<PAGE>

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Neither party shall be bound by any agreement in whole or in part unless and
     until this document is executed and delivered by both parties. This
         document is otherwise intended for discussion purposes only.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           :CAT-TM- ORCHESTRATION-TM-
                           PRINT PUBLISHING AGREEMENT
                             (SHORT-FORM AGREEMENT)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PARTIES:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>
DCI:     DIGITAL CONVERGENCE.:COM INC.                     LICENSEE (USE FORMAL COMPANY NAME):
                                                           Forbes Inc.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDRESS: 350 N. St. Paul, Ste. 200                         ADDRESS: 60 5th Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201                                        New York, New York 10011
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-MAIL ADDRESS: jhuncke@digitalconvergence.com             E-MAIL ADDRESS: tforbes@forbes.com
                                                           jberrien@forbes.com
                                                           bflatley@forbes.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHONE NUMBER: 214 861 2850                                 PHONE NUMBER: 212 620 2200
FAX NUMBER: 214 861 2801                                   FAX NUMBER: 212 620 2232
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPAL CONTACT: Don Welsh                               PRINCIPAL CONTACT: Tim Forbes,
John G. Huncke                                             Jim Berrien, Bill Flatley
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                 PRINCIPAL TERMS

This :CAT-TM- Orchestration-TM- License Agreement (the "AGREEMENT") between DCI
and Licensee (the "PARTIES") is dated as of January 13, 2000 and, upon execution
by both Parties, shall bind them in accordance with the terms and conditions of
these Principal Terms and the General Terms that are annexed below and made a
part of this Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined in the Principal Terms are
defined in the General Terms.

As used in this AGREEMENT:

(i) "TERM" means the period from September 1, 2000, through August 31, 2001

(ii) "PUBLICATION" means the print publication magazines known as FORBES, BEST
OF THE WEB, ASAP and FYI (collectively, "PUBLICATIONS").

                                       1
<PAGE>


(iii) "ORCHESTRATION" means use of DCI's proprietary device to read a
striated graphic image ("GRAPHIC") by passing the device (":CAT") over the
image and to enable a user's personal computer programmed with DCI's
proprietary player software (the ":CAT SOFTWARE") with access to the World
Wide Web (a "PROGRAMMED COMPUTER") to link automatically with a designated
web site or data file (the "LINKED SITE"). Such Orchestration shall relate to
one of the following: (i) non-commercial creative or editorial content within
a Publication (a "CONTENT ORCHESTRATION") or (ii) advertising material within
a Publication respecting any service or product (an "ADVERTISING
ORCHESTRATION"). The Graphic will be obtained by Licensee as needed from
DCI's server in accordance with directions to be furnished by DCI to
Licensee. At the time Licensee requests from DCI the Graphic, Licensee will
provide to DCI the address of the web site to be linked with the Graphic in a
form designated by DCI. Subject to the terms hereof, DCI shall enable
Orchestrations incorporated into Publications by Licensee hereunder during
the Term to link with associated Linked Sites throughout the Term and for
sixty (60) days thereafter; and Licensee shall ensure that each Linked Site
remains relevant, accurate, current, operational, and accessible to users
(e.g., who may store the address and return there) for at least sixty (60)
days following the insertion of each associated Orchestration into a
Publication.

(iv) "PERMITTED NUMBER OF ORCHESTRATIONS" means the maximum number of
Orchestrations to be incorporated into Publications during the Term, as
follows: an unlimited number of ADVERTISING ORCHESTRATIONS per issue of each
Publication; and an unlimited number of CONTENT ORCHESTRATIONS per issue of
each Publication.

A. FEE. As a condition to performance of DCI's obligations under this
Agreement, Licensee shall pay DCI the following "FEE": For Content
Orchestrations in all Publications, a flat fee ("BLANKET FEE") regardless of
the number of Content Orchestrations used during the Term of $25,000, payable
January 10, 2001 and for Advertising Orchestrations, $100 per each such
Orchestration incorporated in each issue of each Publication between January
1, 2001 and August 31, 2001 only; provided that there will be no charge for
Advertising Orchestrations in any Publications published in the entire year
2000 of the Term.

B. MINIMUM PROMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY LICENSEE. Licensee will mail to every
FORBES subscriber a box containing one (1) :CAT, one (1) CD-ROM giving
instruction on the use of the :CAT and incorporating the Concerto software
(capable of being downloaded to a user's personal computer) and one (1) set
of printed instructions on the use of the :CAT, at least one month before the
printing of the September 13, 2000, issue of FORBES ("INAUGURAL ISSUE"). DCI
will be responsible for all costs of manufacturing and shipping to Licensee
the :CATS ,the CD-ROMs and the text (e.g. in electronic form) for the printed
instructions ("INSTRUCTIONS") to consumers on how to use the :CATs and
related software. Licensee will be responsible for all other costs related to
manufacturing, printing (including without limitation, the Instructions) and
shipping the boxes and their contents (except DC's costs as provided above)
to its subscribers. In addition, after February 1, 2000, Licensee will use
reasonable commercial efforts to promote the launch of the Orchestrations in
the Publications ("LAUNCH") by print advertising and public relations
activities, which may include purchasing advertising in and engaging in
public relations with THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, THE

                                       2
<PAGE>


NEW YORK TIMES, AD AGE, and AD WEEK and other appropriate trade advertising
publications. Licensee will use its best efforts to sell Advertising
Orchestrations in the Publications during the Term; and DCI will provide
Licensee with a Power Point presentation/demo to assist Licensee in this
regard. During the first week of September 2000, Licensee will hold customary
and reasonable press events on the Forbes yacht, "Highlander" and at the
Forbes building in Silicon Valley for the primary purpose of promoting the
Launch. On two (2) to three (3) issues immediately preceding the Inaugural
Issue, Licensee will place a "bellyband" or wrapper around each of the
Publications announcing exclusively the Launch; and in each such issue,
Licensee will run a full page, four (4) color ad announcing the Launch.
Licensee will include DCI's Concerto and :CAT technology as part the Forbes
Technology tour during the Term.

C. EXCLUSIVITY. DCI will not provide :CATS to FORTUNE, BUSINESS WEEK, BARONS,
WORTH, FAST COMPANY, RED HERRING, SMART BUSINESS, SMART MONEY, KIPLINGERS, or
INDUSTRY STANDARD before and during the Term or to TIME, NEWSWEEK, or US NEWS
before, and from the beginning of, the Term through December 31, 2000.

D. DCI'S PROVIDING :CATS. DCI will provide Licensee free of charge a number
of the :CATS equal to the number of FORBES subscribers anticipated in
September 2000 (currently approximately 750,000) reasonably in advance of the
time necessary for Licensee to include the :CATS in the boxes it is shipping
to subscribers as provided above.

         BY SIGNING BELOW, THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE PRINCIPAL TERMS AND THE
GENERAL TERMS, UNTIL SUCH TIME IF ANY THAT A MORE FORMAL DOCUMENT IS EXECUTED
BY BOTH PARTIES.


DIGITALCONVERGENCE.:COM INC.              FORBES INC.


By:      /s/                              By:      /s/
   -----------------------------------    ------------------------------------

Title:   Vice President Media Group       Title:   President - Forbes Magazine

Date:    February 10, 2000                Date:    February 5, 2000

                                       3
<PAGE>


                                  GENERAL TERMS

                  :CAT-TM- ORCHESTRATION-TM- LICENSE AGREEMENT

1.       GRANT OF RIGHTS. DCI hereby grants to Licensee during solely the
         Term the non-exclusive (except as specifically provided above),
         non-transferable license to incorporate Orchestrations within
         Publications, and advertising matter therein, owned or controlled by
         Licensee, up to the Permitted Number of Orchestrations authorized
         herein, subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement

2.       USE OF ORCHESTRATIONS: CONTENT OF LINKED SITES. Except as provided
         in paragraph 7 below respecting "make goods," Licensee shall not
         exceed the Permitted Number of Orchestrations set forth in the
         Principal Terms at any time. Licensee agrees that (i) for so long as
         each Linked Site remains accessible, it shall be accurate, relevant
         and current (for example, time-sensitive data like a weather report
         at a Linked Site shall be periodically updated so that a viewer
         visiting a stored address days after the transmission of the
         Orchestration always will find accurate and timely information);
         (ii) at least 75% of the visible area of each screen accessible at
         each page of each Linked Site, and all auditory material, shag
         relate explicitly and exclusively to the non-commercial content or
         advertising matter (as applicable) with which the Linked Site is
         associated ("RELEVANT MATERIAL"); (iii) no Linked Site shall contain
         X-rated or illegal content or links thereto or advertising or
         promotion thereof, (iv) no Linked Site shall redirect viewers
         automatically (directly or indirectly) to any material that is not
         Relevant Material by "meta-refreshing" or by any other means; (v) no
         Linked Site shall contain "pop ups" or employ any other means or
         device that directly or indirectly coerces or compels redirection or
         otherwise that frustrates or impedes a viewer's ability to choose
         his/her next destination; (vi) no Linked Site associated with any
         Content Orchestration shall redirect viewers automatically (directly
         or indirectly) to any commercial, advertising and/or sponsored
         material; and (vii) each Linked Site associated with any Advertising
         Orchestration shall relate predominantly to the advertising matter
         in the Publication, and not redirect viewers automatically (directly
         or indirectly) to any other commercial, advertising and/or sponsored
         material. Subject to subsections (ii) - (vii) of this paragraph,
         nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to forbid standard
         banner advertising, signage, requests for information, or
         Licensee-related announcements, which may be included (in the
         discretion of Licensee) on each page of each Linked Site.

3.       REPORTS AND ACCOUNTINGS. Licensee shall furnish written reports to
         DCI within ten (10) days following each sixty (60) day period of the
         Term, setting forth the number of Content Orchestrations and
         Advertising Orchestrations it has incorporated into Publications
         during the applicable period, including, without limitation, the
         dates of each issue and a description of each Content Orchestration
         and each Advertising Orchestration in such issue. In addition to the
         foregoing reports, Licensee shall send to DCI copies of
         representative Publications showing use of the Graphic as reasonably
         requested by DCI. Licensee shall render to DCI accountings monthly
         within thirty (30) days following the dose of each month showing the
         amounts due under this Agreement to DCI and accompany each
         accounting with payment of the amount due. DCI may audit Licensee's
         books and records (and make copies thereof) annually on at least
         twenty (20) days notice during normal business hours. The
         obligations of Licensee in this paragraph 3 are of the essence.

4.       OWNERSHIP/LIMITS OF USE OF DCI PROPERTY. Licensee shall not add to
         or otherwise alter or edit any Graphic or other material, electronic
         or physical, received from DCI. All right, title and interest in and
         to the Orchestrations (including, without limitation, the Graphics),
         :CAT Software, any other software furnished to Licensee or third
         parties hereunder (the "DCI SOFTWARE"), any other hardware or other
         materials furnished to licensee or others (including without
         limitation the :CAT reading devices) hereunder (the "DCI HARDWARE")
         DCI's service marks and trademarks, (the "DCI MARKS" which,
         collectively with the DCI Software and DCI Hardware, shall be
         referred to as the "DCI PROPERTY"), including, without limitation,
         all rights under copyright, patent, trademark, trade dress, trade
         secret and all other intellectual property rights, are and shall
         remain the sole property of DCI. All uses by Licensee of the DCI
         Marks shall inure to the benefit of DCI and shall not create any
         right, title or interest in such DCI Marks for Licensee. Except as
         provided for herein, Licensee shall

                                       4
<PAGE>

         make no other use whatsoever of the DCI Property. Without limiting
         the foregoing, Licensee shall not reverse assemble, reverse compile,
         reverse engineer, or disassemble, the DCI Software or DCI Hardware;
         or rent, lease, modify, merge, create derivative works from,
         incorporate within any other software, copy or transfer copies of,
         the DCI Property, or license or sublicense the DCI Property, in
         whole or in part to any third party. In all uses of the DCI
         Property, Licensee shall display any copyright, trademark or other
         notices directed by DCI, and shall conform to all criteria of use
         furnished by DCI.

5.       PRESS RELEASES/PROMOTION/CONFIDENTIALITY. Any and all press releases
         or announcements referring to Orchestrations, the business
         relationship between DCI and Licensee or the subject matter of this
         Agreement, shall be subject to the prior approval in writing of DCI
         and DCI must obtain Licensee's written approval regarding any such
         announcements or press releases that refer to or mention FORBES or
         licensee. Without limiting the forgoing, any use by Licensee of the
         Orchestrations or the DCI Property not specifically authorized
         herein, must be approved in writing in advance by DCI. Licensee
         shall keep the terms of this Agreement and all DCI technology not
         known to the general public confidential and not disclose them to
         any third party without the prior consent in writing of DCI.

6.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES/INDEMNITIES. DCI and Licensee each
         represent and warrant that it has the right to enter into this
         Agreement and grant the rights herein granted, and that the person
         executing this Agreement is duly authorized to do so. Licensee
         warrants and represents that the Orchestrations and all DCI Property
         will be used by Licensee solely in accordance with the terms and
         conditions of the Agreement, and will not be used in a way that
         reflects negatively on DCI or the DCI Marks or that violates any
         third party rights or any state, local or federal laws or other laws
         or regulations, including without I'unitation any FCC or FTC
         regulations. Licensee further warrants and represents that the DCI
         Property shall not be adapted, reproduced, distributed or disclosed
         to any third party without the prior consent in writing of DCI,
         except as provided herein. As between Licensee and DCI, Licensee
         shall be solely responsible for (i) the Linked Site(s), including,
         without limitation, the accuracy of all addresses thereof; and (ii)
         the integrity and non-infringement of content at the Linked Site(s)
         and any sites linked thereto and in Licensee's publications
         (including, without limitation, all non-commercial, editorial and
         advertising content). DCI shall be solely responsible for the
         non-infringement of the :CATs, the :CAT software or any other
         hardware or software provided by DCI to Licensee under this
         Agreement Each party shall indemnify and hold the other harmless
         from and against any claims, suits or proceedings brought by or on
         behalf of any third party unaffiliated with the indemnified party,
         arising out of or relating to any breach of any representation,
         warranty or agreement by the indemnifying party herein including,
         without limitation all damages, losses, civil and criminal penalties
         and fines, costs and expenses including reasonable outside
         attorneys' fees incurred as a result of any such claims, suits or
         proceedings. This obligation shall survive the expiration or
         termination of this Agreement.

7.       LIMITED WARRANTIES. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,
         the DCI Software, the DCI Hardware, all Graphics, all
         Orchestrations, and the services and materials being furnished by
         DCI hereunder are furnished by DCI under this Agreement "AS IS"
         without any warranties of any kind, whatsoever, provided that if DCI
         is unable to deliver any Orchestration to which Licensee is entitled
         hereunder, DCI shall authorize one substitute "make-good"
         Orchestration during the Term for each such undelivered
         Orchestration or, at DCI's election, provide a pro rata reduction of
         the Fee, and the foregoing shall be DCI's sole obligation and
         Licensee's sole and exclusive remedy for undelivered Orchestrations.
         In no event shall DCI be liable for damages or the Licensee entitled
         to a refund in such event. Except as explicitly provided above in
         this paragraph 7: LICENSEE ASSUMES TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR
         ITS USE OF THE DCI SOFTWARE AND DCI HARDWARE, AND WITH RESPECT TO
         THE OBTAINING AND USE OF ORCHESTRATIONS; DCI DOES NOT MAKE, AND
         EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS, ANY AND ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
         ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES
         OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT
         SHALL DCI BE LIABLE FOR (a) LOST PROFITS OR ANY INCIDENTAL,
         CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR
         INABILITY TO USE THE DCI

                                       5
<PAGE>

         SOFTWARE, DCI HARDWARE, GRAPHICS AND/OR ORCHESTRATIONS; OR (b) ANY
         CLAIM ATTRIBUTABLE TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR OTHER INACCURACIES IN
         THE GRAPHICS, DCI SOFTWARE OR DCI HARDWARE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
         SHALL LICENSEE BE ENTITLED TO SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE, INJUNCTIVE
         RELIEF OR OTHER EQUITABLE REMEDY ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATED TO THE
         SUBJECT MATTER OF, THIS AGREEMENT AND LICENSEE HEREBY WAIVES ALL
         RIGHTS THERETO.

8.       TERMINATION/EXPIRATION. Without limiting any rights or remedies of
         DCI, DCI shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon
         written notice to Licensee: (i) in the event Licensee breaches any
         of the material terms and conditions set forth herein, including,
         without limitation, a failure of Licensee to submit timely reports
         and/or payment to DCI; (ii) in the event there is a change of
         ownership of Licensee or if Licensee should become insolvent; or
         (iii) to avoid claims of infringement from third parties or other
         exposure to liability as determined in good faith by DCI in its sole
         discretion. Upon termination, Licensee shall within ten (10) days
         remit to DCI as monies due and owing, including without limitation,
         any unpaid balance of the Fee. Upon such termination (without
         limitation), and upon expiration of the Term, all rights in the DCI
         Property hereunder granted to Licensee shall immediately terminate
         and revert to DCI and, at DCI's discretion, return or destroy (and
         furnish an affidavit evidencing such destruction) all copies of the
         Software and other materials or other property in Licensee's
         possession furnished by DCI hereunder. DCI reserves the right to
         direct the public, commencing with the earlier of termination of
         this Agreement or the sixtieth (60th) day following expiration of
         the Term a notice of non-availability.

9.       FORCE MAJEURE. The performance of the parties shall be suspended
         during any event of force majeure, as such term is commonly
         understood, except that (i) DCI shall have the right to terminate
         this Agreement in the event any event of force majeure lasts longer
         than ninety (90) days; and (ii) there shall be no extension of the
         Term hereof if such extension would conflict with any obligation or
         agreement of DCI or otherwise infringe the rights of any third party.

10.      MISCELLANEOUS. To the extent there is any inconsistency between
         these General Terms and the Principal Terms, the Principal Terms
         shall govern. Licensee shall be responsible for any and all taxes
         (except for DCI's income taxes based upon payments of fees hereunder
         to DCI) incurred in connection with the grant of rights hereunder,
         including, without limitation, the exercise by Licensee of rights
         granted hereunder. Licensee and DCI are independent contractors
         under this Agreement, and nothing herein shall be construed to
         create a partnership, joint venture or agency relationship between
         Licensee and DCI. Licensee has no authority to enter into agreements
         of any kind on behalf of DCI. Licensee may not assign this Agreement
         or any of its rights or delegate any of its duties hereunder, except
         to its affiliates, without the prior consent in writing of DCI and
         any purported assignment or delegation without such required consent
         shall be null and void. This Agreement shall be construed in
         accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Any and all
         disputes, differences or controversies arising out of, under or in
         connection with this Agreement, or the breach or alleged breach
         thereof, shall be submitted to arbitration to be held in New York,
         New York under the rules and regulations of the American Arbitration
         Association before a single arbitrator, and judgment upon the award
         rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof;
         except any claim (including defenses thereto) which potentially
         concerns the validity, enforceability or infringement of
         intellectual property owned or controlled by DCI shall not be
         resolved by arbitration without the prior approval in writing of
         DCI, and instead shall be resolved exclusively in a court of
         competent jurisdiction located in New York, New York, and both
         parties waive any objections to jurisdiction or venue with respect
         thereto. All notices, demands and other communications hereunder
         shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i)
         if mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid, on the date three (3)
         days following the date of mailing, (ii) if delivered by overnight
         courier, when received by the addressee or (iii) if sent by
         confirmed telecommunication, one business day following receipt by
         the addressee at the address set forth at the beginning of this
         Agreement, or such other address as either party may specify in
         writing. The termination or expiration of this Agreement, howsoever
         occasioned, shah not affect any of the provisions of this Agreement
         that are expressly or by implication to

                                       6
<PAGE>

         come into or continue in force after such termination or expiration.
         This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterpart copies,
         each of which shall be considered an original, and all of which when
         taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery
         of an executed counterpart of a signature page by telecopier shall
         be as effective as delivery of an original manually executed
         counterpart. No waiver of any breach of any provision of this
         Agreement shall constitute a waiver of any prior, concurrent or
         subsequent breach of the same or any other provisions hereof, and no
         waiver shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by an
         authorized representative of the waiving party. In the event any
         provision of this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be
         invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the remaining
         provisions shall remain in full force and effect. In resolving any
         dispute or construing any provision hereunder, there shall be no
         presumptions made or inferences drawn (i) because the attorneys for
         one of the parties drafted the agreement; (ii) because of the
         drafting history of the agreement; or (iii) because of the inclusion
         of a provision not contained in a prior draft, or the deletion of a
         provision contained in a prior draft. Section headings are for
         convenience only and are not a part of this Agreement. This
         Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto
         with respect to the transactions and matters contemplated hereby,
         supersedes all previous agreements between DCI and Licensee
         concerning the subject matter, and cannot be amended except by a
         writing signed by both parties. No party hereto has relied on any
         statement, representation or promise of any other party or with any
         other officer, agent, employee or attorney for the other party in
         executing this Agreement except as expressly stated herein.

                                       7