Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

     THIS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT entered into by and between MARKET MAKER
SYSTEMS CORPORATION ("Licensor"), a New York Corporation having its principal
office and place of business located at 16 East 52nd Street, 6th Floor, New
York, New York 10022 and the undersigned customer ("Licensee") determines the
rights and licenses granted to the Licensee in the Licensed Software
(hereinafter defined) supplied by the Licensor hereunder.

     1.  Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
         -----------

         (a)  "Licensed Product" shall mean collectively the Licensed Software
and Licensed Documentation (as hereinafter defined).

         (b)  "Licensed Software" or "Software" shall mean the software
identified on Schedule A, annexed hereto and made a part hereof, in object and
source code forms, all updates and revisions thereto supplied by Licensor during
the term hereof, and all permitted copies of the foregoing.

         (c)  "Licensed Documentation" shall mean all documentation, other than
the Licensed Software, related to the Software supplied by Licensor hereunder.

         (d)  "Licensed CPU" shall mean the central processing unit and its
associated equipment that is identified by model and serial number on the
annexed Schedule A and any other central processing unit identified by Licensee
by model and serial number to Licensor.

<PAGE>

     2.  License. Licensor hereby grants to Licensee, and Licensee hereby
         -------
accepts, a nonexclusive license to use the Licensed Software on the licensed CPU
during the term hereof and to use the Licensed Documentation during such term.

     3.  Annual License Fees, Charges and Taxes.
         --------------------------------------

         (a)  The license fees and charges for the license herein granted and
for any extension thereof have heretofore been paid by the Licensee in
connection with the Licensee's prior contributions to Licensor in the research
and development of the Licensed Software.

         (b)  To this end, it is specifically understood and agreed between
Licensor and Licensee that the Licensee will not be required to pay any
additional consideration under this Agreement.

     4.  Term of License Agreement and Licenses. Unless otherwise terminated,
         --------------------------------------
cancelled or extended as provided herein, the term hereof and of the licenses
granted herein shall commence on the effective date hereof and shall continue
for a period of fifty years. Such term and license may be extended for an
additional fifty-year period, at Licensee's option, upon notice to Licensor and
the payment of the annual license fees and charges therefor. Licensee may
temporarily transfer the license granted hereunder to a back-up CPU if the
Licensed CPU is inoperative for any reason.

     5.  Protection of Trade Secret.
         --------------------------

         (a)  Licensee acknowledges Licensor's representations that the Licensed
Product and all permitted copies thereof are

<PAGE>

Licensor's exclusive property. Licensee shall not disclose or make available to
third parties the Licensed Software or any portion thereof without Licensor's
prior written consent.

          (b) Upon any termination, cancellation, or expiration of this
Agreement, Licensee shall return the Licensed Software and all copies thereof to
Licensor, or destroy the same and submit evidence thereof to Licensor.

     6.   Reproduction and Modification of Licensed Product.
          -------------------------------------------------

          (a) Licensee may reproduce the Licensed Product for use only on the
Licensed CPU. All copies of the Licensed Software, in whole or in part, shall
contain all of Licensor's restrictive and proprietary notices as they appear on
the copies of the Software provided by Licensor.

          (b)  Licensee may modify the Licensed Software and merge it into
existing software, provided the Licensed Software shall continue to be subject
to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Upon any termination,
cancellation or expiration hereof or any license granted hereunder, Licensee
shall remove the Licensed Software and all portions thereof from the modified
Licensed Software and resulting merged software.

     7.   Services. Licensor shall provide Licensee with technical support and
          --------
services under the terms and conditions of a separate agreement and at
Licensor's then current charges therefor. Licensee will receive a fifty user
license and upgrades and Licensee will be used as a beta testing site.

     8.   Warranty.
          --------

          (a)  Licensor warrants that:

<PAGE>

               (1)   Under normal use and service, the media on which the
Licensed Software is delivered shall be free from defects in material and
workmanship, and

               (2)   The Licensed Product will meet Licensor's published
specifications therefor in effect on the effective date of this Agreement.

          (b)  If the Licensed Product fails to meet the media warranty of
Paragraph 8(a)(1) and Licensee gives Licensor written notice thereof during the
applicable warranty period, Licensor shall replace such media. If the Licensed
Product fails to meet the warranty of Paragraph 8(a)(2) and Licensee gives
Licensor written notice thereof, Licensor shall correct the failure, provided
that Licensee gives Licensor detailed information regarding such failure.

          (c)  Licensor shall not be liable to Licensee for the warranty
provisions of this Paragraph 8 if:

               (1)  Modifications are made to the Licensed Product by someone
other than Licensor; or

               (2)  The media for the Licensed Product is subject to misuse or
above.

     9.   Proprietary Rights Indemnity.
          ----------------------------

          (a) Licensor shall defend or settle, at its own expense, any claim
made against Licensee that the use of the Licensed Product infringes any patent,
copyright, trade secret or other proprietary right. Licensor shall indemnify and
hold Licensee harmless against all damages, judgments, and attorneys' fees,
arising out of the foregoing, provided that Licensee shall
<PAGE>

give Licensor prompt written notice of such claim.

          (b)  If a claim is made that the use of the Licensed Product infringes
any patent, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary right, Licensor shall
either procure for Licensee the right to continue using the Licensed Product,
modify it to make it noninfringing but continue to meet the specifications
therefor, or replace it with noninfringing software of like functionality that
meets the specifications for the Licensed Product.

     10.  Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon expiration of the
          -----------
term as set forth in Paragraph 4 of this Agreement and for no other reason
whatsoever.

     11.  Limitation of Liability. IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSEE BE LIABLE TO
          -----------------------
LICENSOR FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS,
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT OR THE PERFORMANCE OR BREACH
THEREOF, EVEN IF THE LICENSEE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.

     12.  General.
          -------

          (a) The effective date of this Agreement shall be upon execution
hereof by Licensee.

          (b) Any cause of action arising out of or related to this Agreement
must be brought no later than one year after the same has accrued.

          (c) This Agreement is the sole agreement between the parties relating
to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, writings
proposals, representations or communications, oral or written, of either party.
This License

<PAGE>

Agreement may be amended only by a writing executed by the authorized
representatives of both parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
Licensee and its subsidiaries and affiliated business entities.

     (d)  This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the substantive
laws of the State of New York.

                                  DAST CORPORATION ("Licensee")

                              BY: /s/ Daniel Nissanoff
                                  ------------------------------------
                                  Title:   President
                                  Date:    October 30, 1995
                                  Address: 16 East 52nd Street
                                           6th Floor
                                           New York, NY 10022

Accepted on behalf of Market Maker Systems Corporation
("Licensor")

                              BY: /s/ Ariel Zirel
                                  ------------------------------------
                                  Title:   Vice President
                                  Date:    October 30, 1995
<PAGE>

STATE OF NEW YORK    )
                     ) SS.
COUNTY OF NEW YORK   )

     On this 30/th/ day of October, 1995, before me personally came Daniel
Nissanoff to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
resides at c/o 16 East 52nd Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York; that he is
the President of DAST CORPORATION, the Corporation described in, and which
executed the within instrument; that he knows the seal of said Corporation; that
the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so
affixed by order of the Board of Directors of said Corporation; and that he
signed his name thereto by like order.

/s/ Ronald S. Kossar                  [STAMP ADDRESS OF RONALD S. KOSSAR]
---------------------------
Notary Public

STATE OF NEW YORK    )
                     ) SS.
COUNTY OF NEW YORK   )

     On this 30/th/ day of October, 1995, before me personally came
[ILLEGIBLE]^^ to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose
and say that he resides at c/o 16 East 52nd Street, 6th Floor, New York, New
York; that he is the President of MARKET MAKER SYSTEMS CORPORATION, the
Corporation described in, and which executed the within instrument; that he
knows the seal of said Corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is
such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors
of said Corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like order.

/s/ Ronald S. Kossar                  [STAMP ADDRESS OF RONALD S. KOSSAR]
---------------------------
Notary Public<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21

                                      July 12, 1999

Mr. Earle Zucht
2009 Yacht Vigilant
Newport Beach, CA  92660

Dear Mr. Zucht:

     This letter (the "Agreement") will confirm the agreement between PartMiner,
Inc., 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 Executive Vice President of Business Development of the Company
during the Term of Employment (as hereinafter defined).  In such capacity, you
shall be responsible for bringing to the Company and managing strategic
relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and other horizontal and
vertical organizations within the industry of the Company that might add value
to the business of the Company, including forming marketing alliances with such
organizations, managing relationships with such organizations, obtaining
franchises for products or services from such organizations, and managing the
sale of advertising space on the Partminer web site. In addition, your
responsibilities may include operational and strategic responsibilities
associated with the core business of the Company as it exists today.  You shall
report directly to Daniel Nissanoff, President of the Company.  In the event
that any changes in your responsibilities are made by the Company, such changes
will be commensurate with your demonstrated abilities. Any changes made by the
Company in the foregoing reporting arrangements will be discussed with you prior
to implementing such changes.  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 that commenced on April 5, 1999 and shall end on April 5, 2001 (the
"Term of Employment"), unless earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of
Section 5 hereof.
<PAGE>

          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 $150,000 per
annum.  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 the Company's evaluation of your 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 April 5, 1999, 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"), the Company shall grant or cause to be granted to you options to
purchase approximately 2000 shares of common stock of the Company. The exercise
price of these options shall be determined based on a valuation of the Company
of  $50,000,000.  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, the total number of shares covered by these
options shall vest as follows: (i) one third of such options shall vest on the
date of the executed nonqualified stock option agreement (the "Grant Date"),
(ii) one third of such options shall vest on the first anniversary of the Grant
Date, and (iii) one third of such options shall vest on the second anniversary
of the Grant Date.

          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

                                       2
<PAGE>

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, 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,
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.

                                       3
<PAGE>

          (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 thirty (30) 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; 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 twelve (12) month period, to
perform your duties as Executive Vice President of Business Development 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

                                       4
<PAGE>

recklessly causing material injury to the Company; willful misconduct in the
performance of, or a willful failure to perform, your duties; commission of
dishonest or fraudulent conduct, whether or not in connection with your
employment, 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
              -------------------------------------------------
that 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 (or cause to
be paid for you) your employee health insurance and other benefits (not
including salary) for a period of not less than twelve (12) months from the date
of termination.  If your employment is terminated under this Section 6(d), all
other compensation and rights to benefits from the Company shall cease (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.

          (e) Termination by you for "Good Reason".  In the event that you
              ------------------------------------
voluntarily terminate your employment for Good Reason, the Company shall pay you
(or cause to be paid for you) your employee health insurance and other benefits
(not including salary) for a period of not less than twelve (12) months from the
date of termination. As used herein, "Good Reason" means (i) the assignment to
you of duties substantially inconsistent with your status as an executive
officer of the Company, or a substantial alteration in the nature or status of
your responsibilities from those as of the date hereof or as the same may be
changed from time to time; (ii) a reduction by the Company in your total
compensation in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from
time to time, or (iii) a Change in Control (as defined in the Company's 1999
Stock Plan, which shall not be deemed to include a public offering of the
Company's securities); provided that, under either (i), (ii) or (iii) such
reason has not been cured by the Company within thirty (30) days after written
notice to the Company by you. If your employment is terminated under this
Section 6(e), all other compensation and rights to benefits from the Company
shall cease (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. To the extent there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement
and the terms of the nonqualified stock option agreement between you and the
Company, the terms of the nonqualified stock option agreement shall control.

          6.  Assignment.   This Agreement is a personal contract, and except as
              ----------
specifically set forth herein, your rights and interests herein may not be sold,
transferred,

                                       5
<PAGE>

assigned, pledged or hypothecated. The Company may freely assign this Agreement
and any of its rights, obligations and interests hereunder. This Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each party's successors and
permitted assigns.

          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 (a) on the
same day if given  by hand, (b) on the third business day after mailing if given
by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (c)
on the next business day after it was deposited with the courier service if sent
by reputable overnight courier, (d) or when sent if given by facsimile with
confirmation, addressed to you at 2009 Yacht Vigilant, Newport Beach, CA  92660
or to the Company at its offices at 432 Park Avenue South, 12th Floor, New York,
New York  10016, Attention: General Counsel  (fax no. 212-592-5833), with a copy
to: Gould & Wilkie LLP, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 58th floor, New York, New
York 10005, Attention: John E. Gould, 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,

                                 PartMiner, Inc.

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

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

/s/ Earle Zucht
____________________________
Earle Zucht

                                       7

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