Document:

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY ("The Times"), and MARTIN NISENHOLTZ (the
"Executive") agree, subject to the approval by Compensation Committee appointed
by the Board of Directors of The Times (the "Compensation Committee"), which
approval shall be a condition precedent to the enforceability of this Agreement,
to enter into this EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT dated as of September 1, 1999, as
follows:

1. Employment.

The Times hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees
to be employed by The Times, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement.

2. Term of Employment.

The period of the Executive's employment under this Agreement shall begin as of
September 1, 1999 and shall continue for three (3) years until September 1,
2002, unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section 6 below and shall
continue thereafter from year to year unless either party gives notice no less
than 90 days prior to the expiration date, or unless earlier terminated in
accordance with Section 6 below (the "Employment Term").

3. Duties and Responsibilities.

(a)   The Times shall employ the Executive as Chief Executive Officer of Times
      Company Digital (currently, the Internet business unit of the Times, or
      any successor thereto) ("TCD"). In such capacity, the Executive shall
      report directly to Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., Chairman of The Times, and
      Russell T. Lewis, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Times, or
      their successors, and shall perform the customary duties and have the
      customary responsibilities of such positions and such other duties as may
      be assigned to the Executive from time to time by the Chairman and/or
      President and Chief Executive Officer of The Times.

(b)   The Executive agrees to faithfully serve The Times and TCD and devote his
      full working time, attention and energies to the business of TCD and
      perform the duties under this Agreement to the best of his abilities.

(c)   The Executive agrees (i) to comply with all applicable laws, rules and
      regulations, and all requirements of all applicable regulatory,
      self-regulatory, and administrative bodies; (ii) to comply with The
      Times's and TCD's rules, procedures, policies, requirements, and
      directions; and (iii) not to engage in any other business or employment
      without the written consent of the Chairman or the President and Chief
      Executive Officer of The Times except as otherwise specifically provided
      herein.
<PAGE>

4. Compensation and Benefits.

(a)   Base Salary. During the Employment Term, TCD shall pay to the Executive a
      base salary at the annual rate of $325,000 per year or such higher rate as
      may be determined from time to time by the Compensation Committee of the
      Board of Directors of The Times ("Base Salary"). Such Base Salary shall be
      paid in accordance with TCD's standard payroll practice for senior
      executives.

(b)   Annual Bonus. In addition to his Base Salary, the Executive shall be
      eligible to receive a target annual cash bonus of forty-five percent (45%)
      of his base salary under The New York Times Company 1991 Executive Cash
      Bonus Plan (the "Executive Cash Bonus Plan"), of which $125,000 is
      guaranteed. The annual cash bonus shall be payable to the Executive
      following the close of each calendar year, beginning with the 1999
      calendar year, subject to the terms of the Executive Cash Bonus Plan.

(c)   Long-Term Performance Award. The Executive shall be eligible to receive a
      Long-Term Performance Award under the Executive Cash Bonus Plan, which
      award shall be granted in accordance with the terms and conditions set
      forth in such plan. Subject to the terms of the Executive Cash Bonus Plan,
      the Executive shall be eligible to earn a Long-Term Performance Award of
      $250,000, which could increase up to 175% of such amount based upon
      performance for each three-year performance cycle, the first such cycle to
      commence on January 1, 2000. Provided that the Executive meets the
      performance criteria set forth in the Long-Term Performance Award, each
      award shall be payable at the end of each such three-year cycle subject to
      the terms of the Executive Cash Bonus Plan. Reasonable performance
      criteria that the Executive must meet to qualify for the Long-Term
      Performance Award for each performance cycle will be determined under the
      terms of the Executive Cash Bonus Plan.

(d)   Expense Reimbursement. TCD shall promptly reimburse the Executive for the
      ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by the Executive in the
      performance of the duties under this Agreement in accordance with The
      Times's customary practices applicable to senior executives of
      subsidiaries of The Times, provided that such expenses are incurred and
      accounted for in accordance with The Times's and/or TCD's policy.

(e)   Benefit Plans, Fringe Benefits and Vacations. The Executive shall be
      eligible to participate in or receive benefits under any employee benefit
      or fringe benefit plan made available to senior executives of TCD in
      accordance with the eligibility requirements of such plans and subject to
      the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

5. Stock Options and TCD Shares.

The Executive shall be granted 2 million options (the "Options") to purchase
shares of TCD's Class A-2 Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, (the "TCD
Stock") under the Times Company Digital, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan (the "Stock
Option Plan"). The Options shall be subject to the terms of the

                                       2
<PAGE>

Stock Option Plan and the Executive's Times Company Digital, Inc. Non-Qualified
Stock Option Agreement (the "Grant Agreement"), attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
Subject to the Grant Agreement (which shall finally govern the Options in the
event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Grant Agreement), the
Company and the Executive agree as follows:

(a)   Vesting. The Executive shall vest in 200,000 of the Options immediately on
      the day he is granted the Options. The Executive shall vest in the
      remaining 1.8 million Options over the following 3 years as follows: (i)
      600,000 of the remaining 1.8 million Options shall vest on September 1,
      2000; and (ii) 300,000 of the remaining 1.2 million Options shall vest
      every six months thereafter in four equal installments.

(b)   Termination of Employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing subparagraph, in
      the event that the Executive's employment is terminated without "Cause"
      under Section 6(d) of this Agreement or the Executive resigns his
      employment for "Good Reason" under Section 6(e) of this Agreement, (i) all
      of the Executive's unvested Options shall immediately be vested in the
      Executive, and (ii) the Executive's rights with regard to such vested
      Options shall be determined in accordance with Section 6(b)(vi) of the
      Stock Option Plan and, if in effect, the applicable provisions of Appendix
      A to the Grant Agreement.

(c)   Cashless Exercise. If and after the TCD Stock subject to the Options
      become publicly traded shares of The Times or of TCD, the Executive shall
      be permitted to exercise the Options on a cashless basis, subject to the
      Stock Option Plan, using applicable broker procedures, provided that the
      use of such procedures does not adversely affect the financial statements
      of either The Times or TCD.

(d)   Restrictions on Exercise. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the
      Stock Option Plan or the Grant Agreement, the Executive agrees that his
      ability to exercise any Options or sell any TCD Stock shall be subject to
      any restrictions promulgated by any underwriters involved in any initial
      public offering involving TCD.

6. Termination of Employment.

The Executive's employment under this Agreement may be terminated under any of
the circumstances set forth in this Section 6. Upon termination, the Executive
(or his beneficiary or estate, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive
the compensation and benefits described in Section 7 below, and, if applicable,
Section 8 below.

(a)   Death. The Executive's employment shall terminate upon the Executive's
      death.

(b)   Total Disability. The Times may terminate the Executive's employment upon
      his becoming "Totally Disabled". For purposes of this Agreement, the
      Executive shall be "Totally Disabled" if the Executive is physically or
      mentally incapacitated so as to render the Executive incapable of
      performing his usual and customary duties under this Agreement. The
      Executive's receipt of disability benefits under any TCD long-term
      disability benefits plan (the "LTD Plan") or receipt of Social Security
      disability benefits shall be deemed conclusive evidence of Total
      Disability for purpose of this Agreement; provided, however, that in the
      absence of the Executive's receipt of such long-term disability benefits
      or Social Security benefits, the Chairman or the President and/or Chief
      Executive Officer of The Times may in their reasonable discretion (but
      based upon

                                       3
<PAGE>

      appropriate medical evidence) determine that the Executive is Totally
      Disabled.

(c)   Termination by The Times for Cause. The Times may terminate the
      Executive's employment for "Cause". Such termination shall be effective as
      of the date specified in the written Notice of Termination provided to the
      Executive.

      (i)   For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall mean any of
            the following: (A) conviction of a crime (including conviction on a
            nolo contendere plea) involving the commission by the Executive of a
            felony or of a criminal act involving, in the good faith judgment of
            the Chairman or the President and/or Chief Executive Officer of The
            Times, fraud, dishonesty, or moral turpitude but excluding any
            conviction that results solely from the Executive's title or
            position with TCD and is not based on his personal conduct; (B) the
            Executive's deliberate and continual refusal to perform employment
            duties reasonably requested by the Chairman or the President and/or
            Chief Executive Officer of The Times after receiving thirty (30)
            days' written notice by certified mail of such failure to perform,
            specifying that the failure constitutes cause (other than as a
            result of vacation, sickness, illness or injury), provided that if
            the Executive cures his nonperformance within the thirty (30) day
            period to The Times' satisfaction the Executive shall not be subject
            to termination for Cause; (C) fraud or embezzlement determined in
            accordance with The Time's normal, internal investigative procedures
            consistently applied in comparable circumstances; (D) gross
            misconduct or gross negligence in connection with the business of
            The Times, TCD, or any other affiliate of The Times that has a
            substantial adverse effect on The Times, TCD, or the affiliate; or
            (E) breach of any of the covenants set forth in Section 10 hereof.

      (ii)  Regardless of whether the Executive's employment initially was
            considered to be terminated for any reason other than Cause, the
            Executive's employment shall be considered to have been terminated
            for Cause for purposes of this Agreement if the Chairman or the
            President and Chief Executive Officer of The Times subsequently
            reasonably determines in good faith that the Executive engaged in an
            act constituting Cause.

(d)   Termination by The Times without Cause. The Times may terminate the
      Executive's employment under this Agreement without Cause after providing
      Notice of Termination to the Executive.

(e)   Resignation by Executive. The Executive may terminate his employment under
      this Agreement after providing written Notice of Termination to The Times.
      Such Notice shall state whether the Executive is resigning for "Good
      Reason". Resignation by the Executive for Good Reason shall be deemed to
      have occurred, if the Executive provides the Notice of Termination within
      ninety (90) days after the occurrence of any of the following:

      (i)   Without the Executive's express written consent, a change in the
            Executive's material duties and responsibilities.

      (ii)  A reduction by The Times in the Executive's Base Salary.

                                       4
<PAGE>

      (iii) The failure of The Times to maintain the Executive's level of
            coverage relative to other senior executives of TCD under TCD's
            employee benefit plans, policies, practices, or arrangements in
            which the Executive participates, both in terms of the amount of
            benefits provided and the relative level of the Executive's
            participation. For this purpose, TCD may eliminate and/or modify
            existing employee benefit plans and coverage levels on a consistent
            and non-discriminatory basis applicable to all such executives.

      (iv)  The failure by The Times or TCD to pay to the Executive any material
            amount of his earned compensation, or any material amount of his
            compensation deferred under any plan, agreement or arrangement of or
            with The Times or TCD, within ten (10) days after the Executive
            makes written demand for such amount.

      (v)   Without the Executive's express written consent, the change of the
            Executive's principal place of employment to a location more than 75
            miles from his initial principal place of employment, except for
            required travel on TCD's or The Times's business to an extent
            substantially consistent with the Executive's business travel
            obligations.

      (vi)  Any purported termination of the Executive's employment that is not
            effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination, and for purposes of
            this Agreement, no such purported termination shall be effective.

(f)   Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive's employment by
      The Times or by the Executive (other than by reason of the Executive's
      death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other
      party in accordance with Section 19 below. For purposes of this Agreement,
      a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice in writing which shall
      indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon
      to terminate the Executive's employment and shall set forth in reasonable
      detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
      termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so
      indicated.

(g)   Date of Termination. The effective date of the Executive's termination of
      employment shall be

      (i)   in the event of his death, the date of death;

      (ii)  in the event of termination for Total Disability, sixty (60) days
            after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive
            shall not have returned to the performance of his duties on a
            full-time basis during such sixty (60) day period); or

      (iii) in the event of any other termination, the date specified in the
            Notice of Termination.

7. Compensation Following Termination of Employment.

Upon termination of the Executive's employment under this Agreement, the
Executive (or his

                                       5
<PAGE>

designated beneficiary or estate, as the case may be) shall be entitled to
receive the following compensation:

(a)   Earned but Unpaid Compensation. The Times or TCD shall pay to the
      Executive any accrued but unpaid Base Salary for services rendered to the
      date of termination, any accrued but unpaid expenses required to be
      reimbursed under this Agreement, and any vacation accrued to the
      Termination Date. In addition, if The Times or TCD terminates the
      Executive's employment without Cause or the Executive resigns his
      employment for Good Reason after the Executive has earned his Annual Bonus
      for the year ending December 31 of each year of the Term but before such
      Annual Bonus is paid to the Executive, the Times or TCD shall pay to the
      Executive the earned, but unpaid Annual Bonus. Except as set forth above
      and in Section 8 below, following the Termination Date, neither The Times
      nor TCD shall have any further obligation to pay the Executive any further
      amounts, including, but not limited to, any amount for an Annual Bonus
      under Section 4(b) or any amount under the Long-Term Incentive Plan under
      Section 4(c).

(b)   The Times or TCD Separation Pay Policy. The Executive shall not be
      entitled to separation pay benefits under the The Times's or TCD's
      separation pay policy.

(c)   Other Compensation and Benefits. Except as may be provided under this
      Agreement,

      (i)   any benefits to which the Executive may be entitled pursuant to the
            plans, policies and arrangements referred to in Section 4(e) above
            shall be determined and paid in accordance with the terms of such
            plans, policies and arrangements, and

      (ii)  The Executive shall have no right to receive any other compensation,
            or to participate in any other plan, arrangement or benefit, with
            respect to future periods after such termination or resignation
            except as specifically provided by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
            Reconciliation Act of 1987, as amended.

8. Additional Compensation Payable Following Termination Without Cause or
Resignation for Good Reason.

(a)   Requirements for Additional Compensation. In addition to the compensation
      set forth in Section 7 above, the Executive shall receive the additional
      compensation and benefits set forth in paragraph (b) below, if the
      following requirements are met:

      (i)   the Executive's employment is terminated by The Times pursuant to
            Section 6(d) above for reasons other than death, Total Disability or
            Cause or the Executive resigns for Good Reason pursuant to Section
            6(e) above; and

      (ii)  the Executive executes a Separation Agreement and Release in the
            form attached as Exhibit "B" to this Agreement on or after his
            Termination Date.

(b)   Additional Compensation. The Times or TCD shall provide the Executive with
      the following compensation and benefits:

                                       6
<PAGE>

      (i)   Base Salary. The Times or TCD shall pay to the Executive his full
            base salary as determined under Section 4(a) at the rate in effect
            on his Termination Date, as if his employment had continued until
            the end of the 18 month period beginning on the Termination Date.
            Such payment shall be made in a single lump sum on or before the
            twentieth day following the effective date of the Separation
            Agreement and Release.

      (ii)  Medical and Dental Benefits. The Times or TCD shall provide for the
            Executive's continued coverage under all group medical and dental
            benefit plans, programs, or arrangements in which the Executive was
            entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of his
            termination, until the earliest to occur of: (A) the end of the 18
            month period beginning on the Termination Date; (B) the Executive's
            death; or (C) the date the Executive becomes employed by a
            subsequent employer who offers a comparable benefit at a comparable
            cost to the Executive and the Executive becomes eligible to
            participate in such benefit. In the event that the Executive's
            participation in any such employee welfare benefit plan, program, or
            arrangement of The Times or TCD is prohibited, The Times shall
            arrange to provide the Executive with benefits substantially similar
            to those which the Executive would have been entitled to receive
            from The Times or TCD under such plan, program, or arrangement, for
            such period.

9. Restrictive Covenants.

(a)   Protected Information. The Executive recognizes and acknowledges that he
      shall have access to various confidential or proprietary information
      concerning The Times, TCD, and entities affiliated with The Times and TCD,
      of a special and unique value which may include, without limitation, (i)
      books and records relating to operation, finance, accounting, sales,
      personnel and management, (ii) policies and matters relating particularly
      to operations such as customer service requirements, costs of providing
      service and equipment, operating costs and pricing matters, and (iii)
      various trade or business secrets, including business opportunities,
      marketing or business diversification plans, business development and
      bidding techniques, methods and processes, financial data and the like
      (collectively, the "Protected Information"). The Executive therefore
      covenants and agrees that he shall not at any time, either while employed
      by The Times or afterwards, knowingly make any independent use of, or
      knowingly disclose to any other person or organization (except as
      authorized by the Chairman or the President and Chief Executive Officer of
      The Times, or their designee in writing) any of the Protected Information.

(b)   Competitive Activity. The Executive covenants and agrees that at all times
      (i) during his period of employment with The Times, and (ii) during the
      period beginning on the date of termination of his employment (whether
      such termination is voluntary or involuntary, or otherwise) and ending on
      the later of one (1) year following his Termination Date, he shall not,
      directly or indirectly, (a) engage in, assist, or have any active interest
      or involvement whether as an employee, agent, consultant, creditor,
      advisor, officer, director, stockholder (excluding holding of less than 1%
      of the stock of a public company), partner, proprietor or any type of
      principal whatsoever) in any person, firm, or business entity that is
      engaged in the same business as that conducted and

                                       7
<PAGE>

      carried on by TCD and that derives fifty (50) percent or more of its gross
      revenue from the sale of Internet based advertising supporting news
      content; or (b) in any way, encourage any person or entity that was a
      customer or vendee of The Times or TCD to do business with such an entity,
      without the specific written consent of the Chairman or the President and
      Chief Executive Officer of The Times (or their designee) to do so.

(c)   Non-Solicitation. The Executive covenants and agrees that during the
      period beginning on the date of termination of his employment (whether
      such termination is voluntary or involuntary, or otherwise) and ending one
      (1) year following his Termination Date, he shall not directly or
      indirectly recruit, solicit, hire, or cause to be hired, any individual
      who is then, or who has been within the preceding six (6) month period, an
      employee of The Times or TCD.

(d)   Non-Disparagement. The Executive covenants and agrees that during the
      course of his employment by The Times or at any time thereafter, the
      Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, in public or private,
      deprecate, impugn, disparage or defame The Times, TCD, or any of its
      employees, members of its board of directors or agents, nor shall the
      Executive assist any other person, firm or company in so doing.

(e)   Return of Documents and Other Materials. The Executive shall promptly
      deliver to The Times upon termination of his employment, or at any other
      time as The Times may so request, all documents (whether recorded on
      paper, electronically or otherwise) containing Protected Information,
      including but not limited to, all lists of customers, leads and customer
      pricing, data processing programs and documentation, employee information,
      memoranda, notes, records, reports, tapes, manuals, drawings, blueprints,
      programs, and any other documents and other materials (and all copies
      thereof) relating to TCD's business or that of its customers, and all
      property associated therewith, which the Executive may then possess or
      have under his control.

10. Enforcement of Covenants.

(a)   Termination of Employment and Forfeiture of Compensation. The Executive
      agrees that in the event that The Times reasonably determines in good
      faith that he has breached any of the covenants set forth in Section 9
      above during his employment, The Times shall have the right to terminate
      his employment for Cause. In addition, the Executive agrees that if The
      Times reasonably determines in good faith that he has breached any of the
      covenants set forth in Section 9 at any time, The Times shall have the
      right to discontinue any or all remaining benefits payable pursuant to
      Section 8 above, as applicable. Such termination of employment or
      discontinuance of benefits shall be in addition to and shall not limit any
      and all other rights and remedies that The Times may have against the
      Executive.

(b)   Right to Injunction. The Executive acknowledges that a breach of the
      covenants set forth in Section 9 above shall cause irreparable damage to
      The Times and TCD with respect to which The Times's remedy at law for
      damages shall be inadequate. Therefore, in the event of breach or
      anticipatory breach of the covenants set forth in this section by the
      Executive, the Executive and The Times agree that The Times or TCD shall
      be entitled to the following particular forms of relief, in addition to
      remedies otherwise available to it at law or equity: (i) injunctions, both
      preliminary and permanent,

                                       8
<PAGE>

      enjoining or retraining such breach or anticipatory breach and the
      Executive hereby consents to the issuance thereof forthwith and without
      bond by any court of competent jurisdiction; and (ii) in the event The
      Times successfully enforces the covenants set forth in Section 9 above,
      recovery of all reasonable sums expended and costs, including reasonable
      attorney's fees, incurred by The Times or TCD to enforce the covenants set
      forth in Section 9.

(c)   Separability of Covenants. The covenants contained in Section 9 above
      constitute a series of separate covenants, one for each applicable State
      in the United States and the District of Columbia, and one for each
      applicable foreign country. If in any judicial proceeding, a court shall
      hold that any of the covenants set forth in Section 9 permitted by
      applicable laws, the Executive and The Times agree that such provisions
      shall and are hereby reformed to the maximum time, geographic, or
      occupational limitations permitted by such laws. Further, in the event a
      court shall hold unenforceable any of the separate covenants deemed
      included herein, then such unenforceable covenant or covenants shall be
      deemed eliminated from the provisions of this Agreement for the purpose of
      such proceeding to the extent necessary to permit the remaining separate
      covenants to be enforced in such proceeding. The Executive and The Times
      further agree that the covenants in Section 9 shall each be construed as a
      separate agreement independent of any other provisions of this Agreement,
      and the existence of any claim or cause of action by the Executive against
      The Times whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not
      constitute a defense to the enforcement by The Times of any of the
      covenants set forth in Section 9.

(d)   The Executive specifically consents to the jurisdiction of the United
      States District Court for the Southern District of New York, or if that
      court is unable to exercise jurisdiction for any reason, to the
      jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York
      County, for the purpose of enforcing Sections 9 and 10.

11. Withholding of Taxes.

The Times and/or TCD shall withhold from any compensation and benefits payable
under this Agreement all applicable federal, state, local or other taxes, except
that in the case of the Options, the Executive understands and agrees that he
cannot exercise any Options until he has paid to TCD the appropriate withholding
taxes in accordance with the applicable terms of the Stock Option Plan and the
Grant Agreement.

12. Arbitration of Disputes.

Except as provided in Section 10 above, any controversy or claim arising out of
or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by
arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its
National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes and judgment upon the
award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered by any court having
jurisdiction thereof. Any such arbitration shall take place in the State of New
York.

13. Waiver of Jury Trial.

In the event any controversy or claim arising out of the Executive's employment
or the termination of the Executive's employment is found by a court of
competent jurisdiction not to

                                       9
<PAGE>

be subject to final and binding arbitration, the Executive and The Times agree
to try such claim or controversy to the Court, without use of a jury or advisory
jury.

14. Non-Disclosure of Agreement Terms.

The Executive agrees that he shall not disclose the terms of this Agreement to
any third party other than his immediate family, attorney, accountants, or other
consultants or advisors or except as may be required by any governmental
authority.

15. No Claim Against Assets.

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Executive any claim
against any specific assets of The Times or TCD or as imposing any trustee
relationship upon The Times in respect of the Executive. The Times shall not be
required to establish a special or separate fund or to segregate any of its
assets in order to provide for the satisfaction of its obligations under this
Agreement. The Executive's rights under this Agreement shall be limited to those
of an unsecured general creditor of The Times and its affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section shall not be construed to waive any
rights guaranteed to the Executive by law.

16. Successors and Assignment.

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
heirs, representatives, successors and assigns.

(a)   Company Successor. The Times shall require any person (or persons acting
      as a group) who acquires ownership or effective control of The Times or
      TCD (or, in the event that TCD is not yet separately incorporated, the
      Internet business unit of the Times, or any successor thereto) or
      ownership of a substantial portion of the business or assets of The Times
      or TCD (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
      otherwise), by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the
      Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the
      same manner and to the same extent as The Times would be required to
      perform it if no such acquisition had taken place. As used in this
      Agreement, "The Times" shall mean The Times as defined in the first
      sentence of this Agreement and any person (or group) who acquires
      ownership or effective control of The Times or ownership of a substantial
      portion of the business or assets of The Times or which otherwise becomes
      bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement, whether by the
      terms hereof, by operation of law or otherwise.

(b)   Assignment by Executive. The rights and benefits of the Executive under
      this Agreement are personal to him and no such right or benefit shall be
      subject to voluntary or involuntary alienation, assignment or transfer;
      provided, however, that nothing in this Section 16 shall preclude the
      Executive from designating a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any
      benefit payable on his death.

17. Entire Agreement; Amendment.

This Agreement, the Grant Agreement and the Separation Agreement and Release set
forth the

                                       10
<PAGE>

entire understanding of the parties with respect to their subject matter and
shall supersede any and all existing oral or written agreements,
representations, or warranties between the Executive and The Times or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliated entities relating to the terms of the Executive's
employment. These agreements may not be amended except by a written agreement
signed by both parties.

18. Governing Law.

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in that
State, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions.

                                       11
<PAGE>

19. Notices.

Any notice, consent, request or other communication made or given in connection
with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given when delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, or by facsimile or by hand delivery, to those listed below at their
following respective addresses or at such other address as each may specify by
notice to the others:

                  To The Times:
                        The New York Times Company
                        229 West 43rd Street
                        New York, New York 10036-3959
                        Attention: Solomon B. Watson IV

                  To the Executive:
                        At the address for the Executive set forth below.

20. Miscellaneous.

(a)   Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term
      of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver thereof
      or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict
      adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement.

(b)   Separability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is declared
      illegal or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction and cannot
      be modified to be enforceable, such term or provision shall immediately
      become null and void, leaving the remainder of this Agreement in full
      force and effect.

(c)   Headings. Section headings are used herein for convenience of reference
      only and shall not affect the meaning of any provision of this Agreement.

(d)   Rules of Construction. Whenever the context so requires, the use of the
      singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa.

      The parties acknowledge and agree that each has read this entire
      Agreement, that they have been represented by counsel in the negotiation
      and execution of this Agreement, that this Agreement is the product of
      negotiation and that neither of the parties shall be considered the
      drafter or scrivener of this Agreement.

(e)   Survival. The provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation,
      Sections 9, 10 and 12) which by their terms should survive, and the
      Executive's and The Times's rights and remedies with respect thereto,
      shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason.

(f)   Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
      counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original,
      and such counterparts shall together constitute but one Agreement.

                                       12
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of
the day and year set forth below.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY                    EXECUTIVE

By: /s/ Russell T. Lewis                      /s/ Martin Nisenholtz
    ---------------------------------         ----------------------------------

Name: Russell T. Lewis                        Date: January 5, 2000
      -------------------------------               ----------------------------

Title: President & CEO                        Address: 4 Pioneer Trail
       ------------------------------                  -------------------------

Date: January 25, 2000                                 Armonk, NY 10504
      -------------------------------                  -------------------------

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                           TIMES COMPANY DIGITAL, INC.
                      NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

            THIS NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Grant Agreement")
is made as of December 1, 1999 by Times Company Digital, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and Martin Nisenholtz (the "Optionee"), pursuant to
the Company's 1999 Stock Option Plan (as such may be amended, the "Plan").
Capitalized terms not defined in this Grant Agreement shall have the meanings
set forth in the Plan.

1. Award of Options. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee an option (the
"Option" or "Options") to acquire two (2) million shares of the Company's Class
A-2 Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Stock"), at the exercise price
of $5.86 per share (the "Exercise Price"), subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in this Grant Agreement (including Appendix A attached hereto) and the
Plan (including, without limitation, the restrictions on exercisability
contained in Section 6(b) of the Plan). The Options granted hereunder are
non-qualified stock options.

2. Expiration Date. Subject to Section 6(b)(vi) of the Plan, the Options shall
expire on December 1, 2009.

3. Vesting. Subject to Section 6(b)(vi) of the Plan and the provisions of
Appendix A attached hereto, the Options shall vest over the following 3 years as
follows: (i) 200,000 of the Options shall vest immediately on the date of this
Grant Agreement; (ii) 600,000 of the remaining 1.8 million Options shall vest on
September 1, 2000; and (iii) 300,000 of the remaining 1.2 million Options shall
vest every six months thereafter in four equal installments.

4. Exercise of Options.

      (1)   Exercisability. Subject to Section 6(b)(vi) of the Plan and the
            provisions of Appendix A attached hereto, vested Options may be
            exercised from time to time at any time after the initial
            exercisability date set forth in Section 6(b)(v) of the Plan in
            accordance with the policies and procedures established by the
            Committee.

      (2)   Payment of Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be tendered to
            the Company at the time of exercise in cash or in such other
            consideration as shall be permitted by the Committee at the time of
            exercise, in each case having a total Fair Market Value determined
            as of the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price, or a
            combination of cash and such other consideration having a total Fair
            Market Value equal to such Exercise Price. The present policies of
            Parent (as defined in Appendix A attached hereto) do not permit the
            use of stock retention to pay the Exercise Price and applicable
            withholding and FICA taxes. However, if in the future Parent's
            policies change to generally permit payment of the Exercise Price by
            the use of stock retention, stock retention shall also be made
            available to the Optionee.
<PAGE>

      (3)   Optionee's Representations. If requested by the Company at the time
            of any exercise, the Optionee agrees as a condition to such exercise
            to provide the Company with a representation that it is the
            Optionee's intention at the time of such exercise to acquire the
            shares being purchased for his or her own account for investment and
            not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the
            distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of
            1933, as amended, and such other representations and agreements
            requested by the Company as may be required by applicable foreign,
            federal or state securities laws.

      (4)   Legends. The certificates representing the Stock issued upon
            exercise of the Options shall bear the following legend, and such
            other legends as may be required by applicable foreign, federal or
            state securities laws, if required by the Company:

      "THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE
      RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHTS TO REPURCHASE AND TO REQUIRE TRANSFERS CONTAINED
      IN A NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF DECEMBER 1, 1999,
      AS SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE AMENDED, MODIFIED OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME
      (A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE ISSUER HEREOF)."

      "THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
      UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE OR FOREIGN
      SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED EXCEPT
      PURSUANT TO (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
      ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND
      FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS OR (B) AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION
      THEREUNDER AND UNDER APPLICABLE STATE AND FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS."

Any certificate issued at any time in exchange or substitution for any
certificate bearing such legends shall also bear such legends, unless, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, the securities represented thereby are no
longer subject to the provisions of Appendix A attached hereto or the
restrictions imposed under applicable foreign, federal and state securities
laws, in which case the applicable legend (or legends) may be removed.

5. Non-transferability of Options. Except to the extent otherwise determined by
the Committee consistent with the Plan or set forth on Appendix A attached
hereto, the Options granted hereunder shall not be assignable or otherwise
transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Unless
otherwise provided by the Committee or set forth on Appendix A attached hereto,
during the lifetime of the Optionee the Options shall be exercisable and
elections with respect to the Options may be made only by the Optionee or the
Optionee's duly appointed legal guardian or other duly appointed and qualified
legal representative

                                       2
<PAGE>

6. Termination of Employment.

      (1)   Forfeiture and/or Exercise of Options. Except if the Optionee's
            employment is terminated without Cause under Section 6(d) or for
            Good Reason under Section 6(e) of the Employment Agreement executed
            between the Optionee and The New York Times Company, dated as of
            September 1, 1999 (the "Employment Agreement"), in the event the
            Optionee ceases to be an employee of, or provide services to, the
            Company or any Affiliate thereof for any reason, (i) all of the
            Optionee's unvested Options shall immediately be forfeited, and (ii)
            the Optionee's rights with regard to vested Options shall be
            determined in accordance with Section 6(b)(vi) of the Plan and, if
            in effect, the applicable provisions of Appendix A attached hereto.

            In the event that the Optionee's employment is terminated without
            Cause under Section 6(d) or for Good Reason under Section 6(e) of
            the Employment Agreement, (i) all of the Optionee's unvested Options
            shall immediately be vested in the Optionee, and (ii) the Optionee's
            rights with regard to vested Options shall be determined in
            accordance with Section 6(b)(vi) of the Plan and, if in effect, the
            applicable provisions of Appendix A attached hereto.

      (2)   Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation. As a condition to the exercise
            of any Option that can be exercised after termination, other than
            termination by reason of death or disability, of the Optionee's
            employment or service relationship with the Company of any of its
            Affiliates, the Optionee hereby agrees that (i) the Optionee shall
            not, directly or indirectly, engage in, assist, or have any active
            interest in or involvement, whether as an employee, agent,
            consultant, creditor, advisor, officer, director, stockholder
            (excluding holding of less than 1% of the stock of a public
            company), partner, proprietor or any type of principle whatsoever in
            any person, firm or business entity which, directly or indirectly,
            is engaged in the same business as that conducted and carried out by
            the Company and which derives fifty (50) percent or more of its
            gross revenue from the sale of Internet based advertising supporting
            news content for one (1) year after his termination of employment
            with the Company for whatever reason, with or without cause or
            notice (the "Termination"); (ii) the Optionee shall not, in any way,
            encourage any person or entity that was a customer or vendee of the
            Company or the Parent to do business with any person, firm or
            business entity which, directly or indirectly, is engaged in the
            same business as that conducted and carried out by the Company and
            which derives fifty (50) percent or more of its gross revenue from
            the sale of Internet based advertising supporting news content for
            one (1) year following the Termination; (iii) the Optionee shall not
            directly or indirectly recruit, solicit, hire or cause to be hired,
            any individual who is at the time of the Optionee's Termination or
            who has been within the preceding six (6) month period, an employee
            of the Company or the Parent for one (1) year following the
            Termination; (iv) the Optionee shall not, directly or indirectly, in
            public or

                                       3
<PAGE>

            private, deprecate, impugn, disparage or defame the Company, the
            Parent, or any of their agents, employees, officers or directors,
            nor shall the Optionee assist any other person, firm or company in
            doing so at any time following the Termination. If a final judicial
            determination is made that the time or territory above are
            unenforceable restrictions, the provisions of this Section 6(2)
            shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply to
            such maximum time and territory and to such other extent as such
            court may judicially determine or indicate to be reasonable. The
            provisions contained in this Section 6(2) are not intended to
            supersede the provisions of any agreement the Optionee and the
            Company may have concerning the matters contained in this Section,
            which shall remain in full force and effect. If the covenants
            contained herein are breached by the Optionee, all Options held by
            the Optionee and the Optionee's right and ability to exercise the
            same shall be automatically forfeited without limiting any other
            remedy available to the Company by reason of such breach.

      (3)   Determination of Disability. Subject to any existing agreements
            between the Optionee and the Company, the existence of any
            disability which results in termination of employment shall be
            determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

7. Withholding Tax. In accordance with Section 8(d) of the Plan, the Optionee
may be subject to withholding taxes as a result of the exercise or settlement of
an Option or other payment in respect of an Option, and the satisfaction of such
withholding requirements shall be a condition precedent to the delivery to the
Optionee of certificates for shares of Stock pursuant to any exercise of an
Option.

8. Restrictions on Transfers of Stock. The Optionee hereby agrees to be bound as
an "Employee Stockholder" by the provisions of Appendix A attached hereto and
made a part hereof, as such provisions may be amended, modified or restated by
the Company from time to time in its sole discretion; provided, however, that
any such amendment, modification or change shall not (other than by operation of
Section 8(c) of the Plan) (i) reduce the number of shares of Stock subject to
Options granted under this Grant Agreement, (ii) change the securities for which
the Options are exercisable, (iii) increase the Exercise Price or (iv) lengthen
the time periods contained herein or in the Plan respecting the vesting of such
Options.

9. Sale of the Company. In the event that Parent effects a "Sale of the Company"
(as defined in Appendix A attached hereto), (i) the Plan may be terminated by
the Company, (ii) all unvested Options that would not have vested within one
year after the Sale of the Company shall terminate at the time of the sale, and
(iii) the vesting of certain unvested Options shall be accelerated as more fully
described in Section 6(e) of the Plan.

10. Confidentiality. The Optionee shall hold in strict confidence, unless
compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process or other
requirements of law, all documents and information concerning the Company
furnished to the Optionee which are marked or identified as confidential, except
to the extent that such information is now or hereafter in the public domain
through no fault of the Optionee. Failure to comply with this confidentiality
provision shall

                                       4
<PAGE>

result in the automatic termination of all Options (vested and unvested) held by
the Optionee.

11. Governing Law. This Grant Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws.

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

                                        EXECUTIVE

                                        /s/ Martin Nisenholtz
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name: Martin Nisenholtz

TIMES COMPANY DIGITAL, INC.

By: /s/ Rhonda L. Brauer
    ------------------------------
    Name: Rhonda Brauer
    Title: Assistant Secretary

The undersigned agrees to be bound by the
provisions of the attached Appendix A attached hereto applicable to it:

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

By: /s/ Rhonda L. Brauer
    ------------------------------
    Name: Rhonda Brauer
    Title: Assistant Secretary

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE I
                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

      1.1. Defined Terms.

            The following terms, as used in this Appendix A, have the meanings
set forth below. Other defined terms are defined in the following Sections of
this Appendix A.

      "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For
the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with its correlative
meanings, the terms "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as used
with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
such Person, whether through the ownership of securities, by contract or
otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, employees and directors of Parent and
its Affiliates shall not be "Affiliates" of Parent.

      "Agreement and Plan of Merger" means the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of July 22, 1999, among Parent, the Company, ABZ Acquisition, Inc.,
Abuzz Technologies, Inc. and the other parties thereto.

      "Asset Contribution Agreement" has the meaning ascribed to such term in
the Agreement and Plan of Merger.

      "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

      "Class A Common Stock" means (i) (a) the Company's Class A-1 Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share, and the Company's Class A-2 Common Stock, par value
$0.01 per share, (b) any securities into which such common stock shall have been
changed or (c) any securities resulting from any reclassification or
recapitalization of such common stock, and (ii) all other securities (other than
Class B Common Stock) of any class or classes (however designated) of the
Company the holders of which have the right, without limitation as to amount,
after payment on any securities entitled to a preference on dividends or other
distributions upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, either to all or
to a share of the balance of payments upon such dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up.

      "Class B Common Stock" means the Company's Class B Common Stock, par value
$0.01 per share, any securities into which such Class B Common Stock shall have
been changed or any securities resulting from any reclassification or
recapitalization of such Class B Common Stock.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

      "Class A Enterprise Value" means that portion of the Enterprise Value,
expressed in dollars, represented by a share of Class A Common Stock.

      "Class A Stockholders" means the holders of the Class A Common Stock.

      "Class B Stockholders" means the holders of Class B Common Stock.

      "Common Stock" means collectively the Class A Common Stock and the Class B
Common Stock.

      "Company" means Times Company Digital, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

      "Company IPO" means the consummation of an underwritten initial public
offering of the Company's Class A-2 Common Stock registered under the Securities
Act.

      "Company Securities" means the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common
Stock, any Options, and any securities issued with respect thereto as a result
of any stock dividend, stock split, reclassification, recapitalization,
reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar event or upon the conversion,
exchange or exercise thereof; provided, however, that for the purpose of this
Appendix A, "Company Securities" held by any Optionee shall only include Options
and any securities acquired in connection with the exercise of Options (other
than Special Options as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger) held by
such Optionee.

      "Diluted Basis" means, with respect to the calculation of the number of
shares of Class A Common Stock, all shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding
at the time of determination and all shares issuable upon the exercise of
Options or deliverable in connection with other outstanding options or
convertible or exchangeable securities or warrants; provided, however, that with
respect to any Options or any other options, shares of Class A Common Stock
shall only be included in the determination of Diluted Basis to the extent such
Options or other options are vested.

      "Effective Time" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Agreement
and Plan of Merger.

      "Employee Stockholder" means any employee of, or service provider to, the
Company or any of its Affiliates who receives an Option under the Option Plan,
whether or not such Option is exercised, so long as any such Person shall hold
Company Securities.

      "Enterprise Value" means the value of the Company, on a consolidated basis
and

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

disregarding any transfer of assets and liabilities made in contemplation of a
Tracking Stock IPO or a Publico IPO, as reflected by the initial public offering
price in a Tracking Stock IPO or a Publico IPO.

      "Exercise Price" means the price payable to purchase shares of Class A
Common Stock under an Option.

      "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to the purchase of any share of
Class A Common Stock, as of any particular date, that Value of the Company as
determined in good faith by the Board (or any duly appointed committee thereof)
based on their knowledge of the value of the Company and, if requested by any
member of the Board or such committee, the advice of a third party financial
advisor that has experience in providing valuation of companies similar to the
Company. Fair Market Value shall be determined as of any particular date
required by this Agreement and such other dates as the Board (or any duly
appointed committee thereof) shall determine. "Value" shall be based on (i) the
fully distributed equity value of the Company (assuming the Class B Common Stock
has been converted into Class A Common Stock) as if the Company were freely
trading in the public equity market, without taking into account any fees or
expenses associated with the issuance of the shares of Class A Common Stock to
the public, any minority discount (or premium) or any discount for liquidity,
and (ii) the valuation techniques as reasonably determined by the Board (or any
duly appointed committee thereof) at the time of the determination of Value, as
advised by any financial advisor, and may include, but not be limited to, an
analysis of comparable companies and revenues, earnings or a discounted cash
flow analysis. "Fair Market Value" with respect to any Option shall mean the
Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock with respect to which such Option
may be exercised less the exercise price with respect to such Option.

      "Grant Agreement" means the agreement between the Company and a recipient
of an Option, setting forth the number of Options granted and certain terms and
conditions relating thereto.

      "Involuntary Transfer" means, with respect to Company Securities of any
Employee Stockholder, any involuntary Transfer or Transfer by operation of law
of such Company Securities (other than to a Permitted Transferee of such
Employee Stockholder who executes a Joinder Agreement) by or in which such
Employee Stockholder shall be deprived or divested of any right, title or
interest in or to Company Securities, including, without limitation, by seizure
under levy of attachment or execution, by foreclosure upon a pledge, in
connection with any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or other court
proceeding to a debtor in possession, trustee in bankruptcy or receiver or other
officer or agency, pursuant to any statute pertaining to escheat or abandoned
property, pursuant to a divorce or separation agreement or a final decree of a
court in a divorce action, upon or occasioned by the legal incompetence of any
Employee Stockholder

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

and to a legal representative of any Employee Stockholder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Involuntary Transfer shall not include the Transfer of Company
Securities by a Stockholder to a Permitted Transferee of such Stockholder
provided such Permitted Transferee is a party to a Grant Agreement or executes a
Joinder Agreement.

      "Joinder Agreement" means an agreement pursuant to which a Person
subscribes to, and agrees to be bound by, the provisions of this Appendix A as
an Employee Stockholder.

      "Lien" means any lien, claim, charge, encumbrance, security interest or
other adverse claim of any kind.

      "Market Price" means, with respect to each share of Parent Class A Common
Stock as of a particular date, the average of the closing prices of such Parent
Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. on each of the thirty
(30) trading days next preceding such date or, if such Parent Class A Common
Stock is not then listed or admitted to trading on such exchange, on the
principal national securities exchange on which such Parent Class A Common Stock
is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange, on the Nasdaq National Market, or if such Parent
Class A Common Stock is not then listed or admitted to trading on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, the average of the
closing bid and asked prices in the over-the-counter market as furnished by any
New York Stock Exchange member firm selected by the Board of Directors of Parent
or if no such prices are available, the market price per share as determined in
good faith by the Board of Directors of Parent.

      "Minimum Value" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Agreement and
Plan of Merger.

      "Option" means any option granted pursuant to any Option Plan.

      "Option Plan" means (i) the 1999 Stock Option Plan of the Company, as the
same may be hereinafter amended, modified or restated, and (ii) any additional
stock option plans or compensation or incentive plans which provide for the
issuance of Class A Common Stock established by the Company for the benefit of
its employees and/or the employees of its Affiliates, including without
limitation, the Newco Special Options (as defined in the Agreement and Plan of
Merger).

      "Parent" means The New York Times Company, a New York corporation.

      "Parent Class A Common Stock" means Parent Class A Common Stock, par value
$0.10 per share, and any securities into which such Parent Class A Common Stock
shall have been

                                      A-4
<PAGE>

changed or any securities resulting from any reclassification or
recapitalization of such Parent Class A Common Stock.

      "Permitted Transferee" means:

            (i) as to any Employee Stockholder who is a natural person, any of
            the following: a lineal ancestor, sibling or descendant (including
            by adoption) of such Employee Stockholder, or a spouse of such
            Employee Stockholder, or a natural person who qualifies as a member
            of the Employer Stockholder's "Immediate Family" (as defined in the
            1999 Stock Option Plan of the Company), or one natural person
            designated by such Employee Stockholder with whom such Employee
            Stockholder shares his or her principal residence and to whom such
            Employee Stockholder shall have Transferred Company Securities for
            no or nominal consideration, or any trust of which such Employee
            Stockholder is the trustee and which is established solely for the
            benefit of any of the foregoing individuals and whose terms are not
            inconsistent with the terms of this Appendix A, or any partnership,
            the general partner(s) and limited partner(s) (if any) of which are
            one or more Persons identified in this clause (i);

            (ii) as to any Class B Stockholder, any other Class B Stockholder or
            any Affiliate of Parent;

            (iii) as to any Employee Stockholder, any Class A Stockholder or
            Class B Stockholder; and

            (iv) as to any Third Party that becomes a Stockholder and that is
            not a natural Person, any Affiliate of such Stockholder.

      "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint venture, government (or
agency or political subdivision thereof) or any other entity of any kind.

      "Pro Rata" means, with respect to one or more Stockholders, in proportion
to the number of shares of Common Stock on a Diluted Basis owned by such
Stockholder or Stockholders.

      "Publico Stock Exchange Ratio" means the quotient obtained by dividing (i)
the Class A Enterprise Value by (ii) the price per share of Publico Stock to the
public in a Publico IPO, with all appropriate adjustments to equitably reflect
any subsequent stock dividend, stock split, reclassification, recapitalization,
reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar event.

                                      A-5
<PAGE>

      "Qualifying Offering" means the consummation of a Company IPO or the
consummation of an underwritten initial public offering of (i) Class A Common
Stock registered under the Securities Act (a "Company IPO") or (ii) shares of a
class of common equity ("Publico Stock") registered under the Securities Act of
an entity ("Publico") that becomes for the purpose of effecting such public
offering the owner, directly or indirectly, of an equity interest in the
businesses conducted, indirectly or directly, by the Company provided that the
balance of the equity of such businesses, to the extent not owned by the
Company, is owned, directly or indirectly by the Parent (a "Publico IPO") or
(iii) shares of a class of common equity ("Tracking Stock") registered under the
Securities Act of Parent designed to track the performance of the businesses of
the Company, whether such businesses are conducted through the Company or
through another Subsidiary or division of Parent (a "Tracking Stock IPO").

      "Sale of the Company" means the sale of the Company (whether by merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization, sale of securities, sale of
assets or otherwise but otherwise than a Qualifying Offering) in one transaction
or series of related transactions to a Person or Persons not an Affiliate of
Parent pursuant to which such Person or Persons (together with its Affiliates)
acquires (i) securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of
all securities of the Company, assuming the conversion, exchange or exercise of
all securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for or into voting
securities, or (ii) all or substantially all of the Company's assets on a
consolidated basis.

      "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated
thereunder.

      "Stockholders" means each of the Employee Stockholders, to the extent such
Employee Stockholder has exercised his or her Options, and any additional
stockholders of the Company, whether or not such additional stockholders hold
Company Securities on the date of the Grant Agreement to which this Appendix A
is attached or hereinafter acquire such Company Securities, so long as such
Person shall hold Company Securities.

      "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation,
a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard
to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that
Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, association or other
business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership
interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.
For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority
ownership interest

                                      A-6
<PAGE>

in a partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons
shall be allocated a majority of partnership, association or other business
entity gains or losses or shall be or control the managing director or general
partner of such partnership, association or other business entity.

      "Tracking Stock Exchange Ratio" means the quotient obtained by dividing
(i) the Class A Enterprise Value by (ii) the price per share of Tracking Stock
to the public in a Tracking Stock IPO, with all appropriate adjustments to
equitably reflect any subsequent stock dividend, stock split, reclassification,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar event.

      "Transfer" means, directly or indirectly, any sale, transfer, assignment,
hypothecation, pledge or other disposition of any Company Securities or any
interests therein.

                                   ARTICLE II
                         TRANSFERS OF COMPANY SECURITIES

      2.1 Restrictions Generally; Securities Act.

            (a) Each Employee Stockholder agrees that he or she will not,
directly or indirectly, Transfer any Company Securities except in accordance
with the terms of this Appendix A. Any attempt by any Employee Stockholder to
Transfer any Company Securities not in accordance with the terms of this
Appendix A shall be null and void and neither the issuer of such securities nor
any transfer agent of such securities shall give any effect to such attempted
Transfer in its stock records. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Appendix A to the contrary, any transfer of Options shall also be subject to the
provisions of the Option Plan and applicable Grant Agreement. In addition, if
any Employee Stockholder transfers any Class A Common Stock obtained upon
exercise of any Option, pursuant to the terms and limitations of this Appendix
A, any Person acquiring such Class A Common Stock shall be considered an
Employee Stockholder for the purposes of this Appendix A, except that the
provisions of Article IV shall not apply to such Person unless he or she is or
thereafter becomes an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

            (b) Each Employee Stockholder agrees that, in addition to the other
requirements imposed herein relating to Transfer, he or she will not Transfer
any Company Securities except pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act, and in compliance with all other applicable foreign
and state securities laws, or upon receipt by the Company of an opinion of
counsel to the Employee Stockholder reasonably satisfactory (as to both counsel
and form of opinion) to the Company or, if agreed by the Board, counsel to the
Company, or a no-action letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission
addressed to the Company, to the effect that no registration statement is
required because of the availability of an

                                      A-7
<PAGE>

exemption from registration under the Securities Act and, in the case of such
opinion of counsel, that such Transfer is in compliance under all applicable
foreign and state securities laws.

      2.2 Transfers by Employee Stockholders. Each of the Employee Stockholders
severally agrees that he or she will not Transfer any Company Securities, except
(i) to his or her Permitted Transferee who shall have executed a Joinder
Agreement; or (ii) to Parent or any of its Affiliates; or (iii) pursuant to
Section 2.4 or 2.5 or Article III, IV or V of this Appendix A; or (iv) pursuant
to Section 2.3 of this Appendix A; provided, however, that none of the Employee
Stockholders shall Transfer any Company Securities pursuant to Section 2.3 until
January 1, 2002 or Transfer any Company Securities at any time after a Tracking
Stock IPO or a Publico IPO except by exercise of the Tracking Stock Exchange
Right or Publico Exchange Right; provided, further, that in the case of Class A
Common Stock obtained upon the exercise of Options, the provisions of Section
4.1 shall apply in the event the Employee Stockholder's employment with the
Company or any of its Affiliates has been terminated; and provided, further,
that in the case of Options, any such Transfer shall also be subject to the
provisions of the Option Plan and the applicable Grant Agreement.

      2.3 Right of First Refusal.

            (a) Except for Transfers permitted pursuant to clauses (i) through
(iii) of Section 2.2, if any Employee Stockholder (a "Selling Stockholder")
desires to Transfer any Class A Common Stock permitted to be Transferred under
Section 2.2 (the "Offered Securities") to any person (a "Third Party"), prior to
any Transfer such Selling Stockholder shall give written notice of the proposed
Transfer (the "Notice of Intention") to Parent, specifying the type and number
of Offered Securities which such Selling Stockholder wishes to Transfer, the
name of the Third Party, the proposed cash purchase price (the "Offer Price")
therefor, and all other material terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer
and setting forth a representation of the Selling Stockholder that the terms
reflect an actual, bona fide, arm's-length offer from an unrelated financially
responsible Person.

            (b) For a period of thirty (30) days following its receipt of the
Notice of Intention, Parent or its designee or designees shall have the right to
purchase at the Offer Price and on the other terms specified in the Notice of
Intention, all, but not less than all, of the Offered Securities. The right of
Parent pursuant to this Section 2.3(b) shall be exercisable by delivery of a
notice to the Selling Stockholder (the "Prospective Buyer Notice") and shall
expire if unexercised by Parent within such 30-day period. Parent shall have the
right, at its option, to pay for the Offered Securities by delivering the Offer
Price in (i) cash or (ii) the number of shares of Parent Class A Common Stock
equal to the number obtained by dividing the Offer Price by the Market Price per
share of Parent Class A Common Stock, determined as of the date of the delivery
to the Selling Stockholder of the Prospective Buyer Notice, plus cash in lieu of
any

                                      A-8
<PAGE>

fractional share.

            (c) If the Notice of Intention has been duly given, and Parent
determines not to exercise its option to purchase the Offered Securities, then
the Selling Stockholder shall have the right, for a period of sixty (60) days
from the earlier of (i) the expiration of the option period pursuant to
subsection (b) of this Section 2.3 or (ii) the date on which such Selling
Stockholder receives notice from Parent that it will not exercise the option
granted pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 2.3, to sell to the Third
Party the Offered Securities under this Section 2.3 at a price not less than the
Offer Price and on the other terms set forth in the Notice of Intention, subject
to compliance with any applicable Federal, state or foreign securities laws;
provided that prior to any such Transfer to the Third Party, such Third Party
executes and delivers to the Company, a Joinder Agreement.

            (d) The closing of any purchase and sale pursuant to this Section
2.3 shall (i) take place on such date, not later than sixty (60) business days
after the delivery to the Selling Stockholder of a Prospective Buyer Notice, as
Parent and the Selling Stockholder shall select, and (ii) be in accordance with
the procedures set forth in Section 7.15.

      2.4 Involuntary Transfers.

            (a) Upon the occurrence of any event which would cause any Company
Securities owned by an Employee Stockholder to be Transferred by Involuntary
Transfer (other than to a Permitted Transferee), (i) each unvested Option so
Transferred shall lapse and become null and void, and (ii) such Employee
Stockholder (or his legal representative or successor) shall give Parent written
notice thereof stating the terms of such Involuntary Transfer, the identity of
the transferee or proposed transferee, the price or other consideration, if
readily determinable, for which the Company Securities are proposed to be or
have been Transferred and the number of Company Securities which are the subject
of such Transfer. After its receipt of such notice or, failing such receipt,
after Parent otherwise obtains actual knowledge of such a proposed or completed
Involuntary Transfer, Parent or its designee or designees shall have the right
and option to purchase all or any portion of such Company Securities, which
right shall be exercised by written notice given by Parent to the transferor (or
transferee following the occurrence of any Involuntary Transfer) within sixty
(60) days following the later of (i) Parent's receipt of such notice or, failing
such receipt, Parent's obtaining actual knowledge of such proposed or completed
Transfer and (ii) the date of such Involuntary Transfer.

            (b) Any purchase pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be at the price
and on the terms applicable to such Involuntary Transfer. If the nature of the
event giving rise to such Involuntary Transfer is such that no readily
determinable consideration is to be paid for or assigned to the Transfer of the
Company Securities, the price to be paid by Parent for each share

                                      A-9
<PAGE>

of Company Securities (other than Options) shall be the Fair Market Value
thereof as of the date of Transfer, and the price to be paid by Parent for each
Option shall be the (x) Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock with
respect to which such Option may be exercised less (y) the Exercise Price with
respect to such Option. The closing of the purchase and sale of such Company
Securities pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be held at the place and on the
date established by Parent, which in no event shall be less than ten (10) nor
more than forty-five (45) days from the date on which Parent gives notice of its
election to purchase such Company Securities, and shall be in accordance with
the procedures set forth in Section 7.15.

      2.5 Sale of the Company. If the Class B Stockholders and/or their
Permitted Transferees or the Company sign an agreement of sale, merger agreement
or similar agreement relating to a Sale of the Company, Parent shall notify each
Employee Stockholder, in writing, of the terms and conditions of such proposed
sale including all arrangements between the Company, Parent (or its Affiliates),
on the one hand, and the proposed buyer, on the other hand. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Appendix A, each such Employee Stockholder will take all
necessary and desirable actions in connection with the consummation of such Sale
of the Company, and if such transaction is structured as a sale of Company
Securities, within ten (10) business days of the receipt of such notice (or such
longer period of time as Parent shall designate in such notice) such Employee
Stockholders shall cause all of their respective Company Securities (with
respect to Options, only to the extent vested, including vesting under the
provisions of Section 6(e) of the Company's 1999 Stock Option Plan, and all
unvested Options shall terminate and be null and void) to be sold to the
designated purchaser on the same terms and conditions and for the same per share
consideration (less the Exercise Price in the case of vested Options) as the
Company Securities being sold by the Class B Stockholders or their Permitted
Transferees. In furtherance of, and not in limitation of the foregoing, in
connection with a Sale of the Company, each Employee Stockholder will (i)
consent to and raise no objections against the Sale of the Company or the
process pursuant to which it was arranged, (ii) waive any dissenter's or
appraisal rights and other similar rights, and (iii) execute all documents
containing such terms and conditions as those executed by other Stockholders as
directed by the Class B Stockholders or their Permitted Transferees. All
Stockholders will bear their Pro Rata share of the costs and expenses incurred
in connection with a Sale of the Company. Costs incurred by any Stockholder on
its own behalf will not be shared by other Stockholders. No Employee Stockholder
shall be obligated under this Section 2.5 unless: (i) the Sale of the Company is
a bona fide arm's-length transaction; (ii) all holders of Common Stock are
treated equally in the transaction; (iii) the Board determines that the
transaction is fair to the Company and the Stockholders; (iv) the price paid for
all outstanding Company Securities is at least equal to the Fair Market Value as
determined by the Board; and (v) no representations or warranties, or indemnity,
are required from an Employee Stockholder other than as to the ownership of such
Employee Stockholder's Company Securities free and clear of Liens.

                                      A-10
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III
                               RIGHTS OF INCLUSION

      3.1 Rights of Inclusion.

            (a) If the Class B Stockholders and/or their Permitted Transferees
(the "Transferor") propose to Transfer any Company Securities ("Transferor
Shares"), except as set forth in Section 3.2, to one or more Persons (any such
Persons are referred to as the "Buyer"), then, as a condition to such Transfer,
the Transferor shall cause the Buyer to include a written offer (the "Article
III Offer"), subject to compliance with any applicable Federal, state or foreign
securities laws, to each of the Employee Stockholders and each other holder of
Class A Common Stock (collectively, the "Offerees"), to purchase from each
Offeree, at the option of each Offeree, up to a Pro Rata number of shares of
Class A Common Stock as the Class B Common Stock sold by the Transferor, on the
same terms and conditions as are applicable to the Transferor Shares, all of
which terms shall be specified in the Article III Offer, except that none of the
Offerees shall be required to provide any representation or warranty or other
undertaking other than with respect to its ownership of, and authority to
transfer, such Class A Common Stock free and clear of all Liens. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if any Offeree does not accept its Article III Offer in full, the
other Offerees shall have the right to sell pursuant to the Article III Offer up
to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock not being sold by such Offeree,
Pro Rata among such Offerees, until all such shares are sold or until they do
not desire to sell any more shares. The Transferor shall provide a written
notice (the "Inclusion Notice") of the Article III Offer to each Offeree, who
may accept the Article III Offer by providing a written notice of acceptance of
the Article III Offer to the Transferor within thirty (30) days of delivery of
the Inclusion Notice.

            (b) The Buyer shall have ninety (90) days, commencing on the
fifteenth (15th) day following delivery of the Inclusion Notice, in which to
purchase the Class A Common Stock with respect to which an Article III Offer was
accepted along with the Transferor Shares. The material terms of such sale,
including, without limitation, price and form of consideration, shall be as set
forth in the Inclusion Notice. If at the end of such 90-day period the Buyer has
not completed the purchase of all the Transferor Shares and all the Offerees'
Class A Common Stock proposed to be sold, the Transferor Shares and such
Offerees' Class A Common Stock will not be sold and the provisions of this
Article III shall continue to be in effect as to future Transfers.

            (c) Concurrently with the Transfer of the Transferor Shares and
shares of Class A Common Stock of the Offerees to the Buyer pursuant to the
Article III Offer, the Buyer shall pay, and the Transferor shall cause the Buyer
to pay, to each Offeree its respective portion of the sales price of the shares
of Class A Common Stock sold pursuant thereto.

                                      A-11
<PAGE>

      3.2 Certain Transfers. The provisions of this Article III shall not apply
to any Transfer or proposed Transfer of Company Securities by the Class B
Stockholders and any of their Permitted Transferees (i) to a Permitted
Transferee thereof who shall have executed a Joinder Agreement, (ii) pursuant to
a Sale of the Company in which the designated purchaser has agreed to purchase
from all Employee Stockholders all their respective Company Securities on the
terms and conditions set forth in Section 2.5 or (iii) which, together with all
other Transfers of Company Securities by the Class B Stockholders and their
Permitted Transferees (not including Transfers to Permitted Transferees),
represent less than fifteen percent (15%) of the Common Stock, on a Diluted
Basis.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                     REPURCHASE OF COMPANY SECURITIES OWNED
                            BY EMPLOYEE STOCKHOLDERS

      4.1 Termination of Employment or Services. In the event that any Employee
Stockholder who, on, or at any time after, the date of the Grant Agreement to
which this Appendix A is attached, is employed by the Company or any of its
Affiliates shall cease to be employed by or cease to provide services to, the
Company or any of its Affiliates for any reason (including death, permanent
disability, voluntary termination of employment, termination for cause,
termination without cause, or retirement or otherwise), such Employee
Stockholder (or his personal representative) shall promptly notify Parent of the
termination and, within ninety (90) days after Parent's receipt of such notice,
Parent or its designee or designees may, at their option, elect to purchase the
Company Securities owned by such Employee Stockholder (or his personal
representative) and his Permitted Transferees, which would include for this
purpose any Company Securities transferred to any spouse or other person by such
Employee Stockholder, whether or not such transferee is an Employee Stockholder
(collectively, "Sellers"), exercisable by written notice (a "Purchase Notice")
delivered to Sellers and, upon the giving of such notice, Sellers shall be
obligated to sell those Company Securities which are designated in the Purchase
Notice; provided, however, that in the event notice of such termination is not
given, a Purchase Notice may in any event be given by Parent at any time
following the termination. As provided in the Option Plan, unless otherwise
provided in the Grant Agreement to which this Appendix A is attached, all
unvested Options will terminate upon such termination of employment (or
termination of service relationship). Employee Stockholders who cease to be
employees of, or service providers to, the Company or any of its Affiliates will
have the right to exercise their vested Options after termination of employment
(or termination of service relationship) to the extent provided in the Option
Plan and Grant Agreement, subject to the conditions and limitations (including
time periods) set forth in the applicable Option Plan and Grant Agreement to
which this Appendix A is attached. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, with respect to (x) any Option that shall have survived such
termination of employment (or termination of service relationship) pursuant to
the terms of any applicable Option Plan or Grant

                                      A-12
<PAGE>

Agreement, and (y) shares of Class A Common Stock that might have been acquired
by reason of the exercise of an Option within six months prior to the
termination date, Parent's purchase right under this Section 4.1 shall be
applicable only to shares of Class A Common Stock obtained upon the exercise of
such Option, and in each case held by the Employee Stockholder for at least six
months after such exercise or delivery, such right to be exercisable by delivery
of a Purchase Notice as aforesaid during the ninety day period after the day on
which such Employee Stockholder has held such shares for six months.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Employee Stockholders, on their
behalf and on behalf of their personal representatives and Permitted
Transferees, agree not to transfer any Class A Common Stock received upon such
exercise of until the expiration of the period during which Parent has the right
to purchase such stock.

      4.2 Purchase Price.

            (a) The purchase price for each share of Company Securities (other
than Options) to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be the Fair Market
Value thereof as of the date of the termination of employment, and the purchase
price for each Option to be purchased shall be the Fair Market Value of the
shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to which the Option may be
exercised, as of the date of termination of employment, less the Exercise Price
with respect of such Options.

            (b) Parent shall have the right, at its option, to pay for the
Company Securities to be purchased by delivering (i) the purchase price in cash,
(ii) a note of Parent with a term of not greater than two years and bearing
interest at the rate then paid by Parent to its principal lending bank and with
a principal amount equal to the purchase price, or (iii) a number of shares of
Parent Class A Common Stock equal to the number obtained by dividing the
aggregate purchase price by the Market Price per share of Parent Class A Common
Stock, determined as of the date of the delivery of the Purchase Notice, plus
cash in lieu of any fractional share.

      4.3 Closing. The closing for all purchases and sales of Company Securities
provided for in this Article IV shall be held at the principal executive offices
of Parent at 10:00 a.m., local time, on such date as may be designated in
writing by Parent, but no later than the 60th day after the date of the delivery
of the Purchase Notice and shall be in accordance with the procedures set forth
in Section 7.15.

                                    ARTICLE V
              CONVERSION OF OPTIONS; EXCHANGE OF COMPANY SECURITIES

      5.1 Conversion of Options; Exchange Rights.

                                      A-13
<PAGE>

            (a) Upon the consummation of a Tracking Stock IPO, and without any
action by the Company or the Optionee, each unexercised Option shall
automatically be converted into an Option to purchase shares of Tracking Stock
with appropriate adjustment in the number of shares and exercise price
consistent with the Tracking Stock Exchange Ratio and having the same remaining
term and vesting schedule as the Option so converted. Upon the consummation of a
Tracking Stock IPO (or at any time thereafter), each Employee Stockholder
holding Class A Common Stock shall have the right (the "Tracking Stock Exchange
Right") to acquire from Parent, in exchange for all or any portion of the Class
A Common Stock then owned by such Stockholder such number of shares of Tracking
Stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock
to be exchanged by such Stockholder and (ii) the Tracking Stock Exchange Ratio.

            (b) Upon the consummation of a Publico IPO, and without any action
by the Company or the Optionee, each unexercised Option shall automatically be
converted into an Option to purchase shares of Publico Stock with appropriate
adjustments in the number of shares and exercise price consistent with the
Publico Stock Exchange Ratio and having the same remaining term and vesting
schedule as the Option so converted. Upon the consummation of a Publico IPO (or
at any time thereafter), Parent shall cause Publico to provide to each Employee
Stockholder holding Class A Common Stock the right (the "Publico Exchange Right"
and collectively with the Tracking Stock Exchange Right, the "Exchange Rights")
to acquire from Publico, in exchange for all or any portion of the Class A
Common Stock then owned by such Employee Stockholder, such number of shares of
Publico Stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Class A Common
Stock and (ii) the Publico Stock Exchange Ratio.

      5.2 Exercise of the Exchange Rights. In order to exercise an Exchange
Right, an Employee Stockholder holding Class A Common Stock must notify Parent
or Publico, as the case may be (the "Issuer"), in writing (the "Exchange
Notice") of such exercise of the Exchange Right.

      5.3 Closing of the Exchange. The closing of the Exchange Right exercise
shall occur at 10:00 a.m., ten (10) business days after delivery of the Exchange
Notice at the principal executive officers of the Issuer (or at such other time
and/or place as may be agreed by the Issuer and the Employee Stockholder holding
Class A Common Stock) and in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section
7.15. Each Employee Stockholder holding Class A Common Stock acknowledges and
agrees that the Tracking Stock or Publico Stock issued to him or her will be
subject to applicable restrictions under Federal and state securities laws and
will bear appropriate legends to such effect.

      5.4 Lock-Up.

                                      A-14
<PAGE>

            (a) Each Employee Stockholder holding Class A Common Stock agrees
not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any Tracking Stock
within seven (7) days before or during the lock-up period after the date of any
final prospectus relating to a Tracking Stock IPO or any other underwritten
offering of Tracking Stock, except pursuant to the written consent of the
underwriters for such offering. Each holder of Class A Common Stock agrees to
execute and deliver to such underwriters an agreement, in customary form,
confirming the foregoing.

            (b) Each Employee Stockholder holding Class A Common Stock agrees
not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any Publico Stock
within seven (7) days before or during the lock-up period after the date of any
final prospectus relating to a Publico IPO or any other underwritten offering of
Publico Stock, except pursuant to the written consent of the underwriters for
such offering. Each Employee Stockholder holding Class A Common Stock agrees to
execute and deliver to such underwriters an agreement, in customary form,
confirming the foregoing.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                  CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS; WORKING CAPITAL NEEDS

      6.1 Transferees. Unless otherwise consented to by Parent, the parties
hereto agree that as a condition precedent to the issuance by the Company of
shares of Class A Common Stock to a Permitted Transferee of an Employee
Stockholder or any Third Party, the Company shall require such Person to execute
a Joinder Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent approved by
Parent and specified in any Joinder Agreement (or amendment thereto) pursuant to
which any Person agrees to be bound by the terms hereof, the provisions of this
Appendix may be varied to be more or less restrictive with respect to any such
Person.

      6.2 Stock Issuance. The Company shall issue no shares of Class A Common
Stock or securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for or into shares
of Class A Common Stock after a Tracking Stock IPO or a Publico IPO.

      6.3 No Right to Employment. Nothing contained herein nor the ownership of
any Company Securities shall confer upon any Employee Stockholder the right to
employment or to remain in the employ of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

      6.4 Working Capital. It is contemplated that the Company may require
additional funds for working capital. Should Parent, in its discretion,
determine to provide such funds (including, without limitation, pursuant to
Section 2.07(c) of the Agreement and Plan of Merger),

                                      A-15
<PAGE>

it may do so (i) by purchasing shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common
Stock at the most recent Fair Market Value per share of Class A Common Stock
(the Class B Common Stock being valued at the same per share price as the Class
A Common Stock) calculated prior to the date of the capital contribution, or
(ii) by lending funds to the Company at an interest rate not to exceed three
percentage points over the prime rate of Parent's principal lending bank. In the
event of a loan, the Company shall keep a record of the number of shares of
Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock that could have been purchased with
such funds at the most recent Fair Market Value per share of Class A Common
Stock calculated prior to the date of such working capital advance, subject to
customary anti-dilution adjustments (the "Conversion Value"). Parent at its
option, may thereafter, at any time, convert all or any part of such loan into
shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock either at the most recent
Fair Market Value per share of Class A Common Stock calculated prior to the
conversion date or at the Conversion Value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
the event Parent or any of its Affiliates determines to provide the Company with
funds for working capital within six months of the Effective Time (other than
$5,000,000 to be provided pursuant to the Asset Contribution Agreement), if
funds are provided by such Person, such shares (or any other securities of the
Company convertible into Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or other
securities) shall be purchased, or such Conversion Value shall be calculated, on
the basis of a market value of the Company equal to the greater of (i) the
valuation of the Company as of the Effective Time prepared by Ernst & Young LLP
or (ii) $500,000,000.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      7.1 Governing Law. The corporate laws of the State of Delaware will govern
all questions concerning the relative rights of the Company and its Stockholders
hereunder. All other questions concerning the construction, validity and
interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance
with the domestic laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any
choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New
York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of
any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

      7.2 Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Appendix A (together with the
related Grant Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and may be amended, modified or
supplemented only by a written instrument duly executed by the Company and
Parent, except that (i) any amendment, modification or supplement that
materially, adversely and disproportionately affects the Employee Stockholders
at any time after such Stockholders have exercised Options and received shares
of Class A Common Stock shall require the consent of the Employee Stockholders
who hold such Class A

                                      A-16
<PAGE>

Common Stock in accordance with Section 7.4 hereof, and (ii) any amendment,
modification or supplement made before an Employee Stockholder exercises an
Option shall be governed by the provisions of Section 7 of the related Grant
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no
provision of this Appendix A shall prevent or otherwise restrict Parent from
purchasing Company Securities from Employee Stockholders pursuant to this
Appendix A or otherwise at a price per share different from that specified in
this Appendix A.

      7.3 Term. As to an Employee Stockholder, this Appendix A shall terminate
upon the earlier of (a) a Sale of the Company, (b) the repurchase of all of the
Employee Stockholder's Options and shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to
Article IV or (c) with the exception of Section 2.1, the exchange of all of the
Employee Stockholder's shares of Class A Common Stock for Tracking Stock or
Publico Stock and the conversion of the Options into options to acquire Tracking
Stock or Publico Stock, as the case may be, pursuant to Article V. The
provisions of Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5, Article III and Sections 6.1 and
6.2 shall terminate upon the consummation of a Company IPO.

      7.4 Certain Actions. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, whenever
any action is required under this Appendix A by the Employee Stockholders, it
shall be by the affirmative vote of those Employee Stockholders who hold Class A
Common Stock representing more than 50% of such Class A Common Stock on a
Diluted Basis (but not taking into account any Options, the holders of which
shall have no vote unless and until they have exercised such Options and
received Class A Common Stock) then held by the Employee Stockholders as a
group.

      7.5 Recapitalization, Exchanges, Etc., Affecting Company Securities. The
provisions of this Appendix A shall apply, to the full extent set forth herein
with respect to the Company Securities, to any and all shares of the Company
capital stock or any successor or assign of the Company (whether by merger,
consolidation, sale of assets, or otherwise, including shares issued by a parent
corporation in connection with a triangular merger) which may be issued in
respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of, Company Securities, and
shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividends, splits, reverse splits,
combinations, reclassifications and the like occurring after the date hereof.

      7.6 Waiver. No waiver by any party of any term or condition of this
Appendix A, in one or more instances, shall be valid unless in writing, and no
such waiver shall be deemed to be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach
or default of the same or a similar nature.

      7.7 Assignment; Successors and Assigns.

            (a) Parent may assign any of its rights, interests or obligations
under Sections 2.3 or 2.4 or Articles IV or V to any Person.

                                      A-17
<PAGE>

            (b) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Appendix A
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns (including,
without limitation, transferees of Company Securities); provided, however, that
(i) nothing contained herein shall be construed as granting any Employee
Stockholder the right to Transfer any Company Securities except in accordance
with this Appendix A and with respect to Options, the applicable Option Plan;
and (ii) any Third Party which acquires Company Securities in accordance with
Section 2.3 shall be bound by the provisions of this Appendix A as an Employee
Stockholder with respect to such Company Securities, except that the provisions
of Article IV shall not apply to the Company Securities of such Third Party
(unless such Third Party is also or thereafter becomes an employee of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries).

      7.8 Remedies. In the event of a breach by any party to this Appendix A of
its obligations under this Agreement, any party injured by such breach, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including
recovery of damages and costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees), will be
entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Appendix A. The
parties agree that the provisions of this Appendix A shall be specifically
enforceable, it being agreed by the parties that the remedy at law, including
monetary damages, for breach of any such provision will be inadequate
compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific
performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived.

      7.9 Income Tax Withholding. Each Employee Stockholder who is or becomes an
employee of the Company or any Affiliate thereof authorizes the Company or such
Affiliate to make any required withholding for the payment of any and all income
taxes and other sums that may be due any governmental authority as a result of
the receipt by such Employee Stockholder of compensation income under Section 83
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or similar provisions of
foreign, state or local law, if required by applicable law, and agrees, if
requested by the Company or any Affiliate thereof and in lieu of all or a
portion of such withholding, to pay the Company or such Affiliate in a lump sum
such amounts as the Company or such Affiliate may be required to remit to any
governmental authority on behalf of such Employee Stockholder in respect of any
such taxes and other sums.

      7.10 Invalid Provisions. If any provision of this Appendix A is held to be
illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the
rights or obligations of any Employee Stockholder, the Company or Parent under
this Appendix A will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, (i) such
provision will be fully severable, (ii) this Appendix A will be construed and
enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never
comprised a part hereof, (iii) the remaining provisions of this Appendix A will
remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid
or unenforceable provision or by its

                                      A-18
<PAGE>

severance herefrom and (iv) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision, there will be added automatically as a part of this Appendix a legal,
valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision as may be possible.

      7.11 Headings. The headings used in this Appendix A have been inserted for
convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.

      7.12 Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall cooperate and shall take
such further action and shall execute and deliver such further documents as may
be reasonably requested by any other party in order to carry out the provisions
and purposes of this Appendix A.

      7.13 Gender. Whenever the pronouns "he" or "his" are used herein they
shall also be deemed to mean "she" or "hers" or "it" or "its" whenever
applicable. Words in the singular shall be read and construed as though in the
plural and words in the plural shall be construed as though in the singular in
all cases where they would so apply.

      7.14 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder
must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given only if delivered
personally against written receipt or by facsimile transmission or mailed by
prepaid first class mail, return receipt requested, or if delivered to a
nationally recognized overnight courier prepaid to the parties at the following
addresses or facsimile numbers:

            (i)   If to the Company, to:
                  Times Company Digital, Inc.
                  1120 Avenue of the Americas
                  New York, New York 10036
                  Attention: Kenneth A. Richieri, Esq.
                  Facsimile: (212) 556-4634

                  with a copy to:

            (ii)  If to Parent, to:
                  The New York Times Company
                  229 West 43rd Street
                  New York, New York 10036
                  Attention: Solomon B. Watson IV, Esq.
                  Facsimile: (212) 556-4634

            (iii) If to an Employee Stockholder, to the address of such Person
                  set forth in

                                      A-19
<PAGE>

                  the records of the Company.

All such notices, requests and other communications will (w) if delivered
personally to the address as provided in this Section 7.14 be deemed given upon
delivery against written receipt, (x) if delivered by facsimile transmission to
the facsimile number as provided in this Section 7.15 be deemed given upon
receipt, (y) if delivered by mail in the manner described above to the address
as provided in this Section 7.14 upon the earlier of the third business day
following mailing or upon receipt and (z) if delivered by a nationally
recognized overnight courier to the address as provided in this Section 7.14, be
deemed given on the earlier of the first business day following the date sent by
such overnight courier or upon receipt (in each case regardless of whether such
notice, request or other communication is received by any other Person to whom a
copy of such notice is to be delivered pursuant to this Section 7.14). Any party
from time to time may change its address, facsimile number or other information
for the purpose of notices to that party by giving notice specifying such change
to the other parties hereto.

      7.15 Closing Procedures. At the closing of any purchase and sale of
Company Securities under this Appendix A, the selling Stockholder shall deliver
certificates evidencing the securities being sold duly endorsed, or accompanied
by written instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the purchaser, duly
executed by the selling Stockholder, free and clear of any Liens, against
delivery of a certified or bank cashier's check in the amount of the purchase
price or, if applicable, certificates for the number of Parent Class A Common
Stock (plus cash in lieu of any fractional share) to which such selling
Stockholder is entitled. In the event that Parent delivers Parent Class A Common
Stock to such selling Stockholder, the selling Stockholder shall, in addition,
deliver to Parent such representations and documents as Parent reasonably deems
necessary or advisable to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of
the Securities Act and any other federal, state or foreign securities laws or
regulations, and Parent, in its absolute discretion, may take such additional
actions as it deems appropriate to effect such compliance, including, without
limitation, placing legends on certificates for Parent Class A Common Stock and
issuing stop-transfer orders to transfer agents.

                                      A-20

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                        SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

      1. Termination of Employment. My employment with The New York Times
Company ("The Times") terminated effective as of ______________________________.

      2. Consideration. I understand that in consideration for my execution of
this Separation Agreement and Release (the "Separation Agreement"), and my
fulfillment of the promises made in this Separation Agreement and the Employment
Agreement between The Times and me dated as of September 1, 1999 (the
"Employment Agreement"), The Times agrees to provide me with the compensation
and benefits set forth in Section 8 of the Employment Agreement.

      3. Conditions Applying to Payment of Benefits. I understand and agree that
the compensation and benefits payable to me pursuant to Section 2 above are
subject to my compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in this
Separation Agreement and the Employment Agreement.

      4. General Release of Claims. I hereby voluntarily release The Times,
Times Company Digital, and their subsidiaries, partners, affiliates, owners,
agents, officers, directors, employees, successors and assigns, and all related
persons, individually and in their official capacities (hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Released Parties"), of and from any and all claims, known
and unknown, relating to my employment or cessation of employment that I, my
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, have or may have as
of the date of execution of this Separation Agreement, including, but not
limited to, any alleged violation of:

      o     The National Labor Relations Act;
      o     Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
      o     Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code;
      o     Civil Rights Act of 1991;
      o     The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA");
      o     The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967;
      o     The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;
      o     The Fair Credit Reporting Act;
      o     The Fair Labor Standards Act;
      o     The Occupational Safety and Health Act;
      o     The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993;
      o     Executive Order 11246;
      o     The New York Equal Pay Law;
      o     The New York Human Rights Law;
      o     The New York Civil Rights Act;
      o     The New York State Wage and Hour Laws;
      o     The New York City Administrative Code, Title VII;
      o     The New York Occupational Safety and Health Laws;
      o     any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law or any
            other local, state or federal law, regulation or ordinance;
<PAGE>

      o     any public policy, contract, tort, or common law;
      o     any claims for vacation, sick or personal leave, pay or payment
            pursuant to any practice, policy, handbook, or manual of The Times;
            or
      o     any allegation for costs, fees or other expenses including
            attorneys' fees incurred in these matters.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the release set forth in this Section 4 shall not
apply to any vested benefits accrued by me prior to the effective date of this
Separation Agreement under any compensation or benefit plans, programs and
arrangements maintained by The Times for the benefit of its employees and
subject to ERISA.

      5. No Existing Claims. I confirm that no claim, charge, or complaint
against the Released Parties exists before any federal, state, or local court or
administrative agency.

      6. No Recovery or Relief. I hereby waive my right to accept any relief or
recovery, including costs and attorney's fees, from any charge or complaint
filed by me or on my behalf against the Released Parties before any federal,
state, or local court or administrative agency, except as such waiver is
prohibited by law.

      7. No Participation In Claims. I understand that if this Separation
Agreement were not signed, I would have the right to voluntarily assist other
individuals in bringing claims against the Released Parties. I hereby waive that
right and shall not provide any such assistance other than assistance in an
investigation or proceeding conducted by an agency of the United States
government.

      8. Nonadmission of Wrongdoing. I agree that neither this Separation
Agreement nor the furnishing of the consideration for the general release set
forth in this Separation Agreement shall be deemed or construed at any time for
any purpose as an admission by the Released Parties of any liability or unlawful
conduct of any kind.

      9. Breach of Agreement. I agree that if I breach any of the promises set
forth in this Separation Agreement or if I challenge the general release set
forth in this Separation Agreement, The Times shall have the right to terminate
the benefits payable under the Separation Agreement and to require me to return
all monies paid by The Times in consideration for my signing the general release
included in this Separation Agreement.

      10. Governing Law and Interpretation. This Separation Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. If any provision of the
Separation Agreement other than the general release set forth in section 4
above, is declared legally or factually invalid or unenforceable by any court of
competent jurisdiction and if such provision cannot be modified to be
enforceable to any extent or in any application, then such provision immediately
shall become null and void, leaving the remainder of this Separation Agreement
in full force and affect. If any portion of the general release set forth in
this Separation Agreement is declared to be unenforceable by a court of
competent jurisdiction in any action in which I participate or join, I agree
that all consideration paid to me under this Separation Agreement and the
Employment Agreement shall be offset against any monies that I may receive in
connection with any such action.

                                       2
<PAGE>

      11. Entire Agreement. This Separation Agreement sets forth the entire
agreement between me and the Released Parties and it supersedes any and all
prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral, between the
parties, except as otherwise specified in this Separation Agreement and the
Employment Agreement (including Sections 9 and 10 thereof). I acknowledge that I
have not relied on any representations, promises, or agreements of any kind made
to me in connection with my decision to sign this Separation Agreement, except
for those set forth in this Separation Agreement and the Employment Agreement.

      12. Amendment. This Separation Agreement may not be amended except by a
written agreement signed by both parties which specifically refers to this
Separation Agreement.

      13. Right to Revoke. I understand that I have the right to revoke this
Separation Agreement at any time during the seven (7) day period following the
date on which I first sign the Separation Agreement.

      If I want to revoke, I must make a revocation in writing which states: "I
hereby revoke my acceptance of the Separation Agreement and General Release."
This written revocation must be delivered by hand or sent by certified mail with
a postmark dated before the end of the seven-day revocation period to Solomon B.
Watson IV, The New York Times Company, 229 West 43d Street, New York, NY 10036;
otherwise, such revocation shall not be effective.

      14. Effective Date. This Separation Agreement shall not become effective
or enforceable until the expiration of the 7-day revocation period described in
Section 12 above.

I UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT, I SHALL BE WAIVING MY
RIGHTS UNDER FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAW TO BRING ANY CLAIMS THAT I HAVE OR
MIGHT HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASED PARTIES.

I UNDERSTAND THAT MY RIGHT TO RECEIVE BENEFITS SET FORTH IN SECTION 8 OF THE
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THIS
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND THAT I WOULD NOT RECEIVE SUCH BENEFITS BUT FOR MY
EXECUTION OF THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT.

I HAVE BEEN ADVISED IN WRITING TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS
SEPARATION AGREEMENT. I ALSO HAVE BEEN ADVISED IN WRITING BY THE TIMES THAT I
HAVE TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT. I AGREE THAT
ANY MODIFICATIONS, MATERIAL OR OTHERWISE, MADE TO THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT DO
NOT RESTART OR AFFECT IN ANY MANNER THE ORIGINAL TWENTY-ONE (21) DAY
CONSIDERATION PERIOD.

                                       3
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Separation Agreement and Release
as of the date set forth below.

Signed:________________________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Date: _________________________________________________________________________

ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

                                           By: _________________________________

                                           Name: _______________________________

                                           Title: ______________________________

                                           Date: _______________________________

                                       4<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    2BRIDGE
                             AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          INVESTORS' RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                                March 10, 2000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                          Page
                                                          ----

1.   Registration Rights..................................   1
     1.1   Definitions....................................   1
     1.2   Requested Registration.........................   3
     1.3   Piggy-back Registration Rights.................   5
     1.4   Form S-3 Registration..........................   6
     1.5   Obligations of the Company.....................   7
     1.6   Furnish Information............................   8
     1.7   Expenses of Registration.......................   8
     1.8   Delay of Registration..........................   9
     1.9   Indemnification................................   9
     1.10  Reports Under Securities Exchange Act of 1934..  11
     1.11  Assignment of Registration Rights..............  11
     1.12  Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights..  12
     1.13  Market Stand-off Agreement.....................  12
     1.14  Termination of Registration Rights.............  12

2.   Rights of First Refusal..............................  12
     2.4  Exercise of Right...............................  14
     2.5  Lapse and Reinstatement of Right................  14
     2.6  Termination.....................................  14

3.   Information and Board Visitation Rights..............  15

4.   Restrictions on Transfer.............................  16
     4.2  Legends.........................................  17

5.   General Provisions...................................  18
     5.1   Further Assurances.............................  18
     5.2   Rights Cumulative..............................  18
     5.3   Notices........................................  18
     5.4   Term...........................................  18
     5.5   Severability...................................  19
     5.6   Attorneys' Fees................................  19
     5.7   Entire Agreement...............................  19
     5.8   Choice of Law..................................  19
     5.9   Binding on Heirs, Successors and Assigns.......  19
     5.10  Amendment; Waiver..............................  19
     5.11  Counterparts...................................  20

                                      -i-
<PAGE>

                                    2BRIDGE

                AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTORS' RIGHTS AGREEMENT

     THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTORS' RIGHTS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is
entered into as of March 10, 2000, by and among 2Bridge, a California
corporation (the "Company"), and the persons identified as "Investors" on
Exhibits A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 hereof.

                                    RECITALS

     WHEREAS, the Series A Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred") Investors
listed on Exhibit A-1, the Series B Preferred Stock ( "Series B Preferred")
Investors listed on Exhibit A-2 hereto and the Series C Preferred Stock ("Series
C Preferred") Investors listed on Exhibit A-3 hereto are parties to the Second
Amended and Restated Investors' Rights Agreement dated as of July 23, 1999 (the
"Prior Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company granted to the Series A
Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series C Preferred Investors certain
registration and purchase rights; and

     WHEREAS, in connection with the Company's issuance of Series D Preferred
Stock ("Series D Preferred") to certain Investors listed on Exhibit A-4 hereto
pursuant to the Series D Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement of even date
herewith (the "Purchase Agreement"), the Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred
and Series C Preferred Investors have agreed to amend and restate the Prior
Agreement as set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:

1.  Registration Rights. The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:
    -------------------

    1.1  Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have
         -----------
the following respective meanings:

         (a)  "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

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

         (c)  "Common Stock" means the Company's Common  Stock.

         (d)  "Form S-3" means such form under the 1933 Act as in effect on the
date hereof or any registration form under the 1933 Act subsequently adopted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") which permits inclusion or
incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed
by the Company with the SEC.
<PAGE>

         (e)  "Holder" means any person owning of record Registrable Securities
or any permitted assignee thereof in accordance with Section 1.11 below.

         (f)  "Initiating Holders" means any Holders who in the aggregate
possess more than 25% of the Registrable Securities then outstanding.

         (g)  "Initial Public Offering" means the Company's first Public
Offering.

         (h)  "Public Offering" means any registered offering of the Company's
securities solely for cash, other than a registration (i) on Form S-8 or any
form which does not include substantially the same information as would be
required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the
Registrable Securities, or (ii) with respect to an employee benefit plan, or
(iii) solely in connection with a Rule 145 transaction under the 1933 Act.

         (i)  The terms "register," "registered" and "registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or
similar document in compliance with the 1933 Act, and the declaration or
ordering of the effectiveness of such registration statement or document by the
SEC.

         (j)  The term "Registrable Securities" means: (i) the Common Stock
issued or issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred, Series B
Preferred, Series C Preferred or Series D Preferred (collectively, "Preferred
Stock") held by the Investors, (ii) the Common Stock issued or issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants (x) to purchase Common Stock held by the Series A
Preferred Investors (the "Series A Warrant"), (y) to purchase Series C Preferred
Stock held by Imperial Bancorp (collectively, the "Series C Warrant"), and (z)
to purchase Series D Preferred Stock held by each of Sand Hill Capital II, LP,
TBCC Funding Trust II, and Silicon Valley Bank (collectively with the Series A
Warrant and the Series C Warrant, the "Warrants"); (iii) with respect to Section
1.3, 1.5 through 1.14 only, the Common Stock issued to each of Mr. Milton
Berlinski and David Braunschwig, each pursuant to a Restricted Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated March 8, 2000, and (iv) any Common Stock of the Company issued
(or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or other
security which is issued) by way of a stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, merger or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange
for, or in replacement of, such Preferred Stock or Common Stock, excluding in
all cases, however, any Registrable Securities (A) sold by a person in a
transaction in which its rights under this Section 1 are not assigned; (B) sold
to or through a broker or dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or a
public securities transaction; or (C) sold in a transaction exempt from the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act under Section
4(1) thereof so that all transfer restrictions and restrictive legends with
respect thereto are removed upon the consummation of such sale.

         (k)  The number of shares of "Registrable Securities then outstanding"
shall be determined by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding which
are, and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to then
exercisable or convertible securities which are, Registrable Securities.

         (l)  "Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses incurred by the
Company in complying with Sections 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 below, including, without
limitation, all registration, filing and qualification fees, underwriters'
expense allowance, printing expenses, fees and

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, the
expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration
(but excluding the compensation of regular employees of the Company which shall
be paid in any event by the Company) and reasonable fees and disbursements not
to exceed $15,000 of one special counsel for all of the Holders who elect to
include their Registrable Securities in any such registration.

         (m)  "Selling Expenses" shall mean all underwriting discounts and
selling commissions applicable to the sale of the Registrable Securities in the
registration.

    1.2  Requested Registration.
         ----------------------

         (a)  Request for Registration.  In case the Company shall receive from
              ------------------------
Initiating Holders a written request that the Company file a registration
statement under the 1933 Act with respect to shares of Registrable Securities
whose expected aggregate offering price is not less than: (i) $10,000,000 if
such request is made prior to the Company's Initial Public Offering, or (ii)
$7,500,000 of such request is made after the Company's Initial Public Offering,
the Company will:

             (i)  promptly, and in no event later than 30 days from receipt of
such written request, give written notice of such request to all other Holders;
and

             (ii) subject to the limitations of Section 1.2(b) below, as soon as
practicable, use its best efforts to effect such registration under the 1933 Act
(including, without limitation, appropriate qualification under applicable blue
sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance with applicable
regulations issued under the 1933 Act and any other governmental requirements or
regulations) as may be so requested and as would permit or facilitate the sale
and distribution of all or such portion of such Registrable Securities as are
specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable
Securities of any Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in
a written request received by the Company within 20 days after receipt of such
written notice from the Company; provided that the Company shall not be
obligated to take any action to effect any such registration, qualification or
compliance pursuant to this Section 1.2:

                 (A)  Prior to the third anniversary of the closing date of the
initial purchase and sale of the Series D Preferred;

                 (B)  During the period starting with the date of filing of any
registration statement in connection with the Initial Public Offering, provided
that the Company is actively employing in good faith all reasonable efforts to
cause such registration statement to become effective, and ending on the date
which is 180 days after the date on which such registration statement is
declared effective;

                 (C)  If the Company has previously effected two (2)
registrations under this Section 1.2;

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                 (D)  If the Company delivers notices to the Holders not more
than 30 days after receipt of any registration request of the Initiating Holders
that it intends to file a registration statement for its Initial Public Offering
within 90 days of the receipt of such registration request; or

                 (E)  If the Company shall furnish to the Holders requesting a
registration statement pursuant to this Section 1.2 a certificate, signed by the
Chairman of the Board of the Company, stating that in the good faith judgment of
the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be seriously detrimental to the
Company and its shareholders for such registration statement to be filed or
effected at such time, in which event the Company shall have the right to defer
such filing for a period of not more than 90 days after receipt of the
registration request of the Initiating Holders; provided that such right to
delay a request shall be exercised by the Company not more than once in any 12
month period.

         Subject to the foregoing clauses (A) through (E) inclusive, the
Company shall file a registration statement covering the Registrable Securities
so requested to be registered as soon as practicable after receipt of the
request or requests of the Initiating Holders and in any event within 120 days
after receipt of such request.

         (b)  Underwriting. In the event that a registration pursuant to this
              ------------
Section 1.2 is for a registered Public Offering by means of an underwriting, the
Company shall so advise the Holders as part of the notice given pursuant to
Section 1.2(a)(i) above. In such event, the right of any Holder to registration
pursuant to this Section 1.2 shall be conditioned upon such Holder's
participation in the underwriting arrangements required by this Section 1.2(b),
and the inclusion of such Holder's Registrable Securities in the underwriting to
the extent requested shall be limited to the extent provided herein.

         The Company shall (together with all Holders proposing to distribute
their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement
in customary form with a managing underwriter or underwriters selected for such
underwriting by a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders (which
underwriter or underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company).
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1.2, if the managing
underwriter advises the Initiating Holders in writing that marketing factors
require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the
Company shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities which would
otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of shares of
Registrable Securities that may be included in the registration and underwriting
shall be allocated among all Holders thereof in proportion, as nearly as
practicable, to the respective amounts of Registrable Securities held by such
Holders at the time of filing the registration statement, provided, however,
that the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be included in such
underwriting and registration shall not be reduced unless all other securities
of the Company are first entirely excluded from the underwriting and
registration.  No Registrable Securities excluded from the underwriting by
reason of the underwriter's marketing limitation shall be included in such
registration.  To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with the
above provisions, the Company or the underwriters may round the number of shares
allocated to any Holder to the nearest 100 shares.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

         If any Holder of Registrable Securities disapproves of the terms of
the underwriting, such person may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice
to the Company, the managing underwriter and the Initiating Holders.  The
Registrable Securities and/or other securities held by such Holder affected
shall be withdrawn from registration.  If the registration does not become
effective due to the withdrawal of Registrable Securities, then either: (a) the
Holders requesting registration shall reimburse the Company for expenses
incurred in complying with the request, or (b) the aborted registration shall be
treated as effected for purposes of Section 1.2(a)(ii)(C); provided, however,
that if at the time of such withdrawal, the Holder or Holders have learned of a
material adverse change in the condition, business, or prospects of the Company
from that known to the Holders at the time of their request and have withdrawn
the request with reasonable promptness following disclosure by the Company of
such material adverse change, then the Holders shall not be required to pay any
of such expenses, and the aborted registration shall not be treated as effected
for purposes of Section 1.2(a)(ii)(C).

    1.3  Piggy-back Registration Rights.
         ------------------------------

         (a)  Piggy-back Rights. Except with respect to the Company's Initial
              -----------------
Public Offering, if (but without any obligation to do so) the Company proposes
to register (including for this purpose a registration effected by the Company
for shareholders other than the Holders) any of its securities in connection
with a Public Offering, other than (i) a registration relating solely to
employee benefit plans, or (ii) a registration relating solely to a Commission
Rule 145 transaction, the Company shall promptly give each Holder written notice
of such registration, together with a list of the jurisdictions in which the
Company intends to attempt to qualify such securities under applicable state
securities laws. Upon the written request of each Holder given within 15 days
after delivery of such written notice by the Company in accordance with Section
5.3 below, the Company shall, subject to the provisions of Section 1.3(b) below,
use its best efforts to cause to be registered under the 1933 Act all of the
Registrable Securities that each such Holder has requested to be registered. If
a Holder decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities in any
registration statement thereafter filed by the Company, such Holder shall
nevertheless continue to have the right to include any of its Registrable
Securities in any subsequent registration statement or statements as may be
filed by the Company with respect to offerings of its securities, all upon the
terms and conditions set forth herein.

         (b)  Underwriting Requirements in Piggy-back Registration. If the
registration statement under which the Company gives notice under this Section
1.3 is for an underwritten offering, the Company shall so advise the Holders of
Registrable Securities. The right of any Holder to registration pursuant to
Section 1.3(a) above shall be conditioned upon such Holder's participation in
such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder's Registrable Securities in
the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to
distribute their securities through such underwriting (each, a "Participating
Holder") shall (together with the Company and any other holders of Company
securities distributing their securities through such underwriting) enter into
an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters
selected for underwriting by the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Section 1.3, if the underwriter determines that marketing factors require a
limitation of the number of shares to be

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

underwritten, the underwriter may (subject to the allocation priority set forth
below) exclude some or all Registrable Securities from such registration and
underwriting. Further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no
reduction shall be made with respect to securities offered by the Company for
its own account under this Section 1.3. The Company shall so advise all persons
requesting registration, and the number of shares of securities that may be
included in the registration and underwriting shall be allocated in the
following manner. The number of shares that may be included in the registration
and underwriting shall be allocated (i) first to the Company; (ii) second to the
Participating Holders, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the
respective amounts of Registrable Securities held by such Holders; and (iii)
third, to any other shareholders of the Company (other than Participating
Holders) on a pro rata basis. In no event shall the amount of securities of the
selling Holders included in the registration be reduced below twenty-five
percent (25%) of the total amount of securities included in such registration,
unless such offering is the Initial Public Offering and such registration does
not include shares of any other selling shareholders, in which event any or all
of the Registrable Securities of the Holders may be excluded in accordance with
the immediately preceding sentence. In no event will shares of any other
participating shareholder be included in such registration which would reduce
the number of shares which may be included by Participating Holders without the
written consent of Participating Holders of not less than a majority of the
Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the offering. If any Holder
disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder may elect to
withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter. Any
Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be
withdrawn from such registration. In no event will the Company have any
obligation under this Section 1.3 with respect to its Initial Public Offering.

    1.4  Form S-3 Registration.  In case the Company shall receive from any
         ---------------------
Holder or Holders a written request or requests that the Company effect a
registration on Form S-3 and any related qualification or compliance with
respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or
Holders, the Company will:

         (a)  promptly give written notice of the proposed registration, and any
related qualification or compliance, to all other Holders; and

         (b)  as soon as practicable, effect such registration and all such
qualifications and compliances as may be so requested and as would permit or
facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such portion of such Holder's or
Holders' Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with
all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders
joining in such request as are specified in a written request given within 15
days after receipt of such written notice from the Company; provided that the
Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration, qualification or
compliance, pursuant to this Section 1.4: (i) if the Company is not qualified as
a registrant entitled to use Form S-3; (ii) if the Holders, together with the
holders of any other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such
registration, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities
(if any) at an aggregate price to the public of less than $500,000; (iii) if the
Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed by the President of
the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of
the Company, it would be

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

seriously detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such Form S-3
registration to be effected at such time, in which event the Company shall have
the right to defer the filing of the Form S-3 registration statement for a
period of not more than 120 days after receipt of the request of the Holder or
Holders under this Section 1.4; provided that the Company shall not utilize this
right more than once in the prior twelve (12) month period; or (iv) if the
Company has already effected one (1) registration on Form S-3 for the Holders
pursuant to this Section 1.4 in the prior twelve (12) month period.

    1.5  Obligations of the Company.  Whenever required under this Section 1 to
         --------------------------
effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall, as
expeditiously as reasonably possible:

         (a)  Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with
respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective, and, upon the request of the Holders
of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, keep such
registration statement effective for up to 120 days.

         (b)  Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to
such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such
registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the
1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
registration statement.

         (c)  Furnish to the Holders such numbers of copies of a prospectus,
including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the
1933 Act, and such other documents as they may reasonably request in order to
facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities owned by them.

         (d)  Use its best efforts to register and qualify the securities
covered by such registration statement under the securities laws of such
jurisdictions as shall be reasonably appropriate for the distribution of the
securities covered by the registration statement, provided that the Company
shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to
qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any
such jurisdiction, and provided further that (anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding with respect to the bearing of expenses) if any
jurisdiction in which the securities shall be qualified shall require that
expenses incurred in connection with the qualification of the securities in that
jurisdiction be borne by selling shareholders, then such expenses shall be
payable by the selling Holders pro rata, to the extent required by such
jurisdiction if such Holders do not elect to withdraw from the registration
after notice of such requirement.

         (e)  In the event of any underwritten Public Offering, enter into and
perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement with terms generally
satisfactory to the managing underwriter of such offering. Each Holder
participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its
obligations under such an agreement.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

         (f)  Notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such
registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is
required to be delivered under the 1933 Act of the happening of any event as a
result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then
in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing.

         (g)  Furnish, at the request of a majority of the Holders participating
in the registration, on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered
to the underwriters for sale, if such securities are being sold through
underwriters, or, if such securities are not being sold through underwriters, on
the date that the registration statement with respect to such securities becomes
effective, (i) an opinion, dated as of such date, of the counsel representing
the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is
customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering and
reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the Holders requesting
registration, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to the Holders
requesting registration of Registrable Securities and (ii) a letter dated as of
such date, from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in
form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public
accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering and reasonably
satisfactory to a majority in interest of the Holders requesting registration,
addressed to the underwriters, if any, and if permitted by applicable accounting
standards, to the Holders requesting registration of Registrable Securities.

    1.6  Furnish Information.  In connection with any action pursuant to this
         -------------------
Section 1, the selling Holders shall furnish to the Company such information
regarding themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them, and the intended
method of disposition of such securities as shall be required to effect the
registration of their Registrable Securities. In that connection, each selling
Holder shall be required to represent to the Company that all such information
which is given is both complete and accurate in all material respects when made.

    1.7  Expenses of Registration.  All Registration Expenses shall be borne by
         ------------------------
the Company. All Selling Expenses shall be borne by the Holders of the
securities so registered, (i) in an underwritten transaction, pro rata, on the
basis of the number of shares so registered or (ii) otherwise, by the Holder or
Holders who incurred such expenses.

    1.8  Delay of Registration.  No Holder shall have any right to obtain or
         ---------------------
seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any registration as the
result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or
implementation of this Section 1.

    1.9  Indemnification.  In the event any Registrable Securities are included
         ---------------
in a registration statement under this Section 1:

         (a)  To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and
hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, partners, and members (if
Holder is an LLC) of each Holder, any underwriter (as defined in the 1933 Act)
for such Holder and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter
within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, against any

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which they may
become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or other federal or state law,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements,
omissions or violations (collectively a "Violation"): (i) any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration
statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained
therein or any amendments or supplements thereto; (ii) the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (iii) any violation
or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any state
securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act or any state securities law; and the Company will reimburse each such
Holder, officer, director or partner, underwriter or controlling person for any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action.
The Company's indemnity contained in this Section 1.9(a) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable to any
Holder in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action
to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished in writing
and expressly stated for use in connection with such registration by any such
Holder. The Company shall not be required to indemnify any person against any
liability arising from any untrue or misleading statement or omission contained
in any preliminary prospectus if such deficiency is corrected in the final
prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto (collectively, the "Final
Prospectus"), and after the Company has furnished such Holder with a copy of the
Final Prospectus, such Holder fails to deliver a copy of such Final Prospectus.
The indemnity provided for in this Section 1.9(a) shall remain in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such seller,
underwriter, participating person or controlling person and shall survive
transfer of such securities by such seller.

         (b)  To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder will indemnify
and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who
have signed the registration statement, each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act, any underwriter (within the meaning
of the 1933 Act) for the Company, any person who controls such underwriter, and
any other Holder selling securities in such registration statement or any of its
partners, directors or officers or any person who controls such Holder, against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (joint or several) to which any of
the foregoing persons may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or
other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any
Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such
Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished by such Holder and expressly stated in a writing for use in connection
with such registration; and each such Holder will reimburse any legal or other
expenses, as reasonably incurred, by any person intended to be indemnified
pursuant to this Section 1.9(b), in connection with investigating or defending
any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action. The indemnity agreement
contained in this Section 1.9(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement
of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is
effected

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, provided, that in no event shall any indemnity under this Section
1.9(b) exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder, except
in the case of willful fraud by such Holder.

         (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
1.9 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental
action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against any indemnifying party under this Section 1.9, notify the
indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof and the indemnifying
party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the
indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually
satisfactory to the parties; provided that an indemnified party shall have the
                             -------------
right to retain its own counsel, with the reasonable fees and expenses to be
paid by the indemnifying party if the indemnified party reasonably determines
that representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the
indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing
interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such
counsel in such proceeding. The failure to notify an indemnifying party within a
reasonable time of the commencement of any such action, to the extent
prejudicial to its ability to defend such action, shall relieve such
indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under this Section
1.9, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it of
any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under
this Section 1.9.

         (d)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions
on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement
entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are in conflict
with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement
shall control, provided, however, that the failure of the underwriting agreement
to address an issue shall not be deemed to be a conflict between the
underwriting agreement and this Agreement.

         (e) The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 1.9
shall survive the completion of any offering of the Registrable Securities in a
registration statement under this Section 1.

    1.10 Reports Under Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  With a view of making
         ---------------------------------------------
available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act
and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder
to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the
Company agrees to:

         (a)  use its best efforts to make and keep public information
available, as those terms are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144, at all
times after 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement filed
by the Company in connection with its Initial Public Offering;

         (b)  take such action, including the voluntary registration of its
Common Stock under Section 12 of the 1934 Act, as is necessary to enable the
Holders to utilize Form S-3 for the sale of their Registrable Securities, such
action to be taken as soon as practicable after the end of the fiscal year in
which the registration of the Company's Initial Public Offering is declared
effective;

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

         (c)  use its best efforts to file with the SEC in a timely manner all
reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the
1934 Act; and

         (d)  furnish to any Holder, so long as the Holder owns any Registrable
Securities, upon reasonable request: (i) a written statement by the Company that
it has complied with the reporting requirements of SEC Rule 144 (at any time
after 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement filed by
the Company in connection with its Initial Public Offering), the 1933 Act and
the 1934 Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting
requirements), or that it qualifies as a registrant whose securities may be
resold pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after it so qualifies); (ii) a copy of
the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports
and documents so filed by the Company; and (iii) such other information as may
be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the
SEC or any state securities authorities which permits the selling of any such
securities without registration or pursuant to such form S-3.

    1.11 Assignment of Registration Rights.  The rights to cause the Company to
         ---------------------------------
register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 1 may be assigned by a
Holder to (A) a transferee or assignee of Registrable Securities who acquires
not less than 50,000 shares of the Registrable Securities (as adjusted for
recapitalizations, stock splits and combinations and the like), (B) a
subsidiary, parent, general partner, limited partner, retired partner,
affiliate, member (if Holder is an LLC) of a Holder, or investment fund or
entity controlled by a Holder, or (C) a Holder's family member or trust for the
benefit of an individual Holder or any family member; provided that (i) the
Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written
notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the securities
with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned, and (ii) such
assignment shall be effective only if immediately following such transfer the
transferee is bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and such
transfer of any Registrable Securities is lawful under all applicable securities
laws.

    1.12 Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights.  From and after the date
         ---------------------------------------------
of this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of
the Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities then
outstanding, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of
any securities of the Company which would: (i) permit such holder or prospective
holder to include such securities in any registration filed pursuant to Section
1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 above if such inclusion would adversely affect the rights of
any Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder (provided that the pro rata
participation of those additional shares in a registration or cutback shall not
be deemed an adverse affect if such pro rata participation is approved
unanimously by the Board of Directors); (ii) permit such holder or prospective
holder to require the Company to initiate any registration of any securities of
the Company; or (iii) grant such holder registration rights senior to those
granted to the Holders hereunder.

    1.13 Market Stand-off Agreement.  Each Holder agrees, in connection with the
         --------------------------
Company's Initial Public Offering, upon request of the Company or the
underwriters managing any underwritten offering of the Company's securities, not
to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or
otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company (other than those included in

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company or such
underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time (not to exceed 180
days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the
underwriters.

     In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-
transfer instructions with respect to the Registrable Securities of each Holder
(and the shares or securities of every other person subject to the foregoing
restriction) until the end of such period.

    1.14 Termination of Registration Rights.  The registration rights granted
         ----------------------------------
pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate (i) as to all Holders on the date
which is the fifth year anniversary following the consummation of the Initial
Public Offering of the Company, or (ii) as to any Holder, at such time as such
Holder is able to sell all Registrable Securities held by it pursuant to Rule
144 promulgated under the 1933 Act in a three (3) month period.

2.  Rights of First Refusal.  The Company hereby grants to each Investor, as
    -----------------------
long as the Investor holds at least 1,500,000 shares of Registrable Securities
(as adjusted for recapitalizations, stock splits and combinations and the like),
the right of first refusal to purchase, pro rata, a portion of any New
Securities (as defined in Section 2.1 below) that the Company, from time to
time, may propose to sell and issue. Each Investor's pro rata share of the New
Securities will be the ratio of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock issued
and held, and issuable upon the conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock and
upon the exercise of the Warrants then held, by such Investor as of the date of
the Rights Notice (as defined below) to (ii) the total number of shares of
Common Stock issued and held, and issuable upon the conversion of the shares of
Preferred Stock and upon the exercise of the Warrants or any other options,
warrants or convertible securities then held, by all persons, or reserved for
issuance under stock option and stock purchase plans of the Company as of such
date. This right of first refusal will be subject to the following provisions:

    2.1  "New Securities" will mean any shares of Common Stock or Preferred
Stock of any kind of the Company, whether now or hereafter authorized, and
rights, options, or warrants to purchase said Common Stock or Preferred Stock,
and securities of any type whatsoever that are, or may become, convertible into
said Common Stock or Preferred Stock; provided that "New Securities" will not
include: (i) securities issuable upon the conversion of or with respect to the
Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred, Series C Preferred or Series D
Preferred; (ii) securities issuable, upon the exercise of or with respect to the
Warrants to purchase shares of Series B Preferred issued and outstanding on
March 11, 1998; (iii) securities issuable, upon the exercise of or with respect
to the Warrants to purchase shares of Series C Preferred issued and outstanding
as of the date of the close of the Company's Series C Preferred issuance; (iv)
securities issuable, upon the exercise of or with respect to the Warrants to
purchase shares of Series D Preferred issued and outstanding as of the date of
the close of the Company's Series D Preferred issuance; (v) securities issued in
connection with the acquisition of another corporation by the Company by merger,
consolidation, purchase of substantially all of the assets, or other
reorganization as a result of which the Company owns more than fifty percent
(50%) of the voting power of such corporation; (vi) up to 4,735,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock or related options (or such greater number of shares
as may be approved by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors) issued
pursuant to any

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

stock option, incentive or any similar plan or agreement approved by the
Company's Board of Directors; (vii) shares of the Company's Common Stock or
Preferred Stock issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, reclassification or similar event; (viii) securities as to
which the holders of a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities then
outstanding waive their rights of first refusal under this Section 2; (ix)
securities issued in connection with any grant by the Company or to the Company
of any substantial licensing, distribution, technology, product or intellectual
property rights that is approved by the Company's Board of Directors; or (x)
securities issued in connection with any equipment lease financing or other
similar purchase financing arrangement approved by a unanimous vote of the
Company's Board of Directors.

    2.2  If the Company proposes to issue New Securities, it will give each
Investor that holds at least 1,500,000 shares of Registrable Securities (as
adjusted for recapitalizations, stock splits and combinations and the like)
written notice (the "Rights Notice") of the Company's intention to do so,
describing the New Securities, the price, and the general terms upon which the
Company proposes to issue them. Each such Investor will have 15 days from the
date of delivery of the Rights Notice to agree to purchase up to its pro rata
share of such New Securities (as determined above) for the price and upon the
general terms specified in the Rights Notice by giving written notice to the
Company setting forth the quantity of New Securities to be purchased.

    2.3  If not all of the Investors elect to purchase their pro rata share of
New Securities, then the Company shall promptly notify in writing the Investors
who do so elect and shall offer such Investors the right to acquire such
unsubscribed shares. Such Investors shall have 5 days after receipt of such
notice to notify the Company of its election to purchase all or a portion
thereof of the unsubscribed shares.

    2.4  Exercise of Right.  If any Investor exercises its right of first
         -----------------
refusal hereunder, the closing of the purchase of the New Securities with
respect to which such right has been exercised shall take place within ninety
(90) calendar days after each Investor gives notice of such exercise, which
period of time shall be extended if necessary to comply with applicable laws and
regulations. Upon exercise of such right of first refusal, the Company and such
Investor shall be legally obligated to consummate the purchase contemplated
thereby and shall use their best efforts to secure any approvals required in
connection therewith.

    2.5  Lapse and Reinstatement of Right.  In the event an Investor fails to
         --------------------------------
exercise the right of first refusal provided in this Section 2.1 within said
fifteen (15) day period, the Company shall have ninety (90) days thereafter to
sell or enter into an agreement (pursuant to which the sale of New Securities
covered thereby shall be closed, if at all, within sixty (60) days from the date
of said agreement) to sell the New Securities not elected to be purchased by
such Investor at the price and upon the terms no more favorable to the
purchasers of such securities than specified in the notice. In the event the
Company has not sold the New Securities described in the notice or entered into
an agreement to sell the New Securities within said ninety (90) day period (or
sold the New Securities in accordance with the foregoing within sixty (60) days
from the date of said agreement), the Company shall not thereafter issue or sell
any New Securities without first offering such securities to each Investor in
the manner provided above.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

    2.6  Termination.  The rights of first refusal granted in this Section 2
         -----------
shall not apply to, and shall terminate upon the closing of, a sale of shares of
the Company's capital stock pursuant to the Company's Initial Public Offering.

3.  Information and Board Visitation Rights.
    ---------------------------------------

    3.1  As long as an Investor holds not less than 1,500,000 shares of
Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver the following information and
reports to that Investor:

         (a)  As soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year of the
Company, and in any event within 90 days thereafter, an audited balance sheet of
the Company as of the end of such year and audited statements of income,
shareholders equity, and cash flow for such year, which year end financial
reports will be in reasonable detail and will be accompanied by a report and
opinion thereon of independent public accountants of nationally recognized
standing selected by the Company.

         (b)  As soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal quarter, and
in any event within 45 days thereafter, balance sheets of the Company and its
subsidiaries, if any, as of the end of such quarter, and statements of income
and cash flow for each quarter and for the current fiscal year to date,
including comparisons to that fiscal year's Annual Plan (as defined below) of
results for the quarter, as well as to year-to-date and the prior year
comparable period, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, with the exception that no notes need be attached to such statements
and year-end audit adjustments need not be made.

         (c)  With reasonable promptness after being approved by the Company's
Board of Directors, monthly financial statements compared against a copy of the
Company's annual financial plan (the "Annual Plan").

         (d)  With reasonable promptness after being approved by the Company's
Board of Directors, and in all events within thirty (30) days prior to the
commencement of the relevant fiscal year, a copy of the Company's Annual Plan,
respecting such fiscal year, which will include reasonable detail and monthly
budgets.

    3.2  The Company shall permit each Holder of at least 1,500,000 shares of
Registrable Securities, at such Holder's expense, to visit and inspect the
Company's properties, to examine its books of account and records and to discuss
the Company's affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, all at such
reasonable times as may be requested by the Investor; provided, however, that
                                                      --------  -------
the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to this Section 3. 2 to provide
access to any information which it reasonably considers to be a trade secret or
similar confidential information.

    3.3  The Company's obligations to deliver reports and other information
under this Section 3 will terminate upon the closing of a sale of shares of the
Company's capital stock pursuant to the Company's Initial Public Offering.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

    3.4  Dr. Hasso Plattner (collectively with his affiliates) shall have the
right to designate one (1) person to attend all meetings of the Company's Board
of Directors in a nonvoting observor capacity. Arbor Investors shall have the
right to designate one (1) person to attend all meetings of the Company's Board
of Directors in a nonvoting observor capacity. Each such attendee may
participate in discussions of matters brought to the Board, but shall not have
any vote as to such matters. Each such attendee shall sign the Company's
customary form of Observer Rights Agreement. The Company shall provide such
persons with the same notice of all meetings of the Board of Directors and all
information and materials that it provides to the members of the Board of
Directors. The rights granted in this Section 3.4 shall terminate upon the
closing of a sale of shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the
Company's Initial Public Offering.

    3.5  Each Investor agrees to, and to use its best efforts to insure that its
authorized representatives, keep confidential the information provided to it
pursuant to this Section 3 and any other information furnished to it which the
Company identifies as being confidential or proprietary (so long as such
information is not in the public domain), except that such Investor may disclose
such proprietary or confidential information to any partner, subsidiary, parent,
or member of such Investor for the purpose of evaluating its investment in the
Company as long as such partner, subsidiary, parent or member is advised of the
confidentiality provisions of this Section 3.

4.   Restrictions on Transfer
     ------------------------

    4.1  Each Holder agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of
the Preferred Stock, Warrants or Registrable Securities unless and until:

         (a)  There is then in effect a registration statement under the 1933
Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in
accordance with such registration statement; or

         (b)  (i) The transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by this
Section 4, (ii) such Holder shall have notified the Company of the proposed
disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a detailed statement of
the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (iii) if reasonably
requested by the Company, such Holder shall have furnished the Company with an
opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such
disposition will not require registration of such shares under the 1933 Act. It
is agreed that the Company will not require opinions of counsel for transactions
made pursuant to Rule 144 except in unusual circumstances.

         (c)  Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 4.1(a) and (b) above,
no such registration statement or opinion of counsel shall be necessary for a
transfer by a Holder which is (i) a partnership to its partners or former
partners in accordance with partnership interests or to a member of such Holder
or an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such
Holder or to an affiliate, (ii) a corporation to its shareholders in accordance
with their interest in the corporation, (iii) a limited liability company to its
members or former members in accordance with their interest in the limited
liability company, or (iv) to the Holder's family member or trust for the
benefit of an individual Holder, provided the transferee will be subject to the
terms of this Section 4 to the same extent as if he were an original Holder
hereunder.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

    4.2  Legends.
         -------

         (a)  All certificates evidencing the Preferred Stock, and evidencing
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of any of the Preferred
Stock and upon exercise of any of the Warrants, will bear the following legends:

          "THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
          UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY
          THE ISSUEE FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES.  THE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR
          TRANSFERRED UNLESS (A) THEY HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT, (B)
          THE TRANSFER AGENT (OR THE COMPANY IF THEN ACTING AS ITS OWN TRANSFER
          AGENT) IS PRESENTED WITH EITHER A WRITTEN OPINION SATISFACTORY TO
          COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY OR A "NO-ACTION" OR INTERPRETIVE LETTER FROM
          THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH
          REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF SUCH SALE OR
          TRANSFER, (C) THEY ARE SOLD IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144 OR RULE 144A
          UNDER THE ACT, OR (D) OTHER EVIDENCE REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE
          COMPANY IS PRESENTED TO THE COMPANY TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH
          REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED."

          "THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
          TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AS SET FORTH IN THAT CERTAIN AMENDED AND
          RESTATED INVESTORS' RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED MARCH _____, 2000, A COPY
          OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY."

         (b)  The certificates evidencing the Preferred Stock or such shares of
Common Stock will also bear any legend required by the Commissioner of
Corporations of the State of California or required pursuant to any state, local
or foreign law governing such securities.

         (c)  The Company shall be obligated to reissue promptly unlegended
certificates at the request of any holder thereof if the holder shall have
obtained an opinion of counsel (which counsel may be counsel to the Company)
reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that the securities proposed
to be disposed of may lawfully be so disposed of without registration,
qualification or legend.

    4.3  Any legend endorsed on an instrument pursuant to applicable state
securities laws and the stop-transfer instructions with respect to such
securities shall be removed upon receipt by the Company of an order of the
appropriate blue sky authority authorizing such removal.

5.   General Provisions.
     ------------------

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

     5.1  Further Assurances.  Each party agrees to cooperate fully with the
          ------------------
other parties and to execute such further instruments, documents and agreements
and to give such further written assurances, as may be reasonably requested by
any other party to better evidence and reflect the transactions described herein
and contemplated hereby, and to carry into effect the intents and purposes of
this Agreement.

    5.2  Rights Cumulative.  Each and all, of the various rights, powers and
         -----------------
remedies of the parties hereto shall be considered to be cumulative with and in
addition to any other rights, powers and remedies which such parties may have at
law or in equity in the event of the breach of any of the terms of this
Agreement. The exercise or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy shall
neither constitute the exclusive election thereof nor the waiver of any other
right, power or remedy available to such party.

    5.3  Notices.  All notices, consents or demands of any kind which any party
         -------
to this Agreement may be required or may desire to serve on any other party
hereto in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and may be
delivered by personal service or overnight courier, by facsimile transmission,
or by certified mail, return receipt requested, deposited in the United States
mail with first-class postage thereon fully prepaid, addressed: (i) if to the
Company, attention: Secretary at its then current principal executive office
address; or (ii) if to an Investor, at its address as such Investor shall have
notified the Company is the Investor's latest address in accordance with this
Section 5.3. Service of any such notice or demand so made by mail shall be
deemed complete on the date of actual delivery as shown by the addressee's
certification receipt or at the expiration of 5 business days after the date of
mailing, whichever is earlier in time. Any party hereto may from time to time by
notice in writing served upon the others as aforesaid, designate a different
mailing address or a different person to which such notices or demands are
thereafter to be addressed or delivered.

    5.4  Term.  This Agreement shall commence as of the date set forth above and
         ----
shall terminate on the first date upon which each of the conditions for
termination of the respective Investors' rights, set forth in Sections 1.14,
2.6, 3.3 and 3.4 herein, have been satisfied.

    5.5  Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement are severable. The
         ------------
invalidity, in whole or in part, of any provision of this Agreement shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of any other of its provisions. If one or
more provisions hereof shall be so declared invalid or unenforceable, the
remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
construed in the broadest possible manner to effectuate the purposes hereof. The
parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable provisions of this
Agreement with valid and enforceable provisions which will achieve, to the
extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of the void or
unenforceable provisions.

    5.6  Attorneys' Fees.  In any action at law or in equity to enforce any of
         ---------------
the provisions or rights under this Agreement, the unsuccessful party to such
litigation, as determined by the court in a final judgment or decree, shall pay
the successful party all reasonable costs, expenses and attorneys' fees incurred
by the successful party (including, without limitation, costs, expenses and fees
on any appeal).

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

    5.7  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement (together with the Purchase Agreement
         ----------------
and the other documents referred to herein and therein) is intended by the
parties hereto to be the final expression of their agreement and constitutes and
embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with
regard to the subject matter hereof, is a complete and exclusive statement of
the terms and conditions thereof, and shall supersede any and all prior
correspondence, conversations, negotiations, agreements or understandings,
whether written or oral, relating to the same subject matter.

    5.8  Choice of Law.  It is the intention of the parties that the internal
         -------------
laws of the State of California (irrespective of its choice of law principles)
should govern the validity of this Agreement and the interpretation of the
rights and duties of the parties.

    5.9  Binding on Heirs, Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement and all of
         ----------------------------------------
its terms, conditions and covenants are intended to be fully effective and
binding, to the extent permitted by law, on the heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto.

    5.10 Amendment; Waiver.  Any provision of this Agreement may be amended
         -----------------
and/or the observance thereof may be waived upon the written consent of the
Company and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities then
outstanding. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section
5.10 shall be binding upon each Holder of any Registrable Securities then
outstanding (including securities into which such securities are convertible),
each future Holder of all such Registrable Securities, and the Company. No
waiver of any term, provision or condition of this Agreement, whether by conduct
or otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be, or be
construed as, a further or continuing waiver of any such term, provision or
condition or as a waiver of any other term, provision or condition of this
Agreement.

    5.11 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts,
         ------------
each of which shall be deemed an original, and when executed, separately or
together, shall constitute a single original instrument, effective in the same
manner as if the parties hereto had executed one and the same instrument. In the
event of an additional closing or closings of the purchase of additional shares
of Series D Preferred Stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement of even date
herewith, upon execution of a signature page counterpart and without need for an
amendment hereto, any such purchaser shall become a party to this Agreement, and
shall be deemed an "Investor" for purposes of this Agreement, and shall have the
rights and obligations hereunder.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.

                                    COMPANY:

                                    2BRIDGE

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------
                                       Mansoor Zakaria, Chairman and
                                       Chief Executive Officer

    [SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTORS' RIGHTS AGREEMENT]

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

                                    2BRIDGE
                            INVESTOR SIGNATURE PAGE
                                      TO
                             AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          INVESTORS' RIGHTS AGREEMENT

    The undersigned hereby executes and delivers the Amended and Restated
Investors' Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") to which this Signature Page is
attached effective as of the date of the Agreement, which Agreement and
Signature Page, together with all counterparts of said Agreement and Signature
Pages of the other parties named in said Agreement, shall constitute one and the
same document in accordance with the terms of said Agreement.

                                          -------------------------------------
                                          [Type or Print Name of Investor]

                                          By:
                                             ----------------------------------

                                          Print Name:
                                                     --------------------------

                                          Title:
                                               --------------------------------
                                                      (if applicable)

                                          Address:
                                                  -----------------------------

                                                  -----------------------------

                                                  -----------------------------

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00003-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00003-of-00352.parquet"}]]