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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1


                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of July
__, 1999, is entered into by and among Starbase Corporation., a Delaware
corporation, with headquarters located at 4 Hutton Centre, Ste. 800, Santa Ana,
CA 92707 (the "COMPANY"), and the undersigned buyers (each, a "BUYER" and
collectively, the "BUYERS").

         WHEREAS:

         A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among
the parties dated as of July __, 1999 (the "SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), the
Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Securities Purchase Agreement, (i) to issue and sell to the Buyers [_________]
shares of the Company's Common Stock, no par value per share (the "COMMON
SHARES") and (ii) to issue Warrants (the "WARRANTS") which will be exercisable
to purchase [__________] shares of Common Stock (the "WARRANT SHARES"); and

         B. To induce the Buyers to execute and deliver the Securities Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the "1933 ACT"), and
applicable state securities laws.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the
Buyers hereby agree as follows:

         1. DEFINITIONS.

            As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:

            a. "INVESTOR" means a Buyer, any transferee or assignee thereof to
whom a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become
bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9 and any
transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or assignee assigns its
rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of
this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.

            b. "PERSON" means a corporation, a limited liability company, an
association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a
governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.

            c. "REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and "REGISTRATION" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration
Statements (as defined below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to
Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering
securities on a continuous basis ("RULE 415"), and the declaration or ordering
of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").


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            d. "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means the Common Shares purchased
pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Warrant Shares issued or
issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and any shares of capital stock issued or
issuable with respect to the Common Shares, Warrants or Warrant Shares as a
result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange,
anti-dilution rights or similar event or otherwise, without regard to any
limitation on exercise of the Warrants.

            e. "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement of the
Company filed under the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415.

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the
respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

         2. REGISTRATION.

            a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare, and, as soon
as practicable but in no event later than forty-five (45) calendar days after
the date of issuance of the relevant Common Shares, file with the SEC a
Registration Statement or Registration Statements (as is necessary) on Form S-3
(or if such form is unavailable, such other form as is available for
registration) covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities. The
initial Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for
resale at least that number of Company common stock shares equal to the number
of Registrable Securities as of the date immediately preceding the date the
Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC. The Company shall use
its best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective by the
SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than ninety (90) calendar days
after the issuance of the relevant Common Shares.

            b. Piggy-Back Registrations. Except in the event that the
Registration Statement has been declared effective and has not been suspended by
the SEC, if at any time prior to the expiration of the Registration Period (as
defined in Section 3(a)) the Company proposes to file with the SEC a
Registration Statement relating to an offering for its own account or the
account of others under the 1933 Act of any of its securities (other than on
Form S-4 or Form S-8 (or their equivalents at such time) relating to securities
to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business
or equity securities issuable in connection with stock option or other employee
benefit plans) the Company shall promptly send to each Investor written notice
of the Company's intention to file a Registration Statement and of such
Investor's rights under this Section 2(b) and, if within twenty (20) days after
receipt of such notice, such Investor shall so request in writing, the Company
shall include in such Registration Statement all or any part of the Registrable
Securities such Investor requests to be registered, subject to the priorities
set forth in Section 2(b) below. No right to registration of Registrable
Securities under this Section 2(b) shall be construed to limit any registration
required under Section 2(a). The obligations of the Company under this Section
2(b) may be waived by the Buyers. If an offering in connection with which an
Investor is entitled to registration under this Section 2(b) is an underwritten
offering, then each Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in such
Registration Statement shall, unless otherwise agreed by the Company, offer and
sell such Registrable Securities in an underwritten


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offering using the same underwriter or underwriters and, subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, on the same terms and conditions as other shares
of Company common stock included in such underwritten offering. If a
registration pursuant to this Section 2(b) is to be an underwritten public
offering and the managing underwriter(s) advise the Company in writing, that in
their reasonable good faith opinion, marketing or other factors dictate that a
limitation on the number of shares of Company common stock which may be included
in the Registration Statement is necessary to facilitate and not adversely
affect the proposed offering, then the Company shall include in such
registration: (1) first, all securities the Company proposes to sell for its own
account, (2) second, up to the full number of securities proposed to be
registered for the account of the holders of securities entitled to inclusion of
their securities in the Registration Statement by reason of demand registration
rights, and (3) third, the securities requested to be registered by the
Investors and other holders of securities entitled to participate in the
registration, as of the date hereof, drawn from them pro rata based on the
number each has requested to be included in such registration.

            c. Allocation of Registrable Securities. The initial number of
Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and each increase
in the number of Registrable Securities included therein shall be allocated pro
rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable Securities held, or
which could be held, by each Investor at the time the Registration Statement
covering such initial number of Registrable Securities or increase thereof is
declared effective by the SEC. In the event that an Investor sells or otherwise
transfers any of such Person's Registrable Securities, each transferee shall be
allocated a pro rata portion of the then remaining number of Registrable
Securities included in such Registration Statement for such transferor. Any
shares of Common Stock included in a Registration Statement and which remain
allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Registrable Securities shall be
allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of
Registrable Securities then held by such Investors.

            d. Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Buyers shall have
the right to select one legal counsel to review and oversee any offering
pursuant to this Section 2 ("LEGAL COUNSEL"), which shall be Beckman, Millman &
Sanders or such other counsel as thereafter designated by the holders of a
majority of Registrable Securities. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with
Legal Counsel in performing the Company's obligations under this Agreement.

            e. [Reserved.]

            f. Rule 416. The Company and the Investors each acknowledge that
each Registration Statement prepared in accordance hereunder shall include an
indeterminate number of Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 416 under the
1933 Act so as to cover any and all Registrable Securities which may become
issuable (i) to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or
similar transactions and (ii) if permitted by law, by reason of the
anti-dilution provisions contained in the Warrants in accordance with the terms
thereof (collectively, the "RULE 416 SECURITIES"). In this regard, the Company
agrees to use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the maximum number of
Registrable Securities which may be registered pursuant to Rule 416 under the
1933 Act are covered by each Registration Statement and, absent guidance


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from the SEC or other definitive authority to the contrary, the Company shall
use all reasonable efforts to affirmatively support and to not take any position
adverse to the position that each Registration Statement filed hereunder covers
all of the Rule 416 Securities. If the Company determines that the Registration
Statement filed hereunder does not cover all of the Rule 416 Securities, the
Company shall immediately (i) provide to each Investor written evidence setting
forth the basis for the Company's position and the authority therefor and (ii)
prepare and file an amendment to such Registration Statement or a new
Registration Statement in accordance with Section 2(g).

            g. Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number
of shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section
2(a) is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities or an Investor's
allocated portion of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(c) (a
"DEFICIT FAILURE"), the Company shall amend the Registration Statement, or file
a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if
applicable), or both, so as to cover at least one hundred percent (100%) of such
Registrable Securities in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event
not later than twenty (20) days after the necessity therefor arises. The Company
shall use it best efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration
Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing
thereof. For purposes of the foregoing provision, the number of shares available
under a Registration Statement shall be deemed "insufficient to cover all of the
Registrable Securities" if at any time the number of Registrable Securities is
greater than the number of shares of Company common stock available for resale
under such Registration Statement.

         3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS.

         Whenever an Investor has requested that any Registrable Securities be
registered pursuant to Section 2(b) or at such time as the Company is obligated
to file a Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(g),
the Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration of the
Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition
thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:

            a. The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities (on or prior
to the forty-fifth (45th) calendar day after the date of issuance of any Common
Shares for the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a))
and use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to the
Registrable Securities to become effective as soon as possible after such filing
(but in no event later than ninety (90) calendar days after the issuance of any
Common Shares for the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section
2(a)), and keep such Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at
all times until the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Investors may sell
all of the Registrable Securities without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k)
promulgated under the 1933 Act (or successor thereto) or (ii) the date on which
the Investors shall have sold all the Registrable Securities (the "REGISTRATION
PERIOD"), which Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements
thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.


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            b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments
(including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration
Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration
Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated
under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement
effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period,
comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of
all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement
until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed
of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or
sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement.

            c. The Company shall permit Legal Counsel to review and comment upon
a Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto at least
seven (7) days prior to their filing with the SEC, and not file any document in
a form to which Legal Counsel reasonably objects. The Company shall furnish to
Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) any correspondence from the SEC or the staff
of the SEC to the Company or its representatives relating to any Registration
Statement, (ii) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one
copy of any Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by
reference and all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration
Statement, one copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement
and all amendments and supplements thereto.

            d. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable
Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i)
promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of
such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial
statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and
all exhibits, (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, ten
(10) copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all
amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such
Investor may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including
copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably
request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities owned by such Investor.

            e. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register and
qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under
such other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United
States as Legal Counsel or any Investor reasonably requests, (ii) prepare and
file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective
amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be
necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period,
(iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations
and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and
(iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the
Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that
the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to (x) qualify to do business in


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any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for
this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such
jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such
jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Investor
who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification
of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or "blue sky"
laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of
the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

            f. [Reserved.]

            g. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event,
the Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing of the
happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in a
Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, and promptly prepare a supplement or
amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or
omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to Legal
Counsel and each Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or
such Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify
Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective
(notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and each
Investor by facsimile on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight
mail), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a
Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, and (iii)
of the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a
Registration Statement would be appropriate.

            h. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of
any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement,
or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for
sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to
obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible
moment and to notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable
Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof
or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding
for such purpose.

            i. [Reserved.]

            j. [Reserved.]

            k. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure
of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i)
disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state
securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid
or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the
release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final,
non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction, or (iv) such


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information has been made generally available to the public other than by
disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other agreement. The Company
agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information
concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of
competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to
such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's expense, to undertake
appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order
for, such information.

            l. The Company shall use its best efforts either to (i) cause all
the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on
each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued
by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable
Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure
designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by the
Registration Statement on the Nasdaq National Market. The Company shall pay all
fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this
Section 3(l).

            m. [Reserved].

            n. The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar of all
such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such
Registration Statement.

            o. If requested by an Investor, the Company shall (i) immediately
incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such
information as the Investors agree should be included therein relating to the
sale and distribution of Registrable Securities; (ii) make all required filings
of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as notified of
the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement
if requested by a shareholder of such Registrable Securities.

            p. [Reserved.]

            q. [Reserved.]

            r. The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply with
all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any
registration hereunder and the Company shall use its best efforts to file with
the SEC in a timely manner all reports and documents required of the Company
under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act (as defined in Section 6(a)).

            s. Within two (2) business days after the Registration Statement
which includes the Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the
Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver,
to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the
Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement) confirmation that the Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.


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            t. [Reserved.]

            u. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to
expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement.

            v. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, the Registration Statement shall register only the Registrable
Securities.

         4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.

            a. At least seven (7) days prior to the first anticipated filing
date of the Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor in
writing of the information the Company requires from each such Investor if such
Investor elects to have any of such Investor's Registrable Securities included
in such Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the
obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this
Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor
that such Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding
itself and the Registrable Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required
to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such
documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably
request.

            b. Each Investor by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable
Securities agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the
Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration
Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of
such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.

         5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.

            All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or
qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all
registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company shall be paid by the Company.

         6. INDEMNIFICATION.

            In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a
Registration Statement under this Agreement:

            a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and
hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor who holds such
Registrable Securities, the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents,
representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls any Investor within
the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 ACT"), (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON"), against any losses, claims,


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damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, attorneys'
fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several, (collectively,
"CLAIMS") incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim,
suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by
or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency,
body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified
party is or may be a party thereto ("INDEMNIFIED DAMAGES"), to which any of them
may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether
commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i)
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing
made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities
or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are
offered ("BLUE SKY FILING"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the
effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final
prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission
to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were
made, not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company
of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any
state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer
or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement (the
matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) being, collectively,
"VIOLATIONS"). The Company shall reimburse the Investors promptly as such
expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or other
reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall
not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a
Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person expressly for use
in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made
available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d); (ii) with respect to any
preliminary prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any such person from
whom the person asserting any such Claim purchased the Registrable Securities
that are the subject thereof (or to the benefit of any person controlling such
person) if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the
preliminary prospectus was corrected in the prospectus, as then amended or
supplemented, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company
pursuant to Section 3(d), and the Indemnified Person was promptly advised in
writing not to use the incorrect prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a
violation and such Indemnified Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it;
(iii) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of
the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made
available by the Company, if such prospectus was timely made available by the
Company pursuant to Section 3(d); and (iv) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written
consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such
indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of
the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.


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<PAGE>   10

            b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an
Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not
jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same
manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each
of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, each Person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act
(collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an "INDEMNIFIED PARTY"),
against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any Indemnified Party may
become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such
Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in
each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration
Statement; and, subject to Section 6(d), such Investor will reimburse any legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating
or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement
contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution
contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any
Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such
Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further,
however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that
amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to
such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party
and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors
pursuant to Section 9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with
respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any
Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained
in the preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus,
as then amended or supplemented.

            c. The Company shall be entitled to receive indemnities from
underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers and similar securities industry
professionals participating in any distribution, to the same extent as provided
above, with respect to information such persons so furnished in writing
expressly for inclusion in the Registration Statement.

            d. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or
proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim,
such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect
thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6,
deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof,
and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the
extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying
party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel
mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or
the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in
the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential


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differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any
other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The Company shall
pay reasonable fees for only one separate legal counsel for the Investors, and
such legal counsel shall be selected by the Investors holding a majority in
interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to
which the Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall
cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation
or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall
furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or claim.
The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person
fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement
negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any
settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its written
consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably
withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without
the consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of
any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not
include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff
to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability
in respect to such claim or litigation. Following indemnification as provided
for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms
or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made.
The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a
reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such
indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is
prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

            e. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by
periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation
or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.

            f. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to
(i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified
Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the
indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

         7. CONTRIBUTION.

            To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is
prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum
contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable
under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that:
(i) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable
Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by
such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.


                                      -11-

<PAGE>   12

         8. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.

            The Company agrees that the Buyers will suffer damages if the
Company violates any provision of or fails to fulfill its obligations pursuant
to Sections 2(a), 2(g), 3(a), 3(b), 3(e) or 3(h) of this Agreement (a
"REGISTRATION DEFAULT") and that it would not be possible to ascertain the
extent of such damages. Accordingly, in the event of such Registration Default,
the Company hereby agrees to pay liquidated damages ("LIQUIDATED DAMAGES") to
each Buyer following the occurrence of such Registration Default in an amount
determined by multiplying (i) $.037536 per Registrable Security then held by
and/or issuable to such Buyer by (ii) the percentage derived by dividing (A) the
actual number of days elapsed from the last day of the date of the Registration
Default or the prior 30-day period, as applicable, to the day such Registration
Default has been completely cured by (B) 30, in cash, or at the Buyer's option,
in the number of shares of Company common stock equal to the quotient of (v) the
dollar amount of the Liquidated Damages on the Payment Date (as defined below)
by (w) the closing bid price of the Company's common stock as of the date of the
Registration Default (as quoted in the Principal Market or the market or
exchange where the Company's common stock is then traded). The Liquidated
Damages payable pursuant hereto shall be payable within five (5) business days
from the end of the calendar month commencing on the first calendar month in
which the Registration Default occurs (each, a "PAYMENT DATE"). In the event the
Buyer elects to receive the Liquidated Damages amount in shares of Company
common stock, such shares shall have the piggy-back registration rights set
forth in Section 2(b) of this Agreement.

         9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

            The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by
the Investors to any transferee (except those transferees which have purchased
Registrable Securities which have been registered under the Registration
Statement) of all or any portion of Registrable Securities if: (i) the Investor
agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign such rights, and a
copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time
after such assignment; (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such
transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the name and
address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with respect to
which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned; (iii)
immediately following such transfer or assignment the further disposition of
such securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act
and applicable state securities laws; provided, however, that the transferee or
assignee may subsequently transfer or assign all or any portion of the
Registrable Securities if an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act is
applicable to such transfer or assignment; (iv) at or before the time the
Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence
the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all
of the provisions contained herein; and (v) such transfer shall have been made
in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Purchase
Agreement.


                                      -12-

<PAGE>   13

         10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

             Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance
thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company
and Investors who then hold two-thirds (2/3) of the Registrable Securities. Any
amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding
upon each Investor and the Company. No such amendment shall be effective to the
extent that it applies to less than all of the holders of the Registrable
Securities. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or
consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any of this Agreement
unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this
Agreement.

         11. MISCELLANEOUS.

             a. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities
whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable
Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or
elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable
Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or
election received from the registered owner of such Registrable Securities.

             b. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required
or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing
and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered
personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile, if sent during normal
business hours, and if after such normal business hours, on the next business
day (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically
generated and kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one business day
after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each
case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and
facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:

             If to the Company:

                           Starbase Corporation
                           4 Hutton Centre, Suite 800
                           Santa Ana, CA 92707
                           Telephone: (714)445-4400
                           Facsimile:  (714)445-4482
                           Attention: Douglas Norman

             With a copy to:

                           Parker Chapin Flattau & Klimpl, LLP
                           1211 Avenue of the Americas
                           New York, NY 10036
                           Telephone: (212)704-6000
                           Facsimile: (212) 704-6288


                                      -13-

<PAGE>   14

                           Attention: Christopher S. Auguste, Esq.


            If to Legal Counsel:


                           Beckman, Millman & Sanders, LLP
                           116 John Street, Suite 1313
                           New York, New York 10038.
                           Telephone: (212) 406-4700
                           Facsimile: (212) 406-3750
                           Attention: Steven A. Sanders, Esq

If to a Buyer, to it at the address and facsimile number set forth on the
Schedule of Buyers attached hereto, with copies to such Buyer's representatives
as set forth on the Schedule of Buyers, or at such other address and/or
facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party has specified by written notice given to each other party five days prior
to the effectiveness of such change.

            c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this
Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy,
shall not operate as a waiver thereof.

            d. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in all respects
by the internal laws of the State of New York (except for the proper application
of the United States federal securities laws), without giving effect to any
choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New
York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of
any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby
irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal
courts sitting the City of New York, for the adjudication of any dispute
hereunder. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable
in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that
jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this
Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

            e. This Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement and the
Warrants constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect
to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and
therein. This Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Warrants
supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

            f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns
of each of the parties hereto.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>   15

            g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

            h. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the
same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to
the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement
bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.

            i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and
performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all
such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other
party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.

            j. All consents and other determinations to be made by the Investors
pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified in this
Agreement, by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities.

            k. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of
strict construction will be applied against any party.

            l. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the
benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.


                            [Signature Page Follows]


                                      -15-

<PAGE>   16

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.

COMPANY:                                          BUYERS:

STARBASE CORPORATION
By: _________________________________             By: __________________________

Name: _______________________________             Name:_________________________

Title:   ____________________________             Title: _______________________



                                      -16-

<PAGE>   17

                               SCHEDULE OF BUYERS


                                                     Investor's Address
Investor Name                                        and Facsimile Number
-------------                                        --------------------





                                      -17-

<PAGE>   18

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                         FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
                            OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

[TRANSFER AGENT]
ATTN:

         RE: STARBASE CORPORATION

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We are counsel to StarBase Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY"), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain
Securities Purchase Agreement (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT") entered into by and
among the Company and the buyers named therein (collectively, the "HOLDERS")
pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders shares of its Common Stock,
no par value per share, (the "COMMON SHARES") and Warrants exercisable into its
Common Stock (the "WARRANT SHARES"). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the
Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders
(the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT") pursuant to which the Company agreed,
among other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement), including the Common Shares and Warrant Shares,
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 ACT"). In connection
with the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on
_________, 1999, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File
No. _____________) (the "REGISTRATION STATEMENT") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which
names each of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder.

         In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the
SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order
declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME
OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge,
after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order
suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that
purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable
Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the
Registration Statement.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          [ISSUER'S COUNSEL]


                                          By: _________________________________

_________________________________
cc: [LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS]


                                      -18-