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                                                                     Exhibit 4.9

                              DATED 13 JUNE 2001


                              BRIGHT STATION PLC

                                      and

                                  SIMON CANHAM


                           -------------------------
                               SERVICE AGREEMENT
                           -------------------------


                                   THEODORE
                                    GODDARD


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                                    CONTENTS

1.  DEFINITIONS .............................................................  1

2.  APPOINTMENT .............................................................  1

3.  DURATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT ..............................................  2

4.  SCOPE OF THE EMPLOYMENT .................................................  2

5.  HOURS AND PLACE OF WORK .................................................  3

6.  REMUNARATION ............................................................  3

7.  DEDUCTIONS ..............................................................  4

8.  EXPENSES ................................................................  4

9.  HOLIDAYS ................................................................  4

10. SICKNESS BENEFITS .......................................................  5

11. PENSION AND MEDICAL INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS ..............................  5

12. EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEME RIGHTS ............................................  6

13. RESTRICTIONS ON OTHER ACTIVITIES BY THE EXECUTIVE .......................  6

14. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND COMPANY DOCUMENTS ..........................  7

15. INVENTIONS AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ..............................  8

16. TERMINATION .............................................................  9

17. TERMINATION OF DIRECTORSHIP ............................................. 11

18. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS ................................................... 12

19. PRESCRIBED INFORMATION .................................................. 15

20. DATA PROTECTION ......................................................... 15

21. SEVERABILITY ............................................................ 15

22. COUNTERPARTS ............................................................ 15

23. NOTICES ................................................................. 15

24. CHOICE OF LAW AND SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION ............................ 16


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THIS AGREEMENT is dated 13 June 2001 and is made BETWEEN:

(1)    BRIGHT STATION PLC (registered number 1890236) whose registered office is
       at The Communications Building, 48 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DB (the
       "Company"); and

(2)    SIMON CANAHAM of 168 Westwood Road, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire RG316LN
       (the "Executive")

NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:

1.     DEFINITIONS

1.1    In this Agreement:

1.1.1  the following expressions have the following meanings:

       Admission means the admission of the Company's new ordinary shares to
       listing on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading
       on the London Stock Exchange becoming effective, as set out in the
       document comprising a prospectus to be issued by the Company on 13 June
       2001

       the "Board" means the Board of Directors for the time being of the
       Company or any Committee of the Board (including, without limitation, the
       Remuneration Committee)

       the "Employment" means the Executive's employment hereunder

       the "Group" means the Company and the Group Companies

       "Group Company" means any holding company for the time being of the
       Company or any subsidiary for the time being of the Company or of any
       such holding company (for which purpose the expressions "holding company"
       and "subsidiary" shall have the meanings ascribed thereto by section 736
       Companies Act 1985);

1.1.2  references to clauses and sub-clauses are to clauses and sub-clauses of
       this Agreement;

1.1.3  the headings to the clauses are for convenience only and shall not affect
       the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

2.     APPOINTMENT

       The Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive agrees to serve
       the Company as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on and subject to
       the terms and conditions specified herein.

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3.     DURATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT

3.1    The Employment shall be conditional upon and effective from the date of
       Admission and, subject to clause 16, shall continue until terminated by
       either party giving to the other not less than 12 months' notice in
       writing.

3.2    This Agreement will replace and supersede all previous agreements and
       arrangements relating to the employment of the Executive by the Company
       or any other Group Company (but without prejudice to any outstanding
       salary, bonus or unexercised share options payable to the Executive under
       such previous arrangements) with effect from Admission. Such previous
       agreements and arrangements shall continue with full force and effect
       until the date of Admission, to the exclusion of this Agreement.

3.3    Notwithstanding clause 3.1, the Employment shall terminate when the
       Executive reaches the normal retiring age from time to time applicable to
       directors of the Company, such age currently being 70.

3.4    The Executive's period of continuous employment began on 17 October 2000.

3.5    The Executive represents and warrants that he is not bound by or subject
       to any court order, agreement, arrangement or undertaking which in any
       way restricts or prohibits him from entering into this Agreement or from
       performing his duties hereunder.

4.     SCOPE OF THE EMPLOYMENT

4.1    The Executive shall be employed as Chief Executive Officer of the
       Company, in which position he shall:

4.1.1  unless otherwise directed by the Board or prevented by incapacity and
       subject to clause 9, the Executive shall, during normal business hours
       and during such other hours as may be necessary, devote the whole of his
       time, attention and skill to the business of the Company and any Group
       Company for whom he is required to carry out duties by the Board pursuant
       to this clause 4;

4.1.2  faithfully and diligently perform such duties and exercise such powers
       consistent with his position as may from time to time be assigned to or
       vested in him by the Board and use his best endeavours to promote the
       interests of the Company and any Group Company,

4.1.3  comply with the reasonable and lawful directions of the Board;

4.1.4  observe and comply with the Articles of Association of the Company and
       comply with such of the Company's rules, regulations, policies and
       procedures from time to time in force as, in the case of rules,
       regulations, policies and procedures not derived from law or regulation
       are reasonable and have been previously notified to the Executive; and

4.1.5  keep the Board at all times promptly and fully informed (in writing if so
       requested) of his conduct of the business of the Company and any Group
       Company and provide such explanations in connection therewith as the
       Board may require.

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4.2    The Executive shall if and so long as the Company requires and without
       any further remuneration therefor than is herein mentioned, in addition
       to those duties which he is required to perform for the Company:

4.2.1  carry out his duties on behalf of any Group Company; and

4.2.2  act as a director or officer of any Group Company (provided that this
       shall be subject to the prior agreement of the Executive, such agreement
       not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

5.     HOURS AND PLACE OF WORK

5.1    The Executive shall work such hours as are necessary for the proper
       performance of his duties, with a minimum of 40 hours from 9.00 am to
       5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday. The Executive and the Company agree that by
       virtue of his seniority with the Company, the provisions of the Working
       Time Regulations 1998 do not apply to his employment hereunder.

5.2    The Executive's place of work will initially be the Company's offices at
       48 Leicester Square or else where in Central London but the Company may
       require the Executive to work in any other location within the United
       Kingdom, provided that this shall not exceed 10 weeks in aggregate in any
       52 week period. The Executive will be given reasonable notice of any
       change in his place of work.

5.3    If the Executive's principal place of work is changed to a location which
       is outside reasonable commuting distance from his home, the Company will
       reimburse his reasonable relocation costs.

5.4    The Executive may be required to travel on behalf of the Company or any
       Group Company for whom he is required to carry out duties by the Board
       pursuant to clause 4 anywhere in the world on reasonable notice at the
       Company's expense, provided that this shall not exceed 8 weeks in any 52
       week period.

6.     REMUNERATION

6.1    The Company shall pay to the Executive a Salary at the rate of
       (pound)120,000 per annum, payable by equal monthly instalments in arrears
       on or before the last day of each calendar month.

6.2    Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board.

6.3    The Company shall pay the Executive a bonus of up to (pound)30,000 per
       annum, based on the achievement of agreed performance targets (the
       "Bonus"). The Bonus shall be payable in respect of each complete
       financial year of the Company (or ratably in respect of each part
       thereof) during which the Employment subsists.

6.4    The remuneration specified in clauses 6.1 and 6.3 shall be inclusive of
       any fees to which the Executive may be entitled as a director of the
       Company or any Group Company.

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6.5    Payment of Salary and Bonus to the Executive shall be made either by the
       Company or by a Group Company, and if by more than one company, in such
       proportions as the Board may from time to time think fit.

6.6    The Company shall pay to the Executive a monthly car allowance of
       (pound)600 less appropriate deductions for tax and national insurance
       contributions. Payment of this allowance in respect of a period of less
       than a month shall be apportioned to the number of days of the Employment
       in that month.

7.     DEDUCTIONS

       For the purposes of the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Executive hereby
       authorises the Company to deduct from his remuneration (including but not
       limited to Salary, Bonus and car allowance) and/or any sums due to the
       Executive under this Agreement any sums due from him to the Company.

8.     EXPENSES

8.1    The Company shall reimburse the Executive in respect of all expenses
       reasonably incurred by him in the proper performance of his duties,
       subject to the Executive providing such receipts or other evidence as the
       Company may reasonably require.

8.2    The Executive will be issued with a Company credit card on condition that
       he:

8.2.1  takes good care of such card and forthwith reports any loss of it to the
       Company;

8.2.2  uses the card only for the purposes of the Company's business or the
       business of the Group; and

8.2.3  returns the card forthwith to the Company on request.

9.     HOLIDAYS

9.1    The Executive shall be entitled to all bank and public holidays normally
       observed in England and a further 25 working days' paid holiday in each
       holiday year (being the period from 1 January to 31 December). The
       Executive may only take his holiday at such times as are convenient to
       the Company.

9.2    In the respective holiday years in which the Employment commences or
       terminates, the Executive's entitlement to holiday shall accrue on a pro
       rata basis for each month of service during the relevant year.

9.3    If, on the termination of the Employment, the Executive has exceeded his
       accrued holiday entitlement, the excess may be deducted from any sums due
       to him. If the Executive has any unused holiday entitlement, the Company
       may either require the Executive to take such unused holiday during any
       notice period or make payment in lieu thereof.

9.4    Holiday entitlement for one holiday year may not be taken in subsequent
       holiday years unless otherwise agreed by the Board. Unless otherwise
       agreed with the Board, failure to take holiday entitlement in the
       appropriate holiday year will lead to


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       forfeiture of any accrued holiday not taken, without any right to payment
       in lieu thereof.

10.    SICKNESS BENEFITS

10.1   The Company shall continue to pay the Executives Salary during any period
       of absence on medical grounds up to a maximum of 120 working days in any
       period of 12 months or one period of absence (if longer), subject to the
       Executive complying with the Company's rules governing notification and
       evidence of absence on medical grounds from time to time in force. The
       Executive shall from time to time if required:

10.1.1 complete self-certification forms provided by the Company in respect of
       any absence from work due to sickness or incapacity; and

10.1.2 undergo at the Company's expense a medical examination by a doctor
       appointed by the Company at such time or times as the Company may select
       and permit the disclosure of the outcome of such medical examination to
       the Company.

10.2   Payment of the Executive's salary pursuant to clause 10.1 shall be
       inclusive of any Statutory Sick Pay to which the Executive may be
       entitled, and any benefits received under any permanent health insurance
       scheme which the Company may from time to time operate.

10.3   If the Executives absence shall be occasioned by the actionable
       negligence of a third party in respect of which damages are recoverable,
       then all sums paid by the Company shall constitute loans to the
       Executive, who shall:

10.3.1 forthwith notify the Company of all the relevant circumstances and of any
       claim, compromise, settlement or judgment made or awarded in connection
       therewith;

10.3.2 if the Company so requires, refund to the Company such sum as the Company
       may determine, not exceeding the lesser of:

       (a)    the amount of damages recovered by him under such compromise,
              settlement or judgment, and

       (b)    the sums advanced to him in respect of the period of incapacity.

11.    PENSION AND MEDICAL INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS

11.1   The Company shall continue to provide to the Executive the same level of
       pension scheme benefits as under the terms of his previous arrangements
       with the Group, together with such additional benefits as the Board may,
       at its discretion grant to the Executive, subject to the terms and
       conditions and trust deed of the pension scheme operated by the Company
       from time to time. Further details of this benefit can be obtained from
       the Director of Human Resources.

11.2   The Company shall continue to provide to the Executive the same level of
       permanent health insurance and medical expenses insurance scheme benefits
       as under the terms of his previous arrangements with the Group, together
       with such additional such

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       benefits as the Board may, at its discretion grant to the Executive,
       subject to the terms and conditions of such schemes from time to time in
       force.

11.3   The Company shall, at its discretion, effect insurance for the Executive
       to cover his liability as a Director of the Company, at such levels and
       on such terms as the Board (acting reasonably) shall consider
       appropriate.

12.    EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEME RIGHTS

       If during the Employment the Executive is granted participation in a
       share scheme, any extinction, suspension or curtailment of any rights or
       benefits under the share scheme by reason of any transfer of the
       Employment or its termination, howsoever arising and whether lawful or
       unlawful, shall not form part of any claim for damages for breach of this
       Agreement or compensation for unfair dismissal and the effect of any such
       transfer or termination of the Employment on the Executive's rights or
       benefits under the share scheme shall be determined in accordance with
       the rules, terms and conditions of the share scheme and not in accordance
       with the provisions (other than this Clause) of this Agreement.

13.    RESTRICTIONS ON OTHER ACTIVITIES BY THE EXECUTIVE

13.1   The Executive shall not in any capacity whatsoever (except with the prior
       sanction of a resolution of the Board) be directly or indirectly
       employed, engaged, concerned or interested in any other business, trade
       profession, occupation or undertaking which is in competition with the
       business of the Company, provided that this shall not prohibit the
       holding (directly or through nominees) or interest for investment
       purposes in securities in any company traded on the London Stock Exchange
       or in respect of which dealing takes place on any recognised stock
       exchange provided that such company is not in competition with the
       business of the Company and further provided that not more than 5 per
       cent of the issued shares or other securities of any class of any one
       company shall be so held without the prior sanction of a resolution of
       the Board.

13.2   The Executive shall comply with:

13.2.1 every rule of law;

13.2.2 the Rules and Regulations of the UK Listing Authority and the London
       Stock Exchange; and

13.2.3 every regulation of the Company (which, where not being derived from
       sub-clauses 13.2.1 and 13.2.2 above shall be reasonable) for the time
       being in force notified to the Executive in writing in relation to
       dealings in shares or other securities of the Company or any Group
       Company.

13.3   The Executive shall not (and shall procure so far as he is able that his
       spouse, infant children and other connected persons, within the meaning
       of section 346 Companies Act 1985, shall not) deal or become or cease to
       be interested (within the meaning set out in part I Schedule XIII
       Companies Act 1985) in any securities of the Company,

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       except in accordance with the Company's code for securities transactions
       by directors.

13.4   Subject to any regulations issued by the Company, the Executive shall not
       be entitled to receive or obtain directly or indirectly any discount,
       rebate or commission in respect of any sale or purchase of goods effected
       or other business transacted (whether or not by him) by or on behalf of
       the Company or any Group Company and if he (or any firm or company in
       which he is interested) shall obtain any such discount, rebate or
       commission he shall account to the Company or the relevant Group Company
       for the amount received by him (or a due proportion of the amount
       received by such company or firm having regard to the extent of his
       interest therein).

14.    CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND COMPANY DOCUMENTS

14.1   The Executive shall neither during the Employment (except in the proper
       performance of his duties) nor at any time (without limit) after the
       termination of the Employment:

14.1.1 divulge or communicate to any person, company, business entity or other
       organisation;

14.1.2 use for his own purposes or for any purposes other than those of the
       Company or any Group Company; or

14.1.3 through any failure to exercise due care and diligence, cause any
       unauthorised disclosure of

       any trade secrets or Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined)
       relating to the Company or any Group Company or their clients, but so
       that these restrictions shall cease to apply to any information which
       shall become available to the public generally otherwise than through the
       default of the Executive.

14.2   "Confidential Information" shall mean details of suppliers and their
       terms of business, details of customers and their requirements, the
       prices charged to and terms of business with customers, marketing plans
       and sales forecasts, financial information, results and forecasts (save
       to the extent that these are included in published audited accounts), any
       proposals relating to the acquisition or disposal of a company or
       business or any part thereof or to any proposed expansion or contraction
       of activities, details of employees and officers and of the remuneration
       and other benefits paid to them, information relating to research
       activities, inventions, secret processes, computer programmes, designs,
       formulae and product lines, any information which the Executive is told
       is confidential and any information which has been given to the Company
       or any Group Company in confidence by customers, suppliers or other
       persons.

14.3   All notes, memoranda, records, lists of customers and suppliers and
       employees, correspondence, documents, computer and other discs and tapes,
       data listings, codes, designs and drawings and other documents and
       material whatsoever (whether made or created by the Executive or
       otherwise) relating to the business of the Company or any Group Company
       (and any copies of the same):


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14.3.1 shall be and remain the property of the Company or the relevant Group
       Company; and

14.3.2 shall be handed over by the Executive to the Company or to the relevant
       Group Company on demand and in any event on the termination of the
       Employment.

15.    INVENTIONS AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

15.1   The parties foresee that the Executive may make inventions or create
       other industrial or intellectual property in the course of his duties
       hereunder and agree that in this respect the Executive has a special
       responsibility to further the interests of the Company and the Group
       Companies.

15.2   Any invention, or improvement, design, process, information, copyright
       work, trade mark or trade name or get-up made, created or discovered by
       the Executive during the course of the Employment (whether capable of
       being patented or registered or not and whether or not made or discovered
       in the course of the Employment) in conjunction with or in any way
       affecting or relating to the business of any company in the Group or
       capable of being used or adapted for use therein or in connection
       therewith shall forthwith be disclosed to the Company and shall (subject
       to sections 39 to 43 Patents Act 1977) belong to and be the absolute
       property of the Company or such Group Company as the Company may direct.

15.3   The Executive if and whenever required so to do by the Company shall at
       the expense of the Company or such Group Company as the Company may
       direct:

15.3.1 apply or join with the Company or such Group Company in applying for
       letters patent or other protection or registration in the United Kingdom
       and in any other part of the world for any such invention, improvement,
       design, process, information, work, trade mark, trade name or get-up
       aforesaid; and

15.3.2 execute and do all instruments and things necessary for vesting the said
       letters patent or other protection or registration when obtained and all
       right title and interest to and in the same absolutely and as sole
       beneficial owner in the Company or such Group Company or in such other
       person as the Company may specify.

15.4   The Executive hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives all rights
       under Chapter IV Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 in connection
       with his authorship of any existing or future copyright work in the
       course of the Employment, in whatever part of the world such rights may
       be enforceable including, without limitation:

15.4.1 the right conferred by section 77 of that Act to be identified as the
       author of any such work; and

15.4.2 the right conferred by section 80 of that Act not to have any such work
       subjected to derogatory treatment.

15.5   The Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company to be his Attorney
       in his name and on his behalf to execute and do any such instrument or
       thing and generally to use his name for the purpose of giving to the
       Company the full benefit of this


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        clause. In favour of any third party a certificate in writing signed by
        any Director or by the Secretary of the Company that any instrument or
        act falls within the authority hereby conferred shall be conclusive
        evidence that such is the case.

15.6    Nothing in this clause shall be construed as restricting the rights of
        the Executive or the Company under sections 39 to 43 Patents Act 1977.

16.     TERMINATION

16.1    The Employment shall be subject to termination by the Company:

16.1.1  by not less than 3 months' notice in writing given at any time while the
        Executive shall have been incapacitated by reason of ill health or
        accident from performing his duties hereunder for a period of or periods
        aggregating 120 working days in the preceding 12 months or period of
        illness (if longer) provided that such termination does not prejudice
        the Executive's ability to continue to receive payments under any
        permanent health insurance scheme implemented by the Company for the
        benefit of the Executive. However, in such circumstances the Company
        shall be entitled to require the Executive to resign from any office
        held in the Company and/or Group Company and or may at its discretion
        appoint another person to carry out the Executive's duties on a
        temporary or permanent basis and if such appointment is made on a
        permanent basis, the Company may terminate the Executive's employment
        within 30 days of being informed of the cessation of payment being made
        under the permanent health insurance scheme and, if the Executive's
        employment is so terminated, the Executive shall have no further claim
        against the Company under this Agreement in respect of notice pay or
        otherwise;

16.1.2  by summary notice in writing if the Executive shall have:

        (a)     committed any serious breach or repeated or continued (after
                warning) any material breach of his obligations hereunder; or

        (b)     in the reasonable opinion of the Board, been guilty of conduct
                tending to bring himself or the Company or any Group Company
                into disrepute; or

        (c)     committed any act of dishonesty, any serious misconduct or any
                other act which may seriously affect his ability to discharge
                his duties as Chief Financial Officer; or

        (d)     become bankrupt or had an interim order made against him under
                the Insolvency Act 1986 or a disqualification order under the
                Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 or if the Executive
                shall make any arrangement or composition with his creditors
                generally; or

        (e)     become a patient for the purposes of Part VII of the Mental
                Health Act 1983; or

        (f)     been convicted of any criminal offence (other than a minor
                offence under the Road Traffic Acts for which a custodial
                sentence is not imposed).

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        Any delay by the Company in exercising such right of termination shall
        not constitute a waiver thereof. If the Employment is so terminated the
        Executive shall have no claim for damages or otherwise against the
        company in respect of such termination.

16.2    The Company may at any time, by written notice given by the Board,
        suspend the Executive for up to one calendar month on full pay for the
        purpose of investigating any misconduct or neglect alleged against the
        Executive provided that the Board has reasonable grounds for suspecting
        the Executive's involvement and during any such period the Executive
        shall not, except with the consent in writing of the Board, attend at
        any premises of the Company or any Group Company or contact or
        communicate with any employee of the Company or any Group Company (other
        than a director of the Company or any Group Company) or any customer,
        client or supplier of the Company or any Group Company. The Company
        agrees to use reasonable endeavours to conduct such an investigation as
        quickly as possible.

16.3    The Company reserves the right to terminate the Employment at any time
        with immediate effect;

16.3.1  by making a payment to the Executive of the Salary (at the rate in force
        at the date of termination), Bonus, car allowance and a sum equal to the
        value of the Company's pension contributions; and

16.3.2  by continuing to provide any medical expenses insurance and permanent
        health insurance schemes as the Company may operate from time to time,
        or at the Company's option by paying to the executive compensation in
        respect of the cost of providing any such schemes,

16.4    for the notice period, or (where notice has been given) for the balance
        of the notice period. Any payment made pursuant to clause 16.3 above
        shall be subject to deductions for tax and employee national insurance
        and shall be in full and final satisfaction of all claims which the
        Executive may have against the Company or any Group Company or any of
        its or their officers or employees in respect of the termination of the
        Employment.

16.5    For the avoidance of doubt, if the Employment is terminated pursuant to
        clause 16.3 above, he shall not be entitled to any additional payment in
        respect of holiday which would otherwise have accrued during such notice
        period or the balance thereof.

16.6    Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement,
        where the Company has given notice to the Executive pursuant to the
        terms of clause 3.1 the Company shall not be under any obligation to
        vest in or assign to the Executive any powers or duties and may at any
        time require the Executive to perform:

16.6.1  all his normal duties;

16.6.2  a part only of his normal duties and no other;

16.6.3  such duties as it may reasonably require and no others (provided that
        such duties will be commensurate with the Executive's status within the
        Company as an executive director);

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16.6.4  no duties whatsoever;

16.6.5  and may from time to time suspend or exclude the Executive from the
        performance of his duties and/or from all or any premises of the Company
        without the need to give any reason for so doing and direct the
        Executive to refrain from contacting or communicating with all or any of
        the employees, customers, clients or suppliers of the Company and/or any
        Group Company for a period of up to six months but his Salary will not
        cease to be payable (in whole or in part) nor will he cease to be
        entitled to any other benefits hereunder by reason only of such
        requirement as mentioned in paragraphs 16.6.2 to 16.6.4 of this clause
        or such suspension or exclusion (unless or until his employment under
        this Agreement shall be terminated).

16.7    On the termination of the Employment (howsoever arising) or on either
        the Company or the Executive having served notice of such termination,
        the Executive shall:

16.7.1  at the request of the Company immediately resign without compensation
        from his office as a director of the Company and from all offices held
        by him in any Group Company, provided however that such resignation
        shall be without prejudice to any claims which the Executive may have
        against the Company or any Group Company arising out of the termination
        of the Employment; and

16.7.2  forthwith deliver to the Company all materials within the scope of
        clause 14.3 and all credit cards and other property of or relating to
        the business of the Company or of any Group Company which may be in his
        possession or under his power or control,

        and if the Executive should fail to do so the Company is hereby
        irrevocably authorised to appoint some person in his name and on his
        behalf to sign any documents and do any things necessary or requisite to
        give effect thereto.

16.8    If the Executive shall have been offered but shall unreasonably have
        refused to agree to the transfer of this Agreement by way of novation to
        a company which has acquired or agreed to acquire the whole or
        substantially the whole of the undertaking and assets of or of the
        equity share capital of the Company, the Executive shall have no claim
        against the Company in respect of the termination of his employment
        hereunder by reason of the subsequent voluntary winding-up of the
        Company or of the disclaimer of this Agreement by the Company within one
        month after such acquisition.

17.     TERMINATION OF DIRECTORSHIP

17.1    If the Executive shall cease to be a director of the Company, the
        Employment shall if the Company so elects in writing within fourteen
        days of such cessation thereupon terminate automatically but without
        prejudice to the right of either party to this Agreement to treat any
        act or omission of the other causing such cessation as a breach of this
        Agreement.

17.2    Termination of the Employment under this clause shall be without
        prejudice to any claim for damages or other remedy in respect of any
        breach of this Agreement and, for the purposes of this Clause, the
        failure of the Company in general meeting to

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        re-elect the Executive as a director on his retirement by rotation shall
        be deemed to be an omission of the Company.

18.     RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

18.1    For the purposes of clauses 18.2 and 18.3 the following words have the
        following meanings:

18.1.1  Company Goods means any product researched into, developed, distributed
        or sold by the Company with which the duties of the Executive were
        concerned or for which he was responsible during the 2 years immediately
        preceding the Termination Date;

18.1.2  "Company Services" means any services (including but not limited to
        technical and product support, technical advice and customer services)
        supplied by the Company with which the duties of the Executive were
        concerned or for which he was responsible during the 2 years immediately
        preceding the Termination Date;

18.1.3  "Confidential Information" has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause
        14.2;

18.1.4  "Customer" means any person, firm, company or other organisation
        whatsoever to whom or which the Company distributed, sold or supplied
        Company Goods or Company Services during the 2 years immediately
        preceding the Termination Date and with whom or which, during such
        period:

        (a)     the Executive had personal dealings in the course of his
                employment; or

        (b)     any employee who was under the direct or indirect supervision of
                the Executive had personal dealings in the course of his
                employment;

18.1.5  "Prospective Customer" means any person, firm, company or other
        organisation whatsoever with whom or which the Company shall have had
        negotiations or discussions regarding the possible distribution, sale or
        supply of Company Goods or Company Services during the 12 months
        immediately preceding the Termination Date and with whom or which,
        during such period:

        (a)     the Executive shall have had personal dealings in the course of
                his employment by the Company; or

        (b)     any employee who was under the direct or indirect supervision of
                the Executive shall have had personal dealings in the course of
                his employment by the Company

18.1.6  "Restricted Area" means any other country in the world where, on the
        Termination Date, the Company was engaged in the research into,
        development, manufacture, distribution, sale or supply or otherwise
        dealt with Company Goods or Company Services;

18.1.7  "Restricted Goods" means Company Goods or goods of a similar kind;

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18.1.8  "Restricted Period" means the period of 12 months immediately following
        the Termination Date, provided always that if no duties have been
        assigned to the Executive by the Company during a period immediately
        preceding the Termination Date in accordance with clause 16.6, it means
        the period of 12 months immediately following the last date on which the
        Executive carried out duties assigned to him by the Company.

18.1.9  "Restricted Services" means Company Services or services of a similar
        kind;

18.1.10 "Termination Date" means the date of termination of the Employment.

18.2    The Executive hereby acknowledges that the Company's business is global,
        being operated on the Internet (amongst other platforms). As such, it
        can be carried out anywhere in the world. The Executive further
        acknowledges that it is reasonable and necessary for the Restricted Area
        to include the working or operating in any country of the world where
        the Company is at the Termination Date or has been planning in the last
        12 months prior to the Termination Date to be engaged in research into,
        development, production, distribution, sale, supply or other dealings
        with Company Goods or Company Services. The Executive also acknowledges
        that the Company operates in a new and expanding market and by reason of
        his appointment, the Executive will be engaged in specialist activities
        which but for his employment, he might not have experienced. In so
        doing, the Executive is aware and agrees that it is essential to protect
        the legitimate business interests of the Company, given these
        circumstances, that the following restrictions should apply.

18.3    The Executive hereby undertakes with the Company that he will not either
        during the Employment nor during the Restricted Period without the prior
        written consent of the Company whether by himself, through his employees
        or agents or otherwise howsoever and whether on his own behalf or on
        behalf of any other person, firm, company or other organisation,
        directly or indirectly:

18.3.1  in competition with the Company within the Restricted Area, be employed
        or engaged or otherwise interested in the business of researching into,
        developing, distributing, selling, supplying or otherwise dealing with
        Restricted Goods or Restricted Services;

18.3.2  in competition with the Company, solicit business from or canvas any
        Customer or Prospective Customer if such solicitation or canvassing is
        in respect of Restricted Goods or Restricted Services;

18.3.3  in competition with the Company, accept orders for Restricted Goods or
        Restricted Services from any Customer or Prospective Customer;

18.3.4  solicit or induce or endeavour to solicit or induce any person who on
        the Termination Date was a director, manager, software designer salesman
        or consultant of the Company with whom the Executive had dealings during
        his employment to cease working for or providing services to the
        Company, whether or not any such person would thereby commit a breach of
        contract;

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18.3.5  employ or otherwise engage in the business of researching into,
        developing, distributing, selling, supplying or otherwise dealing with
        Restricted Goods or Restricted Services any person who was during the 12
        months preceding the Termination Date employed or otherwise engaged by
        the Company and who was by reason of such employment or engagement is in
        possession of any trade secrets or Confidential Information relating to
        the business of the Company or who has acquired influence over its
        customers and prospective customers (defined as in clauses 18.1.4 and
        18.1.5, but so that references to the Executive shall be replaced by
        references to the relevant employee).

18.4    Clauses 18.2 and 18.3 shall also apply as though there were substituted
        for references to the "Company" references to each Group Company in
        relation to which the Executive has in the course of his duties for the
        Company; or by reason of rendering services to or holding office in such
        Group Company:

18.4.1  acquired knowledge of its trade secrets or Confidential Information; or

18.4.2  had personal dealings with its Customers or Prospective Customers; or

18.4.3  supervised directly or indirectly employees having personal dealings
        with its Customers or Prospective Customers,

        but so that references in clause 18.1 to "the Company" shall for this
        purpose be deemed to be replaced by references to the relevant Group
        Company. The obligations undertaken by the Executive pursuant to this
        clause 18.4 shall, with respect to each such Group Company, constitute a
        separate and distinct covenant and the invalidity or unenforceability of
        any such covenant shall not affect the validity or unenforceability of
        the covenants in favour of any other Group Company or the Company.

18.5    The Executive hereby undertakes with the Company that he will not at any
        time:

18.5.1  during the continuance of the Employment or after the Termination Date
        engage in any trade or business or be associated with any person, firm
        or company engaged in any trade or business using the names Smartlogik
        or Bright Station or incorporating the words Bright Station; or
        Smartlogik;

18.5.2  after the termination of the Employment in the course of carrying on any
        trade or business, claim, represent or otherwise indicate any present
        association with the Company or any Group Company or for the purpose of
        carrying on or retaining any business or custom, claim, represent or
        otherwise indicate any past association with the Company or any Group
        Company to its detriment.

18.6    While the restrictions in this clause 18 (on which the Executive has had
        the opportunity to take independent advice, as the Executive hereby
        acknowledges) are considered by the parties to be reasonable in all the
        circumstances, it is agreed that if any such restrictions, by
        themselves, or taken together, shall be adjudged to go beyond what is
        reasonable in all the circumstances for the protection of the legitimate
        interests of the Company or a Group Company but would be adjudged
        reasonable if part or parts of the wording thereof were deleted, the
        relevant restriction or

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        restrictions shall apply with such deletion(s) as may be necessary to
        make it or them valid and effective.

19.     PRESCRIBED INFORMATION

19.1    The following information is set forth for the purposes of section 3 of
        the ERA:

19.1.1  If the Executive wishes to obtain redress of any grievance relating to
        the Employment or is dissatisfied with any reprimand, suspension or
        other disciplinary step taken by the Company, he shall apply in writing
        to the Chairman of the Board, setting out the nature and details of any
        such grievance dissatisfaction. The Chairman or (at the Chairman's
        discretion) the Board will consider such grievance dissatisfaction, his
        or their decision being final.

19.1.2  There are no disciplinary rules applicable to the Executive other than
        those set out in this Agreement.

19.1.3  No collective agreement has any effect on the Executive's employment
        hereunder and, except for visits in the ordinary course of business, the
        Executive shall not be required to work outside the United Kingdom.

20.     DATA PROTECTION

        The Executive's personal data will be held by the Company in its
        relevant manual and automated filing systems. The Executive hereby
        consents to the processing and disclosure of such personal data
        internally (including to any Group Company) in order for the Employment
        to be performed and for decisions to be made regarding the Employment.

21.     SEVERABILITY

        The Company and the Executive acknowledge that the clauses and
        sub-clauses of this Agreement are severable. If any clause, sub-clause
        or identifiable part of any clause or sub-clause is held to be invalid
        or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, then such
        invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or
        enforceability of the remaining clauses or sub-clauses or the
        identifiable parts of such clauses or sub-clauses.

22.     COUNTERPARTS

        This Deed may be entered into in any number of counterparts and by the
        parties to it on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
        and delivered shall be an original, but all the counterparts shall
        together constitute one and the same agreement.

23.     NOTICES

23.1    Any notice or other document to be given under this Agreement shall be
        in writing and may be given personally to the Executive or to the
        Secretary of the Company (as the case may be) or may be sent by first
        class post or other fast postal service or by facsimile transmission to,
        in the case of the Company, its registered office for the

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        time being and in the case of the Executive either to his address shown
        on the face hereof or to his known place of residence.

23.2    Any such notice shall be deemed served when in the ordinary course of
        the means of transmission it would first be received by the addressee in
        normal business hours.

24.     CHOICE OF LAW AND SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION

24.1    This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with
        English law.

24.2    The parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the High Court of
        Justice in England but this Agreement may be enforced by the Company in
        any court of competent jurisdiction.

IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been executed as a deed the day and year
first above written.

SIGNED as a DEED by           )
BRIGHT STATION PLC            )
acting by:                    )

                                         Director  /s/ SIGNATURE ILLEGIBLE

                                         Director/Secretary  /s/ SIGN. ILLEGIBLE

SIGNED as a DEED by           )
SIMON CANHAM                  )          /s/ Simon Canham
in the presence of:           )

Signature:  /s/ CLARE THOMAS

Witness name:  CLARE THOMAS

Address:  150 ALDERSGATE STREET, LONDON EC1A 4EJ

Occupation:  SOLICITOR

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