Document:

<PAGE>

  7.Non-Solicitation of Employees/Contractors.

      (a)Employee agrees that during the course of his employment with the
Company, and for the period of twelve (12) months following the Termination
Date (the "Restriction Term"), regardless of the reason for the termination,
Employee will not, in any manner, hire or engage, or assist any company or
business organization by which Employee is employed or which is directly or
indirectly controlled by Employee to hire or engage, any person who is or was
employed by the Company (or is or was an agent, representative, contractor or
consultant of the Company) at any time after May 1, 2001 or during the twelve
(12) months following the Termination Date.

      (b)Employee further agrees that during the Restriction Term, regardless
of the reason for Employee's termination from employment, Employee will not
solicit, recruit or induce, in any manner, any person who is or was employed
by the Company (or is or was an agent, representative, contractor or
consultant of the Company) at any time after May 1, 2001 or during the twelve
(12) months following the Termination Date to leave his or her employment or
engagement with the Company.

  8.Non-Solicitation of Clients. Employee agrees that during the Restriction
Term, regardless of the reason for Employee's termination from employment,
Employee will not (except for ad hoc consulting assignments and/or Board of
Director assignment[s], with the consent of the Company):

      (a)Solicit, do business with or interfere in any way with the Company's
relationship with, any client of the Company with whom Employee had contact or
for whom Employee performed services during the period of five years prior to
the end of Employee's employment with the Company; or

      (b)Solicit, do business with or interfere in any way with the Company's
relationship with, any client of the Company about whom Employee obtained
Confidential Information, or became familiar with through Confidential
Information (as defined in Section 10(b)), during Employee's employment with
the Company.

  9.Noncompetition.

(a) Employee agrees that during the Restriction Term, regardless of the
    reasons for his termination, he shall not, directly or indirectly, alone
    or as a consultant, partner, officer, director, employee, joint venturer,
    lender or stockholder of any entity (a) accept employment or establish any
    other relationship with any business within the world that is in
    competition with the products or services created, developed or under
    development, manufactured or planning to be manufactured, marketed or
    planning to be marketed, distributed or planning to be distributed, sold
    or planning to be sold, by the Company at the time of his termination
    (collectively, the "Products And Services"), or (b) engage in any business
    or activity within the world that is in competition with the Products And
    Services, provided, however, that the record or beneficial ownership of
    one (1) percent or less of the outstanding publicly traded capital stock
    of any entity shall not be deemed, in and of itself, to be in violation of
    this Section.

      (b)Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company conducts business
operations throughout the world and that given the Company's worldwide scope
of operations, the geographic restriction contained in Section 9(a) is
reasonable.

  10.Confidentiality.

      (a)During Employee's employment with the Company and at any time
thereafter, Employee shall not disclose or use or otherwise exploit, for his
own benefit, or for the benefit of any other person or entity, any
Confidential Information (as defined in Section 10(b)). Employee acknowledges
that all Confidential Information, together with all notes and records
relating thereto and all copies, electronic versions and facsimiles thereof,
are the exclusive property of the Company. Employee shall return all such
Confidential Information to the Company promptly upon request by the Company
and, in any event, promptly upon any termination or expiration of this
Agreement.

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<PAGE>

      (b)"Confidential Information" shall mean any of the trade secrets or
confidential information concerning the organization, business or finances of
the Company or of any third party, including, but not limited to, clients and
vendors, which the Company is under an obligation to keep confidential. Such
Confidential Information shall include, but is not limited to, trade secrets
or confidential information respecting existing and future products and
services, designs, methods, formulas, drafts of publications, research, know-
how, techniques, systems, databases, processes, software programs or code,
developments or experimental work, works of authorship, customer lists and/or
customer information, business plans, marketing plans, sales techniques,
projects, the Company's salary and/or pay rates, other Company personnel
information, and all other plans and proposals.

      (c)Employee agrees that during Employee's employment, Employee shall not
make, use or permit to be used any Company Documentation (as defined in
Section 10(d)) otherwise than for the benefit of the Company. Employee further
agrees that Employee shall not, after the termination of Employee's employment
for any reason, use or permit others to use any such Company Documentation, it
being agreed that all Company documentation shall be and remain the sole and
exclusive property of the Company. Immediately upon the termination of
Employee's employment for any reason, Employee shall deliver all Company
Documentation, and all copies thereof, to the Company, at its main office.

      (d)The term "Company Documentation" shall mean notes, drafts, research,
memoranda, manuscript, reports, proposals, business plans, marketing plans,
lists, correspondence, records, drawings, sketches, blueprints,
specifications, software programs, data, documentation or other materials of
any nature and in any form, whether written, printed, or in digital format or
otherwise, relating to any matter within the scope of the business of the
Company or concerning any of its dealings or affairs.

      (e)Employee recognizes that the Company has received and in the future
will receive from third parties, including, but not limited to, clients and
vendors, their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on
the Company's part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to
use it only for certain limited purposes. Employee agrees that Employee owes
the Company and such third parties, during the term of Employee's employment
and thereafter, regardless of the reason for Employee's termination of
employment, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in
the strictest of confidence and not to disclose it to any person, entity or
corporation (except as necessary in carrying out Employee's work for the
Company consistent with the Company's agreement with such third party) or to
use it for the benefit of anyone other than for the Company or such third
party (consistent with the Company's agreement with such third party) without
the express written authorization of the Company.

      (f) Employee agrees that Employee will not, during Employee's employment
with the Company, use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets
of Employee's former employers or of any other third parties, and that
Employee will not bring onto the premises of the Company any unpublished
document or any property belonging to Employee's former employers or of any
other third party, unless consented to in writing by said employers or third
parties.

  11.Ownership of Information and Documents. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Work Product" shall mean all information, including but not limited to, data,
materials, text, drawings, specifications, reports, notes, documentation,
computer programs, inventions (whether or not patentable), records, business
information, trade secrets and all works of authorship (including, without
limitation, all copyrights and trademarks existing therein), conceived and/or
reduced to practice, created or developed by Employee, alone or jointly with
others, related to the business of Company or any client or conceived during
work hours. Employee shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company any and
all of such Work Product. All Work Product, whether preliminary or final,
tangible or intangible, shall be and remain the sole property of Company
(unless assigned or licensed by the Company), and shall not be photocopied,
reproduced or removed from the premises of Company or client except as
required to perform duties under this Agreement or with the written permission
of client. All Work Product shall be delivered either to Company, or to client
upon request and, in any event, upon any termination or expiration of this
Agreement. Employee hereby releases any right, title and interest Employee may
have to any Work Product during the term of this Agreement. To the extent the
Work Product is not, by operation of law, considered work for hire for the
Company, or ownership of all right, title and interest of the intellectual
property rights in the Work Product

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<PAGE>

has not otherwise vested exclusively in Company, Employee hereby irrevocably
assigns to Company, without further consideration, Employee's entire right,
title, and interest in and to such Work Product. Employee agrees to execute
documents reasonable or necessary to vest all right, title, and interest in
and to any Work Product, including, but not limited to, patents, patent
applications and trademark, and copyright filings. Employee shall maintain
backup procedures during his employment with the Company to ensure that no
data, documentation, program, text, specifications, notes, texts, drawings or
other information prepared by Employee on behalf of Company or client are lost
or destroyed.

  12.Representations.

      (a)This Agreement represents the complete and sole understanding between
the parties concerning the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all
other agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, concerning the
subject matter hereof.

      (b)This Agreement may not be modified, altered or rescinded except upon
written consent of the Company and you. If any provision of this Agreement, or
part thereof, is held invalid, void or voidable as against the public policy
or otherwise, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions, or parts
thereof, which may be given effect without the invalid provision or part. To
this extent, the provisions, and parts thereof, of this Agreement are declared
to be severable. Moreover, if one or more of the provisions contained in this
Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to scope,
activity, subject or otherwise so as to be unenforceable at law, such
provision or provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by
limiting or reducing it or them, so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent
compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear. Any waiver of any
provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other
provision of this Agreement unless expressly so indicated otherwise.

      (c)You may not assign any of your rights or delegate any of your duties
under this Agreement. The rights and obligations of the Company under this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the
Company.

  13.Cessation and/or Forfeiture of Payments and/or Benefits. If Employee
breaches his obligations under this Agreement to enter into a Release
Agreement as specified in Section 1(c), he shall be obligated to repay to the
Company the Lump Sum Payment referenced in Section 2(c). The above-referenced
repayment of the Lump Sum Payment shall be in addition to, and not as an
alternative to, any other remedies at law or in equity available to the
Company, including the right to seek specific performance or an injunction.

  14.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

YOU REPRESENT THAT YOU HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH AGREEMENT, AND ARE VOLUNTARILY EXECUTING THE
SAME. IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, YOU DO NOT RELY ON ANY REPRESENTATION,
PROMISE OR INDUCEMENT MADE BY THE COMPANY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE
CONSIDERATION DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT. YOU FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU
HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO AND DID CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOOSING
REGARDING THIS AGREEMENT.

-------------------------------        -------------------------------
Terry Hall                             Cognos Corporation
                                       By:
                                       Title:

Dated: ________________________        Dated: ________________________

                                      111
<PAGE>

                                      112<PAGE>

                                                                  Exhibit 10.20

                               RELEASE AGREEMENT

This Release Agreement (the "Agreement") is hereby entered into by and between
Cognos Corporation (the "Company") and Terry Hall ("Employee" or "you"), for
good and sufficient consideration as more fully described below, that:

  1. Employment Status. Your employment with the Company ceased as of December
10, 2003 (the "Termination Date"). Your regular salary also ceased as of the
Termination Date. You will be paid for any earned but unused vacation days as
of that date. Any entitlement you had or might have had under any Company-
provided benefit plan, incentive program or practice terminated on the
Termination Date, except as required by federal or state law or as otherwise
described below.

  2. Mutual Release.

      (a) Employee Release. In exchange for the consideration described herein,
which is in addition to anything of value to which you are already entitled,
and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, you, on behalf of yourself and your representatives, agents,
estate, heirs, successors and assigns, absolutely and unconditionally hereby
release, remise and forever discharge the Company Releasees (defined as the
Company, its parent(s), affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, successors and
assigns, and its and their respective shareholders, officers, directors,
employees, agents, representatives, and attorneys, in both their individual
and official capacities) from any and all actions or causes of action,
charges, suits, claims, complaints, obligations, contracts, liabilities,
agreements, promises, debts and damages, of any kind or nature whatsoever,
whether existing or contingent, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, in
law or in equity, which arise out of, and/or are related to, your employment
with or separation from employment with the Company. You agree that this
Release is all-encompassing and shall act as a full and total release of any
claims that you have, may have, or ever had against the Company Releasees from
the beginning of the world to the Effective Date of this Agreement, including,
but not limited to, claims under any federal, state or local constitution,
statute, ordinance, bylaw or regulation dealing with either employment or
employment discrimination such as those laws or regulations concerning
discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual
harassment, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status,
pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, disability, veteran
status, military service or application for military service; any contract,
whether oral or written, express or implied; any tort; and any common law.

      (b) You further agree to release and discharge the Company Releasees from
any and all claims which might be made by any other person or organization on
your behalf, and you specifically waive any right to become, and promise not
to become, a member of any class in a case in which a claim or claims against
the Company are made involving any matters subject to release pursuant to
Section 2(a).

      (c) Company Release. In exchange for the Employee Release contained in
this Section 2, the Company and its parent(s), affiliates, divisions,
subsidiaries, successors and assigns absolutely and unconditionally hereby
release, remise and forever discharge you and your representatives, agents,
estate, heirs, successors and assigns from any and all actions or causes of
action, charges, suits, claims, complaints, obligations, contracts,
liabilities, agreements, promises, debts and damages, of any kind or nature
whatsoever, whether existing or contingent, known or unknown, suspected or
unsuspected, in law or in equity, from the beginning of the world to the
Effective Date of this Agreement, which arise out of your employment with or
separation from employment with the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company may bring an action to enforce the terms of your Employment
Agreement, dated December 3, 2001.

  3. Waiver of Rights and Claims Under the Age Discrimination in Employment
     Act of 1967.

Since you are 40 years of age or older, you have been informed that you have
or might have specific rights and/or claims under the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967 ("ADEA") and you agree that:

                                      113
<PAGE>

      (a) In consideration of the Company Release described in Section 2
hereof, which is in addition to anything of value to which you already may be
entitled, you specifically waive such rights and/or claims to the extent that
such rights and/or claims arose prior to or on the date this Agreement was
executed;

      (b) You understand that rights or claims under the ADEA that may arise
after the date this Agreement is executed are not waived by you;

      (c) You hereby are and were advised of your right to consult with your
counsel of choice prior to executing this Agreement and you acknowledge that
you have not been subject to any undue or improper influence interfering with
the exercise of your free will in executing this Agreement;

      (d) You have carefully read and fully understand all of the provisions of
this Agreement, and you knowingly and voluntarily agree to all of the terms
set forth in this Agreement;

      (e) In entering into this Agreement, you are not relying on any
representation, promise or inducement made by the Company or its attorneys
with the exception of those promises described in this document;

      (f) When the Company presented you with this Agreement, you were informed
that you have at least 21 days to review this Agreement and consider its terms
before signing it; and

      (g) The 21-day period will not be affected or extended by any revisions,
whether material or immaterial, that might be made to this Agreement.

  4. Proprietary and Company Materials. By Termination Date, you will return to
the Company all proprietary and Company information and materials, including
but not limited to, documents, financial reports, memoranda, sales brochures,
manuals, building keys and passes, courtesy parking passes, names and
addresses of all Company customers and potential customers, customer lists,
customer contacts, customer information and/or data, sales information,
diskettes, intangible information stored on diskettes, business or marketing
plans, reports, projections, software programs and data compiled with the use
of those programs, tangible copies of trade secrets and confidential
information, and any and all other information or property previously or
currently held or used by you that is or was related to your employment with
the Company. You agree that in the event that you discover any other Company
or proprietary materials in your possession after the Termination Date, you
will immediately return such materials to the Company.

  5. Non-Disparagement and Confidentiality. You agree not to misappropriate,
divulge or communicate, directly or indirectly, any confidential and/or
proprietary information, including trade secret information, of the Company or
any third party associated with the Company. You further agree not to
disparage the business, operations, technologies, products, services,
marketing strategies, pricing policies, management, affairs and financial
condition of the Company. You also agree that you shall not divulge or
publish, directly or indirectly, any information whatsoever regarding the
substance, terms or existence of this Agreement and/or any discussions or
negotiations relating to this Agreement, to any person or organization other
than your attorneys, accountants, financial advisors or members of your
immediate family or persons at the Company with the Company's permission.
Nothing herein shall prohibit or bar you from providing truthful testimony in
any legal proceeding or in communicating with any governmental agency or
representative or from making any truthful disclosure required, authorized or
permitted under law; provided however, that in providing such testimony or
making such disclosures or communications, you will use your best efforts to
ensure that this Section is complied with to the maximum extent possible.

  6. Representations.

      (a) This Agreement represents the complete and sole understanding between
the parties concerning the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all
other agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, concerning the
subject matter hereof; provided that [the Employment Agreement between you and
the Company, dated December 3, 2001, shall remain in effect pursuant to its
respective terms. Nothing in this Agreement shall bar or prohibit you from
contacting, seeking assistance from or participating in any proceeding

                                      114
<PAGE>

before any federal or state administrative agency to the extent permitted by
applicable federal, state and/or local law. However, notwithstanding this
provision, you will be prohibited to the fullest extent authorized by law from
obtaining monetary damages in any agency proceeding in which you do so
participate.

      (b) This Agreement may not be modified, altered or rescinded except upon
written consent of the Company and you. If any provision of this Agreement, or
part thereof, is held invalid, void or voidable as against the public policy
or otherwise, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions, or parts
thereof, which may be given effect without the invalid provision or part. To
this extent, the provisions, and parts thereof, of this Agreement are declared
to be severable. Moreover, if one or more of the provisions contained in this
Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to scope,
activity, subject or otherwise so as to be unenforceable at law, such
provision or provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by
limiting or reducing it or them, so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent
compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear. Any waiver of any
provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other
provision of this Agreement unless expressly so indicated otherwise.

      (c) You may not assign any of your rights or delegate any of your duties
under this Agreement. The rights and obligations of the Company under this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the
Company.

  7. Effective Date. For a period of seven (7) days following your execution of
this Agreement, you may revoke the Agreement and the Agreement shall not
become effective or enforceable until the revocation period has expired.

  8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

YOU REPRESENT THAT YOU HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH AGREEMENT, AND ARE VOLUNTARILY EXECUTING THE
SAME. IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, YOU DO NOT RELY ON ANY REPRESENTATION,
PROMISE OR INDUCEMENT MADE BY THE COMPANY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE
CONSIDERATION DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT.

-------------------------------        -------------------------------
Terry Hall                             Cognos Corporation
                                       By:
                                       Title:

Dated: ________________________        Dated: ________________________

                                      115
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                        Waiver of 21-Day Review Period

I, Terry Hall, acknowledge that I was informed and understand that I have 21
days within which to consider the attached Release Agreement, have had the
opportunity to consult with an attorney regarding such Agreement and have
considered carefully every provision of the Agreement, and that after having
engaged in those actions, I prefer to and have requested that I enter into the
Agreement prior to the expiration of the 21-day period.

Dated: ________________________        -------------------------------
                                       Terry Hall

Dated: ________________________        -------------------------------
                                       Witness

                                      116

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