Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.26

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Employment Agreement is entered into as of March 16, 1999, by and
between Dast Corporation, d.b.a. Microcom Technologies, a New York corporation
(the "Company") and Bruce Friedman (the "Executive").

                                 Introduction

         The Company desires to retain the services of the Executive and the
Executive wishes to continue to be employed by the Company. The Executive is a
key employee of the Company, and has had full access to information concerning
the Company and its business. The disclosure of such information or the engaging
in competitive activities would cause substantial harm to the Company. In
addition, the Company and certain investors in the Company have entered into a
Stock Purchase Agreement dated March 16, 1999 (the "Purchase Agreement"), and it
is a condition of the closing under the Purchase Agreement that the parties
hereto enter into this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, parties agree as follows:

         Section 1. Term. The Company shall employ the Executive for a term
commencing on the date of this Agreement and continuing for five (5) years,
unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 8. The Executive's employment
under this Agreement may also be extended beyond such term with the prior
written agreement of the Executive and the Company.

         Section 2. Title. The Executive shall serve as an executive officer of
the Company for the term of this Agreement.

         Section 3. Time Commitment; Efforts. During the term of this Agreement,
the Executive shall use all reasonable efforts to promote the interests of the
Company and shall devote the Executive's full business time to its business and
affairs. The Executive may serve from time to time as an advisor, director or
trustee of outside organizations (e.g., for-profit organizations, not-for-profit
organizations, professional organizations), provided that such service does not
conflict with (i) the business or reputation of the Company (ii) the Executive's
performance of his duties as an executive officer of the Company, or (iii)
Sections 5 and 6 hereof. The Executive shall consult with, and obtain the
consent of, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company ("CEO") with respect to
his service as an advisor, director or trustee of any outside organization. The
CEO shall have sole discretion, to be exercised reasonably, in determining
whether or not the Executive's service as an advisor, director or
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trustee of an outside organization conflicts with (i) the business or reputation
of the Company, (ii) the Executive's performance of his duties as an executive
officer of the Company, or (iii) Sections 5 and 6 hereof.

         Section 4. Compensation. The Executive shall be entitled to
compensation as follows:

                  (a) Base Salary. During the term of the Executive's employment
with the Company, the Executive will receive a salary at the annual rate of
$225,000 (the "Base Salary"), such salary shall be payable in appropriate
installments to conform with the regular payroll duties for salaried personnel
of the Company.

                  (b) Withholding. The Company may withhold from compensation
and benefits payable to the Executive all applicable federal, state and local
withholding taxes.

                  (c) Other Entitlements. The Executive shall be entitled during
the term of employment to:

                  (i) participate in such benefit plans as are afforded from
time to time to other executive employees of the Company, including without
limitation all health and other insurance plans;

                  (ii) four weeks vacation during each calendar year
commencing with 1999. The Executive shall be compensated for any vacation not
so used;

                  (iii) reimbursement of all reasonable expenses incurred by the
Executive in the performance of his duties as an officer of the Company, and
which are documented in accordance with procedures approved by the Company for
all executive officers of the Company; and

                  (iv) life insurance benefits no less favorable to him than
those provided by the Company on the date of this Agreement.

                  (d) Additional Compensation. The Company will pay to Executive
an amount, ("Gross Tax Payment") sufficient to cause the net after federal
income tax proceeds on such Gross Tax Payment to be equal to the excess of (a)
the actual federal income tax incurred on the exercise of the Executive's option
to acquire 25% of the shares of common stock of the Company from Daniel J.
Nissanoff in accordance with the terms of the Letter of Agreement between the
Executive, Lynne Friedman, Daniel J. Nissanoff and Stacy Jargowsky Nissanoff,
dated as of July 30, 1997, as amended (the "Option") and the amount of federal
income tax liability that would have been incurred by Executive if the income
recognized on the exercise of the Option had been taxable at long-term capital
gain rates, provided, however, that the

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Gross Tax Payment will be made only as, when and to the extent of any Tax
Benefits (defined below). This provision shall apply each time a portion of the
Option is exercised.

         All payments under this Section shall be made promptly after the filing
of tax returns by the Company demonstrating that Tax Benefits giving rise to
such payments were realized in the year for which such returns were filed;
provided, however, that in the event that such Tax Benefits are initially
-----------------
determined not to be allowable by a taxing authority, the Executive shall pay
over to the Company the amount by which the payments under this Section 4(d)
exceed the amount that would have been paid pursuant to Section 4(d) if only the
amount of the deduction finally allowed had been claimed in the relevant tax
return.

         As used herein, "Tax Benefits" means the net cash tax savings to the
                         --------------
Company as realized by the Company attributable to (i) the deduction allowable
under Section 83(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as a
result of Executive's exercise of the Option and (ii) the deduction allowable to
the Company as a result of making the Gross Tax Payment to the Executive
provided for in this Subsection. In determining Tax Benefits, all other tax
deductions and credits available to the Company shall be deemed to have been
utilized before the items specified in the preceding sentence. The amount of
"Tax Benefits" shall include (i) the Tax Benefits realized in the taxable year
of exercise, a prior taxable year as a result of applying a net operating loss
carryback attributable to such deductions to such prior taxable year or a
subsequent taxable year(s) as a result of applying a net operating loss
carryforward attributing such deductions to a subsequent taxable year(s) and
(ii) the excess of (a) the Tax Benefits realized on a prior exercise of part of
the 0ption ("Prior Exercise") over (b) the Gross Tax Payment made in connection
           ------------------
with such Prior Exercise.

                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payments contemplated by
this Section may not be paid to the extent prohibited by any credit arrangement
to which the Company is a party.

        Section 5.  Confidentiality. In consideration of the mutual promises
        ----------  ----------------
contained herein and to preserve the goodwill of the Company (which term, for
purposes of this, Section, shall include subsidiaries and affiliates of the
Company) in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement, which were of substantial benefit to the Executive, the Executive
agrees as follows:

                  (a) The Executive will not during or after the term of
employment, directly or indirectly, disclose or divulge any trade secrets or
other information of a business, financial, marketing, technical or other
nature pertaining to the Company including

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information of others that the Company has agreed to keep confidential
(collectively, "Confidential Information"), except (i) to the extent necessary
                ------------------------
for the performance of the Executive's duties for the company, (ii) to the
extent that such Confidential Information has become public knowledge other than
by breach of this Agreement by the Executive, or (iii) as necessary to file tax
returns or other required reports with governmental agencies or as otherwise
required by law.

                  (b) The Executive shall make no use whatsoever directly or
indirectly, of any confidential information, except as required in connection
with the performance of the Executive's duties for the Company.

                  (c) Upon the termination of his employment with the Company
for any reason, the Executive shall immediately deliver to the Company all
materials (including all copies) in the Executive's possession which contain of
relate to Confidential Information.

                  (d) All inventions, ideas, sketches, designs, prototypes,
developments or improvements made by the Executive, either alone or in
conjunction with others, at any time or at any place during the term of the
Executive's employment by the Company, whether or not reduced to writing or
practice during such term, which relate to the business in which the Company is
engaged, shall be the exclusive property of the Company. The Executive shall
promptly disclose any such invention development or improvement to the Company,
and, at the request and expense of the Company, shall assign all of the
Executive's rights to the same to the Company. The Executive shall sign all
instruments necessary for the filing and prosecution of any applications for or
extension or renewals of letters patent of the United States or any foreign
country which the Company desires to file.

                  (e) All copyrightable work by the Executive relating to the
Company's business during the term of the Executive's employment by the Company
is intended to be "work made for hire" as defined in Section 101 of the
Copyright Act of 1976, and shall be the property of the Company. If the
copyright to any such copyrightable work is not the property of the Company by
operation of law, the Executive will, without further consideration, assign to
the Company all right, title and interest in such copyrightable work and will
assist the Company and its nominees in every way, at the Company's expense, to
secure, maintain and defend for the Company's benefit copyrights and any
extensions and renewals thereof on any and all such work including translations
thereof in any and all countries, such work to be and to remain the property of
the Company whether copyrighted or not.

        Section 6.  Noncompetition.  In consideration of the mutual
        ---------   --------------

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promises contained herein, and to preserve the goodwill of the Company (which
term, for purposes of this Section, shall include subsidiaries and affiliates of
the Company) in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement, which were of substantial benefit to the Executive, the Executive
agrees that prior to the termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company, and thereafter for a period of three (3) years:

         (i) the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, or as a
stockholder, partner, employee, consultant or other owner or participant in any
business entity other than the Company or as a holder of not more than one (1%)
percent of the total outstanding stock of a publicly held Company, engage in or
assist any other person or entity to engage in any business in which the Company
is engaging or in which the Company is actively planning to engage in at the
time of the Executive's termination; and

         (ii) the Executive will not, directly or indirectly solicit or
endeavor to entice away from the Company, or otherwise interfere with the
business relationship of the Company with, any person who is, or was during the
Executive's term of employment, a customer or employee of, consultant or
supplier to, or other person or entity having material business relations with,
the Company.

         Section 7. Remedies.  Without limiting the remedies available to the
Company, the Executive acknowledges that a breach of any of the covenants
contained in Sections 5 and 6 herein could result in irreparable injury to the
Company for which there might be no adequate remedy at law, and that, in the
event of such a breach or threat thereof, the Company shall be entitled to
obtain a temporary restraining, order and/or a preliminary injunction and a
permanent injunction restraining the Executive from engaging in any activities
prohibited by Sections 5 and 6 herein or such other equitable relief as may be
required to enforce specifically any of the covenants of Sections 5 and 6
herein.

         Section 8. Termination.  The Executive's employment with the Company
(which term, for purposes of this section, shall include subsidiaries and
affiliates of the Company) may be terminated at any time (i) by the Company with
Cause or without Cause or in the event of the death or Disability of the
Executive or (ii) by the Executive for Good Reason.

         As used herein, "Cause" means the good faith determination of the
Board, after notice to the Executive and after the Executive has had an
opportunity to present the Executive's view of the relevant facts and
circumstances to the Board, that the Executive has (a) engaged in malfeasance,
willful misconduct, active fraud or gross negligence with respect to the

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Company which has not been cured by the Executive within 30 days after notice to
the Executive by the Company, (b) failed to substantially perform his duties
with the Company after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered
to the Executive by or on behalf of the Board, which demand (i) shall have been
approved by Daniel Nissanoff, and (ii) shall specifically identify the manner in
which the Board believes that the Executive has not substantially performed his
duties, or (c) been convicted of or pleaded nolo contendere to (i) any
misdemeanor relating to the affairs of the Company, which is injurious to the
Company, or (ii) any felony.

         As used herein, "Disability" means the Executive is unable to render
the services to be rendered by him pursuant to this Agreement for a continuous
period of ninety (90) successive days or for shorter periods aggregating one
hundred twenty (120) days or more during any twelve (12) successive months. In
the event of any disagreement between the Executive and the Company as to
whether the Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated so as to permit
the Company to terminate the Executive's employment pursuant to this Section 8,
the question of such incapacity shall be submitted for decision to an impartial
and reputable physician in New York County, New York (the "Deciding Doctor")
chosen by mutual agreement of the Company and you, or, failing such agreement,
the Deciding Doctor shall be chosen by two physicians from New York County, New
York (one of whom shall be selected by the Company and the other by you). The
decision of the Deciding Doctor regarding your capacity or incapacity shall be
final and binding on the Company and you.

         As used herein, "Good Reason" means (i) the assignment to the
Executive of duties substantially inconsistent with his status as an executive
officer of the Company, or a substantial alteration in the nature or status of
his responsibilities from those as of the date hereof or as the same may be
enhanced from time to time; or, (ii) a reduction by the Company in the
Executive's total compensation as in effect on the date hereof or as the same
may be increased from time to time; provided, that under either (i) or (ii) such
reason has not been cured by the Company within 30 days after written notice to
the Company by the Executive.

         It the Executive's employment is terminated hereunder, the Company
shall have no further obligation to make any payments or provide any benefits to
the Executive hereunder after the date of termination except for (a) payments of
Base Salary and expense reimbursement that had accrued but had not been paid
prior to the date of termination, (b) if Executive's employment with the Company
is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than upon death or
Disability), continuation of Base Salary at the rate in effect at the date of
termination and continuation of benefits (to the extent permitted by the
applicable plans) until

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two years after the date of termination (but in no event after the scheduled
termination date of this Agreement) and (c) payments in accordance with the next
paragraph of this Section 8.

         In the event the Executive's employment by the Company is terminated
(a) by the Company without Cause (other than upon death or Disability), (b) as a
result of the Company refusing to renew or extend this Employment Agreement at
the end of any applicable term or (c) by the Executive for Good Reason, the
Executive shall have the right, by giving written notice to the Company within
ten (10) days after the date of termination of his employment by the Company, to
require the Company to repurchase at fair market value (as determined in
accordance with Schedule A to this Agreement) one hundred percent (100%) of the
shares of any capital stock of the Company held by the Executive in accordance
with the terms set forth in Schedule A. Additionally, if at the time the
                            ----------
repurchase right contained in this paragraph is effective, the Executive has an
unexercised option to acquire shares of capital stock of the Company from Daniel
Nissanoff, the Executive shall have the right, within the ten (10) day period
referred to in the preceding sentence, to require the Company to pay to the
Executive the difference between the fair market value (as determined in
accordance with Schedule A of this Agreement) of the shares of capital stock
                ----------
underlying the option and the exercise price of such option, in accordance with
the terms of Schedule A.
             ----------

         The provisions of Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive the termination
of the Executive's employment in accordance with their terms except that the
provisions of the previous paragraph contained in this Section 8 shall become
null and void upon the Company's completion of a "Qualified Public Offering" as
such term is defined in Section 7.01 of the Stockholders Agreement dated as of
March 16, 1999 by and among the Company and certain stockholders of the Company.

         Section 9. Enforceability etc. This Agreement shall be interpreted in
such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any
provision hereof shall be prohibited or invalid under any such law, such
provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity,
without invalidating or nullifying the remainder of such provision or any other
provisions of this Agreement. If any one or more of the provisions contained in
this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to
duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, such provisions shall be
construed by limiting and reducing it so as to be enforceable to the maximum
extent permitted by applicable law.

         Section 10. Notices. Any notice or other communication given pursuant
to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be properly given
when personally delivered, on the day

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after if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier or express mail, or on
the third business day after mailing by first class certified or registered
mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested as follows:

                  (a)     If to the Executive:

                          c/o of Morton Rosenfeld
                          2049 Century Park East
                          Suite 3090
                          Los Angeles, CA 90067

                  (b)     If to the Company:

                          Dast Corporation
                          d.b.a. Microcom Technologies
                          16 East 52nd Street
                          New York, N.Y. 10022
                          Attention: Board of Directors

                          with a copy to:

                          Boston Ventures Management, Inc.
                          One Federal Street
                          23rd Floor
                          Boston, MA 02110-2003
                          Attention: James M. Wilson

or to such other address as the parties shall have designated by notice to the
other parties.

         Section 11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without
regard to their choice of law provisions. Any suits brought hereunder shall be
brought in the state or federal courts located in the County of New York, State
of New York. In the event of any litigation between the Executive and the
Company related to the termination of Executive for Cause as provided for in
Section 8 above, the unsuccessful party to the litigation will pay to the
prevailing party such party's reasonable attorneys' fees actually incurred by
the prevailing party.

         Section 12. Amendments and waivers. No amendment or waiver of this
Agreement or any provision hereof shall be binding upon the party against whom
enforcement of such amendment or waiver is sought unless it is made in writing
and signed by or on behalf of such party. The waiver by either Party of a breach
of any provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate and be
construed as a waiver or a continuing waiver by that party of the same or any
subsequent breach of any provision of this

<PAGE>

Agreement by the other party.

         Section 13. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding on and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors
and administrators, successors and assigns, except that it may not be assigned
by either party without the other party's consent, except that the Company may
assign this agreement to an entity that acquires substantially all of the
Company's assets.

         Section 14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the final and
entire agreement of the parties with respect to the matters covered hereby and
replaces and supersedes all other employment or similar agreements between the
Company and the Executive and all other agreements and understandings relating
hereto.

         Setion 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, including counterpart signature pages or counterpart facsimile
signature pages, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

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<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as a sealed
instrument as of the date first above written.

                     DAST CORPORATION
                     d.b.a. Microcom Technologies

                     By: /s/ Daniel Nissanoff
                         ------------------------
                         President (Title)

                         /s/ Bruce Friedman
                         ------------------------
                         Bruce Friedman
                                            10<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.27

                               January 26, 1999

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
---------------------------

Mr. William Barron
203 Bay Avenue
Huntington Bay, New York 11793

Dear Mr. Barron:

          This letter (the "Agreement") will confirm the agreement between Dast
Corporation d/b/a Microcom Technologies, a New York corporation (the "Company"),
and you relating to your employment by the Company.

          1.   EMPLOYMENT.  The Company hereby employs you, and you hereby agree
               ----------
to serve as the Chief Marketing Officer of the Company from the earlier of
February 15, 1999 or the date you actually begin your employment at the Company
through and including February 15, 2001. In such capacity, you shall be
responsible for preparing, implementing and managing the marketing plan of the
Company, assigning in the financing efforts of the Company, hiring and managing
a marketing staff, developing and managing manufacturer and distributor
relationships, and managing sales of advertising, on-line services, and the
public relations of the Company. You shall report to Daniel Nissanoff, President
of the Company. Any changes in the foregoing reporting responsibilities will be
discussed with you prior to implementing such changes. In the event that any
changes in responsibilities are made, such changes will be commensurate with
your demonstrated abilities. You agree also to perform such senior executive
services customary to such position as shall from time to time be assigned to
you and, in the absence of such assignment, such senior executive services
customary to such position as are necessary to the operations of the Company.
You agree to use your best efforts to promote the interests of the Company and
to devote all of your working time and energies to the business and affairs of
the Company during the Term of Employment (as hereinafter defined). Although you
may be associated with or invest in other companies, you will not allow such
activities to interfere with your services to the Company.

          2.   TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.  The term of employment hereunder shall be
               ------------------
for the period which shall commence the earlier of February 15, 1999 or the date
you actually begin employment at the Company and shall end on February 15, 2001,
unless earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 hereof (the
"Term of Employment").

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          3.   COMPENSATION; EXPENSES; BENEFITS.
               --------------------------------

          (a)  Base Salary. As compensation for the services hereunder during
               -----------
the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay you a base salary of $200,000 per
annum. As you know, the Company is currently seeking to raise $10,000,000 in
additional financing. If the Company is successful in raising $10,000,000 in
additional financing, then your base salary for the remainder of the Term of
Employment shall be increased to $250,000 beginning with the first full month
immediately following the closing of such financing. Such salary shall be
payable in appropriate bi-weekly installments to conform with the regular
payroll dates for salaried personnel of the Company and will be considered for
adjustment annually, in accordance with the Company policy, based on your
evaluated performance for the preceding fiscal year.

          (b)  Benefits. You will receive the benefits that the Company provides
               --------
its senior executives generally, including employee health insurance benefits.
Your vacation will begin to accrue as of the date hereof, in accordance with
the Company's existing policy, up to a maximum of three (3) weeks per year.

          (c)  Expenses. During the Term of Employment, you shall be entitled to
               --------
be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by you in performing services
hereunder in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the
Company from time to time.

          (d)  Stock Options. Subject to approval by the shareholders and
               -------------
directors of the Company of a proposed 1999 Stock Plan of the Company (the
"Plan"), and subject to the amendment of the Company's certificate of
incorporation, the Company shall grant or cause to be granted to you options to
purchase an amount equal to three percent (3%) of the total issued and
outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, as of the date of the grant,
subject to dilution on the same basis as other executives of the Company. The
exercise price of these options shall be determined based on a valuation of the
Company of $10,000,000 prior to the financing described in Section 3(a) above.
The Company will adopt or cause to be adopted the Plan and grant the options
within ninety (90) days of execution of this Agreement. Daniel Nissanoff, in his
capacity as a shareholder of the Company, hereby represents and warrants that he
will vote in favor of adoption of the Plan. The options shall be granted
pursuant to the Plan and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan
and of a mutually agreeable nonqualified stock option agreement to be entered
into between you and the Company. Subject to the foregoing, one third of the
total number of shares covered by these options shall vest upon adoption of the
Plan and grant of the options to you thereunder (the "Grant Date"), and
thereafter in accordance with the following schedule:

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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Vesting Date                  Expiration Date
          ------------                  ---------------
          <S>                           <C>
          The Grant Date                February 15, 2009

          February 15, 2000             February 15, 2009

          February 15, 2001             February 15, 2009

</TABLE>
          4.   COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE; INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; CONFIDENTIALITY;
               ---------------------------------------------------------------
               ENFORCEABILITY; BREACH.
               ----------------------

          (a)  Covenant Not To Compete. You acknowledge that you are expected to
               -----------------------
play a very important role in the on-going development of the Company, that you
will have detailed knowledge of the Company's business and its plans for the
future, that you will have a fiduciary relationship with the Company, and you
will be receiving substantial compensation and other benefits under this
Agreement. During the Term of Employment, you shall not, directly or indirectly,
advise, manage, control, operate, be employed by or participate in the
ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected in any manner
with any business which competes with any business of the Company. The decision
of the Board of Directors of the Company as to what constitutes a competing
business shall be final and binding upon you. For these purposes, your ownership
of one percent (1%) or less of any class of securities of a public company shall
not be considered to be competition with the Company. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, in the event that following the Term of
Employment and for a period of five (5) years thereafter, you directly or
indirectly advise, manage, control, operate, become employed by or participate
in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or become connected in
any manner with any business which competes with any business of the Company,
any and all options granted to you hereunder shall terminate whether or not
exercisable.

          (b)  Intellectual  Property. You agree that all ideas, inventions,
               ----------------------
trade secrets, marketing plans and business plans developed by you during the
Term of Employment which relate directly or indirectly to the business of the
Company, including without limitation, any process, operation, product or
improvement which may be patentable or copyrightable, will be the property of
the Company and that you will at the Company's request and cost do whatever is
necessary to secure the rights thereto by patent, copyright or otherwise to the
Company.

          (c)  Confidentiality. You agree that you will not divulge to anyone
               ---------------
(other than the Company or any persons employed or designated by the Company)
any knowledge or information of any type whatsoever of a confidential nature
relating to the business of the Company, including, without limitation, all
types of ideas, inventions, trade secrets, marketing plans, business plans, and
processes, operations, products or improvements which may be patentable or
copyrightable ("Confidential Information"). You further agree not to disclose,

                                       3
<PAGE>

publish or make use of any such Confidential Information without the prior
written consent of the Company. The term "Confidential Information" does not
include any information which (i) at the time of disclosure or thereafter is
generally available to and known to the public (other than as a result of
disclosure directly or indirectly by you), (ii) was available to you on a
non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company or its
representatives and advisors, provided that such source is not in breach of any
obligations of confidentiality to the Company, or (iii) has been independently
acquired or developed by you without violating any of your obligations pursuant
to this Agreement. The provisions set forth in this section shall survive the
termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

           (d) Enforceability. You recognize and agree that the limitations
               --------------
placed on you by this Section 4 are reasonable and are required for the
protection of the Company. You agree that if any such limitation is determined
in arbitration or by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, you
agree and submit to the reduction of such limitation as the court or
arbitrator(s) deem reasonable. The limitations placed on you by this Section 4
are of the essence of this Agreement and they shall be construed and enforced
independently. The existence of any claim or cause of action against the Company
by you shall not constitute a defense against the enforcement of these
limitations on you.

          (e)  Breach. You acknowledge and agree that money damages would not
               ------
adequately compensate the Company in the event of breach by you of any provision
of this Section 4. Consequently, you agree that the Company shall be entitled,
without the necessity of proving actual damages, to obtain damages for any
breach of this Section 4, to enforce specific performance by you of any
provision of this Section 4, or to obtain temporary and permanent injunctive
relief from any court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of the
provisions of this Section 4.

          5.   TERMINATION.
               -----------

          (a)  General. Your employment hereunder shall terminate as provided in
               -------
Section 2 hereof and may be earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions
of this Section 5. Unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions
of this Section 5, the Company shall provide you with at least sixty (60) days
notice prior to the termination of your employment as provided in Section 2 if
the Company does not intend to renew this Agreement.

          (b)  Death and Disability. Your employment under this Agreement shall
               --------------------
terminate upon (i) your death; and/or (ii) in the event you become disabled, at
the option of the Company, thirty (30) days after the date on which the
Company shall have given you written notice of the termination of your
employment because of your physical or mental incapacity on a permanent basis.
You shall be deemed to be physically or mentally incapacitated on a permanent
basis if you are unable, by reason of any physical or mental incapacity, for a
period of ninety (90) substantially consecutive days or for shorter periods
aggregating one hundred twenty (120) days or more during any 12 month period,
to perform your duties as Chief

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Marketing Officer of the Company in a reasonably satisfactory manner. In the
event of any disagreement between you and the Company as to whether you are
physically or mentally incapacitated on a permanent basis so as to permit the
Company to terminate your employment pursuant to this subparagraph (b), the
question of such permanent incapacity shall be submitted for decision to an
impartial and reputable physician in New York County, New York (the "Deciding
Doctor") chosen by mutual agreement of the Company and you or, failing such
agreement, the Deciding Doctor shall be chosen by two physicians from New York
County, New York (one of whom shall be selected by the Company and the other by
you). The decision of the Deciding Doctor regarding your capacity or incapacity
shall be final and binding on the Company and you. You shall submit to any
medical examinations reasonably necessary to enable the Deciding Doctor to make
a decision regarding your capacity or incapacity.

          (c)  Termination by the Company for "Cause". The Company may terminate
               --------------------------------------
your employment for "cause"; provided, however, the Company shall have given you
                             --------- -------
written notice specifying in reasonable detail the reason therefor, and ten (10)
days after receipt of such notice in which to cure such "cause", if capable of
cure. For the purposes of this Agreement, an event or occurrence constituting
"cause" shall mean knowingly or recklessly causing material injury to the
Company; willful misconduct in the performance of, or a willful failure to
perform, your duties; commission of dishonest, fraudulent or unlawful behavior
involving moral turpitude whether or not in connection with your employment; or
breach or violation of this Agreement. If your employment is terminated under
this Section 5(c), all compensation and rights to benefits from the Company
shall cease on the date of termination (other than as may have already accrued
as of the date of termination or as expressly provided in plans in which you
participated at the date of termination); provided, however, that the
                                          --------  -------
restrictions on your activities contained in Section 4 hereof shall continue in
effect as provided therein.

          (d)  Termination by the Company Other Than for "Cause". In the event
               -------------------------------------------------
the Company terminates your employment other than for death or disability in
accordance with subparagraph (b) above, or other than for "cause" in accordance
with subparagraph (c) above, the Company shall pay you your salary and benefits
until February 15, 2001, all of your options shall immediately vest, and the
Company shall have no further obligation to you hereunder. In the event the
Company terminates your employment for death or disability in accordance with
subparagraph (b) above, all of your options shall immediately vest.

          6.   ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement is a personal contract, and except as
               ----------
specifically set forth herein, the rights and interests of you and the Company
herein may not be sold, transferred or assigned, except that the Company may
assign its rights and interests in this Agreement to a successor, affiliate or
subsidiary of the Company. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of each party's successors and permitted assigns.

                                       5
<PAGE>

          7.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW; CAPTIONS. This Agreement
               -----------------------------------------
contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to your
employment by the Company, and the validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New
York. You hereby agree that any agreement or arrangement existing prior to the
date hereof regarding your employment by the Company is hereby terminated and
superseded by this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only
by agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any
waiver, change, modification or discharge is sought. Section and paragraph
headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not be considered a
part of this Agreement.

          8.   NOTICES. Any notices or other communications required or
               -------
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given on the same
day if given by hand, on the third business day after mailing if given by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, on the
next business day after it was deposited with the courier service if sent by
reputable overnight courier, or when sent if given by facsimile with
confirmation, addressed to you at 203 Bay Avenue, Huntington Bay, New York 11743
or to the Company at its offices at 16 East 52/nd/ Street, New York, New York
10022, Attention: President (fax no. 212-758-2559), with a copy to: Gould &
Wilkie, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 58th floor, New York, New York 10005,
Attention: Michael R. Manley, Esq. (fax no.: 212-809-6890) or such other address
as shall have been specified in writing by either party to the other.

          9.   ARBITRATION. Except as provided by Section 4(e) of this
               -----------
Agreement; any dispute or controversy under or in connection with this Agreement
shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in New York, New York by one
arbitrator in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association
then in effect. Judgment may be entered upon the arbitrator's award in any court
having jurisdiction. The costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees and disbursements) of the prevailing party in any such dispute or
controversy shall be reimbursed by the other party.

          10.  RIGHT TO WITHHOLD. The Company shall have the right to make all
               -----------------
appropriate withholdings from your salary and other compensation under federal,
state and local tax laws.

                                       6
<PAGE>

          If the foregoing accurately reflects the agreement between us, please
confirm your acceptance and agreement by signing the attached copy of this
Agreement and return the same to me.

                                        Sincerely,

                                        DAST CORPORATION D/B/A
                                        MICROCOM TECHNOLOGIES

                                        By: /s/ Daniel Nissanoff
                                           --------------------------
                                        Name:  Daniel Nissanoff
                                        Title: President

Accepted and Agreed
as of January 06 1999

/s/ William Barron                      /s/ Daniel Nissanoff
-----------------------------           -------------------------------
William Barron                          Daniel Nissanoff, a shareholder
                                        of the Company

                                       7

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