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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                                  LOUDEYE CORP.

                             2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                        ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                        AND APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS
                                IN DECEMBER, 1999

   (AS AMENDED BY THE BOARD JUNE 4, 2004, AND APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS ON
                                 JULY 22, 2004)

      1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 2000 Stock Option Plan are
to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants and
to promote the success of the Company's business. Options granted under the Plan
may be Incentive Stock Options 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 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 its Committee appointed pursuant to
Section 4 of the Plan.

      (b) "Affiliate" means an entity other than a Subsidiary (as defined below)
which, together with the Company, is under common control of a third person or
entity.

      (c) "Applicable Laws" means the legal requirements relating to the
administration of stock option and restricted stock purchase plans under
applicable U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and applicable state
securities laws, the Code, any Stock Exchange rules or regulations and the
applicable laws of any other country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock
Purchase Rights are granted under the Plan, as such laws, rules, regulations and
requirements shall be in place from time to time.

      (d) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

      (e) "Change of Control" means a sale of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets, or any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
another corporation other than a merger or consolidation in which the holders of
more than 50% of the shares of capital stock of the Company outstanding
immediately prior to such transaction continue to hold (either by the voting
securities remaining outstanding or by their being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the total voting power
represented by the voting securities of the Company, or such surviving entity,
outstanding immediately after such transaction.

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

      (g) "Committee" means one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board
appointed by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with Section 4
below.

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

      (i) "Company" means Loudeye Corp., a Delaware corporation.

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

      (k) "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
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absence approved by the Administrator, provided that such leave is for a period
of not more than ninety (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) in the case of
transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parents,
Subsidiaries, Affiliates or their respective successors. 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.

      (l) "Corporate Transaction" means a sale of all or substantially all of
the Company's assets, or a merger, consolidation or other capital reorganization
of the Company with or into another corporation.

      (m) "Director" means a member of the Board.

      (n) "Employee" means any person (including, if appropriate, any Named
Executive Officer, officer or Director) employed by the Company or any Parent,
Subsidiary or Affiliate, with the status of employment determined based upon
such factors as are deemed appropriate by the Administrator in its discretion,
subject to any requirements of the Code or the Applicable Laws. 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.

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

      (p) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the fair market value of
the Common Stock, as determined by the Administrator in good faith on such basis
as it deems appropriate and applied consistently with respect to Participants.
Whenever possible, the determination of Fair Market Value shall be based upon
the closing price for the Shares as reported in the Wall Street Journal for the
applicable date.

      (q) "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 Option Agreement.

      (r) "Listed Security" means any security of the Company that is listed or
approved for listing on a national securities exchange or designated or approved
for designation as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation
system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

      (s) "Named Executive" means any individual who, on the last day of the
Company's fiscal year, is the chief executive officer of the Company (or is
acting in such capacity) or among the four most highly compensated officers of
the Company (other than the chief executive officer). Such officer status shall
be determined pursuant to the executive compensation disclosure rules under the
Exchange Act.

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

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

      (v) "Option Agreement" means a written document, the form(s) of which
shall be approved from time to time by the Administrator, reflecting the terms
of an Option granted under the Plan and includes any documents attached to or
incorporated into such Option Agreement, including, but not limited to, a notice
of stock option grant and a form of exercise notice.

      (w) "Option Exchange Program" means a program approved by the
Administrator whereby outstanding Options are exchanged for Options with a lower
exercise price.

      (x) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

      (y) "Optionee" means an Employee or Consultant who receives an Option.

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

      (aa) "Participant" means any holder of one or more Options or Stock
Purchase Rights, or the Shares issuable or issued upon exercise of such awards,
under the Plan.

      (bb) "Plan" means this 2000 Stock Option Plan.

      (cc) "Reporting Person" means an officer, Director, or greater than ten
percent 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.

      (dd) "Restricted Stock" means Shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to
a grant of a Stock Purchase Right under Section 11 below.

      (ee) "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written document, the
form(s) of which shall be approved from time to time by the Administrator,
reflecting the terms of a Stock Purchase Right granted under the Plan and
includes any documents attached to such agreement.

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

      (gg) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance
with Section 14 of the Plan.

      (hh) "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.

      (ii) "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase Common Stock
pursuant to Section 11 below.

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

      (kk) "Ten Percent Holder" means a person who owns stock representing more
than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.

      3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 14 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be sold under the Plan
is 17,416,137 Shares of Common Stock, plus an annual increase on the first day
of the Company's fiscal year beginning in 2005 equal to the lesser of (i)
2,500,000 Shares, (ii) five percent (5%) of the Shares outstanding on the last
day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, or (iii) such lesser number of
Shares as the Board shall determine. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued,
or reacquired Common Stock. If an award should expire or become unexercisable
for any reason without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant
to an Option Exchange Program, 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, 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 or purchase shall be
treated as not issued and shall continue to be available under the Plan. Shares
issued under the Plan and later 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) General. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a
Committee, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Board. The Plan may be
administered by different administrative bodies with
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respect to different classes of Participants and, if permitted by the Applicable
Laws, the Board may authorize one or more officers to make awards under the
Plan.

            (b) Committee Composition. If a Committee has been appointed
pursuant to this Section 4, 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 any 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
a Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent
permitted by the Applicable Laws and, in the case of a Committee administering
the Plan in accordance with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of
the Code, to the extent permitted or required by such provisions.

            (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, 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(p) of the Plan;

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

                  (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options and
Stock Purchase Rights are granted;

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

                  (v) to approve the form(s) of agreement(s) used under the
Plan;

                  (vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder, which terms and
conditions include but are not limited to the exercise or purchase price, the
time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised (which may
be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of
forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option,
Optioned Stock, Stock Purchase Right or Restricted Stock, based in each case on
such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;

                  (vii) to determine whether and under what circumstances an
Option may be settled in cash under Section 10(f) instead of Common Stock;

                  (viii) to implement an Option Exchange Program on such terms
and conditions as the Administrator in its discretion deems appropriate;
provided however that no amendment or adjustment to an Option that would
materially and adversely affect the rights of any Optionee shall be made without
the prior written consent of the Optionee;

                  (ix) to adjust the vesting of an award held by an Employee or
Consultant as a result of a change in the terms and conditions under which such
person is providing services to the Company;

                  (x) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted under the Plan, which constructions, interpretations and decisions shall
be final and binding on all Participants; 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.
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      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 only to Employees, provided that Employees of Affiliates
shall not be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options.

            (b) Type of Option. Each Option shall be designated in the Option
Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

            (c) ISO $100,000 Limitation. Notwithstanding any designation under
Section 5(b), 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(c), 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.

            (d) No Employment Rights. The Plan shall not confer upon any
Participant any right with respect to continuation of an employment or
consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with
such Participant'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 its adoption by the
Board of Directors. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) 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 that the term shall be no more than ten (10) 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 a person who at the time of such grant is a Ten Percent
Holder, the term of the Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant
thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

      8. Limitation on Grants to Employees. Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 14 below, the maximum number of Shares which may be subject to Options
and Stock Purchase Rights granted to any one Employee under this Plan for any
fiscal year of the Company shall be 2,500,000.

      9. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

            (a) Exercise Price. 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 Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement, but shall be subject
to the following:

                  (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option.

                       (A) granted to an Employee who at the time of grant is a
Ten Percent Holder, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of
the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant; or

                       (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.

                  (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option

                       (A) granted prior to the date, if any, on which the
Common Stock becomes a Listed Security to a person who is at the time of grant
is a Ten Percent Holder, the per Share exercise price shall
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be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant if
required by the Applicable Laws and, if not so required, shall be such price as
is determined by the Administrator;

                        (B) granted to a person who, at the time of the grant of
such Option, is a Named Executive of the Company, the per share Exercise Price
shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant if such
Option is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section
162(m) of the Code and if not so intended shall be such price as is determined
by the Administrator; or

                        (C) granted prior to the date, if any, on which the
Common Stock becomes a Listed Security to any person other than a Named
Executive or a Ten Percent Holder, the per Share exercise price shall be no less
than 85% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant if required by
Applicable Law and, if not so required, shall be such price as is determined by
the Administrator.

                  (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted
with a per Share exercise price other than as required above pursuant to a
merger or other corporate transaction.

            (b) Permissible Consideration. 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) delivery of Optionee's promissory note with such
recourse, interest, security and redemption provisions as the Administrator
determines to be appropriate (subject to the provisions of Section 153 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law); (4) cancellation of indebtedness; (5) other
Shares that (x) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option either
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) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the
Company, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the
aggregate exercise price of the 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 exercise of the Option and prompt delivery to the Company of the sale
or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price and any applicable
withholding taxes; (7) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or
(8) 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 and the Administrator may refuse to accept a particular form of
consideration at the time of any Option exercise if, in its sole discretion,
acceptance of such form of consideration is not in the best interests of the
Company at such time.

      10. Exercise of Option.

            (a) General.

                  (i) Exercisability. Any Option granted hereunder shall be
exercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by the
Administrator, consistent with the term of the Plan and reflected in the Option
Agreement, including vesting requirements and/or performance criteria with
respect to the Company and/or the Optionee; provided however that, if required
by the Applicable Laws, any Option granted prior to the date, if any, upon which
the Common Stock becomes a Listed Security 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 (which
exercise occurs prior to the date, if any, upon which the Common Stock becomes a
Listed Security) should be subject to a right of repurchase in the Company's
favor, such repurchase right shall, if required by the Applicable Laws, 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, Subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Company, the Option may become fully exercisable, or a
repurchase right, if any, in favor of the Company shall lapse, at any time or
during any period established by the
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Administrator. In addition, following the date, if any, upon which the Common
Stock becomes a Listed Security, the Administrator shall not, unless otherwise
instructed by the Board, issue any Options that may be exercised prior to
vesting.

                  (ii) Minimum Exercise Requirements. An Option may not be
exercised for a fraction of a Share. The Administrator may require that an
Option be exercised as to a minimum number of Shares, provided that such
requirement shall not prevent an Optionee from exercising the full number of
Shares as to which the Option is then exercisable.

                  (iii) Procedures for and Results of Exercise. An Option shall
be deemed 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 Administrator, consist of any consideration and method of payment
allowable under Section 9(b) of the Plan; provided that the Administrator may
refuse to accept any form of consideration if, at the time of exercise, the
Administrator determines in its sole discretion that acceptance of such form of
consideration is not in the best interests of the Company at that time.

                  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.

                  (iv) Rights as Stockholder. 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. 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.

            (b) Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship. Subject to
Sections 10(c) and 10(d), 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 (3) months (or such other period of time not less
than thirty (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) 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 above, the Option shall terminate. No
termination shall be deemed to occur and this Section 10(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 10(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), Optionee may, but only within twelve (12) months
(or such other period of time as is determined by the Administrator, with such
determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option made at the time of grant
of the Option) 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 Optionee was not entitled to
exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not exercise
such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified above, the
Option shall terminate.
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                  (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 total and permanent disability (as set forth in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within twelve (12) months
(or such other period of time as is determined by the Administrator, with such
determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option made at the time of grant
of the Option) 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 ("ISO") (within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code) within three (3) months of the date of such
termination, the Option will not qualify for ISO treatment under the Code. To
the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of
termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so
entitled within the time specified above, 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 thirty (30) days following termination of
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, the Option may be
exercised, at any time within twelve (12) months (or such other period of time
as is determined by the Administrator, with such determination in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option made at the time of grant of the Option) 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 Optionee's estate or by a
person who acquired the right 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 Optionee's Continuous Status as
an Employee or Consultant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to
exercise the Option at the date of death or termination, as the case may be, or
if person entitled to exercise the Option does not exercise such Option to the
extent so entitled within the time specified above, the Option shall terminate.

            (e) Extension of Exercise Period. The Administrator shall have full
power and authority to extend the period of time for which an Option is to
remain exercisable following termination of an Optionee's Continuous Service
Status from the periods set forth in Sections 10(b), 10(c) and 10(d) above or in
the Option Agreement to such greater time as the Administrator shall deem
appropriate, provided that in no event shall an Option be exercisable later than
the date of expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement.

            (f) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or Shares an Option previously granted under the
Plan based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and
communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

      11. Stock Purchase Rights.

            (a) Rights to Purchase. When 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, and the time within which such person must accept such
offer. In the case of a Stock Purchase Right granted prior to the date, if any,
on which the Common Stock becomes a Listed Security and if required by the
Applicable Laws at such time, the purchase price of Shares subject to such Stock
Purchase Rights 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 Ten Percent Holder, the
price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of
the date of the offer. If the Applicable Laws do not impose the requirements set
forth in the preceding sentence and with respect to any Stock Purchase Rights
granted after the date, if any, on which the Common Stock becomes a Listed
Security, the purchase price of Shares subject to Stock Purchase Rights shall be
as determined by the Administrator. The offer to purchase Shares subject to
Stock Purchase Rights shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock
Purchase Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.
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            (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 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 a Stock
Purchase Right granted prior to the date, if any, on which the Common Stock
becomes a Listed Security to a purchaser 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 if required by the Applicable
Laws.

            (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 14
of the Plan.

      12. Taxes.

            (a) As a condition of the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase
Right granted under the Plan, the Participant (or in the case of the
Participant's death, the person exercising the Option or Stock Purchase Right)
shall make such arrangements as the Administrator may require for the
satisfaction of any applicable federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax
obligations that may arise in connection with the exercise of the Option or
Stock Purchase Right and the issuance of Shares. The Company shall not be
required to issue any Shares under the Plan until such obligations are
satisfied. If the Administrator allows the withholding or surrender of Shares to
satisfy the Participant's tax withholding obligations under this Section 12
(whether pursuant to Section 12(c) or 12(d) or otherwise), the Administrator
shall not allow Shares to be withheld or surrendered in an amount that exceeds
the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes,
including payroll taxes.

            (b) In the case of an Employee and in the absence of any other
arrangement, the Employee shall be deemed to have directed the Company to
withhold or collect from his or her compensation an amount sufficient to satisfy
such tax obligations from the next payroll payment otherwise payable after the
date of an exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right.

            (c) This Section 12(c) shall apply only after the date, if any, upon
which the Common Stock becomes a Listed Security. In the case of Participant
other than an Employee (or in the case of an Employee where the next payroll
payment is not sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations, with respect to any
remaining tax obligations), in the absence of any other arrangement and to the
extent permitted under the Applicable Laws, the Participant shall be deemed to
have elected to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares having a
Fair Market Value determined as of the applicable Tax Date (as defined below)
equal to the amount required to be withheld. For purposes of this Section 12,
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 under the
Applicable Laws (the "Tax Date").

            (d) If permitted by the Administrator, in its discretion, a
Participant may satisfy his or her tax withholding obligations upon exercise of
an Option or Stock Purchase Right by surrendering to the Company Shares that
have a Fair Market Value determined as of the applicable Tax Date equal to the
<PAGE>
amount required to be withheld. In the case of shares previously acquired from
the Company that are surrendered under this Section 12(d), such Shares must have
been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months on the date of
surrender.

            (e) Any election or deemed election by a Participant to have Shares
withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations under Section 12(c) or (d) above
shall be irrevocable as to the particular Shares as to which the election is
made and shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of the Administrator.
Any election by a Participant under Section 12(d) above must be made on or prior
to the applicable Tax Date.

            (f) In the event an election to have Shares withheld is made by a
Participant 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 Participant shall receive
the full number of Shares with respect to which the Option or Stock Purchase
Right is exercised but such Participant shall be unconditionally obligated to
tender back to the Company the proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.

      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; provided that, after the date, if any, upon which the
Common Stock becomes a Listed Security, the Administrator may in its discretion
grant transferable Nonstatutory Stock Options pursuant to Option Agreements
specifying (i) the manner in which such Nonstatutory Stock Options are
transferable and (ii) that any such transfer shall be subject to the Applicable
Laws. The Administrator may grant transferable Nonstatutory Stock Options as
provided for in the previous sentence prior to the date, if any, upon which the
Company's Common Stock becomes a Listed Security if permitted under the
Applicable Laws. The designation of a beneficiary by an Optionee will not
constitute a transfer. An Option or Stock Purchase Right may be exercised,
during the lifetime of the holder of Option or Stock Purchase Right, only by
such holder or a transferee permitted by this Section 13.

      14. 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, the numbers of Shares set forth
in Sections 3(a)(i) and 8 above, 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 Administrator, 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 dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, each Option and Stock Purchase Right will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such action, unless otherwise
determined by the Administrator.

            (c) Corporate Transaction. In the event of a Corporate Transaction,
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 (the "Successor
Corporation"), unless the Successor Corporation does not agree to assume the
award or to substitute an
<PAGE>
equivalent option or right, in which case such Option or Stock Purchase Right
shall terminate upon the consummation of the transaction.

            Notwithstanding the above sentence, in the event of a Change of
Control, the vesting and exercisability of each award outstanding under the Plan
shall automatically be accelerated to the extent of 25% of the Shares then
unvested and any repurchase right of the Company with respect to Shares
previously issued upon exercise of an award shall lapse as to 25% of the Shares
then subject to such repurchase right (with such vesting, exercisability and/or
repurchase right thereafter continuing on the schedule set forth in the
applicable Stock Option or Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement) and each such
outstanding award shall either be (i) assumed or replaced with equivalent option
or right by the Successor Corporation or (ii) replaced by a cash incentive
program of the Successor Corporation based on the value of the award at the time
of the consummation of the transaction; provided that if the Successor
Corporation does not agree to assume the award or replace it with an equivalent
option, stock purchase right or cash incentive program, then the vesting and
exercisability of each outstanding award shall instead accelerate in full, with
such Options becoming vested and exercisable as to one hundred percent (100%) of
underlying Shares and any repurchase right of the Company applicable to Shares
previously issued upon exercise of an award lapsing as to one hundred percent
(100%) of the underlying Shares. Any acceleration provided for under this
Section 14(c) shall occur effective immediately prior to consummation of the
Change of Control upon such conditions as the Administrator shall determine. To
the extent that an award is not exercised prior to consummation of a Change of
Control transaction in which the award is not being assumed or replaced with an
equivalent option or stock purchase right by the Successor Corporation, such
Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon such consummation.

            For purposes of this Section 14(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 a Corporate Transaction or a
Change of Control, as the case may be, each holder of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right would be entitled to receive upon exercise of the award 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 the transaction if the holder had been, immediately prior to such
transaction, the holder of the number of Shares of Common Stock covered by the
award 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 14); provided that if such consideration received in the transaction is
not solely common stock of the Successor Corporation, the Administrator may,
with the consent of the Successor Corporation, provide for the consideration to
be received upon exercise of the award to be solely common stock of the
Successor Corporation equal to the Fair Market Value of the per Share
consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the transaction.

            (d) Limitation on Payments. In the event that the vesting
acceleration or lapse of a repurchase right provided for in Section 14(c) above
(x) constitutes "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the
Code, and (y) but for this Section 14(d) would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any corresponding provisions of state
income tax law), then such vesting acceleration or lapse of a repurchase right
shall be either

                  (A) delivered in full, or

                  (B) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in
no portion of such severance benefits being subject to excise tax under Code
Section 4999,

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal,
state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999,
results in the receipt by the Participant on an after-tax basis of the greater
amount of acceleration or lapse of repurchase rights benefits, notwithstanding
that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Code Section
4999. Any determination required under this Section 14(d) shall be made in
writing by the Company's independent auditors, whose determination shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes on the Company and any affected
Participant. In the event that (A) above applies, then the Participant shall be
responsible for any excise
<PAGE>
taxes imposed with respect to such benefits. In the event that (B) above
applies, then each benefit provided hereunder shall be proportionately reduced
to the extent necessary to avoid imposition of such excise taxes.

            (e) 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.

      15. 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 Administrator;
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.

      16. 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 (other than an adjustment pursuant to Section 14
above) shall be made that would materially and adversely affect the rights of
any Optionee or holder of Stock Purchase Rights under any outstanding grant,
without his or her consent. In addition, to the extent necessary and desirable
to comply with the Applicable Laws, 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 materially and adversely affect Options or Stock Purchase
Rights already granted, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee or
holder of the Stock Purchase Rights and the Administrator, which agreement must
be in writing and signed by the Optionee or holder and the Company.

      17. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the Plan or any agreement entered into by the Company pursuant to
the Plan, the Company shall not be obligated, and shall have no liability for
failure, to issue or deliver any Shares under the Plan unless such issuance or
delivery would comply with the Applicable Laws, with such compliance determined
by the Company in consultation with its legal counsel. As a condition to the
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Company may require the
person exercising the award 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.

      18. 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.

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

      20. Stockholder Approval. If required by the Applicable Laws, continuance
of the Plan shall be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company
within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted. Such
stockholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the degree required
under the Applicable Laws.
<PAGE>
      21. Information and Documents to Optionees and Purchasers. Prior to the
date, if any, upon which the Common Stock becomes a Listed Security and if
required by the Applicable Laws, 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 Company assure
their access to equivalent information.

///exv10w1

 

EXHIBIT 10.1

PHILADELPHIA CONSOLIDATED HOLDING CORP.

STOCK OPTION

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp. (The “Company”) having
adopted an Employees’ Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants «First» «Last» (the
“Optionee”) the right and option to purchase «Share»            shares of the Common Stock of the
Company pursuant to such Plan and in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

     1. The option granted herein is a Non-Qualified Option as to «Share» shares, and
shall become exercisable in accordance with the provisions in Annex 1 hereto.

     2. The unexercised portion of the option granted herein shall automatically and without
notice terminate and become null and void at the time of the earliest of the following to occur:

	 	a.  	the expiration of ten years from the
date on which this option is granted;

	 	b.  	the expiration of 30 days from the
date of termination of the Optionee’s employment
with the Company; provided that if the Optionee
shall die during such 30-day period, the provisions
of sub-paragraph c. below shall apply;

	 	c.  	the expiration of six months after
the issuance of letters testamentary or letters of
administration to the executor or administrator of
the Optionee if the Optionee’s death occurs either
during his employment with the Company or during the
30-day period following the date of termination of
such employment, but not later than one Year after
the Optionee’s death;

	 	d.  	the termination of the Optionee’s
employment with the Company for cause, including a
breach by the Optionee of an employment agreement
with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the
Optionee’s commission of a felony or misdemeanor
(whether or not prosecuted) against the Company or
any of its subsidiaries.

     3. The option granted herein shall be exercised by the Optionee (or by his executors or
administrators, as provided in paragraph 7) as to all or part of the shares covered hereby, by the
giving of written notice of such exercise to the Company at its principal business office,
specifying the number of share to be purchased and specifying a business day (the “exercise date”),
not less than 5 days nor more than 15 days from the date such notice is given, for the payment of
the purchase price against delivery of the shares being purchased. The giving of such written
notice to the Company shall constitute an irrevocable election to purchase the number of shares
specified in the notice, which may be specifically enforced by the Company.

     The Company shall cause certificates for the shares so purchased to be delivered to the
Optionee or his executors or administrators at its principal business office, against payment to
the Company on the exercise date of the purchase price, and all income taxes required to be
withheld by the Company with respect to such purchase.

     4. The purchase price of the shares which may be purchased pursuant to the option granted
herein shall be
«dollar» per share.

 

 

     5. Neither the Optionee nor his executors or administrators shall have any of the rights of a
stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares subject to this option until a certificate or
certificates for such shares shall have been issued upon the exercise of this option.

     6. The option granted herein shall not be transferable by the Optionee other than to his
executors or administrators by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and during the
Optionee’s lifetime shall be exercisable only by him.

     7. In the event of the Optionee’s death during his employment with the Company, or during the
30-day period following the date of termination of such employment pursuant to paragraph 2 b., this
option shall thereafter be exercisable, as provided in paragraph 2 c., only by his executors or
administrators.

     8. In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, reclassification of capitalization which
changes the character or amount of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock while any portion of this
option is outstanding but unexercised, the Stock Option Committee appointed under the Plan shall
make such adjustments in the character and number of shares subject to such unexercised portion of
this option, and in the option price, as shall be equitable and appropriate in order to make the
option, as nearly as may be practicable, equivalent to this option immediately prior to such
change; provided that no adjustment shall give the Optionee any additional benefits under this
option.

     If the Company participates in any transaction resulting in a corporate merger, consolidation,
acquisition of property or stock, separation, re-organization or liquidation, the Board of
Directors of the Company or any surviving or acquiring corporation shall take such action as is
equitable and appropriate to substitute a new option for this option, or to assume this option, in
order to make the new option, as nearly as may be practicable, equivalent to this option.

     9. The Optionee, by his acceptance hereof, represents and warrants to the Company that his
purchase of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise hereof shall be for investment and not with a
view to distribution, provided that this representation and warranty shall be inoperative if, in
the opinion of counsel to the company, a proposed sale or distribution of such shares is pursuant
to an applicable effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 or without such
representation and warranty is exempt from registration under such Act.

     The Optionee agrees that the obligation of the Company to issue shares upon the exercise of an
option shall also be subject as conditions precedent to compliance with applicable provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, state securities laws, rules and
regulations under any of the foregoing and applicable requirements of any securities exchange upon
which the Company’s securities shall be listed.

     The Company may endorse an appropriate legend referring to the foregoing restriction upon the
certificate or certificates representing any shares issued or transferred to the Optionee upon the
exercise of this option.

     10. As used herein, the term “employment with the Company” shall include employment with the
Company or with any of its subsidiaries.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused these presents to be signed by its officer duly
authorized thereto and its corporate seal to be affixed as of this «Day» day of
«Month».

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	PHILADELPHIA CONSOLIDATED HOLDING CORP.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	By:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	

	

	 	 	 	President
	ATTEST:
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	By:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	

	

	 	 	 	Optionee

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