Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                                ESCROW AGREEMENT

                  THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT (as the same may be amended or modified
from time to time and including any and all written instructions given to
"ESCROW AGENT" (hereinafter defined) pursuant hereto, this "ESCROW AGREEMENT")
is made and entered into as of February 7, 2001 by and among The viaLink
Company, a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and each of the investors
listed on the signature pages hereto (each, an "INVESTOR" and collectively, the
"INVESTORS"), and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York State bank with an office
in Houston, Harris County, Texas (the "BANK").

                                   WITNESSETH:

                  WHEREAS, the Company and the Investors are parties to that
certain Subscription Agreement of even date herewith, pursuant to which the
Investors agreed to purchase from the Company, and the Company agreed to sell to
the Investors, certain securities of the Company, subject to the terms and
conditions thereof;

                  WHEREAS, the Company must obtain stockholder approval pursuant
to NASD Rule 4350(i)(1)(A) (the "STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL") before the Investors can
complete the purchase of such securities;

                  WHEREAS, the Investors have agreed to fund into escrow
pursuant to this Escrow Agreement pending receipt of the Stockholder Approval;

                  WHEREAS, the amount deposited into escrow by each Investor is
indicated below such Investor's name on the signature pages hereto; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company and the Investors have requested Bank to
act in the capacity of escrow agent under this Escrow Agreement, and Bank,
subject to the terms and conditions hereof, has agreed so to do.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

                  1. Appointment of Escrow Agent. The Company and each of the
Investors hereby appoints the Bank as the escrow agent under this Escrow
Agreement (the Bank in such capacity, the "ESCROW AGENT"), and Escrow Agent
hereby accepts such appointment.

                  2. Deposit. Upon execution of this Escrow Agreement, the
Investors will deliver to the Escrow Agent the aggregate sum of Seven Hundred
Sixty-One Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($761,750) (as said amount may
increase or decrease as a result of the investment and reinvestment thereof and
as said amount may be reduced by charges thereto and payments and setoffs
therefrom to compensate or reimburse Escrow Agent for amounts owing to it
pursuant hereto, the "DEPOSIT") to be held by Escrow Agent in accordance with
the terms hereof. Subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions
hereof, Escrow Agent agrees that it shall receive, hold in escrow, invest and
reinvest and release or distribute the Deposit. It is hereby expressly
stipulated and agreed that all interest and other earnings on the Deposit shall
become a part of the Deposit for all purposes, and that all losses resulting
from the investment or reinvestment thereof from time to time and all amounts
charged thereto to compensate or

                                       1
<PAGE>   2

reimburse the Escrow Agent from time to time for amounts owing to it hereunder
shall from the time of such loss or charge no longer constitute part of the
Deposit.

                  3. Investment of the Deposit. Escrow Agent shall invest and
reinvest the Deposit in the Fidelity Domestic Money Market Fund #690-Prime Cash
Shares, unless otherwise instructed in writing by the Company. Such written
instructions, if any, referred to in the foregoing sentence shall specify the
type and identity of the investments to be purchased and/or sold and shall also
include the name of the broker-dealer, if any, which the Company directs the
Escrow Agent to use in respect of such investment, any particular settlement
procedures required, if any (which settlement procedures shall be consistent
with industry standards and practices), and such other information as Escrow
Agent may require. Escrow Agent shall not be liable for failure to invest or
reinvest funds absent sufficient written direction. Unless Escrow Agent is
otherwise directed in such written instructions, Escrow Agent may use a
broker-dealer of its own selection, including a broker-dealer owned by or
affiliated with Escrow Agent or any of its affiliates. The Escrow Agent or any
of its affiliates may receive compensation with respect to any investment
directed hereunder. It is expressly agreed and understood by the parties hereto
that Escrow Agent shall not in any way whatsoever be liable for losses on any
investments, including, but not limited to, losses from market risks due to
premature liquidation or resulting from other actions taken pursuant to this
Escrow Agreement.

                  Receipt, investment and reinvestment of the Deposit shall be
confirmed by Escrow Agent as soon as practicable by account statement, and any
discrepancies in any such account statement shall be noted by the Company to
Escrow Agent within 30 calendar days after receipt thereof. Failure to inform
Escrow Agent in writing of any discrepancies in any such account statement
within said 30-day period shall conclusively be deemed confirmation of such
account statement in its entirety. For purposes of this paragraph, (a) each
account statement shall be deemed to have been received by the party to whom
directed on the earlier to occur of (i) actual receipt thereof and (ii) three
"BUSINESS DAYS" (hereinafter defined) after the deposit thereof in the United
States Mail, postage prepaid and (b) the term "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day
of the year, excluding Saturday, Sunday and any other day on which national
banks are required or authorized to close in Houston, Texas.

                  4. Disbursement of Deposit. Escrow Agent is hereby authorized
to make disbursements of the Deposit only as follows:

                    (a) Upon receipt of a written notice from the Company
stating that it has obtained the Stockholder Approval, Escrow Agent will release
the amount of the original Deposit (less any losses or deductions therefrom as
described in Section 2 or 4 hereof, if any) to the Company and a pro rata
portion (determined as the ratio of the amount of the original Deposit
contributed by each Investor as indicated below such Investor's name on the
signature pages hereto to the total original Deposit delivered on the date
hereof as set forth in Section 2 hereof (such ratio being, the "PRO RATA
PORTION")) of any increase in the Deposit (less the amount of any expenses or
other deductions therefrom in accordance with this Escrow Agreement) to each
Investor in accordance with such Investor's written instructions;

                    (b) Upon receipt of a written notice from the Company
stating that it has not obtained the Stockholder Approval, a Pro Rata Portion of
the Deposit to each Investor in accordance with such Investor's written
instructions;

                    (c) As permitted by this Escrow Agreement, to Escrow Agent;
and

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                  (d) Into the registry of the court in accordance with Sections
8 or 15 hereof.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein or elsewhere to the contrary, the
Company and the Investors hereby expressly agree that the Escrow Agent shall be
entitled to charge the Deposit for, and pay and set-off from the Deposit, any
and all amounts, if any, then owing to it pursuant to this Escrow Agreement
prior to the disbursement of the Deposit in accordance with clauses (a) through
(d) (both inclusive) of this Section 4.

               5. Tax Matters. The Company and each of the Investors shall
provide Escrow Agent with its taxpayer identification number documented by an
appropriate Form W 8 or Form W 9 upon execution of this Escrow Agreement.
Failure so to provide such forms may prevent or delay disbursements from the
Deposit and may also result in the assessment of a penalty and Escrow Agent's
being required to withhold tax on any interest or other income earned on the
Deposit. Any payments of income shall be subject to applicable withholding
regulations then in force in the United States or any other jurisdiction, as
applicable.

               6. Scope of Undertaking. Escrow Agent's duties and
responsibilities in connection with this Escrow Agreement shall be purely
ministerial and shall be limited to those expressly set forth in this Escrow
Agreement. Escrow Agent is not a principal, participant or beneficiary in any
transaction underlying this Escrow Agreement and shall have no duty to inquire
beyond the terms and provisions hereof. Escrow Agent shall have no
responsibility or obligation of any kind in connection with this Escrow
Agreement or the Deposit and shall not be required to deliver the Deposit or any
part thereof or take any action with respect to any matters that might arise in
connection therewith, other than to receive, hold, invest, reinvest and deliver
the Deposit as herein provided. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, it is hereby expressly agreed and stipulated by the parties hereto
that Escrow Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion hereunder and
shall have no investment or management responsibility and, accordingly, shall
have no duty to, or liability for its failure to, provide investment
recommendations or investment advice to the Company or any of the Investors.
Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any error in judgment, any act or omission,
any mistake of law or fact, or for anything it may do or refrain from doing in
connection herewith, except for, subject to Section 6 hereinbelow, its own
willful misconduct or gross negligence. It is the intention of the parties
hereto that Escrow Agent shall never be required to use, advance or risk its own
funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its
duties or the exercise of any of its rights and powers hereunder.

               7. Reliance; Liability. Escrow Agent may rely on, and shall not
be liable for acting or refraining from acting in accordance with, any written
notice, instruction or request or other paper furnished to it hereunder or
pursuant hereto and believed by it to have been signed or presented by the
proper party or parties. Escrow Agent shall be responsible for holding,
investing, reinvesting and disbursing the Deposit pursuant to this Escrow
Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall Escrow Agent be liable for
any lost profits, lost savings or other special, exemplary, consequential or
incidental damages in excess of Escrow Agent's fee hereunder and provided,
further, that Escrow Agent shall have no liability for any loss arising from any
cause beyond its control, including, but not limited to, the following: (a) acts
of God, force majeure, including, without limitation, war (whether or not
declared or existing), revolution, insurrection, riot, civil commotion,
accident, fire, explosion, stoppage of labor, strikes and other differences with
employees; (b) the act, failure or neglect of the Company or

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

any Investor or any agent or correspondent or any other person selected by
Escrow Agent; (c) any delay, error, omission or default of any mail, courier,
telegraph, cable or wireless agency or operator; or (d) the acts or edicts of
any government or governmental agency or other group or entity exercising
governmental powers. Escrow Agent is not responsible or liable in any manner
whatsoever for the sufficiency, correctness, genuineness or validity of the
subject matter of this Escrow Agreement or any part hereof or for the
transaction or transactions requiring or underlying the execution of this Escrow
Agreement, the form or execution hereof or for the identity or authority of any
person executing this Escrow Agreement or any part hereof or depositing the
Deposit.

               8. Right of Interpleader. Should any controversy arise involving
the parties hereto or any of them or any other person, firm or entity with
respect to this Escrow Agreement or the Deposit, or should a substitute escrow
agent fail to be designated as provided in Section 16 hereof, or if Escrow Agent
should be in doubt as to what action to take, Escrow Agent shall have the right,
but not the obligation, either to (a) withhold delivery of the Deposit until the
controversy is resolved, the conflicting demands are withdrawn or its doubt is
resolved or (b) institute a petition for interpleader in any court of competent
jurisdiction to determine the rights of the parties hereto. In the event Escrow
Agent is a party to any dispute, Escrow Agent shall have the additional right to
refer such controversy to binding arbitration. Should a petition for
interpleader be instituted, or should Escrow Agent be threatened with litigation
or become involved in litigation or binding arbitration in any manner whatsoever
in connection with this Escrow Agreement or the Deposit, the Company and each of
the Investors hereby jointly and severally agree to reimburse Escrow Agent for
its attorneys' fees and any and all other expenses, losses, costs and damages
incurred by Escrow Agent in connection with or resulting from such threatened or
actual litigation or arbitration prior to any disbursement hereunder.

               9. Indemnification. The Company and each of the Investors hereby
jointly and severally indemnify Escrow Agent, its officers, directors, partners,
employees and agents (each herein called an "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") against, and
hold each Indemnified Party harmless from, any and all expenses, including,
without limitation, attorneys' fees and court costs, losses, costs, damages and
claims, including, but not limited to, costs of investigation, litigation and
arbitration, tax liability and loss on investments suffered or incurred by any
Indemnified Party in connection with or arising from or out of this Escrow
Agreement, except such acts or omissions as may result from the willful
misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnified Party. IT IS THE EXPRESS
INTENT OF THE COMPANY AND EACH OF THE INVESTORS TO INDEMNIFY EACH OF THE
INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FOR, AND HOLD THEM HARMLESS AGAINST, THEIR OWN NEGLIGENT
ACTS OR OMISSIONS.

               10. Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company
hereby agrees to pay Escrow Agent for its services hereunder in accordance with
Escrow Agent's Schedule of Fees attached hereto as in effect from time to time
and to pay all expenses incurred by Escrow Agent in connection with the
performance of its duties and enforcement of its rights hereunder and otherwise
in connection with the preparation, operation, administration and enforcement of
this Escrow Agreement, including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, brokerage
costs and related expenses incurred by Escrow Agent. The foregoing
notwithstanding, the Investors shall be jointly and severally liable to Escrow
Agent for the payment of all such fees and expenses. In the event the Company or
the Investors for any reason fail to pay any such fees and expenses as and when
the same are due, such unpaid fees and expenses shall be charged to and set-off
and paid from the Deposit by Escrow Agent without any further notice.

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

               11. Lien. The Company and each of the Investors hereby grants to
Escrow Agent a lien upon, and security interest in, all its right, title and
interest in and to all of the Deposit as security for the payment and
performance of its obligations owing to Escrow Agent hereunder, including,
without limitation, its obligations of payment, indemnity and reimbursement
provided for hereunder, which lien and security interest may be enforced by
Escrow Agent without notice by charging and setting-off and paying from, the
Deposit any and all amounts then owing to it pursuant to this Escrow Agreement
or by appropriate foreclosure proceedings.

               12. Funds Transfer. In the event funds transfer instructions are
given (other than in writing at the time of execution of the Escrow Agreement),
whether in writing, by telefax, or otherwise, the Escrow Agent is authorized to
seek confirmation of such instructions by telephone call-back to the person or
person designated on Schedule A hereto, and the Escrow Agent may rely upon the
confirmations of anyone purporting to be the person or persons so designated.
The persons and telephone numbers for call-backs may be changed only in writing
actually received and acknowledged by the Escrow Agent. The parties to this
Agreement acknowledge that such security procedure is commercially reasonable.

               It is understood that the Escrow Agent and the beneficiary's bank
in any funds transfer may rely solely upon any account numbers or similar
identifying number provided by either of the other parties hereto to identify
(i) the beneficiary, (ii) the beneficiary's bank, or (iii) an intermediary bank.
The Escrow Agent may apply any of the escrowed funds for any payment order it
executes using any such identifying number, even where its use may result in a
person other than the beneficiary being paid, or the transfer of funds to a bank
other than the beneficiary's bank or an intermediary bank, designated.

               13. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or
permitted to be given under this Escrow Agreement by any party hereto to any
other party hereto shall be considered as properly given if in writing and (a)
delivered against receipt therefor, (b) mailed by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested and postage prepaid or (c) sent by telefax machine, in
each case to the address or telefax number, as the case may be, set forth below:

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                  If to Escrow Agent:

                           The Chase Manhattan Bank
                           600 Travis Street, Suite 1150
                           Houston, TX 77002
                           Attn:  Greg Campbell
                           CMFS/Escrow Section
                           Telefax No.:  (713) 216-6927

                  If to the Company:

                           The viaLink Company
                           13155 Noel Road, Suite 800
                           Dallas, TX  75240
                           Attn.:  Chief Financial Officer
                           Telefax No.:  (972) 934-5583
                           Telephone No.:  (972) 934-5573

                  If to an Investor:

                           To the address listed below such Investor's name on
                           the signature pages hereto.

Except to the extent otherwise provided in the second paragraph of Section 3
hereinabove, delivery of any communication given in accordance herewith shall be
effective only upon actual receipt thereof by the party or parties to whom such
communication is directed. Any party to this Escrow Agreement may change the
address to which communications hereunder are to be directed by giving written
notice to the other party or parties hereto in the manner provided in this
section.

               14. Consultation with Legal Counsel. Escrow Agent may consult
with its counsel or other counsel satisfactory to it concerning any question
relating to its duties or responsibilities hereunder or otherwise in connection
herewith and shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it
in good faith upon the advice of such counsel.

               15. Choice of Laws; Cumulative Rights. This Escrow Agreement
shall be construed under, and governed by, the laws of the State of Texas,
excluding, however, (a) its choice of law rules and (b) the portions of the
Texas Trust Code Sec. 111.001, et seq. of the Texas Property Code concerning
fiduciary duties and liabilities of trustees. All of Escrow Agent's rights
hereunder are cumulative of any other rights it may have at law, in equity or
otherwise. The parties hereto agree that the forum for resolution of any dispute
arising under this Escrow Agreement shall be Harris County, Texas, and each of
the Other Parties hereby consents, and submits itself, to the jurisdiction of
any state or federal court sitting in Harris County, Texas.

               16. Resignation. Escrow Agent may resign hereunder upon ten (10)
days' prior notice to the Company and the Investors. Upon the effective date of
such resignation, Escrow Agent shall deliver the Deposit to any substitute
escrow agent designated by the Company in writing. If the Company fails to
designate a substitute escrow agent within ten (10) days after the giving of
such notice, Escrow Agent may institute a petition for interpleader. Escrow
Agent's sole responsibility after such 10-day notice period expires shall be to
hold the

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

Deposit (without any obligation to reinvest the same) and to deliver the same to
a designated substitute escrow agent, if any, or in accordance with the
directions of a final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, at
which time of delivery Escrow Agent's obligations hereunder shall cease and
terminate.

               17. Assignment. This Escrow Agreement shall not be assigned by
the Company or any of the Investors without the prior written consent of Escrow
Agent (such assigns of such parties to which Escrow Agent consents, if any, and
Escrow Agent's assigns being hereinafter referred to collectively as "PERMITTED
ASSIGNS").

               18. Severability. If one or more of the provisions hereof shall
for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect
under applicable law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not
affect any other provisions hereof, and this Escrow Agreement shall be construed
as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
herein, and the remaining provisions hereof shall be given full force and
effect.

               19. Termination. This Escrow Agreement shall terminate upon the
disbursement, in accordance with Sections 4 or 16 hereof, of the Deposit in
full; provided, however, that in the event all fee, expenses, costs and other
amounts required to be paid to Escrow Agent hereunder are not fully and finally
paid prior to termination, the provisions of Section 10 hereof shall survive the
termination hereof and, provided further, that the last two sentences of Section
8 hereof and the provisions of Section 9 hereof shall, in any event, survive the
termination hereof.

               20. General. The section headings contained in this Escrow
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Escrow Agreement. This Escrow Agreement and
any affidavit, certificate, instrument, agreement or other document required to
be provided hereunder may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute
but one and the same instrument. Unless the context shall otherwise require, the
singular shall include the plural and vice-versa, and each pronoun in any gender
shall include all other genders. The terms and provisions of this Escrow
Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter hereof, and none of the Company, any of the Investors or
Escrow Agent has relied on any representations or agreements of the other,
except as specifically set forth in this Escrow Agreement. This Escrow Agreement
or any provision hereof may be amended, modified, waived or terminated only by
written instrument duly signed by the parties hereto. This Escrow Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, personal representatives,
successors, trustees, receivers and Permitted Assigns. This Escrow Agreement is
for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and nothing in this
Escrow Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer or shall be
construed as conferring upon any other person any rights, remedies or any other
type or types of benefits.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Escrow Agreement to be
effective as of the date first above written.

                                    "THE COMPANY"

                                    THE VIALINK COMPANY

                                    By: /s/ Brian Carter
                                       -------------------------------
                                    Name:  Brian Carter
                                         -----------------------------
                                    Title: Controller
                                          ----------------------------
                                    Tax Identification No.:  73-124766
                                                           -----------

                                    "THE INVESTORS"
                                      /s/ Robert N. Baker
                                    ------------------------------------
                                    Robert N. Baker

                                    Address:
                                            ----------------------------
                                    Telefax No.:
                                                 -----------------------
                                    Telephone No.:
                                                  ----------------------
                                    Tax Identification No.:
                                                           -------------

                                    Amount of initial deposit:  $448,250
                                                              ----------

                                      /s/ Mark Bromberg
                                    ------------------------------------
                                    Mark Bromberg

                                    Address:
                                            ----------------------------
                                    Telefax No.:
                                                 -----------------------
                                    Telephone No.:
                                                  ----------------------
                                    Tax Identification No.:
                                                           -------------

                                    Amount of initial deposit:  $49,500
                                                              ----------

                                      /s/ William P. Creasman
                                    ------------------------------------
                                    William P. Creasman

                                    Address:
                                            ----------------------------
                                    Telefax No.:
                                                 -----------------------
                                    Telephone No.:
                                                  ----------------------
                                    Tax Identification No.:
                                                           -------------

                                    Amount of initial deposit:  $57,250
                                                              ----------

                      [Signature Pages to Escrow Agreement]

<PAGE>   9
                                    /s/ LEWIS B. KILBOURNE
                                    ------------------------------------
                                    Lewis B. Kilbourne

                                    Address:
                                            ----------------------------
                                    Telefax No.:
                                                 -----------------------
                                    Telephone No.:
                                                  ----------------------
                                    Tax Identification No.:
                                                           -------------

                                    Amount of initial deposit:  $74,250
                                                              ----------

                                    /s/ DAVID M. LLOYD
                                    ------------------------------------
                                    David M. Lloyd

                                    Address:
                                            ----------------------------
                                    Telefax No.:
                                                 -----------------------
                                    Telephone No.:
                                                  ----------------------
                                    Tax Identification No.:
                                                           -------------

                                    Amount of initial deposit:  $49,500
                                                              ----------

                                    /s/ ROBERT I. NOE
                                    ------------------------------------
                                    Robert I. Noe

                                    Address:
                                            ----------------------------
                                    Telefax No.:
                                                 -----------------------
                                    Telephone No.:
                                                  ----------------------
                                    Tax Identification No.:
                                                           -------------

                                    Amount of initial deposit:  $19,250
                                                              ----------

                                    /s/ CHRIS RILEY
                                    ------------------------------------
                                    Chris Riley

                                    Address:
                                            ----------------------------
                                    Telefax No.:
                                                 -----------------------
                                    Telephone No.:
                                                  ----------------------
                                    Tax Identification No.:
                                                           -------------

                                    Amount of initial deposit:  $49,500
                                                              ----------

                      [Signature Pages to Escrow Agreement]
<PAGE>   10

                                    /s/ JACK SCOTT
                                    ------------------------------------
                                    Jack Scott

                                    Address:
                                            ----------------------------
                                    Telefax No.:
                                                 -----------------------
                                    Telephone No.:
                                                  ----------------------
                                    Tax Identification No.:
                                                           -------------

                                    Amount of initial deposit:  $13,750
                                                              ----------

                                    "ESCROW AGENT"

                                    THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                                    By: /s/ GREG CAMPBELL
                                       ---------------------------------
                                    Name:   Greg Campbell
                                         -------------------------------
                                    Title:  Vice President
                                          ------------------------------

                      [Signature Pages to Escrow Agreement]
<PAGE>   11

                                   SCHEDULE A

                TELEPHONE NUMBER(S) FOR CALL-BACKS AND PERSON(S)
                DESIGNATED TO CONFIRM FUNDS TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS

If to the Company:

<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
         Name                                Telephone Number
1.  William P. Creasman                      (972) 934-5573

2.  Brian Carter                             (972) 934-5512
</TABLE>

If to the Investors:

<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
         Name                                Telephone Number
         ----                                ----------------
1.  Robert N. Baker
  -----------------------------              -------------------------------

2.  Mark Bromberg
  -----------------------------              -------------------------------

3.  William P. Creasman
  -----------------------------              -------------------------------

4.  Lewis B. Kilbourne
  -----------------------------              -------------------------------

5.  David M. Lloyd
  -----------------------------              -------------------------------

6.  Robert I. Noe
  -----------------------------              -------------------------------

7.  Chris Riley
  -----------------------------              -------------------------------

8.  Jack Scott
  -----------------------------              -------------------------------
</TABLE>

Telephone call-backs shall be made to either the Company or the Investors if
joint instructions are required pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.

<PAGE>   12

                                  [CHASE LOGO}

                                SCHEDULE OF FEES

                                       FOR

                              ESCROW AGENT SERVICES

NOTE:    WE REQUIRE UNDER THE FOLLOWING FEE SCHEDULE THAT THE DEPOSIT PROCEEDS
         WILL BE CONTINUALLY INVESTED IN FIDELITY DOMESTIC MONEY MARKET FUND
         #690-PRIME CASH SHARES.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
        NEW ACCOUNT ACCEPTANCE FEE ...................................      $    750
                 Payable upon Account Opening

        MINIMUM ADMINISTRATIVE FEE ...................................      $  3,500
                 Payable Upon Account  Opening and in Advance
                 of each year in which we act as Escrow Agent
</TABLE>

ACTIVITY FEES:

<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>                 <C>
DISBURSEMENTS
                                                $    15
Per Check                      U.S.             $    35
Per Wire                     International      $   100

RECEIPTS

Per Check                                       $     7
Per Wire                                        $    10

INVESTMENTS
Per directed buy/sell                           $    50
</TABLE>

LEGAL EXPENSES:    AT COST

There will be no legal expense for Chase if Chase's standard form escrow
agreement is employed without substantive amendments.

<PAGE>   13

A New Account Acceptance Fee will be charged for the Bank's review of the Escrow
Agreement along with any related account documentation. A one (1) year Minimum
Administrative Fee will be assessed for any account which is funded. The account
will be invoiced in the month in which the account is opened and annually
thereafter. Payment of the invoice is due 30 days following receipt.

The Administrative Fee will cover a maximum of fifteen (15) annual
administrative hours for the Bank's standard Escrow services including account
setup, safekeeping of assets, investment of funds, collection of income and
other receipts, preparation of statements comprising account activity and asset
listing, and distribution of assets in accordance with the specific terms of the
Escrow Agreement.

Extraordinary Services and Out-of Pocket Expenses:

Any additional services beyond our standard services as specified above, such as
annual administrative activities in excess of fifteen (15) hours and all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses including attorney's fees will be considered
extraordinary services for which related costs, transaction charges, and
additional fees will be billed at the Bank's standard rate.

Modification of Fees:

Circumstances may arise necessitating a change in the foregoing fee schedule.
The Bank will attempt at all times, however, to maintain the fees at a level
which is fair and reasonable in relation to the responsibilities assumed and the
duties performed.

Assumptions:

o        The escrow deposit shall be continuously invested in Fidelity Domestic
         Money Market Fund #690-Prime Cash Shares. The Minimum Administrative
         Fee would include a supplemental charge of 50 basis points on the
         escrow deposit amount if another investment option is chosen.

o        The account will be invoiced in the month in which the account is
         opened and annually thereafter.

o        Payment of the invoice is due 30 days following receipt.

Administrative Accounting Fee Disclosure: The Escrow Agent or its affiliates may
receive a cash management fee of up to 150 basis points on funds that are
deposited into the Fidelity Domestic Money Market Fund #690 - Prime Cash Shares.
The fee is compensation for escrow agent, administrative and accounting services
provided to the parties hereunder. The parties hereunder also confirm that they
have received and have read the Fidelity Domestic Money Market Fund #690
prospectus.<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1
                                STERICYCLE, INC.

                       2000 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                    ARTICLE 1

                                     PURPOSE

     The purpose of this plan is to permit the Company to grant stock options to
selected employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and to selected
consultants to the Company, in order to reward them for their efforts on the
Company's behalf and to provide an additional incentive to contribute to the
Company's attainment of its performance objectives.

                                    ARTICLE 2

                                   DEFINITIONS

     BOARD means the Company's Board of Directors.

     CHANGE OF CONTROL means an event or the last of a series of related events
by which:

          (a) any Person directly or indirectly acquires or otherwise becomes
     entitled to vote stock having 51% or more of the voting power in elections
     for Directors; or

          (b) during any 24-month period a majority of the members of the Board
     of Directors ceases to consist of Directors who were:

               (1) Directors at the beginning of the period ("Continuing
          Directors"); or

               (2) appointed to office after the start of the period by the
          Board of Directors with the approval of two-thirds of the incumbent
          Continuing Directors ("Appointed Directors"); or

               (3) elected to office after the start of the period by the
          Company's stockholders following nomination for election by the Board
          of Directors with the approval of two-thirds of the incumbent
          Continuing Directors ("Elected Directors"); or

               (4) appointed to office after the start of the period by the
          Board of Directors with the approval of two-thirds of the incumbent
          Continuing, Appointed and Elected Directors; or

               (5) elected to office after the start of the period by the
          Company's stockholders following nomination for election by the Board
          of Directors with the

                                       1
<PAGE>   2

          approval of two-thirds of the incumbent Continuing, Appointed and
          Elected Directors; or

          (c) the Company merges or consolidates with another corporation, and
     holders of outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock immediately
     prior to the merger or consolidation do not own stock in the survivor of
     the merger or consolidation having more than 75% of the voting power in
     elections for directors; or

          (d) the Company sells all or a substantial portion of the consolidated
     assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and the Company does not own
     stock in the purchaser having more than 75% of the voting power in
     elections for directors.

As used in this definition, a "Person" means any "person" as that term is used
in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
together with all of that person's "affiliates" and "associates" as those terms
are defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     COMMON STOCK means the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

     CLOSING PRICE means the last reported sales price of a share of Common
Stock on the Nasdaq National Market.

     COMPANY means Stericycle, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

     CONSULTANT means any consultant, advisor or vendor rendering services or
providing goods to the Company or a Subsidiary.

     DIRECTOR means a director of the Company.

     DISABILITY means a person's total and permanent disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

     EMPLOYEE means an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

     EXPIRATION DATE means the last day on which an Option may be exercised.

     OFFICER means (i) the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Operating Officer, or Chief Financial Officer (ii) any Executive Vice
President or other Vice President of the Company and (iii) any other person who
is considered an "officer" of the Company for purposes of Rule 16a-1(f) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

     OPTION means an option granted under this Plan to purchase shares of Common
Stock.

     OPTION AGREEMENT is defined in Paragraph 8.5.

     OPTION EXCHANGE PROGRAM means a program whereby outstanding Options are

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

surrendered in exchange for Options with a lower exercise price.

     OPTION SHARES means the shares of Common Stock for which an Option is or
may become exercisable.

     PLAN means this plan, as it may be amended. The name of this Plan is the
"Stericycle, Inc. 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan."

     PLAN ADMINISTRATOR means the Board or the committee of the Board to which
the Board has delegated its authority to administer the Plan in accordance with
Paragraph 7.1

     SUBSIDIARY means a "subsidiary corporation" as defined in ss. 424(f) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

     TERMINATION DATE means the date of termination of employment of an Employee
by the Company or a Subsidiary. A transfer of employment from the Company to a
Subsidiary, or from a Subsidiary to the Company or to another Subsidiary, shall
not be considered a termination of employment.

                                    ARTICLE 3

                         EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN

     3.1 EFFECTIVE DATE. This Plan shall become effective when adopted by the
Board.

     3.2 TERM. This Plan shall have a term of 10 years expiring on the tenth
anniversary of its adoption. No Option may be granted under this Plan after its
expiration.

                                    ARTICLE 4

                                SHARES AVAILABLE

     4.1 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES. The maximum total number of shares of Common
Stock for which Options may be granted under this Plan is 500,000 shares
(subject to adjustment as provided in Paragraph 10.1).

     4.2 SHARES ADDED BACK. To the extent that an Option expires unexercised or
is surrendered, the number of Option Shares in respect of which the Option
expired or was surrendered shall be added back to the number of shares of Common
Stock for which Options may be granted under this Plan.

                                    ARTICLE 5

                           NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS

     The Options granted under this Plan shall be nonstatutory stock options,
and are not

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

intended to qualify as an incentive stock options under ss. 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.

                                    ARTICLE 6

                                   ELIGIBILITY

     Options may be granted under this Plan to Employees and to Consultants.
Options may not be granted to Officers or Directors.

                                    ARTICLE 7

                                 ADMINISTRATION

     7.1 PLAN ADMINISTRATOR. This Plan shall be administered by the Board. The
Board may delegate its authority to administer the Plan to a standing committee
of the Board or to a committee appointed by the Board for the purpose consisting
of at least two Directors.

     7.2 POWERS. Subject to and not inconsistent with the provisions of the
Plan, the Plan Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion: (i) to
select the Employees and Consultants to whom Options are granted; (ii) to
determine the number of shares of Common Stock for which each Option is granted;
and (iii) to determine the other terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations
applicable to each Option.

     7.3 INTERPRETATION. The Plan Administrator may interpret the Plan, adopt
and revise policies and procedures to administer the Plan, and make all
determinations required for the Plan's administration. The actions of the Plan
Administrator shall be final and binding.

                                    ARTICLE 8

                                  STOCK OPTIONS

     8.1 EXERCISE PRICE. The Plan Administrator shall determine the exercise
price of each Option. The Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may reduce the
exercise price per share of any outstanding Option to the current Closing Price,
and may institute an Option Exchange Program at any time.

     8.2 TERM. The Plan Administrator shall determine (i) whether each Option
shall be exercisable immediately or become exercisable at one time or in
installments at different times and (ii) the time or times at which the Option
shall become and remain exercisable. No Option may have an Expiration Date more
than 10 years from the date that it was granted.

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the underlying Option
Agreement, each outstanding Option shall become exercisable in full upon a
Change in Control. In addition, the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may
accelerate the exercisability of any Option at any time under any related or
other circumstances.

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

     8.3 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. In the case of an Option held by an
Employee:

          (a) to the extent that the Option is unexercisable as of the
     Employee's Termination Date, the Option shall expire on the Termination
     Date; and

          (b) to the extent that the Option is exercisable as of the Employee's
     Termination Date, the Option shall expire as specified in the Option
     Agreement (or if no date is specified, 30 days after the Termination Date,
     or if the Employee's employment terminated by reason of his or her death or
     Disability, on the first anniversary of the Termination Date), unless the
     Expiration Date is extended by the Plan Administrator. The Plan
     Administrator may extend the expiration to any date ending on or before the
     applicable Expiration Date.

     8.4 TRANSFERABILITY. Except as provided in the Option Agreement or as
permitted by the Plan Administrator, no Option may be transferred, assigned or
pledged (whether by operation of law or otherwise), except as provided by will
or the applicable laws of intestacy. No Option shall be subject to execution,
attachment or similar process.

     8.5 OPTION AGREEMENTS. Each Option shall be evidenced by a written
agreement (an "Option Agreement") between the Company and the person to whom the
Option is granted, which shall be substantially in the form of the option
agreement attached as EXHIBIT A or otherwise in a form approved by the Plan
Administrator. Each Option Agreement shall contain the terms, conditions,
restrictions and limitations applicable to the Option and any other provisions
that the Plan Administrator considers advisable to include.

                                    ARTICLE 9

                               EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

     9.1 MANNER OF EXERCISE. An exercisable Option may be exercised in full or
in part (but only in respect of a whole number of Option Shares) by (i) written
notice to the Plan Administrator (or its designee) stating the number of Option
Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised and (ii) full payment
of the exercise price of those shares.

     9.2 PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE. Payment of the exercise price of an Option
shall be made by certified or bank cashier's check or, if permitted by the Plan
Administrator (either in the applicable Option Agreement or at the time of
exercise): (i) a personal check; (ii) delivery of shares of Common Stock having
a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price; (iii)
directing the Company to withhold, from the Option Shares otherwise issuable
upon exercise of the Option, Option Shares having a fair market value on the
date of exercise equal to the exercise price; (iv) surrendering exercisable
Options having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise
price (measuring the fair market value of the Options surrendered by the excess
of the aggregate fair market value on the date of exercise of the Option Shares
over the aggregate exercise price); (v) any combination of the preceding methods
of payment; or (vi) any other method of payment authorized by the Plan
Administrator. For purposes of this Paragraph and Paragraph 9.3, "fair market
value" shall be determined by the Closing Price on the

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

date in question (or on the last trading day preceding the date in question if
it is not a trading day).

     9.3 WITHHOLDING. Each person exercising an Option shall remit to the
Company an amount sufficient to satisfy its federal, state and local withholding
tax obligation, if any, in connection with the exercise. Payment shall be made
by certified or bank cashier's check or, if permitted by the Plan Administrator
(either in the applicable Option Agreement or at the time of exercise): (i) a
personal check; (ii) delivery of shares of Common Stock having a fair market
value on the date of exercise equal to the withholding obligation; (iii)
directing the Company to withhold, from the Option Shares otherwise issuable
upon exercise of the Option, Option Shares having a fair market value on the
date of exercise equal to the withholding obligation; (iv) any combination of
the preceding methods of payment; or (v) by any other method of payment
authorized by the Plan Administrator.

                                   ARTICLE 10

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     10.1 CAPITALIZATION ADJUSTMENTS. The aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock for which Options may be granted under the Plan, the aggregate number of
Option Shares in respect of each outstanding Option, and the exercise price of
each outstanding Option may be adjusted by the Plan Administrator as it
considers appropriate in the event of changes in the number of outstanding
shares of Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, stock splits,
recapitalizations, reorganizations and the like. Adjustments under this
Paragraph 10.1 shall be made in the Plan Administrator's discretion, and its
decisions shall be final and binding.

     10.2 AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate
this Plan at any time. If this Plan is terminated, the provisions of this Plan
shall continue to apply to Options granted prior to termination, and no
amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall adversely affect the
rights of the holder of any outstanding Option without his or her consent.

     10.3 NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT. Nothing in this Plan or in any Option
Agreement shall confer on any person the right to continue in the employ of the
Company or any Subsidiary or limit the right of the Company or Subsidiary to
terminate his or her employment.

     10.4 NOTICES. Notices required or permitted under this Plan shall be
considered to have been duly given if sent by certified or registered mail
addressed to the Plan Administrator at the Company's principal office or to any
other person at his or her address as it appears on the Company's payroll or
other records.

     10.5 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Plan is held illegal or invalid
for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining
provisions, and the Plan shall be construed and administered as if the illegal
or invalid provision had not been included.

     10.6 GOVERNING LAW. This Plan and all Option Agreements shall be governed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

                                       6
<PAGE>   7
                                    Exhibit A
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                        (Nonstatutory Stock Option Under
                    Stericycle, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan)

     Subject to the attached terms, Stericycle, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), grants to the following employee of the Company or one of its
subsidiaries (the "Employee"), as of the following date (the "Option Grant
Date"), a nonstatutory stock option (the "Option") under the Stericycle, Inc.
2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") to purchase the following
number of shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Option Shares"), at the following purchase price per share (the "Exercise
Price"), exercisable in installments in accordance with the following vesting
schedule:

      Employee:                   [name]
      Grant Date:                 [number]
      Number of Option Shares:    [number]
      Exercise Price Per Share:   $[price]
      Vesting Schedule:           (1) [number] Option Shares become vested on
                                      [date]
                                  (2) [number] Option Shares become vested in 47
                                      monthly installments of [number] Option
                                      Shares each beginning on [date] and
                                      continuing on the first day of each month
                                      through (and including) [date]
                                  (3) [number] Option Shares become vested on
                                      [date]
      Expiration Date of Option:  [date]

                                    STERICYCLE, INC.

                                    By
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                        [name]

                                        [title]

                             ACCEPTANCE BY EMPLOYEE

     I accept this Stock Option Agreement and agree to be bound by all of its
terms. I acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Plan. In consideration, in part,
of the option granted to me under this Stock Option Agreement, I have signed a
Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement with the Company, dated as of the
Option Grant Date.

      Employee's signature:
                                   ---------------------------------------------
      Name (please print):
                                   ---------------------------------------------
      Address:
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                                   ---------------------------------------------
      Social Security number:
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                                      A-1
<PAGE>   8
                                 TERMS OF OPTION

     1. PLAN. This Option has been granted under the Stericycle, Inc. 2000
Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), which is incorporated in this
Agreement by reference. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement without being
defined (for example, the term "Plan Administrator") have the same meanings that
they have in the Plan.

     2. EXERCISABILITY. The Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any
time prior to its Expiration Date to the extent that it is vested at the time of
exercise. The Option shall not continue to vest after the Employee's Termination
Date. Any portion of the Option that remains unexercised shall expire on the
Expiration Date. The Option shall be subject to earlier expiration as provided
in Paragraph 5.

     The Option shall become fully vested upon a Change in Control, as provided
in Paragraph 8.2 of the Plan.

     3. MANNER OF EXERCISE. The Option may be exercised in respect of a whole
number of Option Shares (and only in respect of a whole number) by:

          (a) written notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator (or its
     designee) at the Company's principal executive offices (which are currently
     located at 28161 North Keith Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045), which is
     received prior to the Option's Expiration Date;

          (b) full payment of the Exercise Price of the Option Shares in respect
     of which the Option is exercised; and

          (c) full payment of an amount equal to the Company's federal, state
     and local withholding tax obligation, if any, in connection with the
     exercise.

     In addition, the exercise of the Option shall be subject to any procedures
and policies that the Plan Administrator has adopted to administer the Plan
which may be in effect at the time of exercise.

     4. MANNER OF PAYMENT. The Employee's payment of the Exercise Price of the
Option Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised, and his or her
payment of the Company's withholding tax obligation, if any, in connection with
the exercise, shall be made by certified or bank cashier's check or by a wire
transfer of immediately available funds.

     Payment also may be made by means of a "cashless" net exercise through a
broker approved by the Plan Administrator for the purpose, pursuant to which the
full amount due to the Company is remitted directly by the broker from the net
proceeds of the sale of a sufficient number of Option Shares. In addition,
payment may be made in any other manner authorized by the Plan and specifically
permitted by the Plan Administrator at the time of exercise.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>   9

     5. EARLY EXPIRATION OF OPTION. If the Employee's ceases to serve as an
employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, the unvested portion of the Option
shall terminate on the Employee's Termination Date. The vested portion of the
Option shall expire 90 days after the Employee's Termination Date (or if the
Employee's employment terminated by reason of his or her death or Disability, on
the first anniversary of the Termination Date), unless the exercisability of the
Option is extended by the Plan Administrator (in the Plan Administrator's sole
discretion). The Plan Administrator may extend the exercisability of the Option
to any date ending on or before the Option's Expiration Date.

     6. TRANSFERABILITY. The Option may not be transferred, assigned or pledged
(whether by operation of law or otherwise), except as provided by will or the
applicable intestacy laws; and the Option shall not be subject to execution,
attachment or similar process. The Option may be exercised only by the Employee
or, in the case of his or her death, by the person or persons to whom the Option
passes by the Employee's will or the applicable intestacy laws (or by the legal
representative of the Employee's estate).

     7. INTERPRETATION. This Agreement is subject to the terms of the Plan, as
the Plan may be amended (but except as required by applicable law, no amendment
of the Plan after the Option Grant Date shall adversely affect the Employee's
rights in respect of the Option without the Employee's consent). If there is a
conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the
Plan shall control. The Plan Administrator's interpretation of this Agreement
and the Plan shall be final and binding.

     8. NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHT. Nothing in this Agreement shall be considered to
confer on the Employee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or a
Subsidiary or to limit the right of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate the
Employee's employment.

     9. NO STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. The Employee shall not have any rights as a
stockholder of the Company in respect of any of the Option Shares unless and
until Option Shares are issued to the Employee upon the exercise of one or more
installments of the Option.

     10. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Illinois.

     11. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding on the Company and the
Employee and on the Employee's heirs, legatees and legal representatives.

     12. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement shall not become effective until the
Employee accepts this Agreement by returning a copy to the Company completed and
signed on the first page by the Employee. When the Employee so accepts this
Agreement, this Agreement shall become effective, retroactive to the Option
Grant Date, without the necessity of further action by either the Company or the
Employee.

                                      A-3

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00020-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00020-of-00352.parquet"}]]