Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.31

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR QUALIFIED UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS,
AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT FOR SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
UNLESS THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED THE WRITTEN OPINION OF COUNSEL, REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH SALE, ASSIGNMENT OR TRANSFER
DOES NOT INVOLVE A TRANSACTION REQUIRING REGISTRATION OF SUCH SECURITIES UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

                                 SCANSOFT, INC.
                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

Euro 5,000,000                                              January 30, 2003

      1. Principal and Interest. ScanSoft, Inc. (the "COMPANY"), a Delaware
corporation, for value received, hereby promises to pay to the order of
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V., a limited liability company organized
under the laws of The Netherlands ("PAYEE") in lawful euro money at the
principal office of the Company, the principal amount of Euro Five Million (euro
5,000,000), together with simple interest at the rate of five per cent per
annum. Accrued interest shall be payable in cash at the time the Company pays
the principal amount of this Note. This Note is due and payable on demand, which
may be made at any time after December 31, 2003 (the "MATURITY DATE").

      2. No Payment if Unlawful. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, no payment hereunder shall be required at any time that such payment
would be unlawful under any applicable law.

      3. Attorneys' Fees. If the indebtedness represented by this Note or any
part thereof is collected in bankruptcy, receivership or other judicial
proceedings or if this Note is placed in the hands of attorneys for collection
after default, Company agrees to pay, in addition to the principal and interest
payable hereunder, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred by Payee.

      4. Prepayment. This Note may be pre-paid by the Company at any time.

      5. Acceleration. This Note shall become immediately due and payable if (i)
the Company commences any proceeding in bankruptcy or for dissolution,
liquidation, winding-up, or other relief under state or federal bankruptcy laws;
(ii) such proceedings are commenced against the Company, or a receiver or
trustee is appointed for the Company or a substantial part of its property, and
such proceeding or appointment is not dismissed or discharged within 60 days
after its commencement; (iii) the Company is unable to, or admits in writing its
inability to, pay its debt when they become due; (iv) the Company makes an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or petitions or applies to any tribunal
for the appointment of a custodian, receiver or trustee for it or a substantial
portion of its
<PAGE>
assets or has a receiver, custodian or trustee appointed for all or a
substantial portion of its assets; or (v) the Company takes any action
effectuating, approving or consenting to any of the foregoing.

      6. Waivers. Company hereby waives presentment, demand for performance,
notice of non-performance, protest, notice of protest and notice of dishonor. No
delay on the part of Payee in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a
waiver of such right or any other right. The rights and remedies herein provided
shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
No course of dealing between the Company and Payee shall operate as a waiver of
any rights by Payee. This Note is being delivered in and shall be construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the
conflicts of laws provisions thereof.

      7. Representations and Warranties.

            (a) By the Payee. Payee represents and warrants to the Company as
follows:

                  (i) Investment Intent. Payee, by acceptance of this Note,
represents and warrants to the Company that this Note is for Payee's own account
for investment and not with view to resale or distribution of this Note. Payee
is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "ACT"). Payee understands that the
Note has not been registered under the Act by reason of a specific exemption
from the registration provisions of the Act that depends upon, among other
things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent as expressed herein.

                  (ii) Rule 144. Payee acknowledges that the Note must be held
indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act, or unless an
exemption from such registration is available. Payee is aware of the provisions
of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act that permit limited resale of securities
purchased in a private placement subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions. Payee acknowledges that if such conditions are not obtained, Payee
may be required to hold the Note indefinitely.

            (b) By the Company. The Company represents and warrants to Payee as
follows:

                  (i) Authorization. The Company has duly authorized the sale
and issuance of the Note. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its
directors and stockholders necessary for the issuance of the Note and the
performance of the Company's obligations under the Note have been duly taken.
The Note is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company, subject
to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, organization or similar laws relating to
or affecting the enforcement of creditor's rights and to the availability of the
remedy of specific performance. The execution and delivery of the Note and the
performance by the Company of its terms do not violate, conflict with or result
in a material breach of (i) the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended through the Closing; (ii) the Company's bylaws; or (iii) any judgment,
decree, order, statute, injunction, rule or regulation of any governmental
authority.

                  (ii) Valid Issuance. Based in part upon the representations of
Payee above, this Note has been issued in compliance with all federal and state
securities laws (including Section 4(2) of the Act). Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, neither the Company nor any agent on its behalf has
solicited or will solicit any offers to sell, or has offered to sell or will
offer to sell, any equity, debt or other securities of the Company to any person
or persons so as to bring the issuance or sale by the Company of this Note
within the registration provisions of the Act.

                                                                             -2-
<PAGE>
      8. Notices. Any notice, other communication or payment required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given
upon delivery if personally delivered or upon deposit if deposited in the United
States mail for mailing by certified mail, postage prepaid, and addressed as
follows:

                      If to Payee:

                      KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
                      Breitner Center Amstelplein 2
                      P.O. Box 77900
                      1070 MX Amsterdam
                      The Netherlands
                      Attention:  General Secretary
                      Telephone: +31 20 597 7232
                      Facsimile: +31 20 597 7230

                      With a copy to:

                      SULLIVAN & CROMWELL
                      125 Broad Street
                      New York, NY  10004
                      Telephone:  (212) 558-3653
                      Telecopy:  (212) 558-3588
                      Attn:  Neil Anderson

                      If to Company:

                      ScanSoft, Inc.
                      9 Centennial Drive
                      Peabody, MA 01960
                      U.S.A.
                      Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
                      Telephone:  (978) 977-2000
                      Facsimile:  (978) 977-2436

                      With a copy to:

                      Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
                      7927 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 400
                      McLean, VA  22102
                      U.S.A.
                      Attention:  Robert D. Sanchez, Esq.
                      Telephone:  (703) 734-3100
                      Facsimile:  (703) 734-3199

                                                                             -3-
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Each of the above addressees may change its address for purposes of this
paragraph by giving to the other addressee notice of such new address in
conformance with this paragraph.

      9. Amendment. This Note may be amended, or any provision hereof may be
waived, in a writing signed by the Company and Payee.

      10. Severability. In the event that one or more of the provisions of this
Note shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any
other provision of this Note, but this Note shall be construed as if such
invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

      11. No Impairment. The Company shall not intentionally take any action
which would impair the rights and privileges of this Note as set forth herein or
the rights and privileges of Payee as set forth herein or as afforded under
applicable law.

      12. Replacement Note. In the event that Payee notifies the Company that
this Note has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a replacement Note identical in
all respects to the original Note shall be issued by the Company to Payee.

      13. Assignment. Neither this Note nor any of the rights, interests or
obligations hereunder may be assigned, by operation of law or otherwise, in
whole or in part, by either party without the prior written consent of the other
party.

      14. Successors and Assigns. Subject to the restrictions on assignment
described in Section 13 above, the rights and obligations of the Company and
Payee of this Note shall be binding upon and benefit the successors, assigns,
heirs, administrators and transferees of the parties.

                           [SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]

                                                                             -4-
<PAGE>
      This Note has been executed as of the date first set forth above.

SCANSOFT, INC.                             KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.

By: /s/ Michael K. Tivnan                    By: /s/ E. Coutinho
   -------------------------------------         -------------------------------

Name: Michael K. Tivnan                      Name: E. Coutinho
   -------------------------------------         -------------------------------

Title: President & COO                       Title: Authorized Signatory
   -------------------------------------         -------------------------------<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.32

      THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON ITS CONVERSION HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
"SECURITIES ACT"), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE
STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND IN NO EVENT MAY THIS
NOTE BE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE COMPANY OTHER THAN IN WHOLE TO
HOLDER'S PARENT OR A MAJORITY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE HOLDER. THE COMMON STOCK
ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THAT CERTAIN PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT DATED JANUARY 30, 2003 BY AND BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND
HOLDER.

                                 SCANSOFT, INC.

               ZERO COUPON CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2006

January 30, 2003                                                     $27,524,000

            ScanSoft, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to [Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (the
"Holder") or its designated majority-owned subsidiary] the principal sum of
Twenty-Seven Million Five Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand U.S. Dollars
($27,524,000) on January 30, 2006 (the third anniversary from the date of
issuance) or such earlier date as required by the provisions of this Note. After
January 30, 2006, the Company will pay interest on any overdue principal and
interest amount at the rate of 3% per quarter payable quarterly.

      1. CONVERSION.

            (a) The Holder of this Note is entitled at any time before the close
of business on the date this Note is paid in full pursuant to the terms hereof,
but prior to such payment (or, if the Holder has exercised his right to require
the Company to redeem this Note or a portion hereof pursuant to Section 2
hereof, then in respect of this Note or such portion hereof, until and
including, but (unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon
redemption) not after, 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day prior
to the Redemption Date), to convert this Note (or any portion of the principal
amount hereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000), into fully paid and
nonassessable Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) of the Company at the rate
of 166.6667 shares of Common Stock for each $1,000 principal amount of this Note
(or at the then current adjusted rate if an adjustment has been made as provided
below) (the "Conversion Rate") by surrender of this Note accompanied by written
notice to the Company that the Holder hereof elects to convert this Note (or if
less than the entire principal amount hereof is to be converted, specifying the
portion hereof to be converted). If less than the entire principal amount of
this Note is to be converted, it shall be surrendered to the Company at the
Designated Office (with, if the Company so requires, due
<PAGE>
endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably
satisfactory to the Company duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute and make available
for delivery to the Holder without service charge, a new Note, containing
identical terms and conditions, each in an authorized denomination in aggregate
principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unconverted portion of the
principal of the Note so surrendered. The Company shall deliver to the Holder of
this Note as soon as practicable after delivery by the Holder of this Note to
the Company, but not more than fifteen (15) Trading Days after such delivery,
the certificates representing shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
this Note and cash in lieu of any fractional shares.

      (b) The Conversion Rate will be subject to adjustments from time to time
as follows:

            (1) If the Company shall pay or make a dividend or other
distribution on Common Stock of the Company payable in Common Stock, the
Conversion Rate in effect at the opening of business on the day following the
Determination Date (as hereinafter defined) for such dividend or other
distribution shall be increased by dividing such Conversion Rate by a fraction
of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
at the close of business on such Determination Date and the denominator shall be
the sum of such number of shares of Common Stock and the total number of shares
of Common Stock constituting such dividend or other distribution, such increase
to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day
following such Determination Date.

            (2) If the Company shall issue rights, options or warrants to
holders of its Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase Common
Stock at a price per share less than the current market price per share
(determined as provided in paragraph (7) of this Section 1(b)) of the Common
Stock on the Determination Date for such distribution, the Conversion Rate in
effect at the opening of business on the day following such Determination Date
shall be increased by dividing such Conversion Rate by a fraction of which the
numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close
of business on such Determination Date plus the number of shares of Common Stock
which the aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of
Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at such
current market price and the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding at the close of business on such Determination Date plus the
number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase, such
increase to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the
day following such Determination Date. Upon the expiration of any right, option
or warrant to purchase Common Stock the issuance of which resulted in an
adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this paragraph (2) of Section
1(b), if any such right, option or warrant shall expire and shall not have been
exercised, the Conversion Rate shall immediately upon such expiration be
recomputed to the Conversion Rate which would have been in effect had the
adjustment of the Conversion Rate made upon the issuance of such right, option
or warrant been made on the basis of offering for subscription or purchase only
that number of shares of Common Stock actually purchased upon the exercise of
such right, option and warrant actually exercised.

            (3) If the outstanding Common Stock of the Company shall be
subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Rate
in effect at the opening of

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision becomes
effective shall be proportionately increased, and, conversely, if outstanding
Common Stock shall each be combined into a smaller number of shares of Common
Stock, the Conversion Rate in effect at the opening of business on the day
following the day upon which such combination becomes effective shall be
proportionately reduced, such increase or reduction, as the case may be, to
become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following
the day upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

            (4) If the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to
all holders of its Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness, shares of any
class of capital stock, or other property (including securities, but excluding
(i) any rights, options or warrants referred to in paragraph (2) of this Section
1(b), (ii) any dividend or distribution paid exclusively in cash, (iii) any
dividend or distribution referred to in paragraph (1) of this Section 1(b) and
(iv) any merger or consolidation to which Section 1(f) applies (the "Distributed
Property"), the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal
the rate determined by dividing the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior
to the close of business on the Determination Date for such distribution by a
fraction of which the numerator shall be the current market price per share
(determined as provided in paragraph (7) of this Section 1(b)) of the Common
Stock on such Determination Date less the then fair market value of the portion
of the assets, shares or evidences of indebtedness so distributed applicable to
one share of Common Stock and the denominator shall be such current market price
per share of the Common Stock, such adjustment to become effective immediately
prior to the opening of business on the day following such Determination Date;
provided, however, that if the Distributed Property consists of shares of
capital stock of a subsidiary, the Company will make adequate provision so that
the Holder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of such
shares of capital stock that such Holder would have received if such Holder had
converted such Note on the record date, in which case there will be no
adjustment to the Conversion Price.

      Under the provisions of the Company's Rights Plan, upon conversion of the
Note into Common Stock, to the extent that the Rights Plan is still in effect
upon such conversion, the Holder will receive, in addition to the Common Stock,
the rights described therein (whether or not the rights have separated from the
Common Stock at the time of conversion), subject to the limitations set forth in
the Rights Plan. Any distribution of rights or warrants pursuant to the Rights
Plan in compliance with the requirements set forth in the immediately preceding
sentence of this paragraph shall not constitute a distribution of rights or
warrants pursuant to this Section 1(b).

            (5) If the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to
all holders of its Common Stock cash (excluding any cash that is distributed as
part of a distribution referred to in paragraph (4) of Section 1(b)) in
aggregate amount that, combined together with (I) the aggregate amount of any
other cash distributions to all holders of its Common Stock made exclusively in
cash within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of payment of such
distribution and in respect of which no adjustment pursuant to this paragraph
(5) of Section 1(b) has been made and (II) the aggregate of any cash plus the
fair market value of consideration payable in respect of any tender offer by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries for all or any portion of the Common Stock
(other than Common Stock purchased by the Company at or below fair market value)
concluded within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of payment of such
distribution (the "combined cash amount"), exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the
net earnings of the Company

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
determined in accordance with GAAP for the trailing twelve month period
preceding the date of such distribution (the "aggregate earnings"), then, and in
each such case, immediately after the close of business on such date for
determination, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted so that the same shall
equal the rate determined by dividing the Conversion Rate in effect immediately
prior to the close of business on the date fixed for determination of the
stockholders entitled to receive such distribution by a fraction (i) the
numerator of which shall be equal to the current market price per share of the
Common Stock on the date fixed for such determination less an amount equal to
the quotient of (x) the excess of such combined cash amount over the aggregate
earnings divided by (y) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such
date for determination and (ii) the denominator of which shall be equal to the
current market price per share of the Common Stock on such date for
determination.

            (6) If the Company issues Common Stock or securities (including
options and warrants) convertible into, or exchangeable for, Common Stock at a
price per share (or having a conversion or exchange price per share) that is
less than the fair market value per share of the Common Stock at the date of
issuance (but excluding issuances: (a) pursuant to any bona fide plan for the
benefit of employees or directors of the Company now in effect or any comparable
plans adopted in the future, provided such future plans contain terms and
conditions that, taken as a whole, are no more favorable than the Company's
current plans; (b) to acquire all or any portion of a business in an
arm's-length transaction between the Company and an unaffiliated third party
including, if applicable, issuances upon exercise of options or warrants assumed
in connection with such an acquisition; and (c) pursuant to the exercise of
warrants, rights or options, or upon the conversion of convertible securities,
which are issued and outstanding on the date hereof, or which may be issued in
the future at fair value and with an exercise price or conversion price at least
equal to the current market price per share (determined as provided in paragraph
(7) of this Section 1(b)) of the Common Stock at the time of issuance of such
warrant, right, option or convertible security, the Conversion Rate in effect at
the opening of business on the day following the date on which any such issuance
is made shall be increased by multiplying such Conversion Rate by a fraction of
which the numerator shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock
(assuming for purposes hereof the conversion or exercise of all outstanding
securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock) outstanding on
such date plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock issued (or into
which the convertible securities may convert), and the denominator of which
shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (assuming for purposes
hereof the conversion or exercise of all outstanding securities convertible into
or exchangeable for Common Stock) outstanding on such date plus the number of
shares of Common Stock which the aggregate consideration receivable by the
Company for the total number of shares of Common Stock so issued (or into which
the convertible securities may convert) would purchase at the fair market value
per share of the Common Stock on such date. An adjustment made pursuant to this
paragraph (6) shall be made on the next Business Day following the date on which
any such issuance is made and shall be effective retroactively immediately after
the close of business on such date. For purposes of this paragraph (6), the
aggregate consideration receivable by the Company in connection with the
issuance of shares of Common Stock or of securities convertible into shares of
Common Stock shall be deemed to be equal to the sum of the aggregate offering
price (before deduction of underwriting discounts or commissions and expenses
payable to third parties) of all such securities plus the minimum aggregate
amount, if any, payable upon conversion of any such convertible securities into
shares of Common Stock.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
            (7) For the purpose of any computation under paragraphs (2), (4),
(5) or (6) of this Section 1(b), the current market price per share of Common
Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily Closing Prices
for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days commencing ten (10) Trading Days
before the earlier of (i) the day in question and (ii) the day before the "ex"
date with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computation.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "ex date", when used with respect to
any issuance or distribution, means the first date on which the Common Stock
trades regular way in the applicable securities market or on the applicable
securities exchange without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.

         (c) The Company shall promptly notify the Holder pursuant to Section
8(b) of any adjustment to the Conversion Rate required by paragraphs (1), (2),
(3), (4), (5) and (6) of this Section 1(b).

         (d) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free
from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the
purpose of effecting the conversion of the Note, the full number of shares of
Common Stock then issuable upon the conversion of this Note.

         (e) The Company agrees that all Common Stock which may be delivered
upon conversion of the Note, upon such delivery, will have been duly authorized
and validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable and free of
preemptive rights (and shall be issued out of the Company's authorized but
unissued Common Stock).

         (f) In the event of any recapitalization or reclassification of the
Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or as a result of a subdivision
or combination covered by paragraph (3) of this Section 1(b)) (collectively, a
"Capital Reorganization"), the Company shall execute and deliver to the Holder a
supplemental agreement providing that the Holder has the right thereafter,
during the period this Note shall be convertible as specified in Section 1(a),
to convert this Note only into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other
property receivable upon such Capital Reorganization by a holder of the number
of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which this Note might have been
converted immediately prior to such Capital Reorganization, and, if holders of
the Company's Common Stock are given the right to elect the kind or amount of
securities, cash or other property receivable upon such Capital Reorganization,
then the Holder shall be provided the right to so elect and notice of such right
to elect on the same terms and conditions offered to the holders of the
Company's Common Stock.

         (g) The Company shall not consummate a transaction pursuant to which it
is acquired by or merged or consolidated into another Person or convey, transfer
or sell all or substantially all of its assets (an "Acquisition Event"), unless
the successor Person (or its ultimate parent, if applicable) agrees to enter
into a supplemental agreement pursuant to which such Person (or its ultimate
parent, if applicable) (or the acquiror if there is no successor Person) shall
agree that this Note shall become convertible into the common stock of such
Person (or its ultimate parent, if applicable) at a Conversion Rate such that
this Note shall be no more in-the-money or out-of-the-money as this Note should
have been immediately prior to such Acquisition Event; provided, however, that
no such supplemental agreement shall be required in the event that the Holder
elects to

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
exercise its rights under Section 2 hereof with respect to such Acquisition
Event. Such supplemental agreements shall provide for adjustments, which, for
events subsequent to the effective date of such supplemental agreement, shall be
equivalent to the adjustments provided for in this Section 1. The above
provisions of this Section 1(f) shall similarly apply to successive Capital
Reorganizations or Acquisition Events. If this Section 1(f) applies to any event
or occurrence, then the other provisions of Section 1(b) shall not apply to the
extent their application would result in duplicative adjustments in the
Conversion Rate.

         (h) Any stock certificate representing shares of Common Stock issued
upon conversion of the Note shall bear a restricted securities legend in the
form and substance to be determined by the Company, unless such shares of Common
Stock have been sold pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared
effective under the Securities Act (and which continues to be effective at the
time of such transfer) or sold pursuant to Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act, or
unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing with written notice thereof to
the transfer agent for the Common Stock.

      2. RIGHT TO ACCELERATE REDEMPTION.

         (a) In the event that:

            (1) the Company enters into a definitive agreement to effect a
Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) (a "Pending Change in Control"), then
the Holder shall have the right, at the Holder's option, to require the Company
to redeem this Note, or any portion of the principal amount hereof that is equal
to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, on the date the Change in Control
occurs; provided that the Holder's right to require the Company to redeem shall
be conditioned upon the occurrence of such Change in Control; or

            (2) a Change in Control shall occur without the occurrence of a
prior and related Pending Change in Control, then the Holder shall have the
right, at the Holder's option, to require the Company to redeem this Note, or
any portion of the principal amount hereof that is equal to $1,000 or any
integral multiple thereof, on the Redemption Date that is sixty (60) calendar
days (or such longer period as required by applicable law) after the date on
which the Company gives notice of such Change in Control to the Holder; and

            in either case at a purchase price equal to the outstanding
principal amount hereof. The Company agrees to give the Holder notice, in the
manner provided in Section 8(b), of any Change in Control or Pending Change in
Control, as the case may be, promptly and in any event within five (5) Business
Days of the occurrence thereof. The date of such redemption shall be referred to
herein as the "Redemption Date."

         (b) To exercise a redemption right, the Holder shall deliver to the
Company on or before the 5th Business Day prior to the Redemption Date (provided
that the Company shall have delivered notice of the Change in Control or Pending
Change in Control as provided above), together with this Note, written notice of
the Holder's exercise of such right, which notice shall set forth the name of
the Holder, the principal amount of this Note to be redeemed (and, if this Note
is to be redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be
redeemed) and a statement that an

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
election to exercise the redemption right is being made thereby. Such written
notice shall be irrevocable, except that the right of the Holder to convert this
Note (or the portion hereof with respect to which the redemption right is being
exercised) shall continue until the close of business on the Trading Day prior
to the Redemption Date. The Holder's right to require the redemption of the
Note, in whole or in part, pursuant to the terms of this Section 2 shall expire
at 12:01 a.m., New York City time, on the day following the 5th Business Day
prior to the Redemption Date.

            (c) If this Note is to be redeemed only in part, it shall be
surrendered to the Company at the Designated Office (with, if the Company so
requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute and make available
for delivery to the Holder without service charge, a new Note, containing
identical terms and conditions, each in an authorized denomination in aggregate
principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the
principal of the Note so surrendered.

            (d) For purposes of this Section 2:

               (1) the term "beneficial owner" shall be determined in accordance
with Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant
to the Exchange Act;

               (2) a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred at the
time, after the original issuance of this Note, of:

                  (i) the acquisition by any Person of beneficial ownership,
directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition
transaction or series of transactions, of shares of capital stock of the Company
entitling such Person to exercise 40% or more of the total voting power of all
shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
elections of directors (any shares of voting stock of which such Person is the
beneficial owner that are not then outstanding being deemed outstanding for
purposes of calculating such percentage) other than any such acquisition by the
Company; or

                  (ii) any consolidation or merger of the Company into, any
other Person, any merger of another Person with or into the Company, or any
conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company to another Person (other than (a) any such
transaction pursuant to which holders of Common Stock immediately prior to such
transaction have the entitlement to exercise, directly or indirectly, 60% or
more of the total voting power of all shares of capital stock entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors of the continuing or surviving Person
immediately after such transaction and (b) any merger (x) which does not result
in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding
Common Stock or (y) which is effected solely to change the jurisdiction of
incorporation of the Company and results in a reclassification, conversion or
exchange of outstanding Common Stock into solely shares of common stock,
provided that with respect to clauses (x) and (y) the holders of Common Stock
immediately prior to any such transaction have the entitlement to exercise,
directly or indirectly, 60% or more of the total voting power of all shares of
capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the
continuing or surviving Person immediately after such transaction).

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

      3. CERTAIN COVENANTS.

      Notwithstanding anything contained in the provisions of paragraphs (4) and
(5) of Section 1 of this Note, so long as this Note remains outstanding and no
Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, the Company will not declare or
pay any dividend or distribution (other than distributions of equity securities
of the Company) on, or redeem or purchase, any share of any equity security of
the Company, except that the Company may purchase shares of its Common Stock to
the extent that the aggregate amount of all such purchases (net of any sales by
the Company of shares of its Common Stock) during the period from the date
hereof does not exceed in the aggregate the greatest of (i) 50% of the net
earnings of Company determined in accordance with GAAP from October __, 2002,
(ii) an amount of Common Stock of the Company equal to the sum of 5% of the
outstanding Common Stock of the Company plus any and all Common Stock of the
Company issued and sold by the Company after the date hereof , or (iii)
$10,000,000; provided, however, that in the event that and so long as an Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall be prohibited from
redeeming or purchasing any share of any equity security of the Company. The
restrictions contained in this Section 3 shall be of no further force and effect
upon the conversion into Common Stock of one-half or more of the principal
amount of this Note pursuant to the terms hereof; provided, that in the event
that an Event of Default shall occur and only for as long as such Event of
Default shall be continuing, the Company will not declare or pay any dividend or
distribution or redeem or purchase any shares of any equity security of the
Company.

      4. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

            (a) "Event of Default", wherever used herein, means any one of the
following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant
to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation
of any administrative or governmental body):

                  (1) default in the payment of any principal on this Note when
due or interest upon this Note when it becomes due and payable and continuance
of such default for a period of fifteen (15) days;

                  (2) a material breach of the covenants (other than any notice
provisions contained herein) specified in this Note and continuance of such
breach for a period of fifteen (15) days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Holder a written notice
specifying such breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such
notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder;

                  (3) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises
of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company (or its parent, if
applicable) in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or
State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a
decree or order approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company (or its
parent, if applicable) under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing
a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee,

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, or ordering the
winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree
or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for
a period of 60 consecutive days; or

                  (4) the commencement by the Company (or its parent, if
applicable) of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or
State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any
other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the
consent by the Company (or its parent, if applicable) to the entry of a decree
or order for relief in respect of the Company (or its parent, if applicable) in
an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the
commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against the
Company (or its parent, if applicable), or the filing by the Company of a
petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or similar relief under any
applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such
petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the
Company, or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of
creditors, or the admission by the Company (or its parent, if applicable) in
writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the
taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action.

            (b) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal
of this Note shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any
declaration or other act of the Holder.

      5. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC.

      The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or,
directly or indirectly, convey, transfer or sell all or substantially all of its
properties and assets to any Person, unless:

            (a) if the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another
Person or convey, transfer, sell or lease all or substantially all of its
properties and assets to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or
into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance,
transfer or sale, or which leases, all or substantially all the properties and
assets of the Company shall be a corporation, limited liability company,
partnership or trust, shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of
the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and
shall expressly assume, if other than the Company, by an agreement supplemental
hereto, executed and delivered to the Holder in form satisfactory to the Holder,
the due and punctual payment of the principal of this Note and the performance
or observance of every covenant of this Note (including the conversion
provisions contained herein) on the part of the Company to be performed or
observed, including the conversion rights provided herein; and

            (b) upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the
Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer, sale or lease of all
or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company in accordance
with Section 5(a), the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into
which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer, sale or lease
is made shall enter into a supplemental agreement pursuant to which such Person
shall succeed

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the
Company under this Note with the same effect as if such successor Person had
been named as the Company herein, and thereafter the predecessor Person shall be
relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Note.

      6. SUBORDINATION.

            (a) The Company covenants and agrees, and the Holder by its
acceptance hereof likewise covenants and agrees, that this Note is subject to
the provisions of this Section 6; and the Holder by acceptance hereby accepts
and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

      The payment of the principal of this Note (including, but not limited to,
the redemption price with respect to this Note) shall, to the extent and in the
manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior
payment in full, in cash or in such other form of payment as may be acceptable
to the holders of Senior Debt, of all Senior Debt, whether outstanding at the
date of original issuance of this Note or thereafter incurred or created.

      No provision of this Section 6 shall prevent the occurrence of any default
or Event of Default under this Note.

            (b) Payments to the Holder. No payment (including pursuant to any
redemption of this Note) shall be made with respect to the principal of this
Note, if:

                  (1) a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest or other payment due on Senior Debt (other than indebtedness for trade
payables) occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable period of grace (a
"Payment Default"); or

                  (2) a default, other than a Payment Default, occurs and is
continuing with respect to Designated Senior Debt that then permits holders of
the Designated Senior Debt as to which such default related to accelerate its
maturity and the Holder and the Company receive a written notice of such default
(a "Payment Blockage Notice") from a representative of Designated Senior Debt or
a holder of Designated Senior Debt or the Company (a "Non-Payment Default").

      The Company may and shall resume payments on this Note (1) in the case of
a Payment Default, on the date upon which such default is cured or waived or
ceases to exist, and (2) in the case of a Non-Payment Default with respect to
Designated Senior Debt, on the earlier of the date on which the Non-Payment
Default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or 179 days have passed after the
date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received. The Company
will provide prompt notice to the Holder if a Payment Default occurs or it
receives a Payment Blockage Notice.

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Holder receives any
payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind in contravention of
any term of this Section 6, whether in cash, property or securities, including,
without limitation, by way of setoff or otherwise, before all Senior Debt is
paid in full, in cash or such other form of payment as may be acceptable to the
holders of Senior Debt, then such payment or distribution shall be held by the
recipient or recipients in trust for the benefit of, and shall immediately be
paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Debt or their respective
representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any
indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Debt may have
been issued,

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for
application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid to the extent
necessary to make payment in full, in cash or such other form of payment as may
be acceptable to the holders of Senior Debt, of all Senior Debt remaining
unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution, or
provision therefor, to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.

            (c) Bankruptcy and Dissolution, Etc. Upon any payment by the
Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or
involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all
amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Debt shall first be paid in full,
in cash or in such other form of payment as may be acceptable to the holders of
Senior Debt, before any payment is made on account of the principal of this
Note; and upon any such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization
or bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other such proceedings, any payment
by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holder would be
entitled, except for the provisions of this Section 6, shall (except as
aforesaid) be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy,
liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution,
or by the Holder if received by it, directly to the holders of Senior Debt (pro
rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Debt held
by such holders, or as otherwise required by law or a court order) or their
respective representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees
under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Debt
may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent
necessary to pay all Senior Debt in full in cash or in such other form of
payment as may be acceptable to the holders of Senior Debt after giving effect
to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Debt,
before any payment or distribution is made to the Holder.

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Holder receives any
payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind in contravention of
any term of this Note, whether in cash, property or securities, including,
without limitation, by way of setoff or otherwise, before all Senior Debt is
paid in full, in cash or such other form of payment as may be acceptable to the
holders of Senior Debt, then such payment or distribution shall be held by the
recipient or recipients in trust for the benefit of, and shall immediately be
paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Debt or their respective
representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any
indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Debt may have
been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the
Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid to
the extent necessary to make payment in full, in cash or such other form of
payment as may be acceptable to the holders of Senior Debt, of all Senior Debt
remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution,
or provision therefor, to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.

      For purposes of Section 6(b) hereof and this Section 6(c), the words
"cash, property or securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of
the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any
other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the
payment of which is subordinated (at least to the extent provided in this
Section 6 with respect to this Note) to the payment of all Senior Debt which may
at the time

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
be outstanding. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the
Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the
Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or
substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and
conditions provided for in Section 5 shall not be deemed a dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 6(c)
if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger,
conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Section 5.

            (d) Subrogation. Subject to the payment in full in cash, or in such
other form of payment as may be acceptable to the holders of Senior Debt, of all
Senior Debt, the rights of the Holder shall be subrogated to the extent of the
payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Debt pursuant to
the provisions of this Section 6 (equally and ratably with the holders of all
indebtedness of the Company which by its express terms is subordinated to other
indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as this Note is
subordinated and is entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the rights of the
holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or
securities of the Company applicable to the Senior Debt until the principal of
this Note shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no
payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Debt of any cash,
property or securities to which the Holder would be entitled except for the
provisions of this Section 6, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of
this Section 6, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt by Holder,
shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt,
and the Holder, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the
Senior Debt; and no payments or distributions of cash, property or securities to
or for the benefit of the Holder pursuant to the subrogation provisions of this
Section 6, which would otherwise have been paid to the holders of Senior Debt
shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or for the account of this
Note. It is understood that the provisions of this Section 6 are and are
intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holder,
on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Debt, on the other hand.

      Nothing contained in this Section 6 or elsewhere in this Note is intended
to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than the holders
of Senior Debt, and the Holder, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute
and unconditional, to pay to the Holder the principal of this Note as and when
the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is
intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holder and creditors of
the Company other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein
or therein prevent the Holder from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted
by applicable law upon default under this Note, subject to the rights, if any,
under this Section 6 of the holders of Senior Debt in respect of cash, property
or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

      Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in
this Section 6, the Holder shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree
made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such bankruptcy,
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending,
or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee,
agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the
Holder, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in
such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other indebtedness of the
Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or
distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Section 6.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
            (e) No Impairment of Subordination. No right of any present or
future holder of any Senior Debt to enforce subordination as herein provided
shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to
act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith,
by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms,
provisions and covenants of this Note, regardless of any knowledge thereof which
any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

      Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the
holders of the Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the
consent of or notice to the Holder, without incurring responsibility to the
Holder, and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this
Note or the obligations of the Holder to the holders of the Senior Debt, do any
one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place, or terms of payment
(including any change in the rate of interest) or extend the time of payment of,
or renew, amend, modify, alter, or grant any waiver or release with respect to,
or consent to any departure from, any Senior Debt or any instrument evidencing
the same or any agreement evidencing, governing, creating, guaranteeing or
securing any Senior Debt; (b) sell, exchange, release, or otherwise deal with
any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Debt; (c) release
any Person liable under or in respect of the Senior Debt; (d) fail or delay in
the perfection of liens securing the Senior Debt; (e) exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights against Company and any other Person; or (f) amend, or
grant any waiver or release with respect to, or consent to any departure from,
any guarantee for all or any of the Senior Debt.

            (f) Certain Conversions Deemed Payment. For the purposes of this
Section 6 only, (1) the issuance and delivery of junior securities upon
conversion of this Note in accordance with Section 1 shall not be deemed to
constitute a payment or distribution on account of the principal of this Note or
on account of the purchase or other acquisition of this Note, and (2) the
payment, issuance or delivery of cash (including cash paid for fractional shares
upon conversion of this Note in accordance with Section 1), property or
securities (other than junior securities) upon conversion of this Note in
accordance with Section 1 shall be deemed to constitute payment on account of
the principal of this Note. For the purposes of this Section, the term "junior
securities" means (a) shares of any stock of any class of the Company and (b)
securities of the Company which are subordinated in right of payment to all
Senior Debt which may be outstanding at the time of issuance or delivery of such
securities to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than,
this Note is so subordinated as provided in this Section 6. Nothing contained in
this Section 6 or elsewhere in this Note is intended to or shall impair, as
among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt and the
Holder, the right, which is absolute and unconditional, of the Holder to convert
this Note in accordance with Section 1.

            (g) Further Assurances. The Holder agrees upon request of the
Company to enter into a customary subordination agreement with any holder of
Designated Senior Debt provided that the arrangements thereunder do not
materially and adversely affect the rights of the Holder hereunder.

      7. DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise defined in this Note, the following
capitalized terms shall have the following respective meanings when used herein:

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
      "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
which is not a day on which the banking institutions in the City of New York are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close or be closed.

      "Cash Distribution" means the distribution by the Company to all holders
of its Common Stock of cash, other than any cash that is distributed upon a
merger or consolidation to which Section 1(g) applies or as part of a
distribution referred to in paragraph (4) of Section 1(b).

      "Closing Price" means, with respect to the Common Stock of the Company,
for any day, the reported last sale price per share on the Nasdaq National
Market, or, if the Common Stock is not admitted to trading on the Nasdaq
National Market, on the principal national securities exchange or inter-dealer
quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading, or
if not admitted to trading on the Nasdaq National Market, or listed or admitted
to trading on any national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system,
the closing bid price per share in the over-the-counter market as furnished by
any New York Stock Exchange member firm selected from time to time by the
Company for that purpose, or if no closing price can be reasonably determined by
any of the foregoing methods, the price determined by the Company's Board of
Directors.

      "Common Stock" means the Common Stock, par value $0.__ per share, of the
Company authorized at the date of this instrument as originally executed.
Subject to the provisions of Section 1, shares issuable on conversion of this
Note shall include only Common Stock or shares of any class or classes of common
stock resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof or of a
successor to the Company upon the occurrence of an Acquisition Event as defined
in Section 1(f) hereof; provided, however, that if at any time there shall be
more than one such resulting class, the shares so issuable on conversion of this
Note shall include shares of all such classes, and the shares of each such class
then so issuable shall be substantially in the proportion which the total number
of shares of such class resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the
total number of shares of all such classes resulting from all such
reclassifications.

      "Debt" means, with respect to any Person:

            (a) All obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) for
      borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole
      of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof), (ii) evidenced
      by a note, debenture, bond or written instrument (including a purchase
      money obligation), (iii) in respect of leases of such Person required, in
      conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, to be accounted
      for as capitalized lease obligations on the balance sheet of such Person
      and all obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under
      any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) in
      connection with the lease of real property which provides that such Person
      is contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party to purchase
      the leased property and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the
      leased property to the lessor and the obligations of such Person under
      such lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to
      purchase such leased property; or (iv) in respect of letters of credit
      (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), local
      guarantees or bankers' acceptances;

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
            (b) All obligations secured by a mortgage, pledge, lien,
      encumbrance, charge or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in an
      encumbrance to which the property or assets of such Person are subject,
      whether or not the obligations secured thereby shall have been assumed by
      or shall otherwise be such Person's legal liability;

            (c) To the extent not otherwise included, all obligations of such
      Person under interest rate and currency swap agreements, cap, floor and
      collar agreements, spot and forward contracts and similar agreements and
      arrangements;

            (d) All obligations of others of the type described in clauses (a),
      (b), or (c) above assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by such Person or
      in effect guaranteed by such Person through an agreement to purchase,
      contingent or otherwise (and the obligations of such Person under any such
      assumptions, guarantees or other such arrangements); and

            (e) All obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person under
      or in respect of any and all deferrals, renewals, extensions and
      refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any
      liability of the kinds described in any of the preceding clauses (a), (b),
      (c) or (d).

      "Designated Office" means the following address:

            [Address]

            [Attention: Chief Financial Officer]

      "Designated Senior Debt" means the Company's obligations under any
particular Senior Debt for borrowed money in either an original amount of at
least three million U.S. dollars ($3,000,000) or pursuant to a line of credit of
at least three million U.S. dollars ($3,000,000) in which the instrument
creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee thereof (or
related agreements or documents to which the Company is a party) expressly
provides that such Senior Debt shall be "Designated Senior Debt" for purposes of
this Note (provided that such instrument, agreement or other document may place
limitations and conditions on the right of such Senior Debt to exercise the
rights of the Designated Senior Debt).

      "Determination Date" means, in the case of a dividend or other
distribution, including the issuance of rights, options or warrants, to
shareholders, the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to
receive such dividend or other distribution and, in the case of a tender offer,
the last time that tenders could have been made pursuant to such tender offer.

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

      "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principals as in effect in the
United States of America, consistently applied.

      "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, trust, estate, unincorporated organization or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
      "Redemption Date" has the meaning given to such term in Section 2(a)
hereof.

      "Rights Plan" means the Company's Preferred Stock Rights Agreement, dated
as of October 23, 1996, between the Company and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation,
as Rights Agent.

      "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

      "Senior Debt" means the principal of, premium, if any, interest on
(including any interest accruing after the filing of a petition by or against
the Company under any bankruptcy law, whether or not allowed as a claim after
such filing in any proceeding under such bankruptcy law) and any other payment
due pursuant to, any Debt, whether outstanding on the date of this Note or
thereafter incurred or created; provided that Senior Debt shall not include (i)
any indebtedness of any kind of the Company to any subsidiary of the Company, a
majority of the voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company, or (ii) any indebtedness which by its terms is pari passu in right of
payment with or subordinate in right of payment to this Note.

      "Trading Day" means (i) if the Common Stock is admitted to trading on the
Nasdaq National Market or any other system of automated dissemination of
quotations of securities prices, a day on which trades may be effected through
such system; (ii) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the
New York Stock Exchange or any other national securities exchange, a day on
which such exchange is open for business; or (iii) if the Common Stock is not
admitted to trading on the Nasdaq National Market or listed or admitted for
trading on any national securities exchange or any other system of automated
dissemination of quotation of securities prices, a day on which the Common Stock
is traded regular way in the over-the-counter market and for which a closing bid
and a closing asked price for the Common Stock are available.

      8. OTHER.

            (a) No provision of this Note shall alter or impair the obligation
of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of
this Note at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein
prescribed or to convert this Note as herein provided.

            (b) The Company will give prompt written notice to the Holder of any
change in the location of the Designated Office. Any notice to the Company or to
the Holder shall be given in the manner set forth in the Purchase Agreement,
dated as of October 7, 2002, among the Company and the Holder (the
"Agreement"), provided that the Holder, if not a party to the Agreement, may
specify alternative notice instructions to the Company.

            (c) This Note and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this
Note have not been registered under the Securities Act, or the securities laws
of any state or other jurisdiction. Neither this Note nor the Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of this Note nor any interest or participation herein
may be reoffered, sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered or otherwise
disposed of (a "Transfer") in the absence of such registration or unless such
transaction is exempt from, or not subject to, registration. The Holder by its
acceptance of this Note or the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this
Note agrees that it shall not offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge,

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
encumber or otherwise dispose of this Note or any portion thereof without the
prior written consent of the Company, which may be withheld in the Company's
sole discretion.

            (d) Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory
to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Note, and in the
case of loss, theft or destruction, receipt of indemnity or security reasonably
satisfactory to the Company, and upon reimbursement to the Company of all
reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender and cancellation of
such Note, if mutilated, the Company will deliver a new Note of like tenor and
dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Note.

            (e) The Holder represents that it is an institutional "accredited
investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1)(3)(5) or (7) of the Securities
Act or a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in Rule 144A under the
Securities Act). The Holder has been advised that this Note has not been
registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities laws and,
therefore, cannot be resold unless it is registered under the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws or unless an exemption from such registration
requirements is available. The Holder is aware that the Company is under no
obligation to effect any such registration or to file for or comply with any
exemption from registration. The Holder has not been formed solely for the
purpose of making this investment and is acquiring the Note for its own account
for investment, and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the
distribution thereof.

            (f) Neither this Note nor any term hereof may be amended or waived
orally or in writing, except that any term of the Note may be amended and the
observance of any term of the Note may be waived (either generally or in a
particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), and such
amendment or waiver shall be applicable to the Note, upon the approval of the
Company and the Holder.

            (g) This Note is payable in U.S. dollars in immediately available
funds and in the manner specified in writing by an executive officer of the
Holder.

            (h) The Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Note shall be subject
to the terms of the Plan of Distribution Agreement by and between the Company
and Holder, dated January 30, 2003.

            (I) THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly
executed.

            Dated: January 30, 2003

                                             SCANSOFT, INC.

                                             By:   /s/ Michael K. Tivnan
                                                  -------------------------
                                             Name:  Michael K. Tivnan
                                             Title: President & COO

Attest:/s/ William Wen
       --------------------------
Name:  William Wen
Title: Financial Project Manager

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