to time
enter into one or more Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging
Agreements with one or more Lenders or any affiliate thereof (each such Lender
or affiliate, even if the respective Lender subsequently ceases to be a Lender
under the Credit Agreement for any reason, together with such Lender's or
affiliate's successors and assigns, if any, collectively, the "Other Creditors,"
and together with the Lender Creditors, the "Secured Creditors");

                  WHEREAS, pursuant to, and after the execution and delivery of,
the Subsidiaries Guaranty, each Subsidiary Guarantor has jointly and severally
guarantied to the Secured Creditors the payment when due of all Guaranteed
Obligations as described therein;

                  WHEREAS, pursuant to the Parent Guaranty, the Parent
Guarantors have guaranteed to the Secured Creditors the payment when due of all
of the Guaranteed Obligations as described therein;

                  WHEREAS, it is a condition to the making of Loans to, and the
issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of, the Borrower under the Credit
Agreement that each Pledgor shall have executed and delivered to the Pledgee
this Agreement; and

                  WHEREAS, each Pledgor desires to enter into this Agreement in
order to satisfy the condition described in the preceding paragraph;


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                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other
benefits accruing to each Pledgor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, each Pledgor hereby makes the following representations and
warranties to the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors and hereby
covenants and agrees with the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors
as follows:

                  1.  SECURITY  FOR  OBLIGATIONS.  This  Agreement  is made by
each Pledgor for the benefit of the Secured Creditors to secure:

               (i) the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the stated
         maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all obligations and
         indebtedness (including, without limitation, indemnities, Fees and
         interest thereon) of such Pledgor to the Lender Creditors, whether now
         existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of, or in connection
         with the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which such
         Pledgor is a party and the due performance and compliance by such
         Pledgor with all of the terms, conditions and agreements contained in
         the Credit Agreement and in such other Credit Documents (all such
         obligations and liabilities under this clause (i), except to the extent
         consisting of obligations or indebtedness with respect to Interest Rate
         Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements, being herein
         collectively called the "Credit Document Obligations");

              (ii) the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the stated
         maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all obligations and
         liabilities owing by such Pledgor to the Other Creditors under, or with
         respect to, any Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other Hedging
         Agreement, whether such Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other
         Hedging Agreement is now in existence or hereafter arising, and the due
         performance and compliance by such Pledgor with all of the terms,
         conditions and agreements contained therein, but only if such Interest
         Rate Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement constitutes a
         Guaranteed Obligation of the Borrower (all such obligations and
         liabilities described in this clause (ii) being herein collectively
         called the "Other Obligations");

             (iii) any and all sums advanced by the Pledgee in order to preserve
         the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) or preserve its security
         interest in the Collateral;

              (iv) in the event of any proceeding for the collection or
         enforcement of any indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of such
         Pledgor referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, after an
         Event of Default (which term to mean and include any Event of Default
         under, and as defined in, the Credit Agreement or any payment default
         by the Borrower under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other
         Hedging Agreement and shall, in any event, include, without limitation,
         any payment default (after the expiration of any applicable grace
         period) on any of the Obligations (as hereinafter defined)) shall have
         occurred and be continuing, the reasonable expenses of retaking,
         holding, preparing for sale or lease, selling or otherwise disposing of
         or realizing on the Collateral, or of any exercise by the Pledgee of
         its rights hereunder, together with reasonable attorneys' fees and
         court costs; and

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               (v) all amounts paid by any Secured Creditor as to which such
         Secured Creditor has the right to reimbursement under Section 11 of
         this Agreement;

all such obligations, liabilities, sums and expenses set forth in clauses (i)
through (v) of this Section 1 being herein collectively called the
"Obligations," it being acknowledged and agreed that the "Obligations" shall
include extensions of credit of the types described above, whether outstanding
on the date of this Agreement or extended from time to time after the date of
this Agreement.

                  2. DEFINITIONS. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, all
capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement shall be used
herein as therein defined. Reference to singular terms shall include the plural
and vice versa.

                  (b) The following capitalized terms used herein shall have the
definitions specified below:

                  "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" has the meaning set forth in the
Recitals hereto.

                  "ADVERSE CLAIM" has the meaning given such term in Section
8-102(a)(1) of the UCC.

                  "AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph
hereof.

                  "CERTIFICATED SECURITY" has the meaning given such term in
Section 8-102(a)(4) of the UCC.

                  "CLEARING CORPORATION" has the meaning given such term in
Section 8-102(a)(5) of the UCC.

                  "COLLATERAL" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 hereof.

                  "COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS" means any and all accounts established
and maintained by the Pledgee in the name of any Pledgor to which Collateral may
be credited.

                  "CREDIT AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals
hereto.

                  "CREDIT DOCUMENT OBLIGATIONS" has the meaning set forth in
Section 1 hereof.

                  "DOMESTIC CORPORATION" has the meaning set forth in the
definition of "Stock."

                  "EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning set forth in Section 1
hereof.

                  "FINANCIAL ASSET" has the meaning given such term in Section
8-102(a)(9) of the UCC.

                  "FOREIGN CORPORATION" has the meaning set forth in the
definition of "Stock."

                  "INDEMNITEES" has the meaning set forth in Section 11 hereof.


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                  "INSTRUMENT" has the meaning given such term in Section
9-105(1)(i) of the UCC.

                  "INVESTMENT PROPERTY" has the meaning given such term in
Section 9-115(f) of the UCC.

                  "LENDER CREDITORS" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals
hereto.

                  "LENDERS" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

                  "LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ASSETS" means all assets, whether
tangible or intangible and whether real, personal or mixed (including, without
limitation, all limited liability company capital and interest in other limited
liability companies), at any time owned or represented by any Limited Liability
Company Interest.

                  "LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS" means the entire limited
liability company membership interest at any time owned by any Pledgor in any
limited liability company.

                  "NON-VOTING STOCK" means all capital stock which is not Voting
Stock.

                  "NOTES" means all intercompany notes among Holdings and its
Subsidiaries and all other promissory notes from time to time issued to, or held
by, any Pledgor.

                  "OBLIGATIONS" has the meaning set forth in Section 1 hereof.

                  "OTHER CREDITORS" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals
hereto.

                  "OTHER OBLIGATIONS" has the meaning set forth in Section 1
hereof.

                  "PARTNERSHIP ASSETS" means all assets, whether tangible or
intangible and whether real, personal or mixed (including, without limitation,
all partnership capital and interest in other partnerships), at any time owned
or represented by any Partnership Interest.

                  "PARTNERSHIP INTEREST" means the entire general partnership
interest or limited partnership interest at any time owned by any Pledgor in any
general partnership or limited partnership.

                  "PLEDGED NOTES" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5
hereof.

                  "PLEDGEE" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph
hereof.

                  "PLEDGOR" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph
hereof.

                  "PROCEEDS" has the meaning given such term in Section 9-306(l)
of the UCC.

                  "REQUIRED LENDERS" has the meaning given such term in the
Credit Agreement.

                  "SECURED CREDITORS" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals
hereto.

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                  "SECURED DEBT AGREEMENTS" has the meaning set forth in Section
5 hereof.

                  "SECURITIES ACCOUNT" has the meaning given such term in
Section 8-501(a) of the UCC.

                  "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
as in effect from time to time.

                  "SECURITY" and "SECURITIES" has the meaning given such term in
Section 8-102(a)(15) of the UCC and shall in any event include all Stock and
Notes (to the extent same constitute "Securities" under Section 8-102(a)(15)).

                  "SECURITY ENTITLEMENT" has the meaning given such term in
Section 8-102(a)(17) of the UCC.

                  "STOCK" means (x) with respect to corporations incorporated
under the laws of the United States or any State or territory thereof (each a
"Domestic Corporation"), all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of any corporation at any time owned by any Pledgor of any Domestic
Corporation and (y) with respect to corporations not Domestic Corporations (each
a "Foreign Corporation"), all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock at any time owned by any Pledgor of any Foreign Corporation.

                  "TERMINATION DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 20
hereof.

                  "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the
State of New York from time to time; PROVIDED that all references herein to
specific sections or subsections of the UCC are references to such sections or
subsections, as the case may be, of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in
the State of New York on the date hereof.

                  "UNCERTIFICATED SECURITY" has the meaning given such term in
Section 8-102(a)(18) of the UCC.

                  "VOTING STOCK" means all classes of capital stock of any
Foreign Corporation entitled to vote.

                  3.  PLEDGE OF SECURITIES, ETC.

                  3.1 PLEDGE. To secure the Obligations now or hereafter owed or
to be performed by such Pledgor, each Pledgor does hereby grant, pledge and
assign to the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, and does hereby
create a continuing security interest in favor of the Pledgee for the benefit of
the Secured Creditors in, all of the right, title and interest in and to the
following, whether now existing or hereafter from time to time acquired
(collectively, the "Collateral"):

                  (a) each of the Collateral Accounts, including any and all
         assets of whatever type or kind deposited by such Pledgor in such
         Collateral Account, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, existing
         or arising, including, without limitation, all Financial

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         Assets, Investment Property, moneys, checks, drafts, Instruments,
         Securities or interests therein of any type or nature deposited or
         required by the Credit Agreement or any other Secured Debt Agreement
         to be deposited in such Collateral Account, and all investments and
         all certificates and other Instruments (including depository receipts,
         if any) from time to time representing or evidencing the same, and all
         dividends, interest, distributions, cash and other property from time
         to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or
         in exchange for any or all of the foregoing;

                  (b)      all Securities of such Pledgor from time to time;

                  (c) all Limited Liability Company Interests of such Pledgor
         from time to time and all of its right, title and interest in each
         limited liability company to which each such interest relates, whether
         now existing or hereafter acquired, including, without limitation:

                           (A) all the capital thereof and its interest in all
                  profits, losses, Limited Liability Company Assets and other
                  distributions to which such Pledgor shall at any time be
                  entitled in respect of such Limited Liability Company
                  Interests;

                           (B) all other payments due or to become due to such
                  Pledgor in respect of Limited Liability Company Interests,
                  whether under any limited liability company agreement,
                  operating agreement or otherwise, whether as contractual
                  obligations, damages, insurance proceeds or otherwise;

                           (C) all of its claims, rights, powers, privileges,
                  authority, options, security interests, liens and remedies, if
                  any, under any limited liability company agreement or
                  operating agreement, or at law or otherwise in respect of such
                  Limited Liability Company Interests;

                           (D) all present and future claims, if any, of such
                  Pledgor against any such limited liability company for moneys
                  loaned or advanced, for services rendered or otherwise;

                           (E) all of such Pledgor's rights under any limited
                  liability company agreement or operating agreement or at law
                  to exercise and enforce every right, power, remedy, authority,
                  option and privilege of such Pledgor relating to such Limited
                  Liability Company Interests, including any power to terminate,
                  cancel or modify any limited liability company agreement or
                  operating agreement, to execute any instruments and to take
                  any and all other action on behalf of and in the name of any
                  of such Pledgor in respect of such Limited Liability Company
                  Interests and any such limited liability company, to make
                  determinations, to exercise any election (including, but not
                  limited to, election of remedies) or option or to give or
                  receive any notice, consent, amendment, waiver or approval,
                  together with full power and authority to demand, receive,
                  enforce, collect or receipt for any of the foregoing
                  or for any Limited Liability Company Asset, to enforce or
                  execute any checks, or other instruments or orders, to file
                  any claims and to take any action in connection with any of
                  the foregoing (with all of the foregoing rights only to be
                  exercisable upon the occurrence and during the continuation
                  of an Event of Default); and


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                           (F) all other property hereafter delivered in
                  substitution for or in addition to any of the foregoing, all
                  certificates and instruments representing or evidencing such
                  other property and all cash, securities, interest, dividends,
                  rights and other property at any time and from time to time
                  received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or
                  in exchange for any or all thereof;

                  (d) all Partnership Interests of such Pledgor from time to
         time and all of its right, title and interest in each partnership to
         which each such interest relates, whether now existing or hereafter
         acquired, including, without limitation:

                           (A) all the capital thereof and its interest in all
                  profits, losses, Partnership Assets and other distributions to
                  which such Pledgor shall at any time be entitled in respect of
                  such Partnership Interests;

                           (B) all other payments due or to become due to such
                  Pledgor in respect of Partnership Interests, whether under any
                  partnership agreement, operating agreement or otherwise,
                  whether as contractual obligations, damages, insurance
                  proceeds or otherwise;

                           (C) all of its claims, rights, powers, privileges,
                  authority, options, security interests, liens and remedies, if
                  any, under any partnership agreement or operating agreement,
                  or at law or otherwise in respect of such Partnership
                  Interests;

                           (D) all present and future claims, if any, of such
                  Pledgor against any such partnership for moneys loaned or
                  advanced, for services rendered or otherwise;

                           (E) all of such Pledgor's rights under any
                  partnership agreement or operating agreement or at law to
                  exercise and enforce every right, power, remedy, authority,
                  option and privilege of such Pledgor relating to such
                  Partnership Interests, including any power to terminate,
                  cancel or modify any partnership agreement or operating
                  agreement, to execute any instruments and to take any and all
                  other action on behalf of and in the name of any of such
                  Pledgor in respect of such Partnership Interests and any such
                  partnership, to make determinations, to exercise any election
                  (including, but not limited to, election of remedies) or
                  option or to give or receive any notice, consent, amendment,
                  waiver or approval, together with full power and authority to
                  demand, receive, enforce, collect or receipt for any of the
                  foregoing or for any Partnership Asset, to enforce or execute
                  any checks, or other instruments or orders, to file any claims
                  and to take any action in connection with any of the foregoing
                  (with all of the foregoing rights only to be exercisable upon
                  the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
                  Default); and

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                           (F) all other property hereafter delivered in
                  substitution for or in addition to any of the foregoing, all
                  certificates and instruments representing or evidencing such
                  other property and all cash, securities, interest, dividends,
                  rights and other property at any time and from time to time
                  received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or
                  in exchange for any or all thereof;

                  (e) all  Security  Entitlements  of  such  Pledgor  from
time to time in any and all of the foregoing;

                  (f) all Financial Assets and Investment Property of such
Pledgor from time to time; and

                  (g)      all Proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.

                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Section 3.1, (x) no Pledgor (to the extent that it is the Borrower or a Domestic
Subsidiary of the Borrower) shall be required at any time to pledge hereunder
more than 65% of the Voting Stock of any Foreign Corporation and (y) each
Pledgor shall be required to pledge hereunder 100% of any Non-Voting Stock at
any time and from time to time acquired by such Pledgor of any Foreign
Corporation.

                  3.2. PROCEDURES. (a) To the extent that any Pledgor at any
time or from time to time owns, acquires or obtains any right, title or interest
in any Collateral, such Collateral shall automatically (and without the taking
of any action by the respective Pledgor) be pledged pursuant to Section 3.1 of
this Agreement and, in addition thereto, such Pledgor shall (to the extent
provided below) take the following actions (to the greatest extent feasible in
the case of any Collateral constituting a partnership or membership interest in
any Person which is not a Subsidiary of any Pledgor) as set forth below (as
promptly as practicable and, in any event, within 10 days after it obtains such
Collateral) for the benefit of the Pledgee and the Secured Creditors:

               (i) with respect to a Certificated Security (other than a
         Certificated Security credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation),
         the respective Pledgor shall physically deliver such Certificated
         Security to the Pledgee, endorsed to the Pledgee or endorsed in blank;

              (ii) with respect to an Uncertificated Security (other than an
         Uncertificated Security credited on the books of a Clearing
         Corporation), the respective Pledgor shall cause (or, in the case of an
         Uncertificated Security issued by a Person which is not a Subsidiary of
         such Pledgor, shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause) the
         issuer of such Uncertificated Security to duly authorize and execute,
         and deliver to the Pledgee, an agreement for the benefit of the Pledgee
         and the Secured Creditors substantially in the form of Annex G hereto
         (appropriately completed to the satisfaction of the Pledgee and with
         such modifications, if any, as shall be satisfactory to the Pledgee)
         pursuant to which such issuer agrees to comply with any and all
         instructions originated by the Pledgee without further consent by the
         registered owner and not to comply with instructions regarding such
         Uncertificated Security (and any Partnership Interests and Limited

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         Liability Company Interests issued by such issuer) originated by any
         other Person other than a court of competent jurisdiction;

             (iii) with respect to a Certificated Security, Uncertificated
         Security, Partnership Interest or Limited Liability Company Interest
         credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation (including a Federal
         Reserve Bank, Participants Trust Company or The Depository Trust
         Company), the respective Pledgor shall promptly notify the Pledgee
         thereof and shall promptly take all actions required (i) to comply with
         the applicable rules of such Clearing Corporation and (ii) to perfect
         the security interest of the Pledgee under applicable law (including,
         in any event, under Sections 9-115 (4)(a) and (b), 9-115 (1)(e) and
         8-106 (d) of the UCC). The Pledgor further agrees to take such actions
         as the Pledgee deems necessary or desirable to effect the foregoing;

              (iv) with respect to a Partnership Interest or a Limited Liability
         Company Interest (other than a Partnership Interest or Limited
         Liability Interest credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation),
         (1) if such Partnership Interest or Limited Liability Company Interest
         is represented by a certificate, the procedure set forth in Section
         3.2(a)(i) hereof, and (2) if such Partnership Interest or Limited
         Liability Company Interest is not represented by a certificate, the
         procedure set forth in Section 3.2(a)(ii) hereof;

               (v) with respect to any Note, physical delivery of such Note to
         the Pledgee, endorsed to the Pledgee or endorsed in blank; and

              (vi) with respect to cash, (i) establishment by the Pledgee of a
         cash account in the name of such Pledgor over which the Pledgee shall
         have exclusive and absolute control and dominion (and no withdrawals or
         transfers may be made therefrom by any Person except with the prior
         written consent of the Pledgee) and (ii) deposit of such cash in such
         cash account.

                  (b) In addition to the actions required to be taken pursuant
to proceeding Section 3.2(a) hereof, each Pledgor shall take the following
additional actions with respect to the Securities and Collateral (as defined
below):

               (i) with respect to all Collateral of such Pledgor whereby or
         with respect to which the Pledgee may obtain "control" thereof within
         the meaning of Section 8-106 of the UCC (or under any provision of the
         UCC as same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or under
         the laws of any relevant State other than the State of New York), the
         respective Pledgor shall take all actions as may be requested from time
         to time by the Pledgee so that "control" of such Collateral is obtained
         (to the greatest extent feasible in the case of any Collateral
         constituting a partnership or membership interest in any Person which
         is not a Subsidiary of any Pledgor) and at all times held by the
         Pledgee; and

              (ii) each Pledgor shall from time to time cause appropriate
         financing statements (on Form UCC-1 or other appropriate form) under
         the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the various relevant
         States, on form covering all Collateral hereunder (with the form of

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         such financing statements to be satisfactory to the Pledgee), to be
         filed in the relevant filing offices so that at all times the Pledgee
         has a security interest in all Investment Property and other Collateral
         which is perfected by the filing of such financing statements (in each
         case to the maximum extent perfection by filing may be obtained under
         the laws of the relevant States, including, without limitation, Section
         9-115(4)(b) of the UCC).

                  3.3 SUBSEQUENTLY ACQUIRED COLLATERAL. If any Pledgor shall
acquire (by purchase, stock dividend or otherwise) any additional Collateral at
any time or from time to time after the date hereof, such Collateral shall
automatically (and without any further action being required to be taken) be
subject to the pledge and security interests created pursuant to Section 3.1
hereof and, furthermore, the Pledgor will promptly thereafter take (or cause to
be taken) all action with respect to such Collateral in accordance with the
procedures set forth in Section 3.2 hereof, and will promptly thereafter deliver
to the Pledgee (i) a certificate executed by a principal executive officer of
such Pledgor describing such Collateral and certifying that the same has been
duly pledged in favor of the Pledgee (for the benefit of the Secured Creditors)
hereunder and (ii) supplements to Annexes A through F hereto as are necessary to
cause such annexes to be complete and accurate at such time. Without limiting
the foregoing, each Pledgor shall be required to pledge hereunder any shares of
stock at any time and from time to time after the date hereof acquired by such
Pledgor of any Foreign Corporation, PROVIDED that (x) no Pledgor (to the extent
that it is the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower) shall be
required at any time to pledge hereunder more than 65% of the Voting Stock of
any Foreign Corporation and (y) each Pledgor shall be required to pledge
hereunder 100% of any Non-Voting Stock at any time and from time to time
acquired by such Pledgor of any Foreign Corporation.

                  3.4 TRANSFER TAXES. Each pledge of Collateral under Section
3.1 or Section 3.3 hereof shall be accompanied by any transfer tax stamps
required in connection with the pledge of such Collateral.

                  3.5 DEFINITION OF PLEDGED NOTES. All Notes at any time pledged
or required to be pledged hereunder are hereinafter called the "Pledged Notes".

                  3.6 CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE
COLLATERAL. Each Pledgor represents and warrants that on the date hereof (i)
each Subsidiary of such Pledgor, and the direct ownership thereof, is listed in
Annex A hereto; (ii) the Stock held by such Pledgor consists of the number and
type of shares of the stock of the corporations as described in Annex B hereto;
(iii) such Stock constitutes that percentage of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of the issuing corporation as is set forth in Annex B hereto; (iv)
the Notes held by such Pledgor consist of the promissory notes described in
Annex C hereto where such Pledgor is listed as the lender; (v) the Limited
Liability Company Interests held by such Pledgor consist of the number and type
of interests of the Persons described in Annex D hereto; (vi) each such Limited
Liability Company Interest constitutes that percentage of the issued and
outstanding equity interest of the issuing Person as set forth in Annex D
hereto; (vii) the Partnership Interests held by such Pledgor consist of the
number and type of interests of the Persons described in Annex E hereto; (viii)
each such Partnership Interest constitutes that percentage or portion of the
entire partnership interest of the Partnership as set forth in Annex E hereto;
(ix) the Pledgor has complied with the respective procedure set forth in Section
3.2(a) hereof with respect to each item of Collateral

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described in Annexes A through E hereto; and (x) on the date hereof, such
Pledgor owns no other Securities, Limited Liability Company Interests or
Partnership Interests.

                  4. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-AGENTS; ENDORSEMENTS, ETC. If and to the
extent necessary to enable the Pledgee to perfect its security interest in any
of the Collateral or to exercise any of its remedies hereunder, the Pledgee
shall have the right to appoint one or more sub-agents for the purpose of
retaining physical possession of the Collateral, which may be held (in the
discretion of the Pledgee) in the name of the relevant Pledgor, endorsed or
assigned in blank or in favor of the Pledgee or any nominee or nominees of the
Pledgee or a sub-agent appointed by the Pledgee.

                  5. VOTING, ETC., WHILE NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. Unless and until
there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, each Pledgor
shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and other consensual rights
pertaining to the Collateral owned by it, and to give consents, waivers or
ratifications in respect thereof; PROVIDED, that, in each case, no vote shall be
cast or any consent, waiver or ratification given or any action taken or omitted
to be taken which would violate or be inconsistent with any of the terms of this
Agreement, the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document or any Interest Rate
Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement, if such Interest Rate
Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement constitutes a Guaranteed
Obligation of the Borrower, (collectively, the "Secured Debt Agreements"), or
which would have the effect of materially or adversely impairing the value of
the Collateral or any part thereof or the position or interests of the Pledgee
or any other Secured Creditor in the Collateral. All such rights of each Pledgor
to vote and to give consents, waivers and ratifications shall cease in case an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and Section 7 hereof shall
become applicable.

                  6. DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS. Unless and until there
shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, all cash dividends,
cash distributions, cash Proceeds and other cash amounts payable in respect of
the Collateral shall be paid to the respective Pledgor. The Pledgee shall be
entitled to receive directly, and to retain as part of the Collateral:

               (i) all other or additional stock, notes, limited liability
         company interests, partnership interests, instruments or other
         securities or property (including cash dividends except as otherwise
         provided above) paid or distributed by way of dividend or otherwise in
         respect of the Collateral;

              (ii) all other or additional stock, notes, limited liability
         company interests, partnership interests, instruments or other
         securities or property (including, but not limited to, cash) paid or
         distributed in respect of the Collateral by way of stock-split,
         spin-off, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares or similar
         rearrangement; and

             (iii) all other or additional stock, notes, limited liability
         company interests, partnership interests, instruments or other
         securities or property (including, but not limited to, cash) which may
         be paid in respect of the Collateral by reason of any consolidation,
         merger,

                                      11
<PAGE>

         exchange of stock, conveyance of assets, liquidation or similar
         corporate reorganization.

Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall limit or restrict in any way the
Pledgee's right to receive proceeds of the Collateral in any form in accordance
with Section 3 of this Agreement. All dividends, distributions or other payments
which are received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 6
and Section 7 hereof shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Pledgee,
shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Pledgor and shall be
forthwith paid over to the Pledgee as Collateral in the same form as so received
(with any necessary endorsement).

                  7. REMEDIES IN CASE OF EVENT OF DEFAULT. If there shall have
occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, then and in every such case, the
Pledgee shall be entitled to exercise all of the rights, powers and remedies
(whether vested in it by this Agreement, any other Secured Debt Agreement or by
law) for the protection and enforcement of its rights in respect of the
Collateral, and the Pledgee shall be entitled to exercise all the rights and
remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in
any relevant jurisdiction and also shall be entitled, without limitation, to
exercise the following rights, which each Pledgor hereby agrees to be
commercially reasonable:

               (i) to receive all amounts payable in respect of the Collateral
         otherwise payable under Section 6 hereof to the respective Pledgor;

              (ii) to transfer all or any part of the Collateral into the
         Pledgee's name or the name of its nominee or nominees;

             (iii) to accelerate any Pledged Note which may be accelerated in
         accordance with its terms, and take any other lawful action to collect
         upon any Pledged Note (including, without limitation, to make any
         demand for payment thereon);

              (iv) to vote all or any part of the Collateral (whether or not
         transferred into the name of the Pledgee) and give all consents,
         waivers and ratifications in respect of the Collateral and otherwise
         act with respect thereto as though it were the outright owner thereof
         (each Pledgor hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing the
         Pledgee the proxy and attorney-in-fact of such Pledgor, with full power
         of substitution to do so);

               (v) at any time and from time to time to sell, assign and
         deliver, or grant options to purchase, all or any part of the
         Collateral, or any interest therein, at any public or private sale,
         without demand of performance, advertisement or notice of intention to
         sell or of the time or place of sale or adjournment thereof or to
         redeem or otherwise (all of which are hereby waived by each Pledgor),
         for cash, on credit or for other property, for immediate or future
         delivery without any assumption of credit risk, and for such price or
         prices and on such terms as the Pledgee in its absolute discretion may
         determine, PROVIDED that at least 10 days' written notice of the time
         and place of any such sale shall be given to the respective Pledgor.
         The Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any such sale of Collateral
         regardless of whether any such notice of sale has theretofore been
         given. Each

                                      12
<PAGE>

         Pledgor hereby waives and releases to the fullest extent permitted by
         law any right or equity of redemption with respect to the Collateral,
         whether before or after sale hereunder, and all rights, if any, of
         marshalling the Collateral and any other security for the Obligations
         or otherwise. At any such sale, unless prohibited by applicable law,
         the Pledgee on behalf of the Secured Creditors may bid for and
         purchase all or any part of the Collateral so sold free from any such
         right or equity of redemption. Neither the Pledgee nor any other
         Secured Creditor shall be liable for failure to collect or realize upon
         any or all of the Collateral or for any delay in so doing nor shall any
         of them be under any obligation to take any action whatsoever with
         regard thereto; and

              (vi) to set-off any and all Collateral against any and all
         Obligations, and to withdraw any and all cash or other Collateral from
         any and all Collateral Accounts and to apply such cash and other
         Collateral to the payment of any and all Obligations.

                  8. REMEDIES, ETC., CUMULATIVE. Each and every right, power and
remedy of the Pledgee provided for in this Agreement or in any other Secured
Debt Agreement, or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute
shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other such
right, power or remedy. The exercise or beginning of the exercise by the Pledgee
or any other Secured Creditor of any one or more of the rights, powers or
remedies provided for in this Agreement or any other Secured Debt Agreement or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall
not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by the Pledgee or any other
Secured Creditor of all such other rights, powers or remedies, and no failure or
delay on the part of the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor to exercise any
such right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof. No notice to or
demand on any Pledgor in any case shall entitle it to any other or further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of any
of the rights of the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor to any other or
further action in any circumstances without notice or demand. The Secured
Creditors agree that this Agreement may be enforced only by the action of the
Administrative Agent or the Pledgee, in each case acting upon the instructions
of the Required Lenders (or, after the date on which all Credit Document
Obligations have been paid in full, the holders of at least the majority of the
outstanding Other Obligations) and that no other Secured Creditor shall have any
right individually to seek to enforce or to enforce this Agreement or to realize
upon the security to be granted hereby, it being understood and agreed that such
rights and remedies may be exercised by the Administrative Agent or the Pledgee
or the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Other Obligations, as
the case may be, for the benefit of the Secured Creditors upon the terms of this
Agreement.

                  9. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. (a) All monies collected by the
Pledgee upon any sale or other disposition of the Collateral pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement, together with all other monies received by the Pledgee
hereunder, shall be applied in the manner provided in the Security Agreement.

                  (b) It is understood and agreed that the Pledgors shall remain
jointly and severally liable to the extent of any deficiency between the amount
of the proceeds of the Collateral hereunder and the aggregate amount of the
Obligations.

                                      13
<PAGE>

                  10. PURCHASERS OF COLLATERAL. Upon any sale of the Collateral
by the Pledgee hereunder (whether by virtue of the power of sale herein granted,
pursuant to judicial process or otherwise), the receipt of the Pledgee or the
officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or
purchasers of the Collateral so sold, and such purchaser or pur-chasers shall
not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money
paid over to the Pledgee or such officer or be answerable in any way for the
misapplication or nonapplication thereof.

                  11. INDEMNITY. Each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees (i)
to indemnify and hold harmless the Pledgee in such capacity and each other
Secured Creditor and their respective successors, assigns, employees, agents,
affiliates and servants (individually an "Indemnitee," and collectively the
"Indemnitees") from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, judgments
and liabilities (including liabilities for penalties) of whatsoever kind or
nature, and (ii) to reimburse each Indemnitee for all costs and expenses,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, in each case growing out of or resulting
from this Agreement or the exercise by any Indemnitee of any right or remedy
granted to it hereunder or under any other Secured Debt Agreement (but excluding
any claims, demands, losses, judgments and liabilities or expenses to the extent
incurred by reason of gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee
as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction). In no event shall
the Pledgee be liable, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct
on its part, for any matter or thing in connection with this Agreement other
than to account for monies actually received by it in accordance with the terms
hereof. If and to the extent that the obligations of any Pledgor under this
Section 11 are unenforceable for any reason, such Pledgor hereby agrees to make
the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations
which is permissible under applicable law.

                  12. PLEDGEE NOT A PARTNER OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY MEMBER.
(a) Nothing herein shall be construed to make the Pledgee or any other Secured
Creditor liable as a member of any limited liability company or as a partner of
any partnership and neither the Pledgee nor any other Secured Creditor by virtue
of this Agreement or otherwise (except as referred to in the following sentence)
shall have any of the duties, obligations or liabilities of a member of any
limited liability company or of a partner of any partnership. The parties hereto
expressly agree that, unless the Pledgee shall become the absolute owner of
Collateral consisting of a Limited Liability Company Interest or Partnership
Interest pursuant hereto, this Agreement shall not be construed as creating a
partnership or joint venture among the Pledgee, any other Secured Creditor
and/or any Pledgor.

                  (b) Except as provided in the last sentence of paragraph (a)
of this Section 12, the Pledgee, by accepting this Agreement, did not intend to
become a member of any limited liability company or a partner of any partnership
or otherwise be deemed to be a co-venturer with respect to any Pledgor or any
limited liability company or partnership either before or after an Event of
Default shall have occurred. The Pledgee shall have only those powers set forth
herein and the Secured Creditors shall assume none of the duties, obligations or
liabilities of a member of any limited liability company or of a partner of any
partnership or any Pledgor except as provided in the last sentence of paragraph
(a) of this Section 12.

                                      14
<PAGE>

                  (c) The Pledgee and the other Secured Creditors shall not be
obligated to perform or discharge any obligation of any Pledgor as a result of
the pledge hereby effected.

                  (d) The acceptance by the Pledgee of this Agreement, with all
the rights, powers, privileges and authority so created, shall not at any time
or in any event obligate the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor to appear in
or defend any action or proceeding relating to the Collateral to which it is not
a party, or to take any action hereunder or thereunder, or to expend any money
or incur any expenses or perform or discharge any obligation, duty or liability
under the Collateral.

                  13. FURTHER ASSURANCES; POWER-OF-ATTORNEY. (a) Each Pledgor
agrees that it will join with the Pledgee in executing and, at such Pledgor's
own expense, file and refile under the Uniform Commercial Code or other
applicable law such financing statements, continuation statements and other
documents in such offices as the Pledgee may deem necessary and wherever
required by law in order to perfect and preserve the Pledgee's security interest
in the Collateral and hereby authorizes the Pledgee to file financing statements
and amendments thereto relative to all or any part of the Collateral without the
signature of such Pledgor where permitted by law, and agrees to do such further
acts and things and to execute and deliver to the Pledgee such additional
conveyances, assignments, agreements and instruments as the Pledgee may
reasonably require or deem necessary to carry into effect the purposes of this
Agreement or to further assure and confirm unto the Pledgee its rights, powers
and remedies hereunder.

                  (b) Each Pledgor hereby appoints the Pledgee such Pledgor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and
in the name of such Pledgor or otherwise, to act from time to time solely after
the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default in the
Pledgee's reasonable discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument
which the Pledgee may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of
this Agreement.

                  14. THE PLEDGEE AS AGENT. The Pledgee will hold in accordance
with this Agreement all items of the Collateral at any time received under this
Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed by each Secured Creditor that
by accepting the benefits of this Agreement each such Secured Creditor
acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of the Pledgee as holder of the
Collateral and interests therein and with respect to the disposition thereof,
and otherwise under this Agreement, are only those expressly set forth in this
Agreement. The Pledgee shall act hereunder on the terms and conditions set forth
herein and in Section 12 of the Credit Agreement.

                  15. TRANSFER BY THE PLEDGORS. No Pledgor will sell or
otherwise dispose of, grant any option with respect to, or mortgage, pledge or
otherwise encumber any of the Collateral or any interest therein (except as may
be permitted in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement).

                  16. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PLEDGORS.
               (a) Each Pledgor represents, warrants and covenants that:

                                      15
<PAGE>

               (i) it is the legal, beneficial and record owner of, and has good
         and marketable title to, all Collateral consisting of one or more
         Securities and that it has sufficient interest in all Collateral in
         which a security interest is purported to be created hereunder for such
         security interest to attach (subject, in each case, to no pledge, lien,
         mortgage, hypothecation, security interest, charge, option, Adverse
         Claim or other encumbrance whatsoever, except the liens and security
         interests created by this Agreement);

              (ii) it has full power, authority and legal right to pledge all
         the Collateral pledged by it pursuant to this Agreement;

             (iii) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
         delivered by such Pledgor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
         obligation of such Pledgor enforceable against such Pledgor in
         accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability
         hereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws generally affecting
         creditors' rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether
         enforcement is sought in equity or at law);

              (iv) except to the extent already obtained or made, no consent of
         any other party (including, without limitation, any stockholder,
         partner, member or creditor of such Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries)
         and no consent, license, permit, approval or authorization of,
         exemption by, notice or report to, or registration, filing or
         declaration with, any governmental authority is required to be obtained
         by such Pledgor in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or
         performance of this Agreement, (b) the validity or enforceability of
         this Agreement (except as set forth in clause (iii) above), (c) the
         perfection or enforceability of the Pledgee's security interest in the
         Collateral or (d) except for compliance with or as may be required by
         applicable securities laws, the exercise by the Pledgee of any of its
         rights or remedies provided herein;

               (v) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
         will not violate any provision of any applicable law or regulation or
         of any order, judgment, writ, award or decree of any court, arbitrator
         or governmental authority, domestic or foreign, applicable to such
         Pledgor, or of the certificate of incorporation, operating agreement,
         limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement or by-laws
         of such Pledgor or of any securities issued by such Pledgor or any of
         its Subsidiaries, or of any mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, lease,
         loan agreement, credit agreement or other material contract, agreement
         or instrument or undertaking to which such Pledgor or any of its
         Subsidiaries is a party or which purports to be binding upon such
         Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries or upon any of their respective
         assets and will not result in the creation or imposition of (or the
         obligation to create or impose) any lien or encumbrance on any of the
         assets of such Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries except as
         contemplated by this Agreement;

              (vi) all of the Collateral (consisting of Securities, Limited
         Liability Company Interests or Partnership Interests) has been duly and
         validly issued and acquired, is fully paid and non-assessable and is
         subject to no options to purchase or similar rights;

                                      16
<PAGE>

             (vii) each of the Pledged Notes constitutes, or when executed by
         the obligor thereof will constitute, the legal, valid and binding
         obligation of such obligor, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
         except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by
         applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
         similar laws generally affecting creditors' rights and by equitable
         principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at
         law);

            (viii) the pledge, collateral assignment and delivery to the Pledgee
         of the Collateral consisting of Certificated Securities pursuant to
         this Agreement creates a valid and perfected first priority security
         interest in such Certificated Securities, and the proceeds thereof,
         subject to no prior Lien or encumbrance or to any agreement purporting
         to grant to any third party a Lien or encumbrance on the property or
         assets of such Pledgor which would include the Securities, and the
         Pledgee is entitled to all the rights, priorities and benefits afforded
         by the UCC or other relevant law as enacted in any relevant
         jurisdiction to perfect security interests in respect of such
         Collateral; and

              (ix) "control" (as defined in Section 8-106 of the UCC) has been
         obtained by the Pledgee over all Collateral consisting of Securities
         (including Notes which are Securities) with respect to which such
         "control" may be obtained pursuant to Section 8-106 of the UCC.

                  (b) Each Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will defend the
Pledgee's right, title and security interest in and to the Securities and the
proceeds thereof against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever; and
each Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will have like title to and right to
pledge any other property at any time hereafter pledged to the Pledgee as
Collateral hereunder and will likewise defend the right thereto and security
interest therein of the Pledgee and the other Secured Creditors.

                  (c) Each Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will take no
action which would violate any of the terms of any Secured Debt Agreement.

                  17. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE; RECORDS. The chief executive
office of each Pledgor is located at the address specified in Annex F hereto for
such Pledgor. Each Pledgor will not move its chief executive office except to
such new location as such Pledgor may establish in accordance with the last
sentence of this Section 17. The originals of all documents in the possession of
such Pledgor evidencing all Collateral, including but not limited to all Limited
Liability Company Interests and Partnership Interests, and the only original
books of account and records of such Pledgor relating thereto are, and will
continue to be, kept at such chief executive office as specified in Annex F
hereto, or at such new locations as such Pledgor may establish in accordance
with the last sentence of this Section 17. All Limited Liability Company
Interests and Partnership Interests are, and will continue to be, maintained at,
and controlled and directed (including, without limitation, for general
accounting purposes) from, such chief executive office as specified in Annex F
hereto, or such new locations as such Pledgor may establish in accordance with
the last sentence of this Section 17. No Pledgor shall establish a new location
for such offices until (i) it shall have given to the Pledgee not less than 15
days' prior written notice of its intention so to do, clearly describing such
new location and providing

                                      17
<PAGE>

such other information in connection therewith as the Pledgee may reasonably
request and (ii) with respect to such new location, it shall have taken all
action, satisfactory to the Pledgee, to maintain the security interest of the
Collateral Agent in the Collateral intended to be granted hereby at all times
fully perfected and in full force and effect. Promptly after establishing a
new location for such offices in accordance with the immediately preceding
sentence, the respective Pledgor shall deliver to the Pledgee a supplement to
Annex F hereto so as to cause such Annex F hereto to be complete and accurate.

                  18. PLEDGORS' OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE, ETC. The obligations of
each Pledgor under this Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall
remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be released,
suspended, discharged, terminated or otherwise affected by, any circumstance or
occurrence whatsoever, including, without limitation: (i) any renewal,
extension, amendment or modification of or addition or supplement to or deletion
from any Secured Debt Agreement or any other instrument or agreement referred to
therein, or any assignment or transfer of any thereof; (ii) any waiver, consent,
extension, indulgence or other action or inaction under or in respect of any
such agreement or instrument including, without limitation, this Agreement;
(iii) any furnishing of any additional security to the Pledgee or its assignee
or any acceptance thereof or any release of any security by the Pledgee or its
assignee; (iv) any limitation on any party's liability or obligations under any
such instrument or agreement or any invalidity or unenforceability, in whole or
in part, of any such instrument or agreement or any term thereof; or (v) any
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, composition, adjustment, dissolution,
liquidation or other like proceeding relating to any Pledgor or any Subsidiary
of any Pledgor, or any action taken with respect to this Agreement by any
trustee or receiver, or by any court, in any such proceeding, whether or not
such Pledgor shall have notice or knowledge of any of the foregoing.

                  19. REGISTRATION, ETC. If at any time when the Pledgee shall
determine to exercise its right to sell all or any part of the Collateral
consisting of Securities, Limited Liability Company Interests or Partnership
Interests pursuant to Section 7 hereof, and the Collateral or the part thereof
to be sold shall not, for any reason whatsoever, be effectively registered under
the Securities Act, as then in effect, the Pledgee may, in its sole and absolute
discretion, sell such Collateral, as the case may be, or part thereof by private
sale in such manner and under such circumstances as the Pledgee may deem
necessary or advisable in order that such sale may legally be effected without
such registration, PROVIDED that at least 10 days' written notice of the time
and place of any such sale shall be given to the respective Pledgor. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, in any such event the Pledgee, in its
sole and absolute discretion (i) may proceed to make such private sale
notwithstanding that a registration statement for the purpose of registering
such Collateral or part thereof shall have been filed under such Securities Act,
(ii) may approach and negotiate with a single possible purchaser to effect such
sale, and (iii) may restrict such sale to a purchaser who will represent and
agree that such purchaser is purchasing for its own account, for investment, and
not with a view to the distribution or sale of such Collateral or part thereof.
In the event of any such sale, the Pledgee shall incur no responsibility or
liability for selling all or any part of the Collateral at a price which the
Pledgee, in its sole and absolute discretion, in good faith deems reasonable
under the circum-


                                      18
<PAGE>

stances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price
might be realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as
aforesaid.

                  20. TERMINATION; RELEASE. (a) After the Termination Date, this
Agreement and the security interest created hereby shall terminate (provided
that all indemnities set forth herein including, without limitation, in Section
11 hereof shall survive any such termination), and the Pledgee, at the request
and expense of any Pledgor, will execute and deliver to such Pledgor a proper
instrument or instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and termination of this
Agreement, and will duly assign, transfer and deliver to such Pledgor (without
recourse and without any representation or warranty) such of the Collateral as
has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this
Agreement, together with any monies at the time held by the Pledgee or any of
its sub-agents hereunder. As used in this Agreement, "Termination Date" shall
mean the date upon which the Total Revolving Loan Commitment and all Interest
Rate Protection Agreements and Other Hedging Agreements that constitute a
Guaranteed Obligation of the Borrower, have been terminated, no Note under the
Credit Agreement is outstanding (and all Loans have been repaid in full), all
Letters of Credit have been terminated and all Obligations then due and payable
have been paid in full.

                  (b) In the event that any part of the Collateral is sold in
connection with a sale permitted by Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement (other
than a sale to any Pledgor or any Subsidiary thereof) or is otherwise released
at the direction of the Required Lenders (or all Lenders if required by Section
13.12 of the Credit Agreement) and the proceeds of such sale or sales or from
such release are applied in accordance with the provisions of the Credit
Agreement, to the extent required to be so applied, the Pledgee, at the request
and expense of any Pledgor, will duly assign, transfer and deliver to such
Pledgor (without recourse and without any representation or warranty) such of
the Collateral (and releases therefor) as is then being (or has been) so sold or
released and has not theretofore been released pursuant to this Agreement.

                  (c) At any time that a Pledgor desires that the Pledgee
assign, transfer and deliver Collateral (and releases therefor) as provided in
Section 20(a) or (b) hereof, it shall deliver to the Pledgee a certificate
signed by a principal executive officer of such Pledgor stating that the release
of the respective Collateral is permitted pursuant to such Section 20(a) or (b).

                  (d) The Pledgee shall have no liability whatsoever to any
other Secured Creditor as the result of any release of Collateral by it in
accordance with this Section 20.

                  21. NOTICES, ETC. All such notices and communications provided
for hereunder shall be in writing (including telegraphic, telex, telecopier or
cable communication) and mailed, telegraphed, telexed, telecopied, cabled or
delivered to the appropriate address set forth below. All such notices and
communications shall, when mailed, telegraphed, telexed, telecopied, or cabled
or sent by overnight courier, be effective when deposited in the mails,
delivered to the telegraph company, cable company or overnight courier, as the
case may be, or sent by telex or telecopier, except that notices and
communications to (x) the Pledgee shall not be effective until received by the
Pledgee and (y) any Pledgor shall not be effective until received by any such
Pledgor, as the case may be. All notices and other communications shall be in
writing and addressed as follows:


                                      19
<PAGE>

                  (a)      if to any Pledgor, at the address set forth opposite
                           such Pledgor's signature below;

                  (b)      if to the Pledgee, at:

                  Bankers Trust Company
                  130 Liberty Street
                  New York, NY  10006
                  Attention:  Andrew Keith
                  Telephone No.:  (212) 250-8617
                  Telecopier No.:  (212) 250-7218

                  (c) if to any Lender Creditor, either (x) to the
         Administrative Agent, at the address of the Administrative Agent
         specified in the Credit Agreement or (y) at such address as such Lender
         Creditor shall have specified in the Credit Agreement;

                  (d) if to any Other Creditor at such address as such Other
         Creditor shall have specified in writing to the Pledgors and the
         Pledgee;

or at such other address as shall have been furnished in writing by any Person
described above to the party required to give notice hereunder.

                  22. WAIVER; AMENDMENT. None of the terms and conditions of
this Agreement may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner
whatsoever unless in writing duly signed by each Pledgor directly affected
thereby and the Pledgee (with the written consent of either (x) the Required
Lenders (or all of the Lenders to the extent required by Section 13.12 of the
Credit Agreement) at all times prior to the time on which all Credit Document
Obligations have been paid in full or (y) the holders of at least a majority of
the outstanding Other Obligations at all times after the time on which all
Credit Document Obligations have been paid in full); PROVIDED that any change,
waiver, modification or variance affecting the rights and benefits of a single
Class (as defined below) of Secured Creditors (and not all Secured Creditors in
a like or similar manner) shall also require the written consent of the
Requisite Creditors (as defined below) of such affected Class. For the purpose
of this Agreement, the term "Class" shall mean each class of Secured Creditors,
I.E., whether (i) the Lender Creditors as holders of the Credit Document
Obligations or (ii) the Other Creditors as the holders of the Other Obligations.
For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "Requisite Creditors" of any Class
shall mean each of (i) with respect to the Credit Document Obligations, the
Required Lenders and (ii) with respect to the Other Obligations, the holders of
at least a majority of all obligations outstanding from time to time under the
Interest Rate Protection Agreements and Other Hedging Agreements.

                  23. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement shall be binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by each of the parties hereto and its
successors and assigns, PROVIDED that no Pledgor may assign any of its rights or
obligations under this Agreement without the prior consent of the Collateral
Agent. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND
GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE

                                      20
<PAGE>

STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH PLEDGOR IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY
JURY IN ANY ACTION PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. The headings in this
Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or define
the meaning hereof. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which shall
constitute one instrument. In the event that any provision of this Agreement
shall prove to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed to
be severable from the other provisions of this Agreement which shall remain
binding on all parties hereto.

                  24. RECOURSE. This Agreement is made with full recourse to the
Pledgors and pursuant to and upon all the representations, warranties, covenants
and agreements on the part of the Pledgors contained herein and in the other
Secured Debt Agreements and otherwise in writing in connection herewith or
therewith.

                  25. ADDITIONAL PLEDGORS. It is understood and agreed that any
Subsidiary of Holdings that is required to execute a counterpart of this
Agreement after the date hereof pursuant to the Credit Agreement shall
automatically become a Pledgor hereunder by executing a counterpart hereof and
delivering the same to the Pledgee.

                                   * * * *





                                      21
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Pledgor and the Pledgee have caused
this Agreement to be executed by their duly elected officers duly authorized as
of the date first above written.


<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
ADDRESS:

2777 Summer Street                                        INFORMATION HOLDINGS, INC.,
Suite 209                                                    as a Pledgor
Stamford, CT  06905
Attention:  Vincent Chippari
Telephone:  (203) 961-9208                                By
Telecopier:  (203) 961-1431                                  ----------------------------
                                                             Title:


c/o Information Holdings, Inc.                            WARBURG, PINCUS INFORMATION
277 Summer Street, Suite 209                                 VENTURES, INC.,
Stamford, CT 06905                                           as a Pledgor
Attention:   Vincent Chippari
Telephone:  (203) 961-9208                                By
Telecopier:  (203) 961-1431                                  ----------------------------
                                                             Title:

2777 Summer Street                                        INFORMATION VENTURES L.L.C.,
Suite 209                                                    as a Pledgor
Stamford, CT  06905
Attention:  Vincent Chippari
Telephone:  (203) 961-9208                                By
Telecopier:  (203) 961-1431                                  ----------------------------
                                                              Title:


c/o Information Holdings, Inc.                            CRC PRESS, L.L.C.,
2777 Summer Street                                           as a Pledgor
Suite 209
Stamford, CT  06905
Attention:  Vincent Chippari                              By
Telephone:  (203) 961-9208                                   ----------------------------
                                                             Title:
Telecopier:  (203) 961-1431
</TABLE>


                                      22
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
c/o Information Holdings, Inc.                            MICROPATENT, L.L.C.,
2777 Summer Street                                           as a Pledgor
Suite 209
Stamford, CT  06905
Attention:  Vincent Chippari                              By
Telephone:  (203) 961-9208                                   ----------------------------
Telecopier:  (203) 961-1431                                  Title:


c/o Information Holdings, Inc.                            MASTER DATA CENTER, INC.,
2777 Summer Street                                           as a Pledgor
Suite 209
Stamford, CT  06905
Attention:  Vincent Chippari                              By
Telephone:  (203) 961-9208                                   ----------------------------
Telecopier:  (203) 961-1431                                  Title:


c/o Information Holdings, Inc.                            CRC PRESS UK, L.L.C.,
2777 Summer Street                                           as a Pledgor
Suite 209
Stamford, CT  06905
Attention:  Vincent Chippari                              By
Telephone:  (203) 961-9208                                   ----------------------------
Telecopier:  (203) 961-1431                                  Title:


c/o Information Holdings, Inc.                            OPTIPAT, INC.,
2777 Summer Street                                           as a Pledgor
Suite 209
Stamford, CT  06905
Attention:  Vincent Chippari                              By
Telephone:  (203) 961-9208                                   ----------------------------
Telecopier:  (203) 961-1431                                  Title:


c/o Information Holdings, Inc.                            MICROPATENT UK, L.L.C.,
2777 Summer Street                                           as a Pledgor
Suite 209
Stamford, CT  06905
Attention:  Vincent Chippari                              By
Telephone:  (203) 961-9208                                   ----------------------------
Telecopier:  (203) 961-1431                                  Title:

</TABLE>


                                      23
<PAGE>

Accepted and Agreed to:

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
    as Collateral Agent and
    Pledgee


By
   ------------------------------
   Title:


<PAGE>




                                                                         ANNEX A
                                                                              to
                                                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT


                              LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES


I.       Information Holdings, Inc.


II.      Warburg, Pincus Information Ventures, Inc.


III.     Information Ventures L.L.C.


IV.      CRC Press, L.L.C.


V.       MicroPatent, L.L.C.


VI.      Master Data Center, Inc.


VII.     CRC Press UK, L.L.C.


VIII.    OptiPat, Inc.


IX.      MicroPatent UK, L.L.C.



<PAGE>


                                                                         ANNEX B
                                                                              to
                                                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT


LIST OF STOCK

I.       INFORMATION HOLDINGS, INC.

<TABLE>
                                                                                        Percentage of       Relevant Sub-Clause
     Name of Issuing             Certificate             Type of        Number of     Outstanding Shares     of Section 3.2(a)
       Corporation                  Number               Shares          Shares        of Capital Stock     of Pledge Agreement
--------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------ ------------ --------------------- ---------------------
<S>                         <C>                     <C>                <C>          <C>                   <C>

</TABLE>


II.      WARBURG, PINCUS INFORMATION VENTURES, INC.

<TABLE>
                                                                                        Percentage of       Relevant Sub-Clause
     Name of Issuing             Certificate             Type of        Number of     Outstanding Shares     of Section 3.2(a)
       Corporation                  Number               Shares          Shares        of Capital Stock     of Pledge Agreement
--------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------ ------------ --------------------- ---------------------
<S>                         <C>                     <C>                <C>          <C>                   <C>

</TABLE>


III.     INFORMATION VENTURES L.L.C.

<TABLE>
                                                                                        Percentage of       Relevant Sub-Clause
     Name of Issuing             Certificate             Type of        Number of     Outstanding Shares     of Section 3.2(a)
       Corporation                  Number               Shares          Shares        of Capital Stock     of Pledge Agreement
--------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------ ------------ --------------------- ---------------------
<S>                         <C>                     <C>                <C>          <C>                   <C>

</TABLE>


III.     CRC PRESS, L.L.C.


IV.      MICROPATENT, L.L.C.


V.       MASTER DATA CENTER, INC.


<PAGE>

[ADD OTHERS]


<PAGE>


                                                                         ANNEX C
                                                                              to
                                                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT


                                  LIST OF NOTES



I.   Information Holdings, Inc.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Relevant Sub-clause of
                                                                                       Section 3.2(a)
Amount                       Maturity Date             Obligor                       of Pledge Agreement
------                       -------------             -------                     ----------------------
<S>                          <C>                       <C>                         <C>


</TABLE>


II.   Warburg, Pincus Information Ventures, Inc.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Sub-clause of Section 3.2(a)
Amount                       Maturity Date             Obligor                           of Pledge Agreement
------                       -------------             -------                      ----------------------------
<S>                          <C>                       <C>                          <C>


</TABLE>


III.   Information Ventures L.L.C.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Sub-clause of Section 3.2(a)
Amount                       Maturity Date             Obligor                           of Pledge Agreement
------                       -------------             -------                      ----------------------------
<S>                          <C>                       <C>                          <C>


</TABLE>

IV.      CRC Press, L.L.C.

V.       MicroPatent, L.L.C.

VI.      Master Data Center, Inc.

[ADD OTHERS]


<PAGE>


                                                                         ANNEX D
                                                                              to
                                                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT


                   LIST OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS


I.       INFORMATION HOLDINGS, INC.



II.      WARBURG, PINCUS INFORMATION VENTURES, INC.



III.     INFORMATION VENTURES L.L.C.



IV.      CRC PRESS, L.L.C.



V.       MICROPATENT, L.L.C.



VI.      MASTER DATA CENTER, INC.

[ADD OTHERS]



<PAGE>


                                                                         ANNEX E
                                                                              to
                                                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT


                          LIST OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS


I.       INFORMATION HOLDINGS, INC.



II.      WARBURG, PINCUS INFORMATION VENTURES, INC.



III.     INFORMATION VENTURES L.L.C.



IV.      CRC PRESS, L.L.C.



V.       MICROPATENT, L.L.C.



VI.      MASTER DATA CENTER, INC.

[ADD OTHERS]



<PAGE>


                                                                         ANNEX F
                                                                              to
                                                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT


                         LIST OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICES




I.       INFORMATION HOLDINGS, INC.





II.      WARBURG, PINCUS INFORMATION VENTURES, INC.





III.     INFORMATION VENTURES L.L.C.




IV.      CRC PRESS, L.L.C.



V.       MICROPATENT, L.L.C.



VI.      MASTER DATA CENTER, INC.

[ADD OTHERS]



<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX G
                                                                              to
                                                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT



    FORM OF AGREEMENT REGARDING UNCERTIFICATED SECURITIES, LIMITED LIABILITY
                   COMPANY INTERESTS AND PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS


                  AGREEMENT (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time, this "Agreement"), dated as of _______ __, ____, among each of the
undersigned pledgors (each a "Pledgor" and, collectively, the "Pledgors"),
Bankers Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely as Collateral
Agent (the "Pledgee"), and __________, as the issuer of the Uncertificated
Securities, Limited Liability Company Interests and/or Partnership Interests
(each as defined below) (the "Issuer").


                              W I T N E S S E T H :


                  WHEREAS, each Pledgor and the Pledgee have entered into a
Pledge Agreement, dated as of September 24, 1999 (as amended, amended and
restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Pledge Agreement"),
under which, among other things, in order to secure the payment of the
Obligations (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), each Pledgor will pledge to
the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors (as defined in the Pledge
Agreement), and grant a security interest in favor of the Pledgee for the
benefit of the Secured Creditors in, all of the right, title and interest of
such Pledgor in and to any and all (1) "uncertificated securities" (as defined
in Section 8-102(a)(18) of the Uniform Commercial Code, as adopted in the State
of New York) ("Uncertificated Securities"), (2) Partnership Interests (as
defined in the Pledge Agreement) and (3) Limited Liability Company Interests (as
defined in the Pledge Agreement), in each case issued from time to time by the
Issuer, whether now existing or hereafter from time to time acquired by such
Pledgor (with all of such Uncertificated Securities, Partnership Interests and
Limited Liability Company Interests being herein collectively called the "Issuer
Pledged Interests"); and

                  WHEREAS, each Pledgor desires the Issuer to enter into this
Agreement in order to perfect the security interest of the Pledgee under the
Pledge Agreement in the Issuer Pledged Interests, to vest in the Pledgee control
of the Issuer Pledge Interests and to provide for the rights of the parties
under this Agreement;

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

                  1. Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the
Issuer, and the Issuer hereby agrees, to comply with any and all instructions
and orders originated by the


                                      G-1
<PAGE>

Pledgee (and its successors and assigns) regarding any and all of the Issuer
Pledged Interests without the further consent by the registered owner (including
the respective Pledgor), and not to comply with any instructions or orders
regarding any or all of the Issuer Pledged Interests originated by any person or
entity other than the Pledgee (and its successors and assigns) or a court of
competent jurisdiction.

                  2. The Issuer hereby certifies that on the date hereof (i) no
notice of any security interest, lien or other encumbrance or claim affecting
the Issuer Pledged Interests (other than the security interest of the Pledgee)
has been received by it, and (ii) the security interest of the Pledgee in the
Issuer Pledged Interests has been registered in the books and records of the
Issuer.

                  3. The Issuer hereby represents and warrants that (i) the
pledge by the Pledgors of, and the granting by the Pledgors of a security
interest in, the Issuer Pledged Interests to the Pledgee, for the benefit of the
Secured Creditors, does not violate the charter, by-laws, partnership agreement,
membership agreement or any other agreement governing the Issuer or the Issuer
Pledged Interests, and (ii) the Issuer Pledged Interests are fully paid and
nonassessable.

                  4. All notices, statements of accounts, reports, prospectuses,
financial statements and other communications to be sent to any Pledgor by the
Issuer in respect of the Issuer will also be sent to the Pledgee at the
following address:

                                   Bankers Trust Company
                                   130 Liberty Street
                                   New York, NY  10006
                                   Attention:  Andrew Keith
                                   Tel:  (212) 250-8617
                                   Fax:  (212) 250-7218

                  5. Until the Pledgee shall have delivered written notice to
the Issuer that all of the Obligations have been paid in full and this Agreement
is terminated, the Issuer will send any and all redemptions, distributions,
interest or other payments in respect of the Issuer Pledged Interests from the
Issuer for the account of the Pledgor only by wire transfers to the following
address:

                           _____________________________
                           _____________________________
                           _____________________________
                           _____________________________

                           ABA No.: ____________________
                           Account in the Name of:  ___________
                           Account No.:  ____________________

                  6. Except as expressly provided otherwise in Sections 4 and 5
above, all notices, instructions, orders and communications hereunder shall be
sent or delivered by mail, telex, telecopy or overnight courier service and all
such notices and communications shall, when mailed, telexed, telecopied or sent
by overnight courier, be effective when deposited in the mails or delivered to
the overnight courier, prepaid and properly addressed for delivery on such or
the

                                      G-2
<PAGE>

next Business Day, or sent by telex or telecopier, except that notices and
communications to the Pledgee shall not be effective until received by the
Pledgee. All notices and other communications shall be in writing and addressed
as follows:

                  (a)      if to any Pledgor, at:

                           c/o Information Holdings, Inc.
                           2777 Summer Street, Suite 209
                           Stamford, CT  06905
                           Attention:  Vincent Chippari
                           Tel.:  (203) 961-9208
                           Fax:  (203) 961-1431

                  (b)      if to the Pledgee, at:

                           Bankers Trust Company
                           130 Liberty Street
                           New York, NY  10006
                           Attention:  Andrew Keith
                           Tel:  (212) 250-8617
                           Fax:  (212) 250-7218

                  (c)      if to the Issuer, at:

                           _______________________
                           _______________________
                           Attention:  ______________
                           Telephone No.:___________
                           Telecopier No.:___________

or at such other address as shall have been furnished in writing by any Person
described above to the party required to give notice hereunder. As used in this
Section 6, "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other
day in which banks in New York are authorized to remain closed.

                  7. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and
assigns of each Pledgor and the Issuer and shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Pledgee and its successors and assigns. This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but
all of which shall constitute one instrument. In the event that any provision of
this Agreement shall prove to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall
be deemed to be severable from the other provisions of this Agreement which
shall remain binding on all parties hereto. None of the terms and conditions of
this Agreement may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner
whatsoever except in writing signed by the Pledgee, the Issuer and any Pledgor
which at such time owns any Issuer Pledged Interests.

                                      G-3
<PAGE>

                  8. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its
principles of conflict of laws.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Pledgor, the Pledgee and the Issuer
have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly elected officers duly
authorized as of the date first above written.


                                                    [______________________],
                                                      as a Pledgor


                                                    By ______________________
                                                       Name:
                                                       Title:


                                                    BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                                    not in its  individual
                                                    capacity but solely as
                                                    Collateral Agent and Pledgee


                                                    By ______________________
                                                       Name:
                                                       Title:


                                                    [______________________],
                                                      the Issuer


                                                    By _______________________
                                                       Name:
                                                       Title:



                                      G-4