Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16
                      S&P COMSTOCK INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION
                                LICENSE AGREEMENT

         AGREEMENT, made as of September 23, 1999, by and between S&P ComStock,
Inc. a corporation having offices at 600 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, New York
10528, and Stockpoint, Inc. ("Distributor"), having an office at 2600 Crosspark
Road, Coralville, Iowa 52241.

         WHEREAS, S&P ComStock, Inc. gathers, formats and distributes an
information service comprised of certain securities and commodities prices and
other data which is known as the S&P ComStock Service ("ComStock") and

         WHEREAS, S&P ComStock, Inc. is licensed to distribute information from
various Stock Exchanges, Commodity Exchanges, and other sources (collectively,
"Sources") as part of S&P ComStock; and

         WHEREAS, the parties desire that certain information from S&P ComStock
("the ComStock Information") as specified in Exhibit A (Part 1), attached
hereto, be licensed to Distributor for use by Distributor as described fully in
Exhibit B attached hereto (collectively, the "Distributor Service").

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties mutually agree as follows:

1. Distribution License.

         (a) Distributor is hereby granted for the term of this Agreement a
nonexclusive, nontransferable right and license to distribute electronically the
ComStock Information via the Distributor Service solely for access by Internet
users of the Distributor Service (such users referred to herein as
"Subscribers"), provided that the ComStock Information is supplied to the
Subscribers by means (such as data encryption, or packet
transmission-digitizing) which prevent unauthorized reception, use or
retransmission and further provided that Distributor has executed in advance any
and all necessary documents with the various Sources, which documents have been
accepted and approved by the Sources. Notice of such Sources' acceptance and
approval must be supplied to S&P ComStock, Inc. prior to Distributor's use or
distribution of the ComStock Information.

         (b) Distributor agrees and understands that it shall directly provide
the ComStock Information to Subscribers as specifically set forth in Exhibit B.
Distributor also agrees and understands that it shall not otherwise sublicense,
transfer, or assign its rights hereunder nor permit the redistribution of the
ComStock Information without the express prior authorization of S&P ComStock,
Inc. pursuant to a separate agreement or by mutually agreeable amendment
executed and attached hereto.

2. ComStock Equipment.

         (a) During the term of this Agreement, S&P ComStock, Inc. shall provide
Distributor the equipment listed in Exhibit C, attached hereto ("the ComStock
Equipment"), for installation only at the site(s) specified therein. Distributor
shall not relocate the ComStock Equipment without the written permission of S&P
ComStock, Inc.

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          (b) S&P ComStock, Inc. shall, at Distributor's expense and request,
install, furnish, and maintain necessary modems and/or communications interface
equipment.

         (c) Distributor shall not attach, or permit or cause to be attached,
any non-ComStock equipment to the ComStock communications line or the ComStock
Equipment without the prior written permission of S&P ComStock, Inc.

         (d) Distributor shall have no right in or to any of the ComStock
Equipment except for the rights of use herein granted. Distributor shall pay all
extraordinary costs for repair or replacement of the ComStock Equipment, over
and above ordinary maintenance which shall be performed by S&P ComStock, Inc.,
Such extraordinary maintenance includes electrical work external to the ComStock
Equipment, maintenance of accessories or attachments, and repair of damage to
the ComStock Equipment resulting from accident, neglect, misuse, failure of
electrical power or causes other than ordinary use. Distributor shall promptly
return the ComStock Equipment in good condition, ordinary wear and tear
excepted, upon termination of this Agreement for any reason.

3. ComStock Information.

         (a) The furnishing to Distributor of the ComStock Information is
conditioned upon strict compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, the
applicable policies of the Sources, and with all local, state and federal
regulations which might pertain to the use of the ComStock Information. It shall
be the sole responsibility of Distributor to confirm with the applicable Sources
whether or not all of the ComStock Information may be distributed by Distributor
to its Subscribers. S&P ComStock, Inc. may discontinue provision of the ComStock
Information hereunder, without notice, whenever the terms of its agreements with
the Sources require such discontinuance, or if in its reasonable judgment S&P
ComStock, Inc. finds a breach by Distributor of any of the provisions of this
Agreement. S&P ComStock shall give Distributor at least thirty (30) days notice
before discontinuance.

         (b) Neither S&P ComStock, Inc., nor any of its affiliates, nor any
Sources make any express or implied warranties (including, without limitation,
any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use).
Neither S&P ComStock, Inc., any of its affiliates, or any Sources warrant that
the ComStock information will be uninterrupted or error-free. Distributor
expressly agrees that its use and distribution of the ComStock Information and
its use of the ComStock Equipment is at the sole risk of Distributor and its
Subscribers. S&P ComStock, Inc., its affiliates, and all Sources involved in
creating or providing the ComStock Information will in no way be liable to
Distributor or any of its Subscribers for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions,
regardless of cause, in the ComStock Information or for any defects or failures
in the ComStock Equipment, or for any damages (whether direct or indirect, or
consequential, punitive or exemplary) resulting therefrom. The liability of S&P
ComStock, Inc. and its affiliates in any and all categories, whether arising
from contract, warranty, negligence, or otherwise shall, in the aggregate, in no
event exceed one month's ComStock Information Delivery Fee.

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         (c) Prior to commencing distribution of real time SPC Information to
any Subscriber, Distributor shall enter into a written or electronic
subscription agreement with each such Subscriber. The form of any such agreement
shall be subject to the prior review and written approval of SPC and shall
include provisions to the effect that each Subscriber:

         (i)               agrees that SPC and the Sources shall have no
                           liability for the accuracy or completeness of the SPC
                           Information or for delays, interruptions, or
                           omissions therein;

         (ii)              agrees that its arrangement with Distributor for
                           receipt of the SPC Information is subject to
                           termination in the event that this Agreement between
                           Distributor and SPC is terminated for any reason

         (iii)             acknowledges that the Sources described in the
                           preceding paragraph may have the right to terminate
                           provision of the SPC Information to Subscriber with
                           or without notice and that neither any such Source,
                           SPC nor Distributor shall have any liability in
                           connection therewith.

         (d) Distributor agrees that it shall not display the ComStock
Information in the Distributor Service without a prominent notice indicating
that the ComStock Information is being displayed on a minimum fifteen (15)
minute delayed basis, where applicable.

         (e) Distributor also agrees to include S&P Comstock's Terms and
Condition of Use, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit E, within the
Distributor Service in a manner which alerts Subscribers of the applicability
thereof.

         (f) Distributor shall clearly and prominently identify S&P ComStock as
the source of the ComStock Information by display of the S&P ComStock logo (the
"Logo") in a manner to be agreed to by the parties. Distributor shall also
create a hypertext or other computer link from the Logo to the S&P ComStock site
on the World Wide Web.

         (g) Distributor represents and warrants that it has and will employ
adequate security procedures to prevent the unauthorized access to the ComStock
Information or corruption of the ComStock Information.

         (h) Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold S&P ComStock, Inc. and its
affiliates harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities,
costs, charges and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out
of: (i) any liability of S&P ComStock, Inc. to any Subscriber where Distributor
has failed to include the Terms and Conditions of Use in the Distributor Service
pursuant to Section 3(d) above; or (ii) any breach or alleged breach on the part
of Distributor or any Subscribers with respect to its/their obligations to
obtain prior approvals from appropriate Sources and to comply with any
applicable conditions, restrictions or limitations imposed by any Source.

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         (i) S&P ComStock, Inc. represents that it has the rights and licenses
necessary to transmit the ComStock Information to Distributor, and that to the
best of S&P ComStock, Inc.'s knowledge, the license granted to Distributor
hereunder does not infringe any proprietary right or any third party right at
common law or any statutory copyright.

         (j) S&P ComStock, Inc. shall deliver the ComStock Information to
Distributor at the site(s) set forth in Exhibit C or at such other locations as
Distributor may designate within the continental United States or Canada.

4. Payments.

         In consideration for the license granted to Distributor by S&P
ComStock, Inc. under this Agreement, Distributor shall make the following
payments to S&P ComStock, Inc.:

         (a) Distributor shall pay to S&P ComStock, Inc. a monthly License Fee
and Subscriber Fee, as listed in Exhibit D. Together with the Subscriber Fee
payment, Distributor shall provide to S&P ComStock, Inc. on a monthly basis a
list identifying the number of web hosting 3rd parties and their respective page
views. S&P ComStock, Inc. shall keep such list confidential.

         (b) Distributor shall be responsible for the payment of any and all
applicable fees billed to S&P ComStock, Inc. or directly to Distributor by
Sources, which fees result from Distributor's use and distribution of the
ComStock Information. Distributor shall also be responsible for payment of any
Subscriber's Source fees which must be paid directly by Distributor to the
Sources. Distributor shall provide to S&P ComStock, Inc. a copy of its monthly
Source fee reports when and as filed with the Sources.

         (c) Any amounts payable to S&P ComStock, Inc. by Distributor hereunder
which are more than thirty (30) days past due shall bear interest at the rate of
1-1/2% per month.

         (d) S&P ComStock, Inc. may, in its sole discretion and at any time
following the initial term of this Agreement, change the per-Subscriber fee
payment schedule and/or the ComStock Information Delivery Fee as specified
herein after having provided written notice to Distributor at least ninety (90)
days in advance of such changes.

         (e) S&P ComStock, Inc. may audit Distributor's records for the sole
purpose of verifying the accuracy of Distributor's reported monthly Subscriber
Fee payments as set forth in Paragraph 4(a), above. Distributor will make such
records readily available to S&P ComStock, Inc. for inspection during normal
working hours on one week's notice. S&P ComStock, Inc. agrees that Distributor's
records will be treated as confidential and will not be used for any purpose
other than verifying Distributor's compliance with this Agreement. Any such
audit shall be at S&P ComStock, Inc.'s expense unless it is determined that S&P
ComStock, Inc. has been underpaid by an amount exceeding five percent (5%) of
the revenues actually received by S&P ComStock, Inc. in the period covered by
the audit; in such case, the expense of the audit shall be borne by Distributor.

5. Information Enhancements; Changes to Data Specification.

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         (a) Any additions of new Sources or other enhancements to the ComStock
Information which may be made by S&P ComStock, Inc. during the term of this
Agreement, while unidentified at this time, will be offered to Distributor under
terms and conditions to be negotiated, provided that (i) S&P ComStock, Inc. has
the necessary rights to convey such new information to Distributor for
redistribution; and (ii) Distributor and S&P ComStock, Inc. execute a separate
agreement or an amendment to this Agreement.

         (b) S&P ComStock, Inc. shall have the right, on at least six (6) months
prior written notice, to change the ComStock Data Format Specification, provided
that any such change shall be made effective generally by S&P ComStock, Inc. to
its customers. Distributor shall be responsible at its own expense for making
any modifications to its software necessitated by such change.

6. Term.

         (a) This Agreement shall take effect upon its execution by an
authorized representative of S&P ComStock, Inc. and of Distributor.

         (b) The term of this Agreement shall be for an initial term of two (2)
years commencing on the first day of service operation and shall automatically
renew at the end of each term for successive terms, each of the same duration as
the initial term, unless it is terminated effective at the end of any term with
written notice by either party given to the other at least ninety (90) days
prior to the end of the then current term. If S&P ComStock, Inc. increases
charges to Distributor pursuant to Paragraph 4(d), above, Distributor shall have
the option to terminate this Agreement by written notice to S&P ComStock, Inc.
within sixty (60) days of Distributor's receipt of notice of such increases;
such termination will become effective no sooner than thirty (30) days from the
last day of the month in which notice of termination by Distributor is received
by S&P ComStock, Inc.

7. Marketing.

         Distributor may not use the names "ComStock", "SPC.", or "S&P ComStock,
Inc.", which are proprietary to S&P ComStock, Inc., or refer to the ComStock
Information in marketing or advertising materials without the prior written
consent of S&P ComStock, Inc., such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
Upon S&P ComStock, Inc.'s written request, Distributor shall notify Subscribers
by a display in the service itself that S&P ComStock is the source of the quote
information and any sales literature discussing ComStock provided quotes shall
list S&P ComStock as the provider of the service.

8. Rights to Data Specification; Other Confidential Information.

         (a) Distributor agrees and acknowledges that the Data Specification is
a confidential and proprietary trade secret belonging to ComStock, and nothing
in this Agreement conveys any proprietary rights whatsoever with regard to the
Data Specification to Distributor. The Data Specification is provided to the
Distributor strictly and solely for the purpose of developing internal computer
software to receive the ComStock Information. Distributor may not use the Data
Specification for any other purpose whatsoever, including, but not limited to,
the development of systems for the receipt or transmission of computer data.
Distributor may not give, transmit, or provide access to the ComStock Data
Specification to any Subscriber or other third party. On any termination of this
Agreement, regardless of cause, Distributor shall promptly return the Data
Specification to S&P ComStock, Inc. and shall provide a written certification by
an officer that no copies have been retained by Distributor.

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         (b) In addition to the duties imposed on Distributor pursuant to
Paragraph 8(a), above, S&P ComStock, Inc. and Distributor agree to hold
confidential any and all of each other's trade secrets, procedures, formulae,
financial data, Subscriber lists, and future plans, which may be learned before
and during the term of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however,
such duty of confidentiality shall not extend to information which is or comes
into the public domain, is rightfully obtained from third parties not under a
duty of confidentiality, or which is independently developed without reference
to the other party's confidential information.

         (c) The duties of confidentiality imposed herein shall survive any
termination of this Agreement.

9. Prevention of Performance.

         Neither party shall be liable for any failure in performance of this
Agreement if such failure is caused by acts of God, war, governmental decree,
power failure, judgment or order, strike, or other circumstances, whether or not
similar to the foregoing, beyond the reasonable control of the party so
affected. Neither party shall have any liability for any default resulting from
force majeure, which shall be deemed to include any circumstances beyond its
control. Such circumstances shall include, but are not limited to acts of the
government, fires, flood, strikes, power failures or communications line or
network failures.

10. Right of Termination in the Event of Breach or Bankruptcy; Right to
Injunctive Relief.

         (a) Either party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement for
material breach by the other party by giving thirty (30) days prior written
notice, such termination to take effect unless the breach is cured or corrected
within such notice period.

         (b) If a receiver is appointed for either party's business or if either
party petitions under the Bankruptcy Act and is adjudicated a bankrupt, declared
an insolvent, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, then the
other party shall, upon thirty (30) days prior written notice, have the right to
terminate this Agreement.

         (c) Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, Distributor
shall cease all use and distribution of any of the ComStock Information.

         (d) In addition to and notwithstanding the above, if Distributor, or
any of its employees, agents or representatives, shall attempt to use or dispose
of the ComStock Information or the Data Specification in a manner contrary to
the terms of this Agreement, S&P ComStock, Inc. shall have the right, in
addition to such other remedies as may be available to it, to injunctive relief
enjoining such acts or attempt, it being acknowledged that legal remedies are
inadequate.

         (e) SPC shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written
notice to Distributor in the event of a sale or transfer of all or substantially
all of the assets of Distributor or a sale or transfer of a controlling equity
interest in Distributor.

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11. Assignment.

         This Agreement may not be assigned, sublicensed or otherwise
transferred by either party without the written consent, except to a majority
owned subsidiary, of the other party, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld, provided, however, that no such consent shall be required with respect
to any assignment by S&P ComStock, Inc. to its parent company, or to any S&P
ComStock, Inc. affiliate. Any attempted transfer or assignment of this Agreement
in violation of this provision shall be null and void.

12. Entire Agreement.

         This Agreement and its Exhibits embodies the entire agreement between
the parties hereto. There are no promises, representations, conditions or terms
other than those herein contained. No modification, change or alteration of this
Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

13. Non-Waiver.

         The failure of either party to exercise any of its rights under this
Agreement for a breach thereof shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such rights
nor shall the same be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach.

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14. Notices.

All notices under this Agreement shall be given in writing to the parties as
follows:

To:               S&P ComStock, Inc.
                  600 Mamaroneck Avenue
                  Harrison, New York 10528
                  Attn.: Mr. Paul Zinone

To:               Stockpoint, Inc.
                  2600 Crosspark Road
                  Coralville, Iowa 52241
                  Attn.: Mr. William Staib

15. Governing Law.

         This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York
and the parties agree to select New York jurisdiction for any claims or disputes
which may arise hereunder.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Distributor and S&P ComStock, Inc. have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized respective officers, as of the
day and year above written.

S&P COMSTOCK, INC.

By:  /s/  [illegible]

Title:  President

Date:  9/23/99

DISTRIBUTOR

By:  /s/  William E. Staib

Title:  CEO

Date:  9/23/1999

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                                    EXHIBITS

A.  COMSTOCK INFORMATION DEFINITION; AUTHORIZED COUNTRIES

B.  DESCRIPTION OF DISTRIBUTOR SERVICE

C.  LISTING OF COMSTOCK EQUIPMENT; DISTRIBUTOR DELIVERY SITES

D.  SCHEDULES OF SUBSCRIBER FEES

E.  TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE

                                       9<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.17

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is entered into on March 1, 2000 (the "Effective Time"), by
and between Scott D. Porter, an individual resident of the State of Iowa
("Executive"), and Stockpoint, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Company").

     WHEREAS, Executive has heretofore been employed as the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company; and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to have the benefit of the
Executive's services as a corporate officer of the Company;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the respective
undertakings of the Company and Executive set forth below, the Company and
Executive agree as follows:

     1. Employment. The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive
accepts such employment and agrees to perform services for the Company, upon the
other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     2. Term. The term of this agreement is one year and renews annually, unless
either party provides written notification 90 days prior to the renewal. See
section 8 below for Termination definitions and remedies.

     3. Positions, Duties and Reporting.

     3.01 Service with Company. During the term of this Agreement, Executive
agrees to perform such reasonable employment duties consistent with the role of
Chief Financial Officer as the Company shall assign to him/her from time to
time.

     3.02 Performance of Duties. Executive agrees to serve the Company
faithfully and to the best of his/her ability and to devote his/her full time,
attention, and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company during the
term of this Agreement. Executive represents to the Company that he/she is under
no contractual commitments inconsistent with his/her obligations set forth in
this Agreement, and that during the term of this Agreement, he/she will not
render or perform services for any other corporation, firm, entity or person
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement.

     3.03 Reporting. This position will report to the President or Chief
Executive Officer of the Company.

     4. Compensation.

     4.01 Base Salary. As base compensation for all services to be rendered by
Executive under this Agreement during the first year of the term of this
Agreement, the Company shall pay to Executive a base salary at a rate of
$105,000 per year, which salary shall be paid on a twice-monthly basis in
accordance with the Company's normal payroll procedures and policies. The salary
payable to Executive during each subsequent year during the term of this
Agreement shall be established by the Company and Executive, but in no event
shall the salary for any subsequent year be less than the base salary in effect
for the prior year. Upon the completion of an initial public offering of the
Company's common stock or another strategic transaction that satisfies the
Company's present obligations to the Northern Trust Company in full, the base
salary payable to the Executive will be increased to $122,500 per year.

     4.02 Participation in Benefit Plans. During the term of this Agreement,
Executive shall be entitled to receive such medical and hospitalization
insurance and other fringe benefits as are being provided to the Company's other
executive level employees from time to time to the extent that Executive's age,
position or other factors qualify him/her for such fringe benefits.

     4.03 Expenses. The Company will pay or reimburse Executive for all
reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him/her in the
performance of his/her duties under this

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Agreement, subject to the presentment of appropriate vouchers in accordance with
the Company's normal policies for expense verification.

     4.04 Incentive for completion of an initial public offering. Upon the
completion of an initial public offering of the Company's common stock, the
Company will also pay Executive an IPO cash bonus of $35,000, which is due and
payable, immediately upon the close.

     4.05 Annual Incentive Compensation. The Company shall formulate and deliver
to Executive by March 31, 2000 with respect to the remainder of fiscal 2000, and
by January 1 with respect to each succeeding fiscal year during the term of this
Agreement, and the Company and Executive shall use their best efforts to
negotiate and agree to, an annual incentive compensation plan for Executive.

     5. Confidential Information. Except as permitted or directed by the
Company's Board of Directors, during the term of this Agreement or at any time
thereafter, Executive shall not divulge, furnish or make accessible to anyone or
use in any way (other than in the ordinary course of the business of the
Company) any confidential or secret knowledge or information of the Company
which Executive has acquired or become acquainted with or will acquire or become
acquainted with during the period of his/her employment by the Company, whether
developed by himself/herself or by others, concerning any trade secrets,
confidential or secret designs, processes, formulae, plans, devices or material
(whether or not patented or patentable) directly or indirectly useful in any
aspect of the business of the Company, any confidential or secret development or
research work of the Company, or any other confidential information or secret
aspects of the business of the Company. Executive expressly acknowledges that,
in addition to the Company's proprietary software and technical know-how, the
Company's customer lists and the form (including, without limitation, payment
terms) of the Company's relationships with its customers is not publicly known
and that the disclosure or use of such information for any purpose other than
for the benefit of the Company could cause substantial damage the Company and
would place the Company at a competitive disadvantage. Executive acknowledges
that the above-described knowledge or information constitutes a unique and
valuable asset of the Company and that any disclosure or other use of such
knowledge or information other than the sole benefit of the Company would be
wrongful and would cause irreparable harm to the Company. The foregoing
obligations of confidentiality shall not apply to any knowledge or information
which is now published, which subsequently becomes generally publicly known,
other than as a direct or indirect result of the breach of this Agreement by
Executive, or which was known to the Executive prior to the term of his/her
employment with the Company. Executive agrees to notify any person or entity
with which Executive is employed or for which Executive provides services of the
requirements of this Section 5 and to notify the Company of the identity of any
such person or entity with which Executive is employed during the One year after
termination of this Agreement.

     6. Employee Solicitation. During employment, and for a period of nine
months thereafter, Executive shall not (i) directly or indirectly solicit any
employee of the Company or any of Company's affiliates to leave the employ of
any such entity or in any way interfere adversely with the relationship between
any such employee and any such entity, (ii) directly or indirectly solicit any
employee of the Company or any affiliates to work for, render services or
provide advice to or supply confidential business information or trade secrets
of any such entity to any third person, firm or corporation, or (iii) directly
or indirectly solicit any existing customers and potential customers that have
an unexpired written proposals under consideration. For purposes of the
foregoing, solicitation shall not include solicitation of employees, vendors or
customers (i) who first solicit employment or a relationship from Executive, or
(ii) who are solicited (A) by advertising in periodicals of general circulation
or by general circulation Internet advertising, or (B) by a search or consulting
firm on behalf of Executive or Executive's affiliates, so long as Executive or
such affiliates did not direct or encourage such firm to solicit such employee,
vendor or customer of the Company. If any restriction set forth in this
paragraph is held to be unreasonable, then Executive and the Company agree, and
hereby submit, to the reduction and limitation of such prohibition to such area
or period as shall be deemed reasonable.

     7. Patent and Related Matter.

          7.01 Disclosure and Assignment. Executive will promptly disclose in
     writing to the Company complete information concerning each and every
     invention, discovery, improvement, work of authorship, device, design,
     apparatus, practice, process, method or product whether patentable or not,
     made, developed, authored, perfected, devised, conceived or first reduced
     to practice by Executive, either solely or in collaboration with others,
     during the term of this Agreement, whether or not during regular working
     hours,

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     relating to the Business of the Company (hereinafter referred to as
     "Developments"). Executive, to the extent that he/she has the legal right
     to do so, hereby acknowledges that any and all of said Developments are the
     property of the Company and hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the
     Company any and all of Executive's right, title and interest in and to any
     and all of such Developments.

          7.02 Limitation on Section 7.01. The provisions of section 7.01 shall
     not apply to any Development meeting the following conditions:

               (a) such Development was developed entirely on Executive's own
          time; and

               (b) such Development was made without the use of any Company
          equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information, excluding
          Executives laptop; and

               (c) such Development does not relate (I) directly to the Business
          of the Company, or (ii) to the Company's actual or demonstrably
          anticipated research or development; and

               (d) such Development does not result from any work performed by
          Executive for the Company.

          7.03 Assistance of Executive. Upon request and without further
     compensation therefor, but at no expense to Executive, and whether during
     the term of this Agreement or thereafter, Executive will do all lawful
     acts, including, but not limited to, the execution of papers and lawful
     oaths and the giving of testimony, that in the opinion of the Company, its
     successors and assigns, may be necessary or desirable in obtaining,
     sustaining, reissuing, extending and enforcing United States and foreign
     patents and/or registrations including, but not limited to, design patents,
     on any and all of such Developments (other than those described in 7.02),
     and for perfecting affirming and recording the Company's complete ownership
     and title thereto, and to cooperate otherwise in all proceedings and
     matters relating thereto.

          7.04 Obligations, Restrictions and Limitations. Executive understands
     that the Company may enter into agreements or arrangements with agencies of
     the United States Government, and that the Company may be subject to laws
     and regulations which impose obligations, restrictions and limitations on
     it with respect to inventions and patents which may be acquired by it or
     which may be conceived, authored or developed by employees, consultants or
     other agents rendering services to it. Executive agrees that he/she shall
     be bound by all such obligations, restrictions and limitations applicable
     to any such invention or work of authorship conceived, authored or
     developed by him/her during the term of this Agreement and shall take any
     and all further action which may be required to discharge such obligations
     and to comply with such obligations and to comply with such restrictions
     and limitations.

     8. Termination

          8.01 Grounds for Termination. This Agreement may be terminated:

               (a) by the Company, if Executive dies, or

               (b) by the Executive, if Executive becomes disabled (as defined
          below), or

               (c) by the Company, if the Executive has engaged in conduct
          constituting cause for his/her termination and the Company notifies
          Executive in writing of such election, or

               (d) by the Company without cause upon notice to the Executive in
          writing of such election, provided that such termination may only
          occur by unanimous decision of the Board of Directors if there are
          then three or fewer Directors or by a majority decision of the Board
          of Directors if there are then four or more Directors.

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               (e) by the Executive, if the Executive is constructively
          terminated, as defined in paragraph 8.01(2) herein and the Executive
          has notified the Company of his/her election to terminate for
          Constructive Termination, or

               (f) by the Executive upon notice to the Company in writing of
          such election.

          If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to subsection (a), (b), (c),
     (e) or (f) of this section 8.01, such termination shall be effective
     immediately. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to subsection (d) of
     this section 8.01, such termination shall be effective thirty (30) days
     after delivery of the notice of termination.

          (1) "Cause" Defined. "Cause" means:

               (a) The Employee has breached the provisions of Section 5, 6 or 7
          of this Agreement in any material respect,

               (b) The Executive has engaged in willful and material misconduct,
          including willful and material failure to perform the Employee's
          duties as an officer or employee of the Company and has failed to cure
          such default within 30 days after receipt of written notice of default
          from the Company,

               (c) The Executive has committed fraud, misappropriation or
          embezzlement in connection with the Company's business, or

               (d) Executive has been convicted or has pleaded nolo contendere
          to criminal misconduct that is detrimental to the Company's reputation
          or that calls into question, in the judgement of the Board,
          Executive's integrity in fulfilling his/her duties under this
          Agreement.

          In the event the Company terminates Executive's employment for "cause"
     pursuant to subsection 8.01 and Executive objects in writing to the Board's
     determination that there was proper "cause" for such termination within
     (30) days after Executive is notified of such termination, the matter shall
     be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the provisions of section
     10.01. If Executive fails to object to any such determination of "cause" in
     writing within such thirty (30) day period, he/she shall be deemed to have
     waived his/her right to object to that determination. If such arbitration
     determines that there was not proper "cause" for termination, such
     termination shall be deemed to be a termination pursuant to subsection
     8.01(d).

          (2) "Constructive Termination" defined. Constructive Termination means
     termination by Executive after written notice to the Company that Executive
     deems such termination by Executive as a result of Constructive
     Termination, and only after:

               (a)  A material breach by the Company of a material obligation of
                    the Company under this Agreement after the Executive has
                    given the Company written notice of the breach and the
                    Company has not remedied the breach within 30 days;

               (b)  A failure of the Company to pay when due to the Executive
                    any annual base salary, annual bonus or other earned bonus
                    or awards referred to in this Agreement;

               (c)  The relocation of the Executive's principal place of
                    employment to a location not within a 30 mile radius of such
                    place of employment on the Effective Date;

               (d)  A material reduction by the Company of the Executive's
                    duties or responsibilities;

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

               (e)  The failure of the Company to obtain an agreement reasonably
                    satisfactory to the Executive from any successor to assume
                    and agree to perform this Agreement , or, if the business
                    for which the Executive's services are principally performed
                    is sold or transferred, the failure of the Company to obtain
                    such an agreement from the purchaser or transferee of such
                    business; or

               (f)  The Company becomes insolvent or bankrupt where executive
                    can no longer perform his/her duties as outlined above.

          In the event the Executive terminates Executive's employment for
     "Constructive Termination" pursuant to subsection 8.01 and the Company
     objects in writing to the Executive's determination that there was
     Constructive Termination within (30) days after Executive has notified the
     Company of the same, the matter shall be resolved by arbitration in
     accordance with the provisions of section 10.01. If the Company fails to
     object to any such determination of "Constructive Termination" in writing
     within such thirty (30) day period, it shall be deemed to have waived its
     right to object to that determination. If such arbitration determines that
     there was not proper "Constructive Termination", such termination shall be
     deemed to be a termination pursuant to subsection 8.01(c).

     8.02 "Disability" Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"disabled" means any mental or physical condition which renders Executive unable
to perform the essential functions of his/her positions, with or without
reasonable accommodation, for a period of more than ninety (90) days during any
consecutive one hundred twenty (120) day period.

     8.03 Surrender of Records and Property. Upon termination of his/her
employment with the Company, Executive shall deliver promptly to the Company all
records, manual, book, blank forms, document, letters, memoranda, notes,
notebooks, reports, data, tables, calculations or copies thereof, which are the
property of the Company or which relate in any way to the business, products,
practices or techniques of the Company, and all other property, trade secrets
and confidential information of the Company, including, but not limited to, all
documents which in whole or case are in his/her possession or under his/her
control.

     8.04 Wage and Benefit Continuation. If Executive's employment by the
Company is terminated pursuant to subsection 8.01 (d) or 8.01(e), the Company
shall continue to pay to Executive his/her base salary and shall continue to
provide health insurance benefits for Executive for a period 9 months after
termination. Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 8.04, Executive shall
not be entitled under this Section 8.04 or any other provision of this Agreement
to receive any cash compensation pursuant to this Agreement which constitutes an
"excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor provision or regulations
promulgated.

If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to subsection 8.01 (a), 8.01 (c), or
8.01 (f), Executive's right to base salary and benefits shall immediately
terminate except as may otherwise be required by applicable law.

          If Executive's employment is terminated by the Company pursuant to
     subsection 8.01(a), 8.01(b), 8.01(d) or 8.01(e), Executive shall also be
     entitled to receive any bonus payment that as of the time of termination
     would have been payable to him/her pursuant to any incentive plan then in
     effect.

     9. Indemnification and Directors & Officers Insurance

     9.01 Indemnification. The Company will provide Executive indemnification,
exculpation and expense advancement, to the fullest extent of the law,
including, without limitation, entering into an indemnification agreement with
Executive in at least as beneficial a form to Executive as the Company has
entered into with any other officer or director of the Company.

     9.02 Directors and Officers Insurance. The Company will provide, at its
expense, Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance in an amount deemed appropriate
by its Board of Directors and Officers. If the Company shall show any employee
as a named insured under such policy, the Executive shall be a named insured
under such policy.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

     10. Settlement of Disputes.

          10.01 Arbitration. Except as provided in section 10.02 any claims or
     disputes of any nature between the Company and Executive arising from or
     related to the performance, breach, termination, expiration, application,
     or meaning of this Agreement or any related matter relating to Executive's
     employment and the termination of that employment by the Company shall be
     resolved exclusively by arbitration in Minneapolis, MN, in accordance with
     the then applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association. Any such
     arbitration shall be conducted by an arbitrator with said Rules, who has at
     least ten (10) years experience as an attorney in executive compensation
     and employment law. The fees of the arbitrator (s) and other cost,
     including attorney fees, incurred by Executive and the Company in
     connection with such arbitration shall be paid by the party who is
     unsuccessful in such arbitration, as determined by the arbitrator. The
     decision if the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding upon both parties.
     Judgement of the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any
     court having jurisdiction thereof. In the event of submission of any
     dispute to arbitration, each party shall, not later than thirty (30) days
     prior to the date set forth hearing, provide to the other party and to the
     arbitrator(s) a copy of all exhibits upon which the party intends to rely
     at the hearing and a list of all persons each party intends to call at the
     hearing.

          10.02 Resolution of Certain Claims- Injunctive Relief. Section 10.01
     shall have no application to claims by the Company asserting a violation of
     section 5, 6, 7 or 8.03 or seeking to enforce, by injunction or otherwise,
     the terms of section 5, 6, 7 or 8.03. Such claims may be maintained by the
     Company in a lawsuit subject to the terms of section 10.03. Executive
     agrees that, in addition to, but not to the exclusion of any other
     available remedy, the Company shall have the right to enforce the
     provisions of sections 5, 6, 7 and 8.03 by applying for and obtaining
     temporary and permanent restraining orders injunctions from a court of
     competent jurisdiction without the necessity of filing a bond therefor and
     without the necessity of proving actual damages, and the Company shall be
     entitled to recover from the Employee its reasonable attorneys' fees and
     costs in enforcing the provisions of Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8.03.

          10.03 Venue. Any action at law, suit in equity, or judicial proceeding
     arising directly or indirectly, or otherwise in connection with, out of,
     related to or from this Agreement or any provisions hereof shall be
     litigated only in the courts of the State of Iowa. Executive waives any
     right the Executive may have to transfer or change the venue of any
     litigation brought against Executive by the Company.

          10.04 Severability. To the extent any provisions of this Agreement
     shall be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be considered deleted herefrom
     and the remainder of such provisions and if this Agreement shall be
     unaffected and shall continue in full force and effect. In furtherance and
     not in limitation of the foregoing, should the duration or geographical
     extent of, or business activities covered by, any provisions of this
     Agreement be in excess of that which is valid and enforceable under
     applicable law, then such provisions shall be construed to cover only that
     duration, extent or activities which may validly and enforceably be
     covered. Executive acknowledges the uncertainty of the law in respect and
     expressly stipulates that this Agreement be given the construction which
     renders its provisions valid and enforceable to the maximum extent (not
     exceeding its express terms) possible under applicable law.

     11 Miscellaneous.

          11.01 Governing Law. This Agreement is made under and shall be
     governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa.

          11.02 Prior Agreements. Except as set forth in Section 1, this
     Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the
     employment of Executive by the Company and the ancillary matters discussed
     herein and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings with respect to
     such matters, and the parties hereto made no arrangements, representations
     or warranties relating to such employment or ancillary matters which are
     not set forth herein.

          11.03 Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from any benefits
     payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes shall
     be required pursuant to any law governmental regulation, or ruling or any
     other amount owed to the Company.

          11.04 Amendments. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall
     be deemed effective unless made in writing and signed by the both Executive
     and Company.

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

          11.05 No Waiver. No term or condition of this Agreement shall be
     deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be any estoppel to enforce any
     provisions of this Agreement, except by a statement in writing signed by
     the party against whom enforcement of the waiver or estoppel is sought. Any
     written waiver shall not be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically
     stated, shall operate only as to specific term or condition waived and
     shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future or
     as to any act other than that specifically waived.

          11.06 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or
     in part, by either party without the written consent of the other party,
     except that the Company may, without the consent of the Executive, assign
     its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any corporation, firm or
     other business entity with or into which the Company may merge or
     consolidate, or to which the Company may sell or transfer all or
     substantially all of its assets, or of which 50% or more of the equity
     investment and of the voting control is owned, directly or indirectly, by,
     or is under common ownership with, the Company; provided, however, that no
     such assignment will relieve Company of any of its obligations hereunder.
     After any such assignee shall thereafter be deemed to be the Company for
     the purposes of all provisions of this Agreement including section 9. .

          11.07 Counterparts. This Agreement may be simultaneously executed in
     any number of counterparts, and such counterparts executed and delivered,
     each as an original, shall constitute but the same instrument.

          11.08 Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be
     given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement
     will be in writing and will be deemed to have given when personally
     delivered or three days after being mailed, if mailed, by first class mail,
     return receipt requested, or when receipt is acknowledged, if sent by
     facsimile, telecopy or other electronic transmission device. Notices,
     demands and communications to Company and the Executive will, unless
     another address is specified in writing, be sent to the address indicated
     below:

         Notices to Company:                       Notice to Executive:
         -------------------                       --------------------
         Stockpoint, Inc.                          ________________
         2600 Crosspark Road                       ________________
         Coralville, Iowa 52241                    ________________
         Attn: President

          11.09 Captions and Headings. The captions and paragraph headings used
     in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not
     affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or any of the
     provisions hereof.

          11.10 Effect of Termination. It is expressly understood that neither
     the Company nor the Executive shall have any continuing obligation under
     this agreement upon termination hereof, except in respect of the matters
     referenced in Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8.03.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and the Company have executed this Agreement
as of date set forth herein.

                                                     Stockpoint, Inc.

                                                     By:___________________

                                                     Its___________________

                                                     EXECUTIVE

                                                     ______________________
                                                     Scott D. Porter

                                       7

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