Document:

<PAGE>   1

                      ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

        THIS ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ("Assignment") is entered into
effective as of January 1, 2000 (the "Effective Date"), by and between ESS
Technology, Inc., a California corporation, with an office at 48401 Fremont
Blvd., Fremont, California 94538 ("Assignor"), and VIALTA.com, a California
corporation, with an office at 48401 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, California 94538
("Assignee").

        WHEREAS, VIALTA is in the business of designing, developing,
manufacturing and marketing a line of Internet appliances such as browsers, set
top boxes and combination products utilizing the integrated technologies in
digital audio, digital video, communication Internet phones and video phones for
sale to the consumer market (the "VIALTA Products");

        WHEREAS, ESS is in the business of designing, developing, manufacturing
and marketing highly integrated mixed signal semiconductor multimedia solutions
for sale to desktop and notebook personal computer markets and consumer product
markets (the "ESS Products"); and

        WHEREAS, ESS has developed specialized technology regarding (i)
videophone and internet phone applications (the "Videophone Business") and (ii)
web browser technology (the "Web Browser Business");

        WHEREAS, Assignor wishes to sell, transfer, assign and convey and
Assignee wishes to purchase, receive and accept all United States rights to
Intellectual Property (as defined below) relating to the Videophone Business and
the Web Browser Business, owned or developed by or for Assignor on the terms and
conditions contained herein.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto have entered into this Assignment:

1. DEFINITIONS.

        "Intellectual Property" means any and all proprietary rights and
benefits conferred under the laws of the United States and any of its
constituent states or jurisdictions in and to any of the following held by
Assignor relating to the Videophone Business or the Web Browser Business (a)
patents, patent applications, inventions; (b) copyrights, copyright
registrations, moral rights, maskworks and other works of authorship, (c)
trademarks, trade names, service marks, domain names and similar rights, (d)
trade secrets, (e) all other intellectual and industrial property rights of
every kind and nature, and however designated, including processes, formulae,
industrial models, designs and design information, product information,
specifications, data, technology, methodologies, routines, techniques,
engineering information, engineering work papers and notes, computer programs
(including all source codes and documentation), object codes, designs,
algorithms, libraries of software, logos, "rental" rights and any other
confidential and proprietary right or information, whether arising by operation
of law, contract, license or otherwise, and whether or not subject to statutory
registration, (f) all related technical information and technical

<PAGE>   2

drawings, know-how, and the right to sue for past infringement, if any, in
connection with any of the foregoing, (g) all rights under the International
Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, (h) all registrations,
initial applications, renewals, extensions, continuations,
continuations-in-part, divisions or reissues hereof now or hereafter in force
(including any rights in any of the foregoing), and (i) all associated goodwill.
"Intellectual Property" includes without limitation proprietary rights and
benefits conferred under the laws of the United States and any of its
constituent states or jurisdictions in and to the items described in Schedule A
attached hereto.

        "LOSSES" means any claim, loss, liability, damage, fine, penalty, cost,
expense, (including, without limitation, interest which may be imposed in
connection therewith, expenses of investigation, and fees and disbursements of
legal counsel and other experts), diminution of value, or the like, whether or
not involving a third-party claim.

2. ASSIGNMENT. Subject to the terms of the Research & Development Service
Agreement dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which Assignee grants certain
rights relating to the Web Browser Business Intellectual Property back to
Assignor, Assignor hereby grants, sells, assigns, transfers, sets over and
conveys unto Assignee, its successors, legal representatives and assigns forever
all of Assignor's right, title and interest, now and in the future, in its
Intellectual Property, including:

        (i) the right to use, reproduce, perform, display, develop, create
derivative works and inventions, exploit, assign, license or sub-license,
transfer, sell and market the Intellectual Property, with no duty to account to
Assignor for royalties or other consideration;

        (ii) the right to own, apply for, prosecute, obtain and maintain all
patent, copyright, trademark, and other applications with respect to the
Intellectual Property; and

        (iii) the right to independently enforce, without consent from or notice
to Assignor, all rights arising with respect to the Intellectual Property
against any party infringing or misappropriating the same, and to own all
monetary damages generated by such enforcement.

        Assignor shall also provide to Assignee a copy of any U.S. Patent
Application Assignment from the inventors of any pending U.S. Patent
Applications listed in Schedule A to Assignor.

3. COMPENSATION. As full and final compensation for assignment under this
Assignment, Assignee shall pay to Assignor One Million Two Hundred Thirty-five
Thousand Dollars ($1,235,000) attributable to the Videophone Business and Eight
Hundred Twelve Thousand Dollars ($812,000) attributable to the Web Browser
Business (collectively, the "Purchase Price"). Assignee shall make such payment
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account designated
by Assignor 45 days after the invoice date.

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Assignor hereby represents and warrants to
Assignee that the Intellectual Property transferred herein is owned solely and
lawfully by Assignor free and clear of all liens, licenses, third party rights,
claims of infringement, claims for payment, or any other encumbrance whatsoever,
that Assignor has good and full right and lawful authority to

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

convey the same in the manner herein set forth and that upon execution and
delivery of this Assignment, Assignee shall have good and marketable title
thereto. Assignor has no knowledge that the Intellectual Property is being
infringed by any third party. Assignor has not granted to any third party any
license, agreement or other permission to use the Intellectual Property. No
claim that any third party has any interest in the Intellectual Property, or
that the Intellectual Property infringes the rights of any third party, is
pending or has been threatened. The Intellectual Property represents all
technology owned by Assignor in the United States.

5. INDEMNIFICATION. Assignor shall indemnify and hold harmless Assignee, its
officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives from and against any
and all Losses arising out of or resulting from (a) any breach of any of the
representations or warranties made by Assignor in this Assignment; or (b) any
failure by Assignor to perform any of its covenants or agreements contained in
this Assignment; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the
liability of Assignor hereunder shall not, except in the event of intentional
misconduct or gross negligence, exceed the Purchase Price.

6. ASSISTANCE BY ASSIGNOR. Assignor shall, whenever counsel of the said
Assignee, or the counsel of its successors, legal representatives and assigns,
shall advise that any proceeding in connection with the Intellectual Property in
any country, including interference proceedings, is lawful and desirable, or
that any division, continuation or continuation-in-part of any application for
the Intellectual Property or any reissue or extension of the Intellectual
Property, to be obtained thereon, is lawful and desirable: sign all papers and
documents, take all lawful oaths and do all acts necessary or required to be
done for the procurement, maintenance, enforcement and defense of the
Intellectual Property, without charge to said Assignee, its successors, legal
representatives and assigns, but at the cost and expense of Assignee, its
successors, legal representatives and assigns.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY. "Confidential Information" means any proprietary
information, technical data, trade secrets, know-how or other non-public
information relating to the Intellectual Property assigned hereunder, including
but not limited to, research, product plans, products, designs, flow-charts,
algorithms, suppliers, software, developments, inventions, laboratory notebooks,
processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering, hardware
configuration information, marketing, licenses, finances, budgets or other
business information. Confidential Information does not include any of the
foregoing items which has become publicly and widely known and made generally
available through no wrongful act of Assignor or of others who were under
confidentiality obligations as to the item or items involved. Assignor has
agreed, and hereby agrees, forever to hold in strictest confidence, and not to
use, except for the benefit of the Assignee, or to disclose to any person, firm,
corporation or other entity without written authorization of Assignee, any
Confidential Information. In the event that Assignor become legally compelled to
disclose any Confidential Information, Assignor will provide prompt written
notice to Assignee so that Assignee may seek a protective order or other
appropriate remedy. In the event that such a protective order or other remedy is
not obtained, Assignor shall furnish only that portion of the Confidential
Information which Assignor is advised by written opinion of counsel is legally
required and will exercise Assignor's best efforts to obtain reliable assurances
that confidential treatment will be accorded to that portion of the Confidential
Information so disclosed.

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

8. NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications required or
permitted to be given by a party under this Assignment shall be in writing in
the English language and shall be conclusively deemed to have been duly given
(a) when hand delivered to the other party; or (b) when received when sent by
facsimile at the address and number set forth below; or (c) five (5) business
days after the same have been deposited in a post office by registered or
recorded delivery international air post requested postage prepaid and addressed
to the parties as set forth below; or (d) three (3) business days after the same
have been deposited with a reputable international delivery service, postage
prepaid, addressed to the parties as set forth provided that the sending party
receives a confirmation of delivery from the delivery service provider.

                     If to Assignor, to:

                               ESS Technology, Inc.
                               48401 Fremont Blvd.
                               Fremont, CA 94538

                               Attn: Bob Blair
                               Fax:
                               Telephone: 510-492-1688

                     If to Assignee, to:

                               ViAlta.com
                               48401 Fremont Blvd.
                               Fremont, CA 94538

                               Attn:      Fred Chan
                               Fax:
                               Telephone: 510-492-1888

9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Assignment constitutes the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements and undertakings among the parties relating to the subject matters
hereof.

10. AMENDMENT. This Assignment may be amended, supplemented or modified only by
a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of each party hereto.

11. GOVERNING LAW. This assignment shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of California, U.S.A., without regard to
conflict of interest rules.

12. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Assignor shall execute and deliver such other documents
and instruments, provide such materials and information and take such other
actions as may reasonably be requested by Assignee to fulfill the objectives of
this Assignment.

13. WAIVER. Any term or condition of this Assignment may be waived at any time
by the party that is entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver shall
be effective unless set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on
behalf of the party waiving such term or condition. No

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<PAGE>   5

waiver by any party of any term or condition of this Assignment, in any one or
more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of the same or
any other term or condition of this Assignment on any future occasion.

14. SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENT. This Assignment is binding upon, inures to the benefit
of and is enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns.

                            [Signature Pages Follow]

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Assignment as of the
day and year first above written.

ESS TECHNOLOGY, INC.

By: /s/ ROBERT L. BLAIR
   -----------------------------------

Title: CEO

VIALTA.COM

By: /s/ FRED S.L. CHAN
   -----------------------------------

Title: CEO

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

                                   SCHEDULE A

                                      [*]

* Confidential treatment is requested with respect to this portion of this
  agreement.<PAGE>   1

                            RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
                                SERVICE AGREEMENT

                                 (ESS to VIALTA)

        THIS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is
entered into effective as of August 1, 1999 by and between VIALTA.com, a
California corporation, with principal offices at 48401 Fremont Boulevard,
Fremont, California 94538 ("VIALTA") and ESS Technology, Inc., a California
corporation, with principal offices at 48401 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont,
California 94538 ("ESS").

        WHEREAS, VIALTA is in the business of designing, developing,
manufacturing and marketing a line of Internet appliances such as the EnReach
based web browser (the "EnReach Business") and the Access based web browser (the
"Access Business", together with the EnReach Business, the "Web Browser
Business"), set top boxes (the "Set Top Box Business") and combination products
utilizing the integrated technologies in digital audio, digital video,
communication Internet phones (the "Internetphone Business") and video phones
(the "Videophone Business") for sale to the consumer market (collectively, the
"VIALTA Products");

        WHEREAS, ESS is in the business of designing, developing, manufacturing
and marketing highly integrated mixed signal semiconductor multimedia solutions
for sale to desktop and notebook personal computer markets and consumer product
markets (the "ESS Products");

        WHEREAS, VIALTA desires to have ESS provide services, including
providing research and development services, to VIALTA relating to the Set Top
Box, Web Browser and Videophone Businesses and ESS desires to provide such
services;

        NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

        1. DUTIES OF ESS

             (a) SERVICES. Subject to the terms and conditions herein, VIALTA
hires ESS to perform certain research and development activities. ESS shall
provide to VIALTA, as required by VIALTA, certain NRE services for the design
and development of Internet related products and technologies. VIALTA shall
provide the design and technical specification to ESS and the desired timelines
thereof. ESS shall perform these services in consideration of a service fee, in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

             (b) ACTIVITIES NOT COVERED. The parties hereto agree that this
Agreement does not apply to any stewardship or control services that are based
on a shareholder-corporation or parent-subsidiary relationship among affiliated
companies, nor to services which are duplicative of services which another party
is performing for itself.

             (c) INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. The relationship of VIALTA and ESS
established by this Agreement is that of independent contractors, and nothing
contained in this Agreement shall be construed to (i) give either party hereto
the power to direct and control the day-to-day activities of the other, (ii)
constitute the parties as partners, joint venturers, principal

<PAGE>   2

and agent, employer and employee, co-owners, or otherwise as participants in a
joint undertaking, or (iii) allow ESS to create or assume any obligation on
behalf of VIALTA for any purpose whatsoever. All financial and other obligations
associated with VIALTA's business are the sole responsibility of VIALTA. ESS
shall be solely responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold VIALTA free and
harmless from, any and all claims, damages or lawsuits (including VIALTA's
attorneys' fees) arising out of the acts of ESS, its employees or its agents.

        2. REMUNERATION

             (a) COMPENSATION. ESS' compensation for performing its services
under the terms of this Agreement shall be the service fees computed in
accordance with this section (the "Service Fees").

             (b) THE SERVICE FEES. VIALTA shall pay ESS Service Fees in amounts
which shall be calculated based upon the following guidelines:

             (i) Set Top Box Business Services: VIALTA shall pay to ESS

                    (A) [*] of the engineering labor hours specifically spent on
                    VIALTA software projects; and

                    (B) [*] of the engineering labor hours specifically spent on
                    VIALTA system projects.

             (ii) Videophone Business Services: VIALTA shall pay to ESS [*] of
its research and development costs incurred by ESS after January 1, 2000.

             (iii) Internetphone Business Services: VIALTA shall pay to ESS [*]
of its research and development costs incurred by ESS after January 1, 2000.

             (iv) Web Browser Business Services: VIALTA shall pay to ESS

                    (A) [*] of all costs incurred by ESS in connection with the
                    Enreach Business after January 1, 2000; and

                    (B) [*] of all costs incurred by ESS in connection with the
                    Access Business after January 1, 2000.

The hourly cost in all cases shall be calculated based on ESS' Direct and
Indirect Costs incurred for the engineering resources, enumerated as follows,
plus a 10% markup. "Direct Costs" shall include all costs of labor, plant and
office space, equipment and materials that are specifically attributable to the
services provided by ESS under this Agreement, including allowances for the
depreciation of equipment and other capital assets used in the performance of
the services, as carried out in ESS' local records of account. "Indirect Costs"
shall include a reasonable portion of ESS' general overhead expenses that are
reasonably allocable to the provision of the services hereunder.

* Confidential treatment is requested with respect to this portion of this
  agreement.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

             (c) MANNER OF PAYMENT. Payment of the Service Fees shall be made in
United States Dollars directly to ESS or to such bank as is designated by ESS,
and shall be made in strict compliance with all applicable governmental
regulations and rulings, including the withholding of any taxes required by law.

             (d) TIME OF PAYMENT. The Service Fees shall be due and payable 45
days after the end of each calendar quarter (or 45 days after the end of the
first fiscal year hereof) during the term of this Agreement. To the extent not
otherwise prohibited under applicable local law, amounts owed by VIALTA to ESS
pursuant to this Section 2(d) may be offset or netted against other indebtedness
among the parties. To the extent desired by the parties hereto, payments due
hereunder may be made in a timely manner so as to avoid the imputation of
interest under applicable tax laws.

             (e) QUARTERLY STATEMENTS. ESS shall submit to VIALTA quarterly
statements of the Service Fees due and payable under the terms of this
Agreement.

        3. OWNERSHIP AND RIGHTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

             All rights, title and interest (including all intellectual property
interests) in and to the VIALTA Products, including the platforms, applications
and product technologies to service the Internet market, that are developed
under the terms of this Agreement (the "Developed Technologies") shall be owned
as follows:

             (a)     Set Top Box Business:

                     (i) Software: All software jointly developed by ESS and
VIALTA (the "Developed Software Technology"), including system software, shall
be jointly owned by each of them. Upon obtaining the prior written consent of
the other party, a party shall be entitled to sell, assign or otherwise transfer
its interests in such Developed Software Technology to a third party.

                     (ii) Systems: All systems jointly developed by ESS and
VIALTA listed in Attachment A (the "Developed System Technology") shall be
owned by VIALTA, provided that ESS shall have the following limited rights:

                            (A) ESS shall have the right to market products
based upon the Developed System Technology for a period of two (2) years from
the date of the shipment of 10,000 systems by VIALTA (the "Initial Period"),
with VIALTA's prior written consent, such consent not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed.

                            (B) Following the expiration of the Initial Period,
ESS shall have a worldwide, royalty free license to use such Developed System
Technology in order to make have made, sell or otherwise distribute products.

                            (C) Notwithstanding the above rights, ESS shall
have no rights to any VIALTA specific applications.

                                       3
<PAGE>   4
              (b) Videophone Developed Technology: All Developed Technology
relating to the Videophone Business (the "Videophone Developed Technology")
shall be owned by VIALTA.

              (c) Internetphone Developed Technology: All Developed Technology
(including integration of the Internetphone technology) relating to the
Internetphone Business (the "Internetphone Developed Technology") that is
jointly developed by ESS and VIALTA shall be owned by VIALTA, provided that ESS
shall have the following limited rights:

                     (i) ESS shall have the right to market products based upon
the Internetphone Developed Technology during the Initial Period with Vialta's
prior written consent, such consent not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

              (d) Web Browser Business:

                     (i) Access Developed Technology: All Developed Technology
relating to the Access Business (the "Access Developed Technology") that is
jointly developed by ESS and VIALTA shall be owned by VIALTA, provided that ESS
shall have the following limited rights:

                            (A) ESS' Access Business browser rights shall
include only normal web browsing functions and shall not include any rights to
VIALTA-specific browsing functions.

                            (B) ESS shall have the right to market products
based upon the Access Developed Technology during the Initial Period with
VIALTA's prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed;

                            (C) Following the expiration of the Initial Period,
ESS shall have a worldwide, Vialta royalty free license to use such Access
Developed Technology in order to make have made, sell or otherwise distribute
products.

                     (ii) EnReach Developed Technology: All Developed Technology
relating to the EnReach Business (the "EnReach Developed Technology") shall be
owned by VIALTA and ESS shall have no rights to this EnReach Developed
Technology.

       Title to the Developed Technologies that are conceived or developed by
employees of either party or both parties shall be allocated according to the
provisions set forth above.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

        4. TERM AND TERMINATION

             (a) TERM. This Agreement shall continue in force for a fixed term
of 1 year from the date hereof unless terminated earlier under the provisions of
this Section 4. At the end of the fixed term, this Agreement shall renew
automatically for additional 1 year terms (subject to earlier termination under
the provisions of this Section 4), without notice, unless prior to that time one
party provides written notice of non-renewal to the other party.

             (b) TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE. This Agreement may be terminated
by either party for any reason or no reason, whether or not extended beyond the
first year, by giving the other party written notice of the termination 60 days
in advance.

             (c) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. If either party materially defaults in
its performance or breaches any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement,
then the other party may give written notice to the breaching or defaulting
party that if the breach or default is not cured within 30 days the Agreement
will be terminated. If such notice is given and the breach or default is not
cured during the 30-day period, then the Agreement shall automatically terminate
at the end of that period.

             (d) TERMINATION FOR INSOLVENCY. This Agreement shall terminate
immediately without notice: (i) upon the institution by or against VIALTA or ESS
of insolvency, receivership or bankruptcy proceedings or any other proceedings
for the settlement of VIALTA's or ESS's debts; (ii) upon VIALTA's or ESS's
making an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iii) upon VIALTA's or
ESS's dissolution or liquidation.

             (e) TRANSITION. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement,
each party shall diligently cooperate with the other to effect a smooth and
orderly transition. From the time that a notice of termination is received by
either party until the effective termination date, each party shall cooperate
fully with any newly appointed party performing the duties contemplated
hereunder.

             (f) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. In the event of termination by either
party in accordance with any of the provisions of this Agreement, neither party
shall be liable to the other because of such termination for compensation,
reimbursement or damages on account of the loss of prospective profits or
anticipated sales or on account of expenditures, investments, leases or
commitments in connection with the business or goodwill of the other party.
VIALTA's sole liability under the terms of this Agreement shall be for any
unpaid Service Fees under Section 2.

             (g) SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN TERMS. The provisions of Sections 2, 3, 4,
5, 6 and 7 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement for any
reason. All other rights and obligations of the parties shall cease upon
termination or expiration of this Agreement.

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

        5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

             VIALTA'S AND ESS'S LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
LIMITED TO THE SERVICE FEE PAYABLE TO ESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL VIALTA OR ESS BE
LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY OR ANY OTHER ENTITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL,
INCIDENTAL, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES HOWEVER CAUSED, ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, AND
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY.

        6. CONFIDENTIALITY

             VIALTA and ESS each acknowledge that by reason of its relationship
with the other party hereunder it may have access to certain information and
materials concerning such other party's business, plans, customers, technology,
and products that are confidential and of substantial value to VIALTA or ESS, as
the case may be, which value would be impaired if such information were
disclosed to third parties. VIALTA and ESS each agree that they shall not use in
any way for their own account or the account of any third party, nor disclose to
any third party, any such confidential information revealed to it by the other
party. VIALTA and ESS shall each take every reasonable precaution to protect the
confidentiality of such information, including, at the request of the other
party, the entry by VIALTA's or ESS's agents and employees into confidentiality
agreements in a form approved by the other party, prohibiting any disclosure to
third parties of confidential information provided by VIALTA or ESS, as the case
may be. In the event of termination or expiration of this Agreement, there shall
be no use or disclosure by VIALTA or ESS, their agents, or employees of any
confidential information of the other party. Each party shall deliver to the
other party all copies within its possession or within its control of all
documents and data relating to the conduct of VIALTA's or ESS's business.

        7. GENERAL PROVISIONS

             (a) GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION. This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed under the laws of the State of California, as applied
to contracts made and to be fully performed entirely within that state between
residents of that state. All disputes arising out of this Agreement shall be
subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the California State courts
of Santa Clara County, California (or, if there is federal jurisdiction, the
United States District Court for the Northern District of California). VIALTA
and ESS hereby expressly consent to (i) the personal jurisdiction and venue of
these courts and (ii) service of process being effected by registered airmail
sent to the address set forth in Section 7(c) below.

             (b) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire
agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein
and merges all prior discussions between them. No modification of or amendment
to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be
effective unless in writing signed by the party to be charged.

             (c) NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if sent by prepaid registered or
certified airmail, return receipt requested (if available), or sent by telex,
facsimile or similar communication, and confirmed by

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

such airmail, postage prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address shown
at the beginning of this Agreement or at such other address for which such party
gives notice hereunder.

             (d) FORCE MAJEURE. Nonperformance of either party shall be excused
to the extent that performance is rendered impossible by strike, fire, flood,
governmental acts, orders or restrictions, or any other reason where failure to
perform is beyond the control and not caused by the negligence of the
non-performing party, provided that the non-performing party uses its reasonable
best efforts to promptly resume performance once it is possible to do so.

             (e) NON-ASSIGNABILITY AND BINDING EFFECT. Neither party shall,
without the prior written consent of the other party, assign this Agreement in
whole or in part or delegate any right or duty hereunder to any third party,
sub-agent, representative or consultant. Any attempted assignment not having
such consent shall be void and without effect.

             (f) LEGAL EXPENSES. The prevailing party in any legal action
brought by one party against the other and arising out of this Agreement shall
be entitled, in addition to any other rights and remedies it may have, to
reimbursement for its expenses, including court costs and reasonable attorneys'
fees.

             (g) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.

VIALTA.COM                         ESS TECHNOLOGY, INC.

By:  /s/ Fred S.L. Chan                 By:  /s/ Robert L. Blair
   -----------------------------           --------------------------------
Title:  CEO                             Title:  CEO
      --------------------------              -----------------------------

                                  ATTACHMENT A

                          Developed System Technology
                          ---------------------------

[*]

* Confidential treatment is requested with respect to this portion of this
  agreement.

                                       8

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