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EXHIBIT 10.6    
  

 
 

LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES    
    
    1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN    
    
    (AS ADOPTED MAY 17, 1999 AND AMENDED MAY 25, 2000 AND JULY 18, 2002)    
    

 

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS    
  

	 
	 	Page

	SECTION 1. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN	 	1
	

SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN	
 	

1
	 	(a) Committee Composition	 	1
	 	(b) Committee Responsibilities	 	1
	

SECTION 3. ENROLLMENT AND PARTICIPATION	
 	

1
	 	(a) Offering Periods	 	1
	 	(b) Enrollment	 	1
	 	(c) Duration of Participation	 	1
	

SECTION 4. EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS	
 	

1
	 	(a) Frequency of Payroll Deductions	 	1
	 	(b) Amount of Payroll Deductions	 	1
	 	(c) Changing Withholding Rate	 	1
	 	(d) Discontinuing Payroll Deductions	 	1
	 	(e) Limit on Number of Elections	 	2
	

SECTION 5. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PLAN	
 	

2
	 	(a) Withdrawal	 	2
	 	(b) Re-Enrollment After Withdrawal	 	2
	

SECTION 6. CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS	
 	

2
	 	(a) Termination of Employment	 	2
	 	(b) Leave of Absence	 	2
	 	(c) Death	 	2
	

SECTION 7. PLAN ACCOUNTS AND PURCHASE OF SHARES	
 	

2
	 	(a) Plan Accounts	 	2
	 	(b) Purchase Price	 	2
	 	(c) Number of Shares Purchased	 	3
	 	(d) Available Shares Insufficient	 	3
	 	(e) Issuance of Stock	 	3
	 	(f) Unused Cash Balances	 	3
	 	(g) Stockholder Approval	 	3
	

SECTION 8. LIMITATIONS ON STOCK OWNERSHIP	
 	

3
	 	(a) Five Percent Limit	 	3
	 	(b) Dollar Limit.	 	4
	

SECTION 9. RIGHTS NOT TRANSFERABLE	
 	

4
	

SECTION 10. NO RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE	
 	

4
	

SECTION 11. NO RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER	
 	

4
	

SECTION 12. SECURITIES LAW REQUIREMENTS.	
 	

4
	

SECTION 13. STOCK OFFERED UNDER THE PLAN	
 	

5
	 	(a) Authorized Shares	 	5
	 	(b) Anti-Dilution Adjustments	 	5
	 	(c) Reorganizations	 	5
	

SECTION 14. AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE	
 	

5

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SECTION 15. INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.	
 	

5
	

SECTION 16. DEFINITIONS	
 	

6
	 	(a) "Board"	 	6
	 	(c) "Code"	 	6
	 	(d) "Committee"	 	6
	 	(e) "Company"	 	6
	 	(f) "Compensation"	 	6
	 	(f) "Corporate Reorganization"	 	6
	 	(g) "Eligible Employee"	 	6
	 	(h) "Exchange Act"	 	6
	 	(i) "Fair Market Value"	 	6
	 	(j) "IPO"	 	7
	 	(k) "Offering Period"	 	7
	 	(l) "Participant"	 	7
	 	(m) "Participating Company"	 	7
	 	(n) "Plan"	 	7
	 	(o) "Plan Account"	 	7
	 	(p) "Purchase Price"	 	7
	 	(q) "Stock"	 	7
	 	(r) "Subsidiary"	 	7

ii

 
 

LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES
  1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN    
  

SECTION 1.    PURPOSE OF THE PLAN    

        The
Plan was adopted by the Board to be effective as of the date of the IPO and was amended by the Board on May 25, 2000 and July 18, 2002. The purpose of the Plan is to
provide Eligible Employees with an opportunity to increase their proprietary interest in the success of the Company by purchasing Stock from the Company on favorable terms and to pay for such
purchases through payroll deductions. The Plan is intended to qualify under section 423 of the Code. 

SECTION 2.    ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.    

        (a)    Committee Composition.    The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. 

        (b)    Committee Responsibilities.    The Committee shall interpret the Plan and make all other policy decisions
relating to the operation of the Plan. The Committee may adopt such rules, guidelines and forms as it deems appropriate to implement the Plan. The Committee's determinations under the Plan shall be
final and binding on all persons. 

SECTION 3.    ENROLLMENT AND PARTICIPATION.    

        (a)    Offering Periods.    While the Plan is in effect, two Offering Periods shall commence in each calendar year.
The Offering Periods shall consist of the six-month periods commencing on each April 1 and October 1, except that the first Offering Period shall commence on the date of the
IPO and end on March 31, 2000. 

        (b)    Enrollment.    Any individual who, on the day preceding the first day of an Offering Period, qualifies as an
Eligible Employee may elect to become a Participant in the Plan for such Offering Period by executing the enrollment form prescribed for this purpose by the Committee. The enrollment form
shall be filed with the Company at the prescribed location not later than 10 days prior to the commencement of such Offering Period. 

        (c)    Duration of Participation.    Once enrolled in the Plan, a Participant shall continue to participate in the
Plan until he or she ceases to be an Eligible Employee, withdraws from the Plan under Section 5(a) or reaches the end of the Offering Period in which his or her employee contributions were
discontinued under Section 4(d) or 8(b). A Participant who discontinued employee contributions under Section 4(d) or withdrew from the Plan under Section 5(a) may again become a
Participant, if he or she then is an Eligible Employee, by following the procedure described in Subsection (b) above. A Participant whose employee contributions were discontinued automatically
under Section 8(b) shall automatically resume participation at the beginning of the earliest Offering Period ending in the next calendar year, if he or she then is an Eligible Employee. 

SECTION 4.    EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS.    

        (a)    Frequency of Payroll Deductions.    A Participant may purchase shares of Stock under the Plan solely by means
of payroll deductions. Payroll deductions, as designated by the Participant pursuant to Subsection (b) below, shall occur on each payday during participation in the Plan. 

        (b)    Amount of Payroll Deductions.    An Eligible Employee shall designate on the enrollment form the portion of his
or her Compensation that he or she elects to have withheld for the purchase of Stock. Such portion shall be a whole percentage of the Eligible Employee's Compensation, but not less than 1% nor more
than 15%. 

        (c)    Changing Withholding Rate.    If a Participant wishes to change the rate of payroll withholding, he or she may
do so by filing a new enrollment form with the Company at the prescribed location at any time. The new withholding rate shall be effective as soon as reasonably practicable after such form has been
received by the Company. The new withholding rate shall be a whole percentage of the Eligible Employee's Compensation, but not less than 1% nor more than 15%. 

        (d)    Discontinuing Payroll Deductions.    If a Participant wishes to discontinue employee contributions entirely, he
or she may do so by filing a new enrollment form with the Company at the 

 

prescribed location at any time. Payroll withholding shall cease as soon as reasonably practicable after such form has been received by the Company. In addition, employee contributions may be
discontinued
automatically pursuant to Section 8(b). A Participant who has discontinued employee contributions may resume such contributions by filing a new enrollment form with the Company at the
prescribed location. Payroll withholding shall resume as soon as reasonably practicable after such form has been received by the Company. 

        (e)    Limit on Number of Elections.    No Participant shall make more than two elections under Subsection
(c) or (d) above during any Offering Period. 

SECTION 5.    WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PLAN.    

        (a)    Withdrawal.    A Participant may elect to withdraw from the Plan by filing the prescribed form with the Company
at the prescribed location at any time before the last day of an Offering Period. As soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, payroll deductions shall cease and the entire amount credited to the
Participant's Plan Account shall be refunded to him or her in cash, without interest. No partial withdrawals shall be permitted. 

        (b)    Re-Enrollment After Withdrawal.    A former Participant who has withdrawn from the Plan shall not
be a Participant until he or she re-enrolls in the Plan under Section 3(c). Re-enrollment may be effective only at the commencement of an Offering Period. 

SECTION 6.    CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS.    

        (a)    Termination of Employment.    Termination of employment as an Eligible Employee for any reason, including
death, shall be treated as an automatic withdrawal from the Plan under Section 5(a). A transfer from one Participating Company to another shall not be treated as a termination of employment. 

        (b)    Leave of Absence.    For purposes of the Plan, employment shall not be deemed to terminate when the Participant
goes on a military leave, a sick leave or another bona fide leave of absence, if the leave was approved by the Company in writing. Employment, however,
shall be deemed to terminate 90 days after the Participant goes on a leave, unless a contract or statute guarantees his or her right to return to work. Employment shall be deemed to terminate
in any event when the approved leave ends, unless the Participant immediately returns to work. 

        (c)    Death.    In the event of the Participant's death, the amount credited to his or her Plan Account shall be paid
to a beneficiary designated by him or her for this purpose on the prescribed form or, if none, to the Participant's estate. Such form shall be valid only if it was filed with the Company at the
prescribed location before the Participant's death. 

SECTION 7.    PLAN ACCOUNTS AND PURCHASE OF SHARES.    

        (a)    Plan Accounts.    The Company shall maintain a Plan Account on its books in the name of each Participant.
Whenever an amount is deducted from the Participant's Compensation under the Plan, such amount shall be credited to the Participant's Plan Account. Amounts credited to Plan Accounts shall not be trust
funds and may be commingled with the Company's general assets and applied to general corporate purposes. No interest shall be credited to Plan Accounts. 

        (b)    Purchase Price.    The Purchase Price for each share of Stock purchased at the close of an Offering Period
shall be the lower of: 

        (i)    85%
of the Fair Market Value of such share on the last trading day in such Offering Period; or 

        (ii)  85%
of the Fair Market Value of such share on the last trading day before the commencement of such Offering Period or, in the case of the first Offering Period under
the Plan, 85% of the price at which one share of Stock is offered to the public in the IPO. 

2

 

        (c)    Number of Shares Purchased.    As of the last day of each Offering Period, each Participant shall be deemed to
have elected to purchase the number of shares of Stock calculated in accordance with this Subsection (c), unless the Participant has previously elected to withdraw from the Plan in accordance with
Section 5(a). The amount then in the Participant's Plan Account shall be divided by the Purchase Price, and the number of shares that results shall be purchased from the Company with the funds
in the Participant's Plan Account. The foregoing notwithstanding, no Participant shall purchase more than the amounts of Stock set forth in Sections 8(b) and 13(a), nor more than 1,500 shares of Stock
with respect to any Offering Period beginning before September 30, 2002, nor more than 6,000 shares of Stock with respect to any Offering Period beginning on or after October 1, 2002.
The Committee may determine with respect to all Participants that any fractional share, as calculated under this Subsection (c), shall be (i) rounded down to the next lower whole share or
(ii) credited as a fractional share. 

        (d)    Available Shares Insufficient.    In the event that the aggregate number of shares that all Participants elect
to purchase during an Offering Period exceeds the maximum number of shares remaining available for issuance under Section 13(a), then the number of shares to which each Participant is entitled
shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares available for issuance by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares that such Participant has elected to purchase and the
denominator of which is the number of shares that all Participants have elected to purchase. 

        (e)    Issuance of Stock.    Certificates representing the shares of Stock purchased by a Participant under the Plan
shall be issued to him or her as soon as reasonably practicable after the close of the applicable Offering Period, except that the Committee may determine that such shares shall be held for each
Participant's benefit by a broker designated by the Committee (unless the Participant has elected that certificates be issued to him or her). Shares may be registered in the name of the Participant or
jointly in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship or as community property. 

        (f)    Unused Cash Balances.    Any amount remaining in the Participant's Plan Account that represents the Purchase
Price for a fractional share shall be carried over in the Participant's Plan Account to the next Offering Period. Any amount remaining in the Participant's Plan Account that represents the Purchase
Price for whole shares that could not be purchased by reason of Subsection (c) or (d) above, Section 8(b) or Section 13(a) shall be refunded to the Participant in cash,
without interest. 

        (g)    Stockholder Approval.    Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, no shares of Stock shall be purchased
under the Plan unless and until the Company's stockholders have approved the adoption of the Plan. 

SECTION 8.    LIMITATIONS ON STOCK OWNERSHIP.    

        (a)    Five Percent Limit.    Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, no Participant shall be granted a right
to purchase Stock under the Plan if such Participant, immediately after his or her election to purchase such Stock, would own stock possessing more than 5% of the total combined voting power or value
of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or Subsidiary of the Company. For purposes of this Subsection (a), the following rules shall apply: 

        (i)    Ownership
of stock shall be determined after applying the attribution rules of section 424(d) of the Code; 

        (ii)  Each
Participant shall be deemed to own any stock that he or she has a right or option to purchase under this or any other plan; and 

        (iii)  Each
Participant shall be deemed to have the right to purchase (1) 1,500 shares of Stock under this Plan with respect to each Offering Period beginning before
September 30, 2002, and 

3

 

(2) 6,000 shares of Stock under this Plan with respect to each Offering Period beginning on or after October 1, 2002. 

        (b)    Dollar Limit.    Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, no Participant shall purchase Stock with a
Fair Market Value in excess of the following limit: 

        (i)    In
the case of Stock purchased during an Offering Period that commenced in the current calendar year, the limit shall be equal to (A) $25,000 minus (B) the
Fair Market Value of the Stock that the Participant previously purchased in the current calendar year (under this Plan and all other employee stock purchase plans of the Company or any parent or
Subsidiary of the Company). 

        (ii)  In
the case of Stock purchased during an Offering Period that commenced in the immediately preceding calendar year, the limit shall be equal to (A) $50,000 minus
(B) the Fair Market Value of the Stock that the Participant previously purchased (under this Plan and all other employee stock purchase plans of the Company or any parent or Subsidiary of the
Company) in the current calendar year and in the immediately preceding calendar year. 

For
purposes of this Subsection (b), the Fair Market Value of Stock shall be determined in each case as of the beginning of the Offering Period in which such Stock is purchased. Employee stock
purchase plans not described in section 423 of the Code shall be disregarded. If a Participant is precluded by this Subsection (b) from purchasing additional Stock under the Plan, then
his or her employee contributions shall automatically be discontinued and shall resume at the beginning of the earliest Offering Period ending in the next calendar year (if he or she then is an
Eligible Employee). 

SECTION 9.    RIGHTS NOT TRANSFERABLE.    

        The
rights of any Participant under the Plan, or any Participant's interest in any Stock or moneys to which he or she may be entitled under the Plan, shall not be transferable by
voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law, or in any other manner other than by beneficiary designation or the laws of descent and distribution. If a Participant in any manner
attempts to transfer, assign or otherwise encumber his or her rights or interest under the Plan, other than by beneficiary designation or the laws of descent and distribution, then such act shall be
treated as an election by the Participant to withdraw from the Plan under Section 5(a). 

SECTION 10.    NO RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE.    

        Nothing
in the Plan or in any right granted under the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employ of a Participating Company for any period of specific
duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Participating Companies or of the Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate his or her
employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause. 

SECTION 11.    NO RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER.    

        A
Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Stock that he or she may have a right to purchase under the Plan until such shares have been purchased
on the last day of the applicable Offering Period. 

SECTION 12.    SECURITIES LAW REQUIREMENTS.    

        Shares
of Stock shall not be issued under the Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such shares comply with (or are exempt from) all applicable requirements of law, including (without
limitation) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, state securities laws and regulations, and the regulations of any stock exchange or other
securities market on which the Company's securities may then be traded. 

4

 

SECTION 13.    STOCK OFFERED UNDER THE PLAN.    

        (a)    Authorized Shares.    The number of shares of Stock available for purchase under the Plan (which includes the
International Employee Stock Purchase Plan if and to the extent implemented) shall be 1,666,666 (subject to adjustment pursuant to this Section 13). On June 1 of each year, commencing
with June 1, 2000, the aggregate number of shares of Stock available for purchase during the life of the Plan (which includes the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan if and to the extent
implemented) shall automatically be increased by a number equal to the lesser of (a) 2% of the total number of shares of Stock then outstanding or (b) 1,666,666 (subject to adjustment
pursuant to this Section 13). 

        (b)    Anti-Dilution Adjustments.    The aggregate number of shares of Stock offered under the Plan, the
share-limitation numbers stated in Section 7(c) and the price of shares that any Participant has elected to purchase shall be adjusted proportionately by the Committee for any increase or
decrease in the number of outstanding shares of Stock resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares or the payment of a stock dividend, any other increase or decrease in such shares effected
without receipt or payment of consideration by the Company, the distribution of the shares of a Subsidiary to the Company's stockholders or a similar event. 

        (c)    Reorganizations.    Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, immediately prior to the effective time of
a Corporate Reorganization, the Offering Period then in progress shall terminate and shares shall be purchased pursuant to Section 7, unless the Plan is continued or assumed by the surviving
corporation or its parent corporation. The Plan shall in no event be construed to restrict in any way the Company's right to undertake a dissolution, liquidation, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization. 

SECTION 14.    AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE.    

        The
Board shall have the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and without notice. Except as provided in Section 13, any increase in the aggregate number of
shares of Stock to be issued under the Plan shall be subject to approval by a vote of the stockholders of the Company. In addition, any other amendment of the Plan shall be subject to approval by a
vote of the stockholders of the Company to the extent required by an applicable law or regulation. 

SECTION 15.    INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.    

        Adoption
of the Plan by the Board and approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company shall constitute adoption by the Board and approval by the stockholders of the Company of
the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan described herein. If the laws of a foreign jurisdiction require an amendment to the Plan that (a) would disqualify the Plan as a plan that
satisfies the requirements of Code Section 423 or (b) would not be required under any law of the United States including Code Section 423, then a separate but identical employee
stock purchase plan may be implemented for Foreign Participants (as defined below). The plan for Participants who are not Foreign Participants will continue to be called the Plan, and the plan for
Foreign Participants will be called the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan. A separate plan document will be created to evidence the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan when it is
implemented. Except as otherwise amended to comply with applicable laws of a foreign jurisdiction, the terms of the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be identical to the Plan. 

        Each
Participant who (a) is not a U.S. citizen or (b) is a U.S. citizen working abroad who is not paid in U.S. currency ("Foreign Participant") will be automatically deemed
to participate in this International Employee Stock Purchase Plan, instead of the Plan. With respect to each such Foreign Participant, the initial offering period for this International Employee Stock
Purchase Plan shall be deemed to have commenced at the same time as the offering period that is in progress under the Plan when the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan is initially implemented. 

5

 

        The
Plan and the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan (if and to the extent implemented) will have the same share reserve. Thus, the number of shares of Stock available for
purchase in the aggregate over the term of the Plan (which includes the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan if and to the extent implemented) shall be 1,666,666 (subject to adjustment pursuant
to Section 13). As of June 1 of each year, commencing with the year 2000, the aggregate number of shares of Stock available
for purchase during the life of the Plan (which includes the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan if and to the extent implemented) shall automatically increase by a number equal to the lesser
of (a) 2% of the total number of shares of Stock then outstanding or (b) 1,666,666 (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 13). If the International Employee Stock Purchase
Plan is implemented, the share issuances under the Plan shall reduce on a share-for-share basis the number of shares available for issuance under the International Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, and share issuances under the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan shall reduce on a share-for-share basis the number of shares available for
issuance under the Plan. 

SECTION 16.    DEFINITIONS.    

        (a)  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. 

        (b)  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

        (c)  "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board. 

        (d)  "Company" means Liberate Technologies, a Delaware corporation. 

        (e)  "Compensation" means (i) the total compensation paid in cash to a Participant by a Participating Company,
including salaries, wages, bonuses, incentive compensation, commissions, overtime pay and shift premiums, plus (ii) any pre-tax contributions made by the Participant under
section 401(k) or 125 of the Code. "Compensation" shall exclude all non-cash items, moving or relocation allowances, cost-of-living equalization payments,
car allowances, tuition reimbursements, imputed income attributable to cars or life insurance, severance pay, fringe benefits, contributions or benefits received under employee benefit plans, income
attributable to the exercise of stock options, and similar items. The Committee shall determine whether a particular item is included in Compensation. 

        (f)    "Corporate Reorganization" means: 

        (i)    The
consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other entity or any other corporate reorganization; or 

        (ii)  The
sale, transfer of other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 

        (g)  "Eligible Employee" means any employee of a Participating Company who meets the following requirements: his or her
customary employment is for more than five months per calendar year and for more than 20 hours per week. The foregoing notwithstanding, an individual shall not be considered an Eligible
Employee if his or her participation in the Plan is prohibited by the law of any country which has jurisdiction over him or her or if he or she is subject to a collective bargaining agreement that
does not provide for participation in the Plan. 

        (h)  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

        (i)    "Fair Market Value" means the market price of Stock, determined by the Committee as follows: 

        (i)    If
the Stock was traded on The Nasdaq National Market on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the last-transaction price quoted
for such date by The Nasdaq National Market; 

6

 

        (ii)  If
the Stock was traded on a stock exchange on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the closing price reported by the applicable composite
transactions report for such date; or 

        (iii)  If
none of the foregoing provisions is applicable, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate. 

Whenever
possible, the determination of Fair Market Value by the Committee shall be based on the prices reported in The Wall Street Journal or as
reported directly to the Company by Nasdaq or a stock exchange. Such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. 

        (j)    "IPO" means the initial offering of Stock to the public pursuant to a registration statement filed by the Company with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

        (k)  "Offering Period" means a six-month period with respect to which the right to purchase Stock may be granted
under the Plan, as determined pursuant to Section 3(a). 

        (l)    "Participant" means an Eligible Employee who elects to participate in the Plan, as provided in Section 3(b). 

        (m)  "Participating Company" means (i) the Company and (ii) each present or future Subsidiary designated by the
Committee as a Participating Company, as indicated on Exhibit A. 

        (n)  "Plan" means this Liberate Technologies 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as it may be amended from time to time. 

        (o)  "Plan Account" means the account established for each Participant pursuant to Section 7(a). 

        (p)  "Purchase Price" means the price at which Participants may purchase Stock under the Plan, as determined pursuant to
Section 7(b). 

        (q)  "Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company. 

        (r)  "Subsidiary" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the
Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the
other corporations in such chain. 

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EXHIBIT A    
    
    Participating Companies    
    

Liberate Technologies 

Network
Computer Incorporated Nederland B.V. 

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EXHIBIT 10.6

LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN (AS ADOPTED MAY 17, 1999 AND AMENDED MAY 25, 2000 AND JULY 18, 2002)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

EXHIBIT A Participating CompaniesQuickLinks
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EXHIBIT 10.55    
  

 
 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND
  MUTUAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS    
  

David
Limp ("Employee") and Liberate Technologies, including its subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, agents, and employees, (collectively, "Liberate") agree that Employee's
employment will be terminated as of July 31, 2002 (the "Effective Date"). In connection with the end of that employment, Liberate and Employee agree as follows: 

        1.    Repayment of Loan Principal and Interest.    Within five business days of the Effective Date, Employee will
repay to Liberate the full principal and interest due under the Promissory Note between the parties dated January 3, 2001. Should Employee fail to do so, Liberate may offset such amounts from
any payments due under Section 2 below. 

        2.    Separation Payments.    Liberate will pay Employee a gross separation payment equal to his salary and
on-target bonuses for fiscal year 2002, plus any payments due for accrued vacation and reasonable expenses submitted by the Effective Date and incurred in compliance with Liberate's
expense guidelines, less applicable taxes and withholding, within fifteen business days of the Effective Date. Liberate and Employee agree that his termination triggers payment of all unpaid amounts
under the Employee Retention Agreement between the parties dated January 9, 2001 and the Amendment to that Agreement dated February 20, 2002, and Liberate will pay such amounts within
fifteen days of the Effective Date. Employee is not entitled to and will not seek any other payments or benefits from Liberate. 

        3.    Mutual Release of Claims.    Neither party will institute any legal action against the other and each party
waives and releases the other from any claims that it had, has, or shall have against the other or against any other persons or entities, other than claims that may arise under the Indemnification
Agreement between the parties dated May 19, 1999 or under directors and officers insurance policies naming Employee as a third-party beneficiary. This waiver and release includes, but is not
limited to, any claims related to Employee's employment with Liberate or the end of that employment, and any claims under past or present laws, including original and amended versions of Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the California Constitution; the California Worker's Compensation
Act; the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers' Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; and the National Labor Relations Act. 

        4.    Unknown Claims.    The parties understand and acknowledge that they may not currently know of losses or claims
or may have underestimated the severity of losses. Part of the consideration provided by this Agreement was given in exchange for the release of such claims. The parties hereby waive any rights or
benefits under California Civil Code Section 1542, which provides that: 

        A
general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have
materially affected his settlement with debtor. 

        5.    No Admissions.    By entering into this Agreement, neither party is admitting any wrongdoing or any violation of
law, right, or contract. 

        6.    Non-Disparagement.    Neither Employee nor Liberate will disparage the other party in any way. 

        7.    Confidentiality.    Employee will maintain the confidentiality of Liberate's confidential or proprietary
information that he learned during the course of his employment. 

        8.    Survival.    If an arbitration or court of competent jurisdiction invalidates any part of this Agreement, such
provision will be construed to effect to the extent possible the parties' intent, and the remaining portions will remain in force. 

        9.    Governing Law / Arbitration.    California law governs this Agreement. The parties waive trial before a judge or
jury and agree to arbitrate with the JAMS arbitration service any dispute relating to this agreement or Employee's recruitment, employment, or termination, except for claims relating to worker's
compensation benefits, unemployment insurance, or intellectual property rights. The arbitrator's decision will include written findings of fact and law and will be final and binding except to the
extent that judicial review of arbitration awards is required by law. The American Arbitration Association's National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes will govern the arbitration,
except that the arbitrator will allow discovery authorized by the California Arbitration Act and any additional discovery necessary to vindicate a claim or defense. The arbitrator may award any remedy
that would be available from a court of law. The Employee may chose to hold the arbitration either in San Mateo County, California or the county where the Employee worked when the arbitrable dispute
first arose. The parties will share the arbitration costs equally (except that Liberate will pay the
arbitrator's fee and any other cost unique to arbitration) and will pay their own attorney's fees except as required by law, separate agreement, or award of the arbitrator to the prevailing party in
the interests of justice. 

        10.    Entire Agreement.    This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties related to the matters
it addresses. The parties may alter or amend this Agreement only through a document signed by Employee and the General Counsel of Liberate. Each of the terms of this Agreement is deemed material, with
breach justifying recission and any other remedy available at law or equity. 

        11.    Review / Opportunity to Consult.    Employee may take up to three business days to review this Agreement and
consult with counsel or other advisers. 

	EMPLOYEE	 	 	 	 
	

Dated:	
 	

7/19/02
	
 	

/s/ DAVID LIMP
 David Limp
	

LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES	
 	

 	
 	

 
	

Dated:	
 	

7/19/02
	
 	

By:	
 	

/s/ KENT WALKER
 Kent Walker

SVP—Corporate & Legal Affairs

Liberate Technologies

QuickLinks

EXHIBIT 10.55

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

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