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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.40

                      ASSET TRANSFER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

This ASSET TRANSFER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF DECEMBER 29, 2000, between
QORUS.COM, INC., a Florida corporation ("Qorus") and NETDOX, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("NetDox"), is based upon the mutual agreement of the parties as
detailed below.

         WHEREAS, Qorus is in the business of providing electronic messaging
         services; and

         WHEREAS, NetDox had been instrumental in allowing Qorus to enter into a
         contract with Moore Business Communication Services ("Moore") under
         which Moore would distribute electronic messaging services developed
         and provided by Qorus; and

         WHEREAS, the parties to this agreement entered into a Commission
         Agreement dated December 31, 1999 (the "Commission Agreement") under
         which Qorus agreed to pay a commission to NetDox for revenue generated
         by Qorus as a result of its agreement with Moore; and

         WHEREAS, no payments under the Commission Agreement have ever been made
         by Qorus to NetDox: and

         WHEREAS, the ultimate success of Qorus' electronic messaging services
         is uncertain due to on-going changes in technology, competition and the
         absence of an established market for such services; and

         WHEREAS, both Qorus and NetDox would prefer to convert the relatively
         uncertain commission obligation to a relatively fixed amount; now

         THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
         sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto,
         intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

         1.       Qorus hereby conveys to NetDox (i) 64,843 shares of Series B
                  preferred stock (the "Series B Preferred Stock") of Tornado
                  Development, Inc., a California corporation ("Tornado"); (ii)
                  all accumulated paid-in-kind dividends thereon; and (iii)
                  warrants to purchase up to 125,000 shares of Tornado common
                  stock at a price of $0.60 per share (the "Tornado warrants").

         2.       NetDox hereby releases and forever discharges Qorus from all
                  past, present and future commission obligations precipitated
                  by the Commission Agreement.

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         3.       Qorus represents that title to the Series B Preferred Stock,
                  the dividends thereon and the Tornado warrants is conveyed
                  free of liens or other encumbrances.

         4.       Both Qorus and NetDox acknowledge that they have had
                  reasonable opportunity to conduct their own independent due
                  diligence concerning the foreseeable amount of future
                  commissions to be paid by Qorus and the fair market value of
                  Tornado's Series B preferred stock and Tornado warrants.
                  Neither party has relied upon any information, fact or
                  projection or drawn any conclusions without independent
                  investigation, which it deems sufficient.

         5.       This agreement may not be changed, modified, discharged or
                  terminated orally or in any manner, other than by an agreement
                  in writing signed by the parties hereto or their respective
                  successors and assigns.

         6.       If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be
                  invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be
                  ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or
                  unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such
                  provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

         7.       This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
                  benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
                  and assigns. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
                  in accordance with the internal substantive laws of the State
                  of Delaware without giving effect to conflict of laws
                  principles thereof, except if it is necessary in any other
                  jurisdiction to have the law of such other jurisdiction govern
                  this Agreement with respect to such matter.

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

QORUS.COM, INC.                                NETDOX, INC.

By:   /s/ THOMAS C. RATCHFORD                  By:     /s/  ROBERT T. ISHA
   -----------------------------                   -----------------------------
         Thomas C. Ratchford                              Robert T. Isha
       Chief Financial Officer                               Secretary<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.41

                             DEMAND PROMISSORY NOTE

Amount: $135,000.00                          Chicago, Illinois, January 12, 2001

         On demand, but no later than March 31, 2001, the undersigned, for value
received, promises to pay to the order of

                             THURSTON INTERESTS, LLC

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS at its offices located at 190 S.
LaSalle Street, Suite 1710, Chicago, Illinois 60603, or such other place as it
or any holder (collectively "Holder") of this Note may from time to time
designate in writing, together with interest thereon, computed on the basis of a
360 day year for the actual number of days elapsed from the date hereof until
paid at that rate of interest per year which shall be equal to 12%. After
demand, interest shall be payable at a rate of interest which shall be 5% per
year more than would otherwise be payable on this Note. The undersigned shall
have the right to repay this Note in full or in part including all interest
payable under this Note at any time without penalty.

It is the intention of the undersigned and the Holder to conform strictly to
applicable usury laws. Accordingly, if the interest payable hereunder would be
usurious under applicable law, then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary herein, it is agreed that the aggregate of all consideration which
constitutes interest under applicable law that is taken, reserved, contracted
for, charged or received under this note or otherwise in connection with this
note shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount of interest allowed
by applicable law.

All principal indebtedness outstanding hereunder and accrued interest thereon
shall become immediately due and payable without notice or demand upon the
occurrence of any of the following events of default: (a) the undersigned fails
to pay any amount payable on this Note upon demand; (b) the undersigned makes a
general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, becomes or is adjudicated
insolvent or bankrupt or applies to any court for an arrangement or adjustment
of his debts; (c) a receiver, trustee or custodian is appointed for all or
substantially all of the undersigned's property; or (d) a proceeding relating to
any of the foregoing is commenced against the undersigned and not dismissed
within 30 days, or commenced by the undersigned.

Demand shall be made in writing to the undersigned at its principal executive
offices located at 190 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1710, Chicago, Illinois 60603.
The undersigned agrees to pay all expenses of collection of this Note including
reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses. The undersigned and all endorsers
hereby expressly waive presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, and notice of
any kind in respect to this Note, as well as any right to a trial by jury in any
action or proceeding to enforce or defend any rights under this Note, and agrees
that any such action or proceeding shall be tried before a court and not a jury.
No renewal or extension of this Note, no release of any person primarily or
secondarily liable on this Note, no delay in the enforcement of this Note, and
no delay or omission in exercising any right or power under this Note shall
affect the liability of the undersigned or any endorser hereof.

This Note and all rights and obligations arising hereunder shall be governed by
the laws of the State of Illinois and shall be binding upon the undersigned's
successors and assigns.

AELIX, INC.

By:  /s/ THOMAS C. RATCHFORD
    -----------------------------------------
         Thomas C. Ratchford<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.42

                             DEMAND PROMISSORY NOTE

Amount: $7,353.00                           Chicago, Illinois, December 27, 2000

         On demand, but no later than March 31, 2001, the undersigned, for value
received, promises to pay to the order of

                             APEX STRATEGIC PARTNERS

SEVEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE DOLLARS at its offices located at 225
W. Washington Street, Suite 1450, Chicago, Illinois 60606, or such other place
as it or any holder (collectively "Holder") of this Note may from time to time
designate in writing, together with interest thereon, computed on the basis of a
360 day year for the actual number of days elapsed from the date hereof until
paid at that rate of interest per year which shall be equal to 12%. After
demand, interest shall be payable at a rate of interest which shall be 5% per
year more than would otherwise be payable on this Note. The undersigned shall
have the right to repay this Note in full or in part including all interest
payable under this Note at any time without penalty.

It is the intention of the undersigned and the Holder to conform strictly to
applicable usury laws. Accordingly, if the interest payable hereunder would be
usurious under applicable law, then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary herein, it is agreed that the aggregate of all consideration which
constitutes interest under applicable law that is taken, reserved, contracted
for, charged or received under this note or otherwise in connection with this
note shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount of interest allowed
by applicable law.

All principal indebtedness outstanding hereunder and accrued interest thereon
shall become immediately due and payable without notice or demand upon the
occurrence of any of the following events of default: (a) the undersigned fails
to pay any amount payable on this Note upon demand; (b) the undersigned makes a
general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, becomes or is adjudicated
insolvent or bankrupt or applies to any court for an arrangement or adjustment
of his debts; (c) a receiver, trustee or custodian is appointed for all or
substantially all of the undersigned's property; or (d) a proceeding relating to
any of the foregoing is commenced against the undersigned and not dismissed
within 30 days, or commenced by the undersigned.

Demand shall be made in writing to the undersigned at its principal executive
offices located at 190 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1710, Chicago, Illinois 60603.
The undersigned agrees to pay all expenses of collection of this Note including
reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses. The undersigned and all endorsers
hereby expressly waive presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, and notice of
any kind in respect to this Note, as well as any right to a trial by jury in any
action or proceeding to enforce or defend any rights under this Note, and agrees
that any such action or proceeding shall be tried before a court and not a jury.
No renewal or extension of this Note, no release of any person primarily or
secondarily liable on this Note, no delay in the enforcement of this Note, and
no delay or omission in exercising any right or power under this Note shall
affect the liability of the undersigned or any endorser hereof.

This Note and all rights and obligations arising hereunder shall be governed by
the laws of the State of Illinois and shall be binding upon the undersigned's
successors and assigns.

AELIX, INC.

By:  /s/ THOMAS C. RATCHFORD
    ----------------------------------
         Thomas C. Ratchford

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