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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                                   EXHIBIT A

                                  EGROUPS, INC.

                             1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN

          EARLY EXERCISE NOTICE AND RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

        This Agreement ("Agreement") is made as of ______________, by and
between eGroups, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and <<Optionee>>
("Purchaser"). To the extent any capitalized terms used in this Agreement are
not defined, they shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the 1998 Stock
Option Plan.

        1. EXERCISE OF OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
Purchaser hereby elects to exercise his or her option to purchase ______________
shares of the Common Stock (the "Shares") of the Company under and pursuant to
the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") and the Stock Option Agreement
dated <<Date_of_Grant>> (the "Option Agreement"). Of these Shares, Purchaser has
elected to purchase _______________ of those Shares which have become vested as
of the date hereof under the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice of Stock
Option Grant (the "Vested Shares") and _____________ Shares which have not yet
vested under such Vesting Schedule (the "Unvested Shares"). The purchase price
for the Shares shall be $<<Exercise_Price_Per_Share>> per Share for a total
purchase price of $_______________. The term "Shares" refers to the purchased
Shares and all securities received in replacement of the Shares or as stock
dividends or splits, all securities received in replacement of the Shares in a
recapitalization, merger, reorganization, exchange or the like, and all new,
substituted or additional securities or other properties to which Purchaser is
entitled by reason of Purchaser's ownership of the Shares.

        2. TIME AND PLACE OF EXERCISE. The purchase and sale of the Shares under
this Agreement shall occur at the principal office of the Company simultaneously
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2(b) of the Option Agreement. On such date, the Company
will deliver to Purchaser a certificate representing the Shares to be purchased
by Purchaser (which shall be issued in Purchaser's name) against payment of the
purchase price therefor by Purchaser by (a) check made payable to the Company,
(b) cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to Purchaser, (c) delivery of
shares of the Common Stock of the Company in accordance with Section 3 of the
Option Agreement, (d) subject to Section 153 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, delivery of a promissory note in the form attached as Exhibit C to the
Option Agreement (or in any form acceptable to the Company), or (e) a
combination of the foregoing. If Purchaser delivers a promissory note as partial
or full payment of the purchase price, Purchaser will also deliver a Pledge and
Security Agreement in the form attached to Exhibit D to the Option Agreement (or
in any form acceptable to the Company).

        3. LIMITATIONS ON TRANSFER. In addition to any other limitation on
transfer created by applicable securities laws, Purchaser shall not assign,
encumber or dispose of any interest in the Shares while the Shares are subject
to the Company's Repurchase Option (as defined below). After any Shares have
been released from such Repurchase Option, Purchaser shall not assign, encumber
or dispose of any interest in such Shares except in compliance with the
provisions below and applicable securities laws.

               (a) REPURCHASE OPTION.

                      (i) In the event of the voluntary or involuntary
termination of Purchaser's employment or consulting relationship with the
Company for any reason (including death or disability),



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with or without cause, the Company shall upon the date of such termination (the
"Termination Date") have an irrevocable, exclusive option (the "Repurchase
Option") for a period of 60 days from such date to repurchase all or any portion
of the Unvested Shares held by Purchaser as of the Termination Date which have
not yet been released from the Company's Repurchase Option at the original
purchase price per Share specified in Section 1 (adjusted for any stock splits,
stock dividends and the like).

                      (ii) The Repurchase Option shall be exercised by the
Company by written notice to Purchaser or Purchaser's executor and, at the
Company's option, (A) by delivery to Purchaser or Purchaser's executor with such
notice of a check in the amount of the purchase price for the Shares being
purchased, or (B) in the event Purchaser is indebted to the Company, by
cancellation by the Company of an amount of such indebtedness equal to the
purchase price for the Shares being repurchased, or (C) by a combination of (A)
and (B) so that the combined payment and cancellation of indebtedness equals
such purchase price. Upon delivery of such notice and payment of the purchase
price in any of the ways described above, the Company shall become the legal and
beneficial owner of the Shares being repurchased and all rights and interest
therein or related thereto, and the Company shall have the right to transfer to
its own name the number of Shares being repurchased by the Company, without
further action by Purchaser.

                      (iii) One hundred percent (100%) of the Unvested Shares
shall initially be subject to the Repurchase Option. The Unvested Shares shall
be released from the Repurchase Option in accordance with the Vesting Schedule
set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant until all Shares are released from
the Repurchase Option. Fractional shares shall be rounded to the nearest whole
share.

               (b) RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Before any Shares held by Purchaser
or any transferee of Purchaser (either being sometimes referred to herein as the
"Holder") may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or
operation of law), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first
refusal to purchase the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this
Section 3(b) (the "Right of First Refusal").

                      (i) NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSFER. The Holder of the Shares
shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the "Notice") stating: (A) the
Holder's bona fide intention to sell or otherwise transfer such Shares; (B) the
name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee ("Proposed Transferee"); (C)
the number of Shares to be transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (D) the
terms and conditions of each proposed sale or transfer. The Holder shall offer
the Shares at the same price (the "Offered Price") and upon the same terms (or
terms as similar as reasonably possible) to the Company or its assignee(s).

                      (ii) EXERCISE OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. At any time
within 30 days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s)
may, by giving written notice to the Holder, elect to purchase all, but not less
than all, of the Shares proposed to be transferred to any one or more of the
Proposed Transferees, at the purchase price determined in accordance with
subsection (iii) below.

                      (iii) PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price ("Purchase
Price") for the Shares purchased by the Company or its assignee(s) under this
Section 3(b) shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes
consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash
consideration shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in
good faith.

                      (iv) PAYMENT. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made,
at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by
cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder
to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee),


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or by any combination thereof within 30 days after receipt of the Notice or in
the manner and at the times set forth in the Notice.

                      (v) HOLDER'S RIGHT TO TRANSFER. If all of the Shares
proposed in the Notice to be transferred to a given Proposed Transferee are not
purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section
3(b), then the Holder may sell or otherwise transfer such Shares to that
Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that
such sale or other transfer is consummated within 60 days after the date of the
Notice and provided further that any such sale or other transfer is effected in
accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee
agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section 3 shall continue to apply
to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described
in the Notice are not transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such period,
or if the Holder proposes to change the price or other terms to make them more
favorable to the Proposed Transferee, a new Notice shall be given to the
Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right
of First Refusal before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise
transferred.

                      (vi) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN FAMILY TRANSFERS. Anything to
the contrary contained in this Section 3(b) notwithstanding, the transfer of any
or all of the Shares during Purchaser's lifetime or on Purchaser's death by will
or intestacy to Purchaser's Immediate Family (as defined below) or a trust for
the benefit of Purchaser's Immediate Family shall be exempt from the provisions
of this Section 3(b). "Immediate Family" as used herein shall mean spouse,
lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister. In such
case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so
transferred subject to the provisions of this Section, and there shall be no
further transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this
Section 3.

               (c) INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER.

                      (i) COMPANY'S RIGHT TO PURCHASE UPON INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER.
In the event, at any time after the date of this Agreement, of any transfer by
operation of law or other involuntary transfer (including divorce or death, but
excluding, in the event of death, a transfer to Immediate Family as set forth in
Section 3(b)(vi) above) of all or a portion of the Shares by the record holder
thereof, the Company shall have the right to purchase all of the Shares
transferred at the greater of the purchase price paid by Purchaser pursuant to
this Agreement or the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of transfer.
Upon such a transfer, the person acquiring the Shares shall promptly notify the
Secretary of the Company of such transfer. The right to purchase such Shares
shall be provided to the Company for a period of 30 days following receipt by
the Company of written notice by the person acquiring the Shares.

                      (ii) PRICE FOR INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER. With respect to any
stock to be transferred pursuant to Section 3(c)(i), the price per Share shall
be a price set by the Board of Directors of the Company that will reflect the
current value of the stock in terms of present earnings and future prospects of
the Company. The Company shall notify Purchaser or his or her executor of the
price so determined within 30 days after receipt by it of written notice of the
transfer or proposed transfer of Shares. However, if the Purchaser does not
agree with the valuation as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company,
the Purchaser shall be entitled to have the valuation determined by an
independent appraiser to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the
Purchaser and whose fees shall be borne equally by the Company and the
Purchaser.

               (d) ASSIGNMENT. The right of the Company to purchase any part of
the Shares may be assigned in whole or in part to any stockholder or
stockholders of the Company or other persons or organizations; provided,
however, that an assignee, other than a corporation that is the Parent or a 100%


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owned Subsidiary of the Company, must pay the Company, upon assignment of such
right, cash equal to the difference between the original purchase price and Fair
Market Value, if the original purchase price is less than the Fair Market Value
of the Shares subject to the assignment.

               (e) RESTRICTIONS BINDING ON TRANSFEREES. All transferees of
Shares or any interest therein will receive and hold such Shares or interest
subject to the provisions of this Agreement, including, insofar as applicable,
the Repurchase Option. Any sale or transfer of the Shares shall be void unless
the provisions of this Agreement are satisfied.

               (f) TERMINATION OF RIGHTS. The Right of First Refusal and the
Company's right to repurchase the Shares in the event of an involuntary transfer
pursuant to Section 3(c) above shall terminate upon the first sale of Common
Stock of the Company to the general public pursuant to a registration statement
filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

               (g) MARKET STANDOFF AGREEMENT. In connection with the initial
public offering of the Company's securities and upon request of the Company or
the underwriters managing such underwritten offering of the Company's
securities, Purchaser agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant
any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the
Company (other than those included in the registration) without the prior
written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for
such period of time (not to exceed 180 days) from the effective date of such
registration as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters
and to execute an agreement reflecting the foregoing as may be requested by the
underwriters at the time of the Company's initial public offering.

        4. ESCROW OF UNVESTED SHARES. For purposes of facilitating the
enforcement of the provisions of Section 3 above, Purchaser agrees, immediately
upon receipt of the certificate(s) for the Shares subject to the Repurchase
Option, to deliver such certificate(s), together with an Assignment Separate
from Certificate in the form attached to this Agreement as Attachment A executed
by Purchaser and by Purchaser's spouse (if required for transfer), in blank, to
the Secretary of the Company, or the Secretary's designee, to hold such
certificate(s) and Assignment Separate from Certificate in escrow and to take
all such actions and to effectuate all such transfers and/or releases as are in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Purchaser hereby acknowledges that
the Secretary of the Company, or the Secretary's designee, is so appointed as
the escrow holder with the foregoing authorities as a material inducement to
make this Agreement and that said appointment is coupled with an interest and is
accordingly irrevocable. Purchaser agrees that said escrow holder shall not be
liable to any party hereof (or to any other party). The escrow holder may rely
upon any letter, notice or other document executed by any signature purported to
be genuine and may resign at any time. Purchaser agrees that if the Secretary of
the Company, or the Secretary's designee, resigns as escrow holder for any or no
reason, the Board of Directors of the Company shall have the power to appoint a
successor to serve as escrow holder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

        5. INVESTMENT AND TAXATION REPRESENTATIONS. In connection with the
purchase of the Shares, Purchaser represents to the Company the following:

               (a) Purchaser is aware of the Company's business affairs and
financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to
reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Purchaser is
purchasing the Shares for investment for his or her own account only and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any "distribution" thereof
within the meaning of the Securities Act.


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               (b) Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been
registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom,
which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of
Purchaser's investment intent as expressed herein.

               (c) Purchaser understands that the Shares are "restricted
securities" under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that,
pursuant to these laws, Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they
are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by
state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification
requirements is available. Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no
obligation to register or qualify the Shares for resale. Purchaser further
acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is
available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not
limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and
requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchaser's
control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to
satisfy.

               (d) Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax
consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition of the Shares.
Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted any tax consultants Purchaser
deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and
that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

        6. RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS AND STOP-TRANSFER ORDERS.

               (a) LEGENDS. The certificate or certificates representing the
Shares shall bear the following legends (as well as any legends required by
applicable state and federal corporate and securities laws):

                      (i)    THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT
                             BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
                             AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH
                             A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR
                             DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE OR DISTRIBUTION
                             MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
                             STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
                             IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH
                             REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES
                             ACT OF 1933.

                      (ii)   THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE
                             TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN
                             AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDER,
                             A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF
                             THE COMPANY.

               (b) STOP-TRANSFER NOTICES. Purchaser agrees that, in order to
ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may
issue appropriate "stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agent, if any,
and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate
notations to the same effect in its own records.

               (c) REFUSAL TO TRANSFER. The Company shall not be required (i) to
transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in
violation of any of the provisions of this


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Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to
vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares
shall have been so transferred.

               (d) REMOVAL OF LEGEND. When all of the following events have
occurred, the Shares then held by Purchaser will no longer be subject to the
legend referred to in Section 6(a)(ii): (i) the termination of the Right of
First Refusal; (ii) the expiration or termination of the market standoff
provisions of Section 3(g) (and of any agreement entered pursuant to Section
3(g)); and (iii) the expiration or exercise in full of the Repurchase Option.
After such time, and upon Purchaser's request, a new certificate or certificates
representing the Shares not repurchased shall be issued without the legend
referred to in Section 6(a)(ii), and delivered to Purchaser.

        7. NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect in any
manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a Parent or Subsidiary
of the Company, to terminate Purchaser's employment or consulting relationship,
for any reason, with or without cause.

        8. SECTION 83(b) ELECTION. Purchaser understands that Section 83(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), taxes as ordinary
income for a Nonstatutory Stock Option and as alternative minimum taxable income
for an Incentive Stock Option the difference between the amount paid for the
Shares and the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date any restrictions
on the Shares lapse. In this context, "restriction" means the right of the
Company to buy back the Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Option set forth in
Section 3(a) of this Agreement. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may elect
to be taxed at the time the Shares are purchased, rather than when and as the
Repurchase Option expires, by filing an election under Section 83(b) (an "83(b)
Election") of the Code with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days from the
date of purchase. Even if the Fair Market Value of the Shares at the time of the
execution of this Agreement equals the amount paid for the Shares, the election
must be made to avoid income and alternative minimum tax treatment under Section
83(a) in the future. Purchaser understands that failure to file such an election
in a timely manner may result in adverse tax consequences for Purchaser.
Purchaser further understands that an additional copy of such election form
should be filed with his or her federal income tax return for the calendar year
in which the date of this Agreement falls. Purchaser acknowledges that the
foregoing is only a summary of the effect of United States federal income
taxation with respect to purchase of the Shares hereunder, and does not purport
to be complete. Purchaser further acknowledges that the Company has directed
Purchaser to seek independent advice regarding the applicable provisions of the
Code, the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which
Purchaser may reside, and the tax consequences of Purchaser's death.

        Purchaser agrees that he or she will execute and deliver to the Company
with this executed Agreement a copy of the Acknowledgment and Statement of
Decision Regarding Section 83(b) Election (the "Acknowledgment") attached hereto
as Attachment B. Purchaser further agrees that he or she will execute and submit
with the Acknowledgment a copy of the 83(b) Election attached hereto as
Attachment C (for income tax purposes in connection with the early exercise of a
Nonstatutory Stock Option) or Attachment D (for alternative minimum tax purposes
in connection with the early exercise of an incentive stock option) if Purchaser
has indicated in the Acknowledgment his or her decision to make such an
election.


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        9. MISCELLANEOUS.

               (a) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and all acts and transactions
pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be
governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of
California, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

               (b) ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS. This Agreement sets
forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the
subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions between them. No
modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights
under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties
to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this
Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

               (c) SEVERABILITY. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are
held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate
such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a
mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such
provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of the
Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii)
the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

               (d) CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement is the result of negotiations
between and has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and their respective
counsel, if any; accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product
of all of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or
against any one of the parties hereto.

               (e) NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or
sent by telegram or fax or 48 hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail, as
certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party
to be notified at such party's address as set forth below or as subsequently
modified by written notice.

               (f) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
together shall constitute one instrument.

               (g) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The rights and benefits of this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company's
successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Purchaser under this
Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Company.

               (h) CALIFORNIA CORPORATE SECURITIES LAW. THE SALE OF THE
SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE ISSUANCE OF
THE SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION
THEREFOR PRIOR TO THE QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES
IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION BY SECTION 25100, 25102 OR 25105 OF THE CALIFORNIA
CORPORATIONS CODE. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY
CONDITIONED UPON THE QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.


                            [Signature Page Follows]


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        The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth
above.

                                    COMPANY:

                                    EGROUPS, INC.


                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Marjorie Sennett, Chief Financial Officer


                                    Address:

                                    350 Brannan Street
                                    San Francisco, CA  94107

                                    PURCHASER:

                                    <<Optionee>>

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    (Signature)


                                    Address:

                                    <<Address>>



I, ______________________, spouse of <<Optionee>>, have read and hereby approve
the foregoing Agreement. In consideration of the Company's granting my spouse
the right to purchase the Shares as set forth in the Agreement, I hereby agree
to be bound irrevocably by the Agreement and further agree that any community
property or similar interest that I may have in the Shares shall hereby be
similarly bound by the Agreement. I hereby appoint my spouse as my
attorney-in-fact with respect to any amendment or exercise of any rights under
the Agreement.


                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Spouse of <<Optionee>>