Exhibit 10.3

                                OPTION AGREEMENT
                                 By and Between
                           Aden Enterprises, Inc. and
                                MercExchange, LLC

THIS OPTION  AGREEMENT,  (hereinafter  the "Agreement") is entered into this 7th
day of  January,  2000 by and  between  Aden  Enterprises,  Inc.,  a  California
corporation  ("Aden" or the "Company"),  having a principal place of business at
13314 I Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137 and MercExchange,  LLC, ("MercExchange") a
limited liability company under Delaware law, with a principal place of business
at 114 N. Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

                                    RECITALS

WHEREAS,  Aden is embarking on a major  development  and industry  initiative to
build and deploy  Internet  Markets  and  Auctions  that  employ the pending and
issued Subject Patents; and

WHEREAS,  Aden agrees that patent  protection  provides an important  commercial
advantage and agrees to consult and confer with  MercExchange  to assure a tight
nexus between the commercial  embodiments of the aforesaid  Internet Markets and
Auctions and the claims of the pending and issued Subject Patents;

WHEREAS,  MercExchange desires to license the pending and issued Subject Patents
subject to the terms and conditions as set forth herein;

NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the promises and of the mutual covenants
contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                         VERTICAL SECTOR LICENSE OPTION

1.1  In partial  consideration of the license option granted herein, Aden agrees
     to pay  MercExchange  the  sum of  $35,000  within  five  (5)  days  of the
     execution of this agreement, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.

1.2 The parties  anticipate  application of the aforesaid  Internet  Markets and
Auctions for a variety of Vertical Sectors. The parties hereby mutually agree to
the following terms and conditions regarding these Vertical Sectors.

1.3  MercExchange  hereby  grants an option to the  Company  to a  non-exclusive
license for the pending and issued Subject Patents to Vertical Sectors. For each
Vertical  Sector,  the Company shall pay  MercExchange  an annual payment of the
greater of (1) the first $50,000 of any of the Gross  Transactions  collected or
earned  by the  Company  from any  third  party or (2) a 1.5%  (one  point  five
percent)  continuing  royalty of Gross  Transactions  generated by each Vertical
Sector.

1.4 In the event of a joint  venture,  marketing  agreement,  acquisition or any
other business  combination  between the Company and a third party,  the Company
and  MercExchange  shall negotiate an equity  position for  MercExchange in said
venture or business  combination,  and in no event shall this equity position be
less that 15%  (fifteen  percent) on a fully  diluted  basis of said venture for
MercExchange.

1.5 Aden shall use best efforts to develop  Internet  Markets and Auctions  that
employ the pending and issued Subject  Patents for use in each Vertical  Sector.
Aden  shall  confer  with  MercExchange  to  assure a tight  nexus  between  the
commercial  embodiment of the aforesaid  Internet  Markets and Auctions with the
claims of the pending and issued Subject Patents.




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                                   ARTICLE II
                           PAYMENT AND ROYALTY REPORTS

2.1  Within  forty-five  days (45)  following  the end of each  Fiscal  Quarter,
beginning with the first Fiscal Quarter in which Company  commences  activity in
any Vertical Sector, the Company shall send to MercExchange reports of the Gross
Transactions  conducted by Aden, in the preceding Fiscal Quarter,  showing their
respective  descriptions or other descriptive  characteristics,  including total
quantities  for  transaction,  and the sale price of any  products or goods sold
hereunder.

2.2 Each report shall be  accompanied by the required  payment in U.S.  Dollars.
For the Purpose of  calculating  the  royalties  payable  hereunder,  respective
currencies for the Gross  Transactions shall be converted to U.S. Dollars at the
rate of exchange  quoted in The Wall Street Journal in force on the last working
day of the period for which payment of royalty is being made.

2.3 The  Company  shall  maintain  complete  and  accurate  records of the Gross
Transactions   conducted   under  this  Agreement,   showing  their   respective
descriptions or other descriptive  characteristics,  including model numbers, if
any,  quantities,  and  calculations of unit royalties dues and payable thereon.
These  records  shall be  maintained  for a period  of at least  three (3) years
subsequent to Company's latest quarterly royalty report. Periodically during the
term of this  Agreement and  subsequent to the expiration or termination of this
Agreement for any reason,  upon 30 days prior written notice to Company and upon
execution of a  Confidentiality  Agreement in  Company's  favor,  MercExchange's
independent  duly appointed  Certified Public  Accountant may inspect  Company's
records which pertain to Gross  Transactions  during regular  business hours for
the  purpose of  verifying  the  completeness  and  accuracy  of all  reports to
MercExchange.  Such  inspection  shall  occur no more  frequently  than once any
Contract  Year.  If said audit  determines  that there has been a  shortfall  in
royalties  paid to  MercExchange  in excess of three  percent (3%) of the amount
actually  due  for  the  period  under  audit,   then  Company  shall  reimburse
MercExchange for the reasonable expenses actually incurred by it for the audit.


                                   ARTICLE III
                            NON-MONETARY REMUNERATION

If the Subject Patents are Licensed to third parties and  MercExchange  receives
non-monetary  remuneration  for said License,  including but not limited to, web
easements,  discounted or free  advertisement and any linking  agreements,  then
Aden shall  purchase in cash or equity said  non-monetary  remunerative  benefit
from  MercExchange  at  one-third  the fair market  value for said  non-monetary
remunerate  benefit  within 60 days of the  written  offer of said  non-monetary
remuneration from MercExchange to Aden.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   ENFORCEMENT

4.1 Right to Enforce  Subject  Patents.  MercExchange  retains the sole right to
enforce  and control  the  enforcement  of the  Subject  Patents  against  third
parties.  The Company agrees to cooperate and join in said enforcement action if
deemed a necessary party.

4.2 Non-Monetary  Recovery. In any enforcement  proceeding to which MercExchange
enjoins a third party, Aden and MercExchange  shall mutually determine the value
of said injunction to Aden or the aforesaid business combination. Aden shall pay
MercExchange  25% of the  value  of  said  injunction,  in  cash  or  equity  to
MercExchange.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                   DEFINITIONS

5.1  Definitions.  For the purpose of this Agreement  only, the following  terms
shall have the meanings indicated:


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5.1.1  The  term  "Subject   Patents"  means  the  following   patents,   patent
applications  and  all  continuing   patent   applications  that  seek  priority
therefrom:

A.       U.S. Patent Application No. 08/427,820, Entitled:
         "Consignment Nodes"

B.       U.S. Patent Application No. 08/554,704, Now U.S. Patent No.
         5,845,265,  Entitled:  "Consignment Nodes"

C.       U.S. Patent Application No. 09/203,286 (Petition for
         Interference with U.S. Patent No. 5,794,207) Entitled:
         "Consignment Nodes"

D.       U.S. Patent Application No. 09/166,779, Entitled "Method and
         Apparatus for Facilitate Internet Commerce with Binding Offers
         to Sell and Binding Counter-Offers to Buy in an Electronic
         Market"

E.       U.S. Patent Application No. 09/253,014, Entitled:  "Method and
         Apparatus for Facilitating Electronic Commerce Through
         Internet Auctions"

F.       U.S. Patent Application No.09/253,021,  Entitled:  "Method and
         Apparatus for Facilitating Internet Commerce Through
         Inter-networked Markets and Auctions"

G.       U.S. Patent Application No.09/253,015,  Entitled:  "Methods
         and Apparatus for Automatically Distributing Internet
         Advertising"

H.       U.S. Patent Application No. 09/253,057, Entitled:  "Method and
         Apparatus for Facilitating Electronic Commerce Through
         Two-Tiered Electronic Markets and Auctions"

I.       U.S. Patent Application No. 09/264,573, Entitled:  "Method and
         Apparatus for Using Search Agents to Search Plurality of
         Markets for Items"

5.1.2 The term "Vertical Sector" means industry and service  classifications  of
customary  usage and  categories  of  commerce  as defined by the United  States
Department of Commerce eight digit SIC codes.

5.1.3 The term  "Gross  Transactions"  means the  gross  transactional  revenues
collected or earned by the Company for the  operation of said  Internet  Markets
and Auctions in any and all Vertical  Sectors.  The  transactional  revenues for
transactions  under this Agreement,  for the purpose of calculating this amount,
shall be based on the actual amount charged, exclusive of any freight, handling,
duties, commissions, clearance network costs and taxes.

5.1.4 The term "Fiscal  Quarter"  means any period of three  consecutive  months
beginning on January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1 in any year.

5.1.5 The term "Contract Year" shall means the first full twelve-month period of
four consecutive  fiscal quarters,  beginning May 1 and ending April 30 and each
like period thereafter during the term of this Agreement.

5.1.6 The "Term" of this Agreement,  unless earlier terminated as provided under
this  Agreement,  shall  remain in full force and effect until the last claim of
any patent included in the Subject Patents expires.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                OTHER PROVISIONS

6.1  Termination  for  Cause.  If  Aden  shall  materially  breach  any  of  its
obligations pursuant to this Agreement and shall fail to adequately correct such
breach within two (2) months from the effective date of the first written notice


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to Aden,  MercExchange may terminate this Agreement  pursuant to this Article by
written notice.

6.2 No Joint Venture.  The relationship  between the parties shall be limited to
performance  of their  respective  obligations  as set forth in this  Agreement.
Nothing in this  Agreement  shall be construed to create a partnership  or joint
venture between the parties or to authorize either party to act as general agent
for the other party,  or to permit  either  party to bind or otherwise  bind the
other  party.  No party shall be liable for any of the  actions,  omissions,  or
indebtedness of the other party.

6.3 Assignability.  Except as otherwise provided herein, the rights and licenses
granted by each party to the other in this  Agreement are personal to each party
and may not be  assigned,  sub-licensed  or otherwise  transferred  by one party
without the prior written consent of the other party.

6.4 No Implied License.  Nothing  contained in this Agreement shall be construed
as granting by  implication,  estoppel or otherwise,  any  licenses,  warranties
(implied in fact or law) or rights other than those expressly granted herein, or
creating any obligation other than those expressly granted herein.

6.5 No Warranty.  Nothing in this Agreement  shall be construed as a warranty or
representation  by  MercExchange  as to the  validity  or scope  of the  Subject
Patents or that the  exercise of the license  rights  under the Subject  Patents
will not infringe upon the rights of any Third Party.

6.6 No  Indemnification.  MercExchange does not indemnify,  warrant or otherwise
guarantee or hold harmless Aden from enforcement  and/or legal action brought by
any Third Party.  MercExchange  make no warranties  that any products made under
this  Agreement are  materially  fit for their purpose or comport with any other
provision of the Uniform Commercial Code.

6.7  Notification.  The  parties  shall  notify  each  other in  writing  at the
following  address  which  may  be  amended  from  time  to  time  upon  written
notification:

         MercExchange:

                  Thomas G. Woolston
                  Managing Member
                  MercExchange, LLC
                  114 N. Alfred Street
                  Alexandria, VA 22314

         Aden:
                  Michael S. Luther
                  Aden Enterprises, Inc.
                  13314 I Street
                  Omaha, NE 68137

6.8  Controlling  Law.  This  Agreement  shall  be  construed  and  enforced  in
accordance  with,  and  shall be  governed  by the laws of the  Commonwealth  of
Virginia without giving effect to the provision, policies, or principles thereof
relating to choice or conflict of laws.

6.9  Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement that is illegal,  invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective
to the  extent  of  such  illegality,  invalidity  or  unenforceability  without
invalidating  the  remaining  portions  hereof  or  affecting  the  validity  or
enforceability of such provisions in any other jurisdiction.

6.10  Waiver.  The failure of any party to enforce any of the  provision of this
Agreement,  or of any rights with  respect  thereto,  shall not be  considered a
waiver thereof or in any way affect the validity of this Agreement.  The failure
by any party hereto to enforce any of said provisions, rights or elections shall
not  prejudice  said party from later  enforcing or  exercising  the same or any
other provisions, rights, of elections which it may have under this Agreement.



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6.11  Integration.  This  Agreement  contains the entire and only  understanding
between the parties with respect to the subject  matter  hereof,  and supersedes
all prior agreement and  understandings,  whether oral or written,  with respect
thereto.  No  modification  or wavier of this Agreement or any of its provisions
shall  be  binding   unless  in  writing   and  signed  by  a  duly   authorized
representative of each of the parties hereto.

6.12  Bankruptcy or liquidation.  The license  options  granted  hereunder shall
immediately  revert to  MercExchange if the Company seeks  protection  under the
Bankruptcy  laws or is  subject  to  liquidation  under  the laws of the  United
States.

6.13 Non-refundable.  All funds, payments and distributions made to MercExchange
hereunder are non-refundable.

6.14 Headings.  Headings and section titles are for organizational purposes only
and shall have no effect on the interpretation of this Agreement.

6.15 Remedy for Breach. If the Company materially breaches any condition of this
Agreement and does not cure said breach within two (2) months notice of material
breach,  then all licenses granted hereunder shall  immediately  become null and
void and these licenses, shall immediately revert to MercExchange, or its lawful
successor in interest.

6.16 This Agreement  shall be binding to all parties and may be executed in part
by facsimile.


This Agreement is entered into the date and year first above written.


                                                  Aden Enterprises, Inc.



                                                  By /s/ Michael S. Luther
                                                     Michael S. Luther
                                                     President & Chief Executive
                                                     Officer


                                                  MercExchange, LLC



                                                  By /s/ Thomas G. Woolston
                                                     Thomas G. Woolston
                                                     Managing Member