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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                                ValiCert, Inc.

                          1996 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

                           As Amended April 30, 1998

     1.   PURPOSE.  The purpose of this Plan is to provide incentives to
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attract, retain and motivate eligible persons whose present and potential
contributions are important to the success of the Company, its Parent and
Subsidiaries, by offering them an opportunity to participate in the Company's
future performance through awards of Options, Restricted Stock and Stock
Bonuses. Capitalized terms not defined in the text are defined in Section 23.

     2.   SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
          --------------------------

          2.1  Number of Shares Available.  Subject to Sections 2.2 and 18, the
               --------------------------
total number of Shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to
this Plan will be 5,658,418 shares. Subject to Sections 2.2 and 18, Shares will
again be available for grant and issuance in connection with future Awards under
this Plan that: (a) are subject to issuance upon exercise of an Option but cease
to be subject to such Option for any reason other than exercise of such Option,
(b) are subject to an Award granted hereunder but are forfeited or are
repurchased by the Company as set forth herein, or (c) are subject to an Award
that otherwise terminates without Shares being issued. At all times the Company
will reserve and keep available a sufficient number of Shares as will be
required to satisfy the requirements of all outstanding Options granted under
this Plan and all other outstanding but unvested Awards granted under this Plan.

          2.2  Adjustment of Shares.  In the event that the number of
               --------------------
outstanding Shares is changed by a stock dividend, recapitalization, stock
split, reverse stock split, subdivision, combination, reclassification or
similar change in the capital structure of the Company without consideration,
then (a) the number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan, (b) the
Exercise Prices of and number of Shares subject to outstanding Options, and (c)
the number of Shares subject to other outstanding Awards will be proportionately
adjusted, subject to any required action by the Board or the shareholders of the
Company and compliance with applicable securities laws; provided, however, that
                                                        --------  -------
fractions of a Share will not be issued but will either be paid in cash at Fair
Market Value of such fraction of a Share or will be rounded up to the nearest
whole Share, as determined by the Committee.

     3.   ELIGIBILITY.  ISOs (as defined in Section 5 below) may be granted only
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to employees (including officers and directors who are also employees) of the
Company or of a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. All other Awards may be
granted to employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors of the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company; provided such consultants
                                                    --------
and advisors render bona fide services not in connection with the offer and sale
of securities in a capital-raising transaction.  A person may be granted more
than one Award under this Plan.

     4.   ADMINISTRATION.
          --------------

          4.1  Committee Authority.  This Plan will be administered by the
               -------------------
Committee or the Board acting as the Committee. Subject to the general purposes,
terms and conditions of this Plan, and to the direction of the Board, the
Committee will have full power to implement and carry out this Plan. Without
limitation, the Committee will have the authority to:

          (a)  construe and interpret this Plan, any Award Agreement and any
               other agreement or document executed pursuant to this Plan;

          (b)  prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to
               this Plan;

          (c)  select persons to receive Awards;

          (d)  determine the form and terms of Awards;
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          (e)  determine the number of Shares or other consideration subject to
               Awards;

          (f)  determine whether Awards will be granted singly, in combination
               with, in tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to,
               other Awards under this Plan or any other incentive or
               compensation plan of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of
               the Company;

          (g)  grant waivers of Plan or Award conditions;

          (h)  determine the vesting, exercisability and payment of Awards;

          (i)  correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any
               inconsistency in this Plan, any Award, any Award Agreement, or
               any Exercise Agreement;

          (j)  determine whether an Award has been earned; and

          (k)  make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the
               administration of this Plan.

          4.2  Committee Discretion.  Any determination made by the Committee
               ---------------------
with respect to any Award will be made in its sole discretion at the time of
grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of this Plan
or Award, at any later time, and such determination will be final and binding on
the Company and on all persons having an interest in any Award under this Plan.
The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority
to grant an Award under this Plan to Participants who are not Insiders of the
Company.

     5.   OPTIONS.  The Committee may grant Options to eligible persons and will
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determine whether such Options will be Incentive Stock Options within the
meaning of the Code ("ISOs") or Nonqualified Stock Options ("NQSOs"), the number
of Shares subject to the Option, the Exercise Price of the Option, the period
during which the Option may be exercised, and all other terms and conditions of
the Option, subject to the following:

          5.1  Form of Option Grant.  Each Option granted under this Plan will
               --------------------
be evidenced by an Award Agreement which will expressly identify the Option as
an ISO or an NQSO ("Stock Option Agreement"), and will be in such form and
contain such provisions (which need not be the same for each Participant) as the
Committee may from time to time approve, and which will comply with and be
subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.

          5.2  Date of Grant.  The date of grant of an Option will be the date
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on which the Committee makes the determination to grant such Option, unless
otherwise specified by the Committee. The Stock Option Agreement and a copy of
this Plan will be delivered to the Participant within a reasonable time after
the granting of the Option.

          5.3  Exercise Period.  Options may be exercisable immediately (subject
               ---------------
to repurchase pursuant to Section 12 of this Plan) or may be exercisable within
the times or upon the events determined by the Committee as set forth in the
Stock Option Agreement governing such Option; provided, however, that no Option
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will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date the
Option is granted; and provided further that no ISO granted to a person who
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directly or by attribution owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Parent or
Subsidiary of the Company ("Ten Percent Shareholder") will be exercisable after
the expiration of five (5) years from the date the ISO is granted. The Committee
also may provide for the exercise of Options to become exercisable at one time
or from time to time, periodically or otherwise, in such number of Shares or
percentage of Shares as the Committee determines.

          5.4  Exercise Price.  The Exercise Price of an Option will be
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determined by the Committee when the Option is granted and may not be less than
85% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant; provided that
(i) the Exercise Price of an ISO will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of grant and (ii) the Exercise Price of any
Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder will not be

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less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant.
Payment for the Shares purchased must be made in accordance with Section 8 of
this Plan.

          5.5  Method of Exercise.  Options may be exercised only by delivery to
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the Company of a written stock option exercise agreement (the "Exercise
Agreement") in a form approved by the Committee (which need not be the same for
each Participant), stating the number of Shares being purchased, the
restrictions imposed on the Shares purchased under such Exercise Agreement, if
any, and such representations and agreements regarding Participant's investment
intent and access to information and other matters, if any, as may be required
or desirable by the Company to comply with applicable securities laws, together
with payment in full of the Exercise Price, and any applicable taxes, for the
number of Shares being purchased.

          5.6  Termination.  Subject to earlier termination pursuant to
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Subsection 18.1 and notwithstanding the exercise periods set forth in the Stock
Option Agreement, exercise of an Option will always be subject to the following:

               (a)  If the Participant is Terminated for any reason except
                    death, Disability or for Cause, then the Participant may
                    exercise such Participant's Options only to the extent that
                    such Options would have been exercisable upon the
                    Termination Date no later than three (3) months after the
                    Termination Date (or such shorter time period, not less than
                    thirty (30) days, as may be specified in the Stock Option
                    Agreement) or such longer time period not exceeding five (5)
                    years after the Termination Date as may be determined by the
                    Committee, with any exercise beyond three (3) months after
                    the Termination Date deemed to be an NQSO, but in any event,
                    no later than the expiration date of the Options.

               (b)  If the Participant is Terminated because of Participant's
                    death or Disability (or the Participant dies within three
                    (3) months after a Termination other than because of
                    Participant's death or Disability or Cause), then
                    Participant's Options may be exercised only to the extent
                    that such Options would have been exercisable by Participant
                    on the Termination Date and must be exercised by Participant
                    (or Participant's legal representative or authorized
                    assignee) no later than twelve (12) months after the
                    Termination Date (or such shorter time period, not less than
                    six (6) months, as may be specified in the Stock Option
                    Agreement) or such longer time period not exceeding five (5)
                    years after the Termination Date as may be determined by the
                    Committee, with any exercise beyond (a) three (3) months
                    after the Termination Date when the Termination is for any
                    reason other than the Participant's death or disability,
                    within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, or (b)
                    twelve (12) months after the Termination Date when the
                    Termination is for Participant's death or disability, within
                    the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, deemed to be an
                    NQSO, but in any event no later than the expiration date of
                    the Options.

               (c)  If the Participant is terminated for Cause, then
                    Participant's options shall expire on such Participant's
                    Termination Date, or at such later time and on such
                    conditions as determined by the Committee.

          5.7  Limitations on Exercise.  The Committee may specify a reasonable
               -----------------------
minimum number of shares that may be purchased on any exercise of an Option,
provided that such minimum number will not prevent Participant from exercising
the Option for the full number of Shares for which it is then exercisable.

          5.8  Limitations on ISOs.  The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined
               -------------------
as of the date of grant) of Shares with respect to which ISOs are exercisable
for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or
under any other incentive stock option plan of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary of the Company) will not exceed $100,000. If the Fair Market Value of
Shares on the date of grant with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the
first time by a Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, then the
Options for the first $100,000 worth of Shares to become exercisable in such
calendar year will be ISOs and the

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Options for the amount in excess of $100,000 that become exercisable in that
calendar year will be NQSOs. In the event that the Code or the regulations
promulgated thereunder are amended after the Effective Date (as defined in
Section 19 below) of this Plan to provide for a different limit on the Fair
Market Value of Shares permitted to be subject to ISOS, then such different
limit will be automatically incorporated herein and will apply to any Options
granted after the effective date of such amendment.

          5.9  Modification, Extension or Renewal.  The Committee may modify,
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extend or renew outstanding Options and authorize the grant of new Options in
substitution therefor, provided that any such action may not, without the
written consent of a Participant, impair any of such Participant's rights under
any Option previously granted. Any outstanding ISO that is modified, extended,
renewed or otherwise altered will be treated in accordance with Section 424(h)
of the Code. The Committee may reduce the Exercise Price of outstanding Options
without the consent of Participants affected by a written notice to them;
provided, however, that the Exercise Price may not be reduced below the minimum
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Exercise Price that would be permitted under Section 5.4 of this Plan for
Options granted on the date the action is taken to reduce the Exercise Price.

          5.10  No Disqualification.  Notwithstanding any other provision in
                -------------------
this Plan, no term of this Plan relating to ISOs will be interpreted, amended or
altered, nor will any discretion or authority granted under this Plan be
exercised, so as to disqualify this Plan under Section 422 of the Code or,
without the consent of the Participant affected, to disqualify any ISO under
Section 422 of the Code.

     6.   RESTRICTED STOCK.  A Restricted Stock Award is an offer by the Company
          ----------------
to sell to an eligible person Shares that are subject to restrictions. The
Committee will determine to whom an offer will be made, the number of Shares the
person may purchase, the Purchase Price, the restrictions to which the Shares
will be subject, and all other terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock
Award, subject to the following:

          6.1  Form of Restricted Stock Award.  All purchases under a Restricted
               ------------------------------
Stock Award made pursuant to this Plan will be evidenced by an Award Agreement
("Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement") that will be in such form (which need
not be the same for each Participant) as the Committee will from time to time
approve, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this
Plan. The offer of Restricted Stock will be accepted by the Participant's
execution and delivery of the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement and full
payment for the Shares to the Company within thirty (30) days from the date the
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is delivered to the person. If such person
does not execute and deliver the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement along with
full payment for the Shares to the Company within thirty (30) days, then the
offer will terminate, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.

          6.2  Purchase Price.  The Purchase Price of Shares sold pursuant to a
               --------------
Restricted Stock Award will be determined by the Committee and will be at least
85% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Restricted Stock
Award is granted, except in the case of a sale to a Ten Percent Shareholder, in
which case the Purchase Price will be 100% of the Fair Market Value. Payment of
the Purchase Price may be made in accordance with Section 8 of this Plan.

          6.3  Restrictions.  Restricted Stock Awards may be subject to the
               ------------
restrictions set forth in Section 12 of this Plan or such other restrictions (if
any) as the Committee may impose.

     7.   STOCK BONUSES.
          -------------

          7.1  Awards of Stock Bonuses.  A Stock Bonus is an award of Shares
               -----------------------
(which may consist of Restricted Stock) for services rendered to the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Stock Bonus may be awarded for past
services already rendered to the Company, or any Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company pursuant to an Award Agreement (the "Stock Bonus Agreement") that will
be in such form (which need not be the same for each Participant) as the
Committee will from time to time approve, and will comply with and be subject to
the terms and conditions of this Plan. A Stock Bonus may be awarded upon
satisfaction of such performance goals as are set out in advance in the
Participant's individual Award Agreement (the "Performance Stock Bonus
Agreement") that will be in such form (which need not be the same for each
Participant) as the Committee will from time to time approve, and will comply
with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan. Stock Bonuses may
vary from Participant to Participant and between groups of Participants, and may
be based

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upon the achievement of the Company, Parent or Subsidiary and/or individual
performance factors or upon such other criteria as the Committee may determine;
provided, however, that performance-based bonuses shall be restricted to
individuals earning at least $60,000 per year and of adequate sophistication and
sufficiently empowered to achieve the performance goals.

          7.2  Terms of Stock Bonuses.  The Committee will determine the number
               ----------------------
of Shares to be awarded to the Participant and whether such Shares will be
Restricted Stock. If the Stock Bonus is being earned upon the satisfaction of
performance goals pursuant to a Performance Stock Bonus Agreement, then the
Committee will determine: (a) the nature, length and starting date of any period
during which performance is to be measured (the "Performance Period") for each
Stock Bonus; (b) the performance goals and criteria to be used to measure the
performance, if any; (c) the number of Shares that may be awarded to the
Participant; and (d) the extent to which such Stock Bonuses have been earned.
Performance Periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously
with respect to Stock Bonuses that are subject to different Performance Periods
and different performance goals and other criteria. The number of Shares may be
fixed or may vary in accordance with such performance goals and criteria as may
be determined by the Committee. The Committee may adjust the performance goals
applicable to the Stock Bonuses to take into account changes in law and
accounting or tax rules and to make such adjustments as the Committee deems
necessary or appropriate to reflect the impact of extraordinary or unusual
items, events or circumstances to avoid windfalls or hardships.

          7.3  Form of Payment.  The earned portion of a Stock Bonus may be paid
               ---------------
currently or on a deferred basis with such interest or dividend equivalent, if
any, as the Committee may determine. Payment may be made in the form of cash,
whole Shares, including Restricted Stock, or a combination thereof, either in a
lump sum payment or in installments, all as the Committee will determine.

          7.4  Termination During Performance Period.  If a Participant is
               -------------------------------------
Terminated during a Performance Period for any reason, then such Participant
will be entitled to payment (whether in Shares, cash or otherwise) with respect
to the Stock Bonus only to the extent earned as of the date of Termination in
accordance with the Performance Stock Bonus Agreement, unless the Committee will
determine otherwise.

     8.   PAYMENT FOR SHARE PURCHASES.
          ---------------------------

          8.1  Payment.  Payment for Shares purchased pursuant to this Plan may
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be made in cash (by check) or, where expressly approved for the Participant by
the Committee and where permitted by law:

               (a)  by cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the
                    Participant;

               (b)  by surrender of shares that either: (1) have been owned by
                    Participant for more than six (6) months and have been paid
                    for within the meaning of SEC Rule 144 (and, if such shares
                    were purchased from the Company by use of a promissory note,
                    such note has been fully paid with respect to such shares);
                    or (2) were obtained by Participant in the public market;

               (c)  by tender of a full recourse promissory note having such
                    terms as may be approved by the Committee and bearing
                    interest at a rate sufficient to avoid imputation of income
                    under Sections 483 and 1274 of the Code; provided, however,
                                                             --------  -------
                    that Participants who are not employees or directors of the
                    Company will not be entitled to purchase Shares with a
                    promissory note unless the note is adequately secured by
                    collateral other than the Shares.

               (d)  by waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Participant
                    for services rendered;

               (e)  with respect only to purchases upon exercise of an Option,
                    and provided that a public market for the Company's stock
                    exists:

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               (1)  through a "same day sale" commitment from the Participant
                    and a broker-dealer that is a member of the National
                    Association of Securities Dealers (an "NASD Dealer") whereby
                    the Participant irrevocably elects to exercise the Option
                    and to sell a portion of the Shares so purchased to pay for
                    the Exercise Price, and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably
                    commits upon receipt of such Shares to forward the Exercise
                    Price directly to the Company; or

               (2)  through a "margin" commitment from the Participant and a
                    NASD Dealer whereby the Participant irrevocably elects to
                    exercise the Option and to pledge the Shares so purchased to
                    the NASD Dealer in a margin account as security for a loan
                    from the NASD Dealer in the amount of the Exercise Price,
                    and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt
                    of such Shares to forward the Exercise Price directly to the
                    Company; or

               (f)  by any combination of the foregoing.

          8.2  Loan Guarantees.  The Committee may help the Participant pay for
               ---------------
Shares purchased under this Plan by authorizing a guarantee by the Company of a
third-party loan to the Participant.

     9.   WITHHOLDING TAXES.
          -----------------

          9.1  Withholding Generally.  Whenever Shares are to be issued in
               ---------------------
satisfaction of Awards granted under this Plan, the Company may require the
Participant to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy federal,
state and local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any
certificate or certificates for such Shares. Whenever, under this Plan, payments
in satisfaction of Awards are to be made in cash, such payment will be net of an
amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local withholding tax
requirements.

          9.2  Stock Withholding.  When, under applicable tax laws, a
               -----------------
Participant incurs tax liability in connection with the exercise or vesting of
any Award that is subject to tax withholding and the Participant is obligated to
pay the Company the amount required to be withheld, the Committee may in its
sole discretion allow the Participant to satisfy the minimum withholding tax
obligation by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued
that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount
required to be withheld, determined on the date that the amount of tax to be
withheld is to be determined. All elections by a Participant to have Shares
withheld for this purpose will be made in accordance with the requirements
established by the Committee for such elections and be in writing in a form
acceptable to the Committee.

     10.  PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP.
          -----------------------------

          10.1  Voting and Dividends.  No Participant will have any of the
                --------------------
rights of a shareholder with respect to any Shares until the Shares are issued
to the Participant. After Shares are issued to the Participant, the Participant
will be a shareholder and have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to
such Shares, including the right to vote and receive all dividends or other
distributions made or paid with respect to such Shares; provided, that if such
                                                        --------
Shares are Restricted Stock, then any new, additional or different securities
the Participant may become entitled to receive with respect to such Shares by
virtue of a stock dividend, stock split or any other change in the corporate or
capital structure of the Company will be subject to the same restrictions as the
Restricted Stock; provided, further, that the Participant will have no right to
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retain such stock dividends or stock distributions with respect to Unvested
Shares that are repurchased pursuant to Section 12.

          10.2  Financial Statements.  The Company will provide financial
                --------------------
statements to each Participant prior to such Participant's purchase of Shares
under this Plan, and to each Participant annually during the period such
Participant has Awards outstanding; provided, however, the Company will not be
                                    --------  -------
required to provide such financial statements to Participants whose services in
connection with the Company assure them access to equivalent information.

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     11.  TRANSFERABILITY.  Awards granted under this Plan, and any interest
          ---------------
therein, will not be transferable or assignable by Participant, and may not be
made subject to execution, attachment or similar process, otherwise than by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution or as consistent with the specific
Plan and Award Agreement provisions relating thereto. During the lifetime of the
Participant an Award will be exercisable only by the Participant, and any
elections with respect to an Award, may be made only by the Participant.

     12.  RESTRICTIONS ON SHARES.  At the discretion of the Committee, the
          ----------------------
Company may reserve to itself and/or its assignee(s) in the Award Agreement (a)
a right of first refusal to purchase all Shares that a Participant (or a
subsequent transferee) may propose to transfer to a third party, and/or (b) a
right to repurchase Shares held by a Participant following such Participant's
Termination at any time within ninety (90) days after the later of Participant's
Termination Date and the date Participant purchases Shares under the Plan for
cash and/or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness, at: (A) with respect to
Vested Shares, the Fair Market Value of such Shares on Participant's Termination
Date, provided, that such right of repurchase terminates when the Company's
      --------
securities become publicly traded; or (B) with respect to Unvested Shares, the
Participant's Exercise Price or Purchase Price, as the case may be, provided,
                                                                    --------
that to the extent the Participant is not an officer, director or consultant of
the Company, such right of repurchase at the Exercise Price or Purchase Price,
as the case may be, lapses at the rate of at least twenty percent (20%) per year
over five (5) years from: (i) the date of grant of the Option or (ii) in the
case of Restricted Stock, the date the Participant purchases the Shares.

     13.  CERTIFICATES.  All certificates for Shares or other securities
          ------------
delivered under this Plan will be subject to such stock transfer orders, legends
and other restrictions as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable,
including restrictions under any applicable federal, state or foreign securities
law, or any rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC or any stock
exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may be listed or
quoted.

     14.  ESCROW; PLEDGE OF SHARES.  To enforce any restrictions on a
          ------------------------
Participant's Unvested Shares, the Committee may require the Participant to
deposit all certificates representing Shares, together with stock powers or
other instruments of transfer approved by the Committee, appropriately endorsed
in blank, with the Company or an agent designated by the Company to hold in
escrow until such restrictions have lapsed or terminated (provided, however,
that such Shares may be retained in escrow so long as such Shares secure any
debts to the Company), and the Committee may cause a legend or legends
referencing such restrictions to be placed on the certificates. Any Participant
who is permitted to execute a promissory note as partial or full consideration
for the purchase of Shares under this Plan will be required to pledge and
deposit with the Company all or part of the Shares so purchased as collateral to
secure the payment of Participant's obligation to the Company under the
promissory note; provided, however, that the Committee may require or accept
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other or additional forms of collateral to secure the payment of such obligation
and, in any event, the Company will have full recourse against the Participant
under the promissory note notwithstanding any pledge of the Participant's Shares
or other collateral. In connection with any pledge of the Shares, Participant
will be required to execute and deliver a written pledge agreement in such form
as the Committee will from time to time approve. The Shares purchased with the
promissory note may be released from the pledge on a pro rata basis as the
promissory note is paid.

     15.  EXCHANGE AND BUYOUT OF AWARDS.  The Committee may, at any time or from
          -----------------------------
time to time, authorize the Company, with the consent of the respective
Participants, to issue new Awards in exchange for the surrender and cancellation
of any or all outstanding Awards. The Committee may at any time buy from a
Participant an Award previously granted with payment in cash, Shares (including
Restricted Stock) or other consideration, based on such terms and conditions as
the Committee and the Participant may agree.

     16.  SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.  An Award will not be
          ----------------------------------------------
effective unless such Award is in compliance with all applicable federal and
state securities laws, rules and regulations of any governmental body, and the
requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the
Shares may then be listed or quoted, as they are in effect on the date of grant
of the Award and also on the date of exercise or other issuance.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, the Company will have no
obligation to issue or deliver certificates for Shares under this Plan prior to
(a) obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company
determines are necessary or advisable, and/or (b) compliance with any exemption
or completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares under
any state or federal law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company
determines to be necessary or advisable.  The Company will be

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under no obligation to register the Shares with the SEC or to effect compliance
with the exemption, registration, qualification or listing requirements of any
state securities laws, stock exchange or automated quotation system, and the
Company will have no liability for any inability or failure to do so.

     17.  NO OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY.  Nothing in this Plan or any Award granted
          -----------------------
under this Plan will confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right
to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or limit in any way the right
of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company to terminate
Participant's employment or other relationship at any time, with or without
cause.

     18.  CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
          ----------------------

          18.1  Assumption or Replacement of Awards by Successor.  In the event
                ------------------------------------------------
of (a) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (b) a merger or
consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than
a merger or consolidation with a wholly-owned subsidiary, a reincorporation of
the Company in a different jurisdiction, or other transaction in which there is
no substantial change in the shareholders of the Company or their relative stock
holdings and the Awards granted under this Plan are assumed, converted or
replaced by the successor corporation, which assumption will be binding on all
Participants), (c) a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation
but after which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger
(other than any shareholder which merges, or which owns or controls another
corporation which merges, with the Company in such merger) cease to own their
shares or other equity interests in the Company, or (d) the sale of
substantially all of the assets of the Company, any or all outstanding Awards
may be assumed, converted or replaced by the successor corporation (if any),
which assumption, conversion or replacement will be binding on all Participants.
In the alternative, the successor corporation may substitute equivalent Awards
or provide substantially similar consideration to Participants as was provided
to shareholders (after taking into account the existing provisions of the
Awards). The successor corporation may also issue, in place of outstanding
Shares of the Company held by the Participant, substantially similar shares or
other property subject to repurchase restrictions and other provisions no less
favorable to the Participant than those which applied to such outstanding Shares
immediately prior to such transaction described in this Subsection 18.1. In the
event such successor corporation (if any) refuses to assume or substitute
Awards, as provided above, pursuant to a transaction described in this
Subsection 18.1, then notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the
contrary, such Awards will expire on such transaction at such time and on such
conditions as the Board will determine.

          18.2  Other Treatment of Awards.  Subject to any greater rights
                -------------------------
granted to Participants under the foregoing provisions of this Section 18, in
the event of the occurrence of any transaction described in Section 18.1, any
outstanding Awards will be treated as provided in the applicable agreement or
plan of merger, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation or sale of assets.

          18.3  Assumption of Awards by the Company.  The Company, from time to
                -----------------------------------
time, also may substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by another
company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company or
otherwise, by either (a) granting an Award under this Plan in substitution of
such other company's award, or (b) assuming such award as if it had been granted
under this Plan if the terms of such assumed award could be applied to an Award
granted under this Plan. Such substitution or assumption will be permissible if
the holder of the substituted or assumed award would have been eligible to be
granted an Award under this Plan if the other company had applied the rules of
this Plan to such grant. In the event the Company assumes an award granted by
another company, the terms and conditions of such award will remain unchanged
(except that the exercise price and the number and nature of Shares issuable
 ------
upon exercise of any such option will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to
Section 424(a) of the Code). In the event the Company elects to grant a new
Option rather than assuming an existing option, such new Option may be granted
with a similarly adjusted Exercise Price.

     19.  ADOPTION AND SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. This Plan will become effective on
          ---------------------------------
the date that it is adopted by the Board (the "Effective Date"). This Plan will
be approved by the shareholders of the Company (excluding Shares issued pursuant
to this Plan), consistent with applicable laws, within twelve (12) months before
or after the Effective Date. Upon the Effective Date, the Board may grant Awards
pursuant to this Plan; provided, however, that: (a) no Option may be exercised
                       --------  -------
prior to initial shareholder approval of this Plan; (b) no Option granted
pursuant to an increase in the number of Shares subject to this Plan approved by
the Board will be

                                       8
<PAGE>

exercised prior to the time such increase has been approved by the shareholders
of the Company; and (c) in the event that shareholder approval of such increase
is not obtained within the time period provided herein, all Awards granted
hereunder will be canceled, any Shares issued pursuant to any Award will be
canceled and any purchase of Shares hereunder will be rescinded.

     20.  TERM OF PLAN/GOVERNING LAW.  Unless earlier terminated as provided
          --------------------------
herein, this Plan will terminate ten (10) years from the Effective Date or, if
earlier, the date of shareholder approval. This Plan and all agreements
thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of California.

     21.  AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN. The Board may at any time terminate
          --------------------------------
or amend this Plan in any respect, including without limitation amendment of any
form of Award Agreement or instrument to be executed pursuant to this Plan;
provided, however, that the Board will not, without the approval of the
--------  -------
shareholders of the Company, amend this Plan in any manner that requires such
shareholder approval pursuant to the Code or the regulations promulgated
thereunder as such provisions apply to ISO plans.

     22.  NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN.  Neither the adoption of this Plan by the
          --------------------------
Board, the submission of this Plan to the shareholders of the Company for
approval, nor any provision of this Plan will be construed as creating any
limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such additional compensation
arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the
granting of stock options and bonuses otherwise than under this Plan, and such
arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific
cases.

     23.  DEFINITIONS.  As used in this Plan, the following terms will have the
          -----------
following meanings:

          "Award" means any award under this Plan, including any Option,
Restricted Stock or Stock Bonus.

          "Award Agreement" means, with respect to each Award, the signed
written agreement between the Company and the Participant setting forth the
terms and conditions of the Award.

          "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          "Cause" means Termination because of (i) any willful material
violation by the Participant of any law or regulation applicable to the business
of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the Participant's
conviction for, or guilty plea to, a felony or a crime involving moral
turpitude, any willful perpetration by the Participant of a common law fraud or
any unlawful use by the Participant of drugs or other controlled substances,
(ii) the Participant's commission of an act of personal dishonesty which
involves personal profit in connection with the Company or any other entity
having a business relationship with the Company, (iii) any material breach by
the Participant of any provision of any agreement or understanding between the
Company and the Participant regarding the terms of the Participant's service as
an employee, director, consultant, independent contractor or adviser to the
Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, including without limitation,
the willful and continued failure or refusal of the Participant to perform the
material duties required of such Participant as an employee, director,
consultant, independent contractor or adviser of the Company or a Parent or
Subsidiary of the Company, other than as a result of being Disabled, or a breach
of any applicable invention assignment and confidentiality agreement or similar
agreement between the Company and the Participant, (iv) Participant's disregard
of the policies of the Company so as to cause loss, damage or injury to the
property, reputation or employees of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of
the Company, or (v) any other misconduct by the Participant which is materially
injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of, or is otherwise
materially injurious to, the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.

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

          "Committee" means the committee appointed by the Board to administer
this Plan, or if no committee is appointed, the Board.

          "Company" means ValiCert, Inc. or any successor corporation.

                                       9
<PAGE>

          "Disability" means a disability, whether temporary or permanent,
partial or total, as determined by the Committee.

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

          "Exercise Price" means the price at which a holder of an Option may
purchase the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option.

          "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of a share of the
Company's Common Stock determined as follows:

               (a)  if such Common Stock is then quoted on the Nasdaq National
                    Market, its closing price on the Nasdaq National Market on
                    the last trading day prior to the date of determination as
                    reported in The Wall Street Journal;
                                -----------------------

               (b)  if such Common Stock is publicly traded and is then listed
                    on a national securities exchange, its closing price on the
                    last trading day prior to the date of determination on the
                    principal national securities exchange on which the Common
                    Stock is listed or admitted to trading as reported in The
                                                                          ---
                    Wall Street Journal;
                    -------------------

               (c)  if such Common Stock is publicly traded but is not quoted on
                    the Nasdaq National Market nor listed or admitted to trading
                    on a national securities exchange, the average of the
                    closing bid and asked prices on the last trading day prior
                    to the date of determination as reported by The Wall Street
                                                                ---------------
                    Journal (or, if not so reported, as otherwise reported by
                    -------
                    any newspaper or other source as the Board may determine);
                    or

               (d)  if none of the foregoing is applicable, by the Committee in
                    good faith.

               "Insider" means an officer or director of the Company or any
other person whose transactions in the Company's Common Stock are subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

               "Option" means an award of an option to purchase Shares pursuant
to Section 5.

               "Parent" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an
unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if each of such
corporations other than the Company 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.

               "Participant" means a person who receives an Award under this
Plan.

               "Plan" means this ValiCert, Inc. 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, as
amended from time to time.

               "Purchase Price" means the price at which a Participant may
purchase Restricted Stock.

               "Restricted Stock Award" means an award of Shares pursuant to
Section 6.

               "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

               "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

               "Shares" means shares of the Company's Common Stock reserved for
issuance under this Plan, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 2 and 18, and any
successor security.

                                       10
<PAGE>

               "Stock Bonus" means an award of Shares, or cash in lieu of
Shares, pursuant to Section 7.

               "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.

               "Termination" or "Terminated" means, for purposes of this Plan
with respect to a Participant, that the Participant has for any reason ceased to
provide services as an employee, officer, director, consultant or advisor to the
Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. An employee will not be deemed
to have ceased to provide services in the case of (i) sick leave, (ii) military
leave, or (iii) any other leave of absence approved by the Committee, provided
that such leave is for a period of not more than 90 days unless reemployment
upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute, or
unless provided otherwise pursuant to formal policy adopted from time to time by
the Company and issued and promulgated to employees in writing. In the case of
any employee on an approved leave of absence, the Committee may make such
provisions respecting suspension of vesting of the Award while on leave from the
employ of the Company or a Subsidiary as it may deem appropriate, except that in
no event may an Option be exercised after the expiration of the term set forth
in the Stock Option Agreement. The Committee will have sole discretion to
determine whether a Participant has ceased to provide services and the effective
date on which the Participant ceased to provide services (the "Termination
Date").

               "Unvested Shares " means "Unvested Shares" as defined in the
Award Agreement.

               "Vested Shares" means "Vested Shares" as defined in the Award
Agreement.

                                       11<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3
                                VALICERT, INC.

                               1998 STOCK PLAN

     1.  Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 1998 Stock Plan are to
         --------------------
attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants of
the Company and its Subsidiaries and to promote the success of the Company's
business.  Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options (as
defined under Section 422 of the Code) or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as
determined by the Administrator at the time of grant of an option and subject to
the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code, as amended, and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.  Stock purchase rights may also be granted
under the Plan.

     2.  Definitions.  As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
         -----------

         (a)  "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees
               -------------
appointed pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.

         (b)  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
               -----

         (c)  "Change of Control" means (i) the acquisition of the Company by
               -----------------
another person or entity by means of any transaction or series of related
transactions (including, without limitation, any reorganization, merger or
consolidation, but excluding any merger effected exclusively for the purpose of
changing the domicile of the Company); or (ii) a sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company, unless in the case of either (i) or (ii) the
Company's shareholders of record as constituted immediately prior to such
acquisition or sale will, immediately after such acquisition or sale (by virtue
of securities issued as consideration for the Company's acquisition or sale or
otherwise) hold at least 50% of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring
entity in approximately the same relative percentages after such acquisition or
sale as before such acquisition or sale.

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

         (e)  "Committee" means the Committee appointed by the Board of
               ---------
Directors in accordance with Section 4(a) or (b) of the Plan.

         (f)  "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.
               ------------

         (g)  "Company" means ValiCert, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
               -------

         (h)  "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, who is
               ----------
engaged by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to render services and is
compensated for such services, and any director of the Company whether
compensated for such services or not.

         (i)  "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant" means the
               ----------------------------------------------
absence of any interruption or termination of service as an Employee or
Consultant. Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not be
considered interrupted in the case of: (i) sick leave; (ii) military leave;
(iii) any other leave of absence approved by the Administrator, provided that
<PAGE>

such leave is for a period of not more than 90 days, unless reemployment upon
the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute, or unless
provided otherwise pursuant to Company policy adopted from time to time; or (iv)
transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its
Subsidiaries or their respective successors. For purposes of this Plan, a change
in status from an Employee to a Consultant or from a Consultant to an Employee
will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant.

         (j)  "Employee" means any person, including officers and directors,
               --------
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, with the
status of employment determined based upon such minimum number of hours or
periods worked as shall be determined by the Administrator in its discretion,
subject to any requirements of the Code. The payment by the Company of a
director's fee to a director shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment"
of such director by the Company.

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

         (l)  "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the fair market value
               -----------------
of Stock determined as follows:

              (i)    If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system including without limitation the National
Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotation ("Nasdaq") System, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales
            ------
price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported), as quoted
on such system or exchange, or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading
in Common Stock, for the last market trading day prior to the time of
determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Administrator deems reliable;

              (ii)   If the Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq System (but not
on the National Market thereof) or regularly quoted by a recognized securities
dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the
mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock for the last
market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in The Wall
Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

              (iii)  In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

          (m) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as an
               ----------------------
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, as
designated in the applicable written Option Agreement.

          (n) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
               -------------------------
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, as designated in the applicable written
Option Agreement.

          (o) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
               ------

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

          (p) "Option Agreement" means a written agreement between an Optionee
               ----------------
and the Company reflecting the terms of an Option granted under the Plan and
includes any documents attached to such Option Agreement, including, but not
limited to, a notice of stock option grant and a form of exercise notice.

          (q) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or a
               --------------
Stock Purchase Right.

          (r) "Optionee" means an Employee or Consultant who receives an Option
               --------
or a Stock Purchase Right.

          (s) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
               ------
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code, or any successor provision.

          (t) "Plan" means this 1998 Stock Plan.
               ----

          (u) "Reporting Person" means an officer, director, or greater than 10%
               ----------------
stockholder of the Company within the meaning of Rule 16a-2 under the Exchange
Act, who is required to file reports pursuant to Rule 16a-3 under the Exchange
Act.

          (v) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant
               ----------------
to a grant of a Stock Purchase Right under Section 10.

          (w) "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written agreement
               -----------------------------------
between a holder of a Stock Purchase Right and the Company reflecting the terms
of a Stock Purchase Right granted under the Plan and includes any documents
attached to such agreement.

          (x) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act,
               ----------
as the same may be amended from time to time, or any successor provision.

          (y) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
               -----
accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.

          (z) "Stock Exchange" means any stock exchange or consolidated stock
               --------------
price reporting system on which prices for the Common Stock are quoted at any
given time.

          (aa) "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase Common Stock
                --------------------
pursuant to Section 10 below.

          (bb) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
                ----------
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, or any successor
provision.

     3.  Stock Subject to the Plan.  Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of
         -------------------------
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Shares may be
authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. If an Option should expire
or become unexercisable for any reason without having been exercised in full,
the unpurchased Shares that were subject thereto shall, unless the Plan shall
have been terminated, become available for future grant under the Plan. In
addition,

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

any Shares of Common Stock which are retained by the Company upon exercise of an
Option or Stock Purchase Right in order to satisfy the exercise or purchase
price for such Option or Stock Purchase Right or any withholding taxes due with
respect to such exercise shall be treated as not issued and shall continue to be
available under the Plan. Shares repurchased by the Company pursuant to any
repurchase right which the Company may have shall not be available for future
grant under the Plan.

     4.  Administration of the Plan.
         --------------------------

          (a) Initial Plan Procedure. Prior to the date, if any, upon which the
              ----------------------
Company becomes subject to the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered by
the Board or a Committee appointed by the Board.

          (b) Plan Procedure After the Date, if any, Upon Which the Company
              -------------------------------------------------------------
Becomes Subject to the Exchange Act.
-----------------------------------

              (i)    Multiple Administrative Bodies.  If permitted by Rule
                     ------------------------------
16b-3, grants under the Plan may be made by different bodies with respect to
directors, non-director officers and Employees or Consultants who are not
Reporting Persons.

              (ii)   Administration With Respect to Reporting Persons.  With
                     ------------------------------------------------
respect to grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to Employees who are
Reporting Persons, such grants shall be made by (A) the Board if the Board may
make grants to Reporting Persons under the Plan in compliance with Rule 16b-3,
or (B) a Committee designated by the Board to make grants to Reporting Persons
under the Plan, which Committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to
permit grants under the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3. Once appointed, such
Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise
directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
make grants to Reporting Persons under the Plan, all to the extent permitted by
Rule 16b-3.

              (iii) Administration With Respect to Consultants and Other
                    ----------------------------------------------------
Employees.  With respect to grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to
---------
Employees or Consultants who are not Reporting Persons, the Plan shall be
administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee designated by the Board, which
Committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to satisfy the legal
requirements relating to the administration of Incentive Stock Option plans, if
any, of applicable corporate and securities laws, of the Code and of any
applicable Stock Exchange (the "Applicable Laws"). Once appointed, such
                                ---------------
Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise
directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

          (c) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan
              ---------------------------
and in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board to
such Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities,
including the approval, if required, of any Stock Exchange, the Administrator
shall have the authority, in its discretion:

              (i)    to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, in
accordance with Section 2(k) of the Plan;

              (ii)   to select the Consultants and Employees to whom Options and
Stock Purchase Rights or any combination thereof may from time to time be
granted hereunder;

              (iii)  to determine whether and to what extent Options and Stock
Purchase Rights or any combination thereof are granted hereunder;

              (iv)   to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each such award granted hereunder;

              (v)    to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

              (vi)   to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder;

              (vii)  to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option
may be settled in cash under Section 9(f) instead of Common Stock;

              (viii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then
current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered
by such Option shall have declined since the date the Option was granted;

              (ix)   to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to Stock
Purchase Rights and the Restricted Stock purchased by exercising such Stock
Purchase Rights;

              (x)    to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan; and

              (xi)   in order to fulfill the purposes of the Plan and without
amending the Plan, to modify grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to
participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside of the United States
in order to recognize differences in local law, tax policies or customs.

          (d) Effect of Administrator's Decision. All decisions, determinations
              ----------------------------------
and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all
holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.

     5.  Eligibility
         -----------

          (a) Recipients of Grants. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock
              --------------------
Purchase Rights may be granted to Employees and Consultants. Incentive Stock
Options may be granted

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

only to Employees. An Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option or
Stock Purchase Right may, if he or she is otherwise eligible, be granted
additional Options or Stock Purchase Rights.

          (b) Type of Option. Each Option shall be designated in the Option
              --------------
Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate
Fair Market Value of Shares with respect to which Options designated as
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee
during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5(b), Incentive Stock
Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and
the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall
be determined as of the date of the grant of such Option.

          (c) The Plan shall not confer upon the holder of any Option or Stock
Purchase Right any right with respect to continuation of employment or
consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with
such holder's right or the Company's right to terminate his or her employment or
consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.

     6.   Term of Plan.  The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
          ------------
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
stockholders of the Company as described in Section 19 of the Plan. It shall
continue in effect for a term of ten years unless sooner terminated under
Section 15 of the Plan.

     7.   Term of Option.  The term of each Option shall be the term stated in
          --------------
the Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten
years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in
the Option Agreement and provided further that, in the case of an Incentive
Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns
stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the
Option shall be five years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term
as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

     8.   Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
          ---------------------------------------

          (a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant
to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Board and
set forth in the applicable agreement, but shall be subject to the following:

              (i)    In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is:

                     (A)  granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant
of such Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent
or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the
Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                     (B)  granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise
price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date
of grant.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

              (ii)   In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option that is:

                     (A)  granted to a person who, at the time of the grant of
such Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the
per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per
Share on the date of the grant.

                     (B)  granted to any person, the per Share exercise price
shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of
grant.

          (b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by
the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant) and may consist entirely of (1) cash, (2)
check, (3) promissory note (subject to the provisions of Section 153 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law), (4) other Shares that (x) in the case of
Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for
more than six months on the date of surrender or such other period as may be
required to avoid a charge to the Company's earnings, and (y) have a Fair Market
Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
Shares as to which such Option shall be exercised, (5) authorization for the
Company to retain from the total number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise equal to the exercise price for the total number of Shares as to which
the Option is exercised, (6) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice
together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if
applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to
the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price and
any applicable income or employment taxes, (7) delivery of an irrevocable
subscription agreement for the Shares that irrevocably obligates the option
holder to take and pay for the Shares not more than twelve months after the date
of delivery of the subscription agreement, (8) any combination of the foregoing
methods of payment, or (9) such other consideration and method of payment for
the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted under the Applicable Laws. In
making its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the
Administrator shall consider if acceptance of such consideration may be
reasonably expected to benefit the Company.

     9.   Exercise of Option.
          ------------------

          (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option
              -----------------------------------------------
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions
as determined by the Administrator and reflected in the Option Agreement, which
may include vesting requirements and/or performance criteria with respect to the
Company and/or the Optionee; provided, however, that such Option shall become
exercisable at the rate of at least 20% per year over five years from the date
the Option is granted. In the event that any of the Shares issued upon exercise
of an Option should be subject to a right of repurchase in the Company's favor,
such repurchase right shall lapse at the rate of at least 20% per year over five
years from the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the above, in the
case of an Option granted to an officer, director or Consultant of the Company
or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the Option may become fully
exercisable, and a repurchase right, if any, in favor of the Company shall
lapse, at any time or during any period established by the Administrator.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

     An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

     An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such
exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and the Company has
received full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is
exercised.  Full payment may, as authorized by the Board, consist of any
consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 8(b) of the Plan.
Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock
certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any
other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock,
notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The Company shall issue (or cause
to be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the Option.  No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 12 of the Plan.

     Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the
number of Shares that thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the Plan
and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.

          (b) Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship. Subject to
              ----------------------------------------------------
Section 9(c) below, in the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant with the Company, such Optionee may, but
only within three months (or such other period of time not less than 30 days as
is determined by the Administrator, with such determination in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option being made at the time of grant of the Option and not
exceeding three months) after the date of such termination (but in no event
later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the
Option Agreement), exercise his or her Option to the extent that the Optionee
was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that
the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of such
termination, or if the Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so
entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. No
termination shall be deemed to occur and this Section 9(b) shall not apply if
(i) the Optionee is a Consultant who becomes an Employee, or (ii) the Optionee
is an Employee who becomes a Consultant.

          (c) Disability of Optionee.
              ----------------------

              (i)    Notwithstanding Section 9(b) above, in the event of
termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a
result of his or her total and permanent disability (within the meaning of
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), such Optionee may, but only within twelve months
from the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration
date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise
the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it at the date of such
termination. To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the
Option at the date of termination, or if the Optionee does not exercise such
Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option
shall terminate.

              (ii)   In the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of a disability which does not
fall within the meaning of

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

total and permanent disability (as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code),
such Optionee may, but only within six months from the date of such termination
(but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as
set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise the Option to the extent otherwise
entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. However, to the extent
that such Optionee fails to exercise an Option which is an Incentive Stock
Option (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) within three months of
the date of such termination, the Option will not qualify for Incentive Stock
Option treatment under the Code. To the extent that the Optionee was not
entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if the Optionee
does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within six months from
the date of termination, the Option shall terminate.

          (d) Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee during
              -----------------
the period of Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant since the date of
grant of the Option, or within 30 days following termination of the Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, the Option may be exercised, at
any time within six months following the date of death (but in no event later
than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement), by such Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the rights to
exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the
right to exercise that had accrued at the date of death or, if earlier, the date
of termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant.
To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the
date of death or termination, as the case may be, or if the Optionee does not
exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein,
the Option shall terminate.

          (e) Rule 16b-3. Options granted to Reporting Persons shall comply with
              ----------
Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such additional conditions or restrictions as may
be required thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption for Plan
transactions.

     10.  Stock Purchase Rights.
          ---------------------

          (a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either
              ------------------
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines
that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the
offeree in writing of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the
offer, including the number of Shares that such person shall be entitled to
purchase, the price to be paid (which price shall not be less than 85% of the
Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date of the offer, or, in the case of
a person owning stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the
price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of
the date of the offer), and the time within which such person must accept such
offer, which shall in no event exceed 30 days from the date upon which the
Administrator made the determination to grant the Stock Purchase Right. The
offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in
the form determined by the Administrator.

          (b) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise,
              -----------------
the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase
option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the
purchaser's employment with the Company

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

for any reason (including death or disability). The purchase price for Shares
repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the
original purchase price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of
any indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall
lapse at such rate as the Administrator may determine; provided, however, that
with respect to an Optionee who is not an officer, director or Consultant of the
Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, it shall lapse at a
minimum rate of 20% per year.

          (c) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall
              ----------------
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. In
addition, the provisions of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements need not be the
same with respect to each purchaser.

          (d) Rights as a Stockholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
              -----------------------
exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a
stockholder, and shall be a stockholder when his or her purchase is entered upon
the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to
the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 12
of the Plan.

     11.  Stock Withholding to Satisfy Withholding Tax Obligations.  At the
          --------------------------------------------------------
discretion of the Administrator, Optionees may satisfy withholding obligations
as provided in this paragraph.  When an Optionee incurs tax liability in
connection with an Option or Stock Purchase Right, which tax liability is
subject to tax withholding under applicable tax laws, and the Optionee is
obligated to pay the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable
tax laws, the Optionee may satisfy the withholding tax obligation by one or some
combination of the following methods: (a) by cash or check payment, (b) out of
the Optionee's current compensation, (c) if permitted by the Administrator, in
its discretion, by surrendering to the Company Shares that (i) in the case of
Shares previously acquired from the Company, have been owned by the Optionee for
more than six months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a fair market value
on the date of surrender equal to or less than the Optionee's marginal tax rate
times the ordinary income recognized, or (d) by electing to have the Company
withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option, or the Shares
to be issued in connection with the Stock Purchase Right, if any, that number of
Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld.
For this purpose, the fair market value of the Shares to be withheld shall be
determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined
(the "Tax Date").
      --------

     Any surrender by a Reporting Person of previously owned Shares to satisfy
tax withholding obligations arising upon exercise of this Option must comply
with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3.

     All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy tax
withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the
Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions:

          (a) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax Date;

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

          (b) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the particular
Shares of the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to which the election is made;
and

          (c) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of
the Administrator.

     In the event the election to have Shares withheld is made by an Optionee
and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no election is
filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the Optionee shall receive the full
number of Shares with respect to which the Option or Stock Purchase Right is
exercised but such Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to
the Company the proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.

     12.  Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Merger or Certain Other
          -------------------------------------------------------------------
Transactions.
------------

          (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
              -------------------------
stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock that have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or that have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination, recapitalization or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any
other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock
effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however,
that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed
to have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall
be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final,
binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the
Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares
of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall
be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject
to an Option or Stock Purchase Right.

          (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
              --------------------------
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify the Optionee
at least 15 days prior to such proposed action. To the extent it has not been
previously exercised, the Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

          (c) Merger or Sale of Assets.
              ------------------------

              (i)  Assumption of Options and Stock Purchase Rights.  In the
                   -----------------------------------------------
event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or
a merger of the Company with or into another corporation where the successor
corporation issues its securities to the Company's stockholders, each
outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be assumed or an equivalent
option or right shall be substituted by such successor corporation or a parent
or subsidiary of such successor corporation, unless the successor corporation
does not agree to

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

assume the Option or Stock Purchase Right or to substitute an equivalent option
or right, in which case such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon
the consummation of the merger or sale of assets. For purposes of this Section
12(c), an Option or a Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed, without
limitation, if, at the time of issuance of the stock or other consideration upon
such merger or sale of assets, each holder of an Option or a Stock Purchase
Right would be entitled to receive upon exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase
Right the same number and kind of shares of stock or the same amount of
property, cash or securities as such holder would have been entitled to receive
upon the occurrence of such transaction if the holder had been, immediately
prior to such transaction, the holder of the number of Shares of Common Stock
covered by the Option or the Stock Purchase Right at such time (after giving
effect to any adjustments in the number of Shares covered by the Option or Stock
Purchase Right as provided for in this Section 12).

              (ii)   Acceleration of Vesting.  The Administrator shall have the
                     -----------------------
right to provide for the acceleration of vesting of Option and Purchase Rights
upon a Change of Control and to determine the terms of such acceleration, if
any.

          (d) Certain Distributions. In the event of any distribution to the
              ---------------------
Company's stockholders of securities of any other entity or other assets (other
than dividends payable in cash or stock of the Company) without receipt of
consideration by the Company, the Administrator may, in its discretion,
appropriately adjust the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right to reflect the effect of such
distribution.

     13.  Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights.  Options and
          --------------------------------------------------------
Stock Purchase Rights may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated,
transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised or purchased during the lifetime of
the Optionee or the holder of Stock Purchase Rights only by the Optionee or the
holder of Stock Purchase Rights.

     14.  Time of Granting Options and Stock Purchase Rights.  The date of
          --------------------------------------------------
grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall, for all purposes, be the date
on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock
Purchase Right, or such other date as is determined by the Board; provided,
however, that in the case of any Incentive Stock Option, the grant date shall be
the later of the date on which the Administrator makes the determination
granting such Incentive Stock Option or the date of commencement of the
Optionee's employment relationship with the Company. Notice of the determination
shall be given to each Employee or Consultant to whom an Option or Stock
Purchase Right is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant.

     15.  Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
          -------------------------------------

          (a) Authority to Amend or Terminate. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, suspension
or discontinuation shall be made that would impair the rights of any Optionee
under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. In addition, to
the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 or with Section 422
of the Code (or any other applicable law or

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

regulation, including the requirements of any Stock Exchange), the Company shall
obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a
degree as required.

          (b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment or termination of
              ----------------------------------
the Plan shall adversely affect Options already granted, unless mutually agreed
otherwise between the Optionee and the Board, which agreement must be in writing
and signed by the Optionee and the Company.

     16.  Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.  Shares shall not be issued
          ----------------------------------
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the
exercise of such Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of
such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law,
including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the
requirements of any Stock Exchange.

     As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may require the
person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time of any such
exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any
present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by law.

     17.  Reservation of Shares.  The Company, during the term of this Plan,
          ---------------------
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. The inability of the Company
to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which
authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any
liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

     18.  Agreements.  Options and Stock Purchase Rights shall be evidenced by
          ----------
written Option Agreements and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements,
respectively, in such form(s) as the Administrator shall approve from time to
time.

     19.  Stockholder Approval.  Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
          --------------------
approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve months before or after
the date the Plan is adopted. Such stockholder approval shall be obtained in the
degree and manner required under applicable state and federal law and the rules
of any Stock Exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed. All Options and
Stock Purchase Rights issued under the Plan shall become void in the event such
approval is not obtained.

     20.  Information and Documents to Optionees and Purchasers.  The Company
          -----------------------------------------------------
shall provide financial statements at least annually to each Optionee and to
each individual who acquired Shares pursuant to the Plan, during the period such
Optionee or purchaser has one or more Options or Stock Purchase Rights
outstanding, and in the case of an individual who acquired Shares pursuant to
the Plan, during the period such individual owns such Shares. The Company shall
not be required to provide such information if the issuance of Options or Stock
Purchase Rights under the Plan is limited to key employees whose duties in
connection with the

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

Company assure their access to equivalent information. In addition, at the time
of issuance of any securities under the Plan, the Company shall provide to the
Optionee or the purchaser a copy of the Plan and any agreement(s) pursuant to
which securities granted under the Plan are issued.

                                      -14-

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