Document:

Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION

Exhibit 10.2

 

EMPLOYEE NONCOMPETITION,

NONDISCLOSURE AND DEVELOPMENTS

AGREEMENT

 

                In consideration

and as a condition of my employment by META Group, Inc., or any of its

subsidiaries, subdivisions or affiliates, (“MG,” or the “Company”), and the

compensation received by me from the Company from time to time, I hereby agree

with the Company as follows:

 

                1.             During my employment by the

Company, I will devote my full time and best efforts to the business of the

Company and I further agree that during my employment by the Company and for a

period of one (1) year thereafter, regardless of the reason for my termination

of employment, I will not, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)                      alone or

as a partner, joint venturer, consultant, officer, director, employee, agent,

independent contractor or stockholder of any company or business organization,

engage in any business activity and/or accept employment with any person or

entity, which is or may be directly or indirectly in competition with the

products or services being developed, planned, drafted, manufactured, marketed,

distributed, sold or otherwise provided by the Company, including engaging in

any business activity and/or accepting employment with any person or entity

which competes with the Company by developing, marketing, selling or assisting

others to develop, market or sell syndicated research services that are

competitive with the services of MG existing or planned; provided, however,

that the record or beneficial ownership by me of 5% or less of the outstanding

publicly traded capital stock of any such company shall not be deemed, in and

of itself, to be in violation of this Section 1;

 

(ii)                     employ,

or assist any company or business organization by which I am employed or which

is directly or indirectly controlled by me to employ, any person who is

employed by the Company, or is an agent, representative or consultant of the

Company, at any time during my employment or during the period of one (1) year

thereafter, or in any manner seek to solicit or induce any such person to leave

his or her employment with the Company, or assist in the recruitment of any

such person; or

 

(iii)                    solicit

or do business with any former or current client of the Company made known to

me by MG during my employment with the Company on behalf of a business

competitive with the Company.

 

                2.             I will not at any time, whether

during or after the termination of my employment for any reason, reveal to any

person or entity any Confidential Information (as defined herein), except as

may be required in the ordinary course of performing my duties as an employee

of the Company, and I shall keep secret all matters entrusted to me and shall

not use or attempt to use any such information in any manner which may injure

or cause loss or may be calculated to injure or cause loss, whether directly or

indirectly, to the Company.

                The term

"Confidential Information" shall mean any of the trade secrets or

confidential information concerning the organization, business or finances of

the Company or of any third party which the Company is under an obligation to

keep confidential.  Such Confidential

Information shall include, but is not limited to, trade secrets or confidential

information respecting existing and future products and services, designs,

methods, formulas, drafts of publications, research, know-how, techniques,

systems, databases, processes, software programs, developments or experimental

work, works of authorship, customer lists, business plans, marketing plans,

projects, and all other plans and proposals.

 

                3.             I agree that during my employment I

shall not make, use or permit to be used any Company Documentation (as defined

herein) otherwise than for the benefit of the Company.  I further agree that I shall not, after the termination

of my employment for any reason, use or permit others to use any such Company

Documentation, it being agreed that all Company documentation shall be and

remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company.  Immediately upon the termination of my

employment for any reason I shall deliver all Company Documentation, and all

copies thereof, to the Company, at its main office.

 

                The term

"Company Documentation" shall mean notes, drafts, research,

memoranda, manuscripts, reports, proposals, business plans, marketing plans,

lists, correspondence, records, drawings, sketches, blueprints, specifications,

software programs, data, documentation or other materials of any nature and in

any form, whether written, printed, or in digital format or otherwise, relating

to any matter within the scope of the business of the Company or concerning any

of its dealings or affairs.

 

                4.             I agree that I will not, during my

employment with the Company, improperly use or disclose any proprietary

information or trade secrets of my former employers or of any other third

parties, and that I will not bring onto the premises of the Company any

unpublished document or any property belonging to my former employers or of any

other third party, unless consented to in writing by said employers or third

parties.

                5.             I recognize that the Company has

received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential

or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain

the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited

purposes.  I agree that I owe the

Company and such third parties, during the term of my employment and

thereafter, regardless for the reason for my termination of employment, a duty

to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest of

confidence and not to disclose it to any person, entity or corporation (except

as necessary in carrying out my work for the Company consistent with the

Company’s agreement with such third party) or to use it for the benefit of

anyone other than for the Company or such third party (consistent with the

Company’s agreement with such third party) without the express written

authorization of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

                6.             If at any time or times during my

employment, I shall (either alone or with others) make, conceive, create,

discover, or reduce to practice any Development (as defined herein) that:  (a) relates to the business of the

Company or any customer of or supplier to the Company or any of the products or

services being developed, manufactured, marketed or sold by the Company or

which may be used in relation therewith; or (b) results from tasks

assigned to me by the Company; or (c) results from the use of premises or

personal property (whether tangible or intangible) owned, leased or contracted

for by the Company, such Developments and the benefits thereof are and shall

immediately become the sole and absolute property of the Company and its

assigns, as works made for hire or otherwise. 

I shall promptly disclose to the Company (or any persons designated by

it) each such Development.  I hereby

assign any rights (including, but not limited to, any copyrights and

trademarks) I may have or acquire in the Developments and benefits and/or

rights resulting therefrom to the Company and its assigns without further

compensation and shall communicate, without cost or delay, and without

disclosing to others the same, all available information relating thereto (with

all necessary plans, drafts, manuscripts, research and models) to the Company. 

 

                The term

"Developments" shall mean any modification, discovery, design,

development, improvement, process, software program, software code, manuscript,

work of authorship, work made for hire, derivative work, documentation,

publication, formula, data, technique, know-how, trade secret or intellectual

property right whatsoever or any interest therein (whether or not registrable

under copyright, trademark or similar statutes (including but not limited to

the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act) or subject to analogous protection).

 

                7.             I will also promptly disclose to

the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to receive all such disclosures in

confidence, any other modification, discovery, design, development,

improvement, process, software program, software code, manuscript,

documentation, publication, formula, data, technique, know-how, secret or

intellectual property right whatsoever or any interest therein (whether or not

registrable under copyright or similar statutes or subject to analogous

protection) made, conceived, discovered, reduced to practice or possessed by me

(either alone or with others) at any time or times during my employment for the

purpose of determining whether they constitute “Developments," as defined

in Paragraph 6.

                8.             I will, during my employment and at

any time thereafter, regardless of the reason for the termination of my

employment, at the request and cost of the Company, promptly sign, execute,

make and do all such deeds, documents, acts and things as the Company and its

duly authorized officers may reasonably require:

 

(a)       to apply for, obtain, register and vest

in the name of the Company alone (unless the Company otherwise directs)

copyrights, trademarks or other analogous protection in any country throughout

the world and when so obtained or vested to renew and restore the same; and

 

(b)       to defend any judicial, opposition or

other proceedings in respect of such applications and any judicial, opposition

or other proceedings or petitions or applications for revocation of such copyright,

trademark or other analogous protection.

 

                9.             In the event the Company is unable,

after reasonable effort, to secure my signature on any application for

copyright or trademark registration or other documents regarding any legal

protection relating to a Development (as defined in Paragraph 6), whether

because of my physical or mental incapacity or for any other reason whatsoever,

I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized

officers and agents as my agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in my

behalf and stead to execute and file any such application or applications or

other documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the

prosecution and issuance of copyright or trademark registrations or any other

legal protection thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by

me.

 

                10.           I agree to keep and maintain adequate

and current written records of all Developments (as defined in Paragraph 6

hereto) made by me (solely or jointly with others) during the term of my

employment with the Company.  The

records will be in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, and any other format

that may be specified by the Company at all times.

 

                11.           I agree to and consent to the use of

my name, picture, signature, voice, image, and/or likeness by the Company.  Further, I waive all claims I have against

the Company and its officers, employees, and agents arising out of the

Company’s use, adaptation, reproduction, modification, distribution,

exhibition, or other commercial exploitation of my name, picture, signature,

voice, image, and/or likeness, including but not limited to right of privacy,

right of publicity and celebrity, use of voice, name or likeness, defamation,

and copyright infringement.  I further

represent and warrant that I have not heretofore made any contract or

commitment in conflict with this consent and waiver.

                12.           I agree that, at the time of leaving

the employ of the Company for any reason, I will deliver to the Company (and

will not keep in my possession or deliver to anyone else) any and all Company

Documentation (as defined in Paragraph 3), keys, materials, equipment,

devices, other documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned

items belonging to the Company, its successors or assigns.  I further agree to return to or otherwise

inform the Company of all means of access to any account, database, or computer

system of the Company (whether personal to me or public, published or

unpublished, standard or backdoor, including all account names, passwords,

access codes, unique personal identification numbers, any code kept secret and

any other means allowing employee access to Company data or documentation).

 

                13.           I agree that any breach of this

Agreement by me will cause irreparable damage to the Company and that in the

event of such breach the Company shall have, in addition to any and all

remedies of law, the right to an injunction, specific performance or other

equitable relief to prevent the violation of my obliga­tions hereunder, without

showing or proving actual damages or exhausting any Company remedy in the form

of money damages and without having to post a bond or any other security.

 

                14.           I understand that this Agreement does

not create an obligation on the Company or any other person to continue my

employment.  I further acknowledge and

agree that my employment is at-will, and that both I and the Company can

terminate my employment without reason and at any time.

 

                15.           I represent that my performance of

all of the terms of this Agreement and as an employee of the Company does not

and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information

acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment by the

Company.  I have not entered into, and I

agree I will not enter into, any agreement either written or oral in conflict

herewith.

 

                16.           I further represent that if the

representations set forth in the preceding paragraph are inapplicable, I have

attached hereto a copy of each agreement, if any, which presently affects my

compliance with the terms of this Agreement. 

(Such copy specifies the other contracting party or employer, the date

of such agreement, the date of termination of any employment.)  IF THERE ARE ANY SUCH AGREEMENTS, THE

UNDERSIGNED SHOULD INITIAL HERE. 

OTHERWISE IT WILL BE DEEMED THAT THERE ARE NO SUCH AGREEMENTS. ____.

 

                17.           Any waiver by the Company of a breach

of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a

waiver of any subsequent breach of such provision or any other provision

hereof.

 

                18.           This Agreement sets forth the entire

agreement and understanding between the Company and me relating to the subject

matter herein and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and

understandings between us respecting the subject matter hereof.  Any amendment to or modification of this

Agreement, or any waiver of any provision hereof, must be in writing and signed

by the Company.  Any subsequent change

or changes in my duties, salary compensation or employment status will not

affect the validity or scope of this Agreement.  Any waiver by the Company of any provision of this Agreement

shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach thereof.

                19.     I hereby agree that each provision herein

shall be treated as a separate and independent clause, and the unenforceability

of any one clause shall in no way impair the enforce­ability of any of the

other clauses of the Agreement. 

Moreover, if one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement

shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to scope, activity,

subject or otherwise so as to be unenforceable at law, such provision or

provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by limiting or

reducing it or them, so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible

with the applicable law as it shall then appear.  I hereby further agree that the language of all parts of this

Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole according to its fair

meaning and not strictly for or against any of the parties.

 

                20.           This Agreement shall be effective as

of the date entered below.  My

obligations under this Agreement shall survive the termination of my employment

regardless of the reason of such termination and shall be binding upon my heirs,

executors, admin­istrators and legal representatives.

 

                21.           The Company shall have the right to

assign this Agreement to its successors and assigns, and all covenants and

agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by said successors

or assigns.

 

                22.           This Agreement shall be governed by

and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut and shall

in all respects be interpreted, enforced and governed under the internal and

domestic laws of such state, without giving effect to the principles of

conflicts of laws of such state.  Any

claims or legal actions by one party against the other arising out of the

relationship between the parties contemplated herein (whether or not arising

under this Agreement) shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut

and shall be commenced and maintained in any state or federal court located in

Connecticut, and both parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction and venue of

any such court.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the

undersigned has executed this Agree­ment as a sealed instrument as of the 11th

day of September, 2001.

 

 

 

	

  /s/ Michael Levine

  	

   

  
	

  Name:  Michael Levine

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

  1204 Timberbrook Drive

  	

   

  
	

  Bedminster, NJ 07921

  	

   

  
	

  AddressPrepared by MERRILL CORPORATION

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

META GROUP, INC.

INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

 

META Group, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants

as of September 11, 2001 to you (the “Employee”), an option to purchase shares

(the “Option Shares”) of its Common Stock, $.01 par value (“Common Stock”), at

the price of $2.00 per

share.  The quantity of Option Shares

granted and vesting schedule is defined on the cover page, hereof.  The Option Shares are granted on the

following terms and conditions:

 

                1.             Grant Under Second Amended and

Restated 1995 Stock Plan. 

This option is granted pursuant to and is governed by the Company’s

Second Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan (the “Plan”) and, unless the

context otherwise requires, terms used herein shall have the same meaning as in

the Plan.  Determinations made in

connection with this option pursuant to the Plan shall be governed by the Plan

as it exists on this date.

 

                2.             Grant as Incentive Stock Option;

Other Options.  This

option is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under

Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the

“Code”).  This option is in addition to

any other options heretofore or hereafter granted to the Employee by the

Company or any Related Corporation (as defined in the Plan), but a duplicate

original of this instrument shall not effect the grant of another option.

 

                3.             Vesting of Option if Employment

Continues; Acceleration on Change of Control.

 

                (a)           Subject

to Section 3(b), if the Employee has continued to be employed by the Company or

any Related Corporation through the dates listed under the column entitled

“Full Vest” on the cover page hereof, the Employee may exercise this option for

the number of shares of Common Stock set opposite the applicable date.

 

                (b)           In addition to the foregoing but

subject to Section 4, if the Employee’s employment with the Company or any

Related Corporation is terminated without Cause by the Company or any Related

Corporation (including for such purpose any successor to the Company resulting

from a Change of Control (as defined below)) during the one year period

following the consummation of a Change of Control, then this option shall

become exercisable for an additional number of Option Shares equal to the

lesser of (i) 87,500 and (ii) the total number of Option Shares with respect to

which this option is not yet exercisable at the time of any such

termination.  For the purposes of this

Section 3(b), “Change of Control” shall mean: (x) the sale of the Company by merger in

which the shareholders of the Company in their capacity as such no longer own a

majority of the outstanding equity securities of the Company (or its

successor); or (y) any sale of all or substantially all of the assets or

capital stock of the Company (other than in a spin-off or similar transaction)

or (z) any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by

the Board.

 

                (c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, in

accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may,

in its discretion, further accelerate the date that any installment of this

Option becomes exercisable.  The

foregoing rights are cumulative and (subject to Sections 4 or 5 hereof if the

Employee ceases to be employed by the Company and all Related Corporations) may

be exercised on or before the date which is ten years from the date this option

is granted. (Five years if Employee holds more than 10% of voting power.)

 

                4.             Termination of Employment.

 

                                (a)           Termination Other Than for Cause:  If the Employee ceases to be employed by the

Company and all Related Corporations, other than by reason of death or

disability as defined in Section 5 or termination for Cause as defined in

Section 4(c), no further installments of this option shall become exercisable,

and this option shall terminate (and may no longer be exercised) after the

passage of 90 days from the Employee’s last day of employment, but in no event

later than the scheduled expiration date. 

In such a case, the Employee’s only rights hereunder shall be those

which are properly exercised before the termination of this option.

                                (b)           Termination for Cause:  If the employment of the Employee is

terminated for Cause (as defined in Section 4(c)), this option shall terminate

upon the Employee’s receipt of written notice of such termination and shall

thereafter not be exercisable to any extent whatsoever.

 

                                (c)           Definition of Cause:  “Cause” means conduct involving one or

more of the following: (i) the substantial and continuing failure of the

Employee, after notice thereof, to render services to the Company or Related

Corporation in accordance with the terms or requirements of his or her

employment; (ii) disloyalty, gross negligence, willful misconduct,

dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duty to the Company or Related Corporation; (iii) the

commission of an act of embezzlement or fraud; (iv) deliberate disregard

of the rules or policies of the Company or Related Corporation which results in

direct or indirect loss, damage or injury to the Company or Related

Corporation; (v) the unauthorized disclosure of any trade secret or

confidential information of the Company or Related Corporation; or

(vi) the commission of an act which constitutes unfair competition with

the Company or Related Corporation or which induces any customer or supplier to

breach a contract with the Company or Related Corporation.

 

                5.             Death; Disability.

 

                                (a)  Death: 

If the Employee dies while in the employ of the Company or any Related

Corporation, the Employee’s estate, personal representative or beneficiary to

whom this option has been assigned pursuant to Section 9 hereof may

exercise this option, to the extent this option is otherwise exercisable on the

date of the Employee’s death, at any time within one year after the date of

death, but not later than the scheduled expiration date.

 

                                (b)  Disability:  If the Employee ceases to be employed by the

Company and all Related Corporations by reason of his or her disability (as

defined in the Plan), this option may be exercised, to the extent otherwise

exercisable on the date of the termination of his or her employment, at any

time within 180 days after such termination, but not later than the

scheduled expiration date.

 

                                (c)  Effect of Termination:  At the expiration of the

180-day period provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 5 or the

scheduled expiration date, whichever is the earlier, this option shall

terminate (and shall no longer be exercisable) and the only rights hereunder

shall be those as to which the option was properly exercised before such termination.

 

                6.             Partial Exercise.  This option may be exercised in part at any

time and from time to time within the above limits, except that this option may

not be exercised for a fraction of a share unless such exercise is with respect

to the final installment of stock subject to this option and cash in lieu of a

fractional share must be paid, in accordance with Paragraph 13(G) of the Plan,

to permit the Employee to exercise completely such final installment.  Any fractional share with respect to which

an installment of this option cannot be exercised because of the limitation

contained in the preceding sentence shall remain subject to this option and

shall be available for later purchase by the Employee in accordance with the

terms hereof.

 

                7.             Payment of Price.  (a) The option price shall be paid

in the following manner:

 

                                           (i)   in cash or by check;

 

                                           (ii)   subject to paragraph 7(b) below, by

delivery of shares of the Company’s Common Stock having a fair market value (as

determined by the Committee) equal as of the date of exercise to the option

price;

                                           (iii)  by delivery of an assignment satisfactory in

form and substance to the Company of a sufficient amount of the proceeds

from the sale of the Option Shares and an instruction to the broker or selling

agent to pay that amount to the Company; or

 

                                           (iv)   by any combination of the foregoing.

 

                                (b)           Limitations on Payment by Delivery of Common Stock:  If the Employee delivers Common Stock held

by the Employee (“Old Stock”) to the Company in full or partial payment of the

option price, and the Old Stock so delivered is subject to restrictions or

limitations imposed by agreement between the Employee and the Company, an

equivalent number of Option Shares shall be subject to all restrictions and

limitations applicable to the Old Stock to the extent that the Employee paid

for the Option Shares by delivery of Old Stock, in addition to any restrictions

or limitations imposed by this Agreement. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee may not pay any part of the

exercise price hereof by transferring Common Stock to the Company unless such

Common Stock has been owned by the Employee free of any substantial risk of

forfeiture for at least six months.

 

                                (c)           Permitted Payment by Recourse Note:  In addition, if this paragraph is initialed

below by the person signing this Agreement on behalf of the Company, the option

price may be paid by delivery of the Employee’s three-year personal recourse

promissory note bearing interest payable not less than annually at the

applicable Federal rate, as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code.

 

                                                                __________

                                                                (initials)

 

                8.             Method of Exercising Option.  Subject to the terms and conditions of

this Agreement, this option may be exercised by written notice to the Company

at its principal executive office, or to such transfer agent as the Company

shall designate.  Such notice shall

state the election to exercise this option and the number of Option Shares for

which it is being exercised and shall be signed by the person or persons so

exercising this option.  Such notice

shall be accompanied by payment of the full purchase price of such shares, and

the Company shall deliver a certificate or certificates representing such

shares as soon as practicable after the notice is received.  Such certificate or certificates shall be

registered in the name of the person or persons so exercising this option (or,

if this option shall be exercised by the Employee and if the Employee shall so

request in the notice exercising this option, shall be registered in the name

of the Employee and another person jointly, with right of survivorship).  In the event this option is exercised,

pursuant to Section 5 hereof, by any person or persons other than the

Employee, such notice shall be accompanied by appropriate proof of the right of

such person or persons to exercise this option.

 

                9.             Option Not Transferable.  This option is not transferable or

assignable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  During the Employee’s lifetime, only the

Employee may exercise this option.

 

                10.          No Obligation to Exercise Option.  The grant and acceptance of this option

imposes no obligation on the Employee to exercise it.

 

                11.          No Obligation to Continue Employment.  Neither the Plan, this Agreement, nor

the grant of this option imposes any obligation on the Company or any Related

Corporation to continue the Employee in employment.

 

                12.          No Rights as Stockholder until Exercise.  The Employee shall have no rights as a

stockholder with respect to the Option Shares until such time as the Employee

has exercised this option by delivering a notice of exercise and has paid in

full the purchase price for the shares so exercised in accordance with

Section 8.  Except as is expressly

provided in the Plan with respect to certain changes in the capitalization of

the Company, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or similar rights for

which the record date is prior to such date of exercise.

                13.          Capital Changes and Business Successions.  The Plan contains provisions covering

the treatment of options in a number of contingencies such as stock splits and

mergers.  Provisions in the Plan for

adjustment with respect to stock subject to options and the related provisions

with respect to successors to the business of the Company are hereby made

applicable hereunder and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

                14.          Early Disposition.  The Employee agrees to notify the

Company in writing immediately after the Employee transfers any Option Shares,

if such transfer occurs on or before the later of (a) the date two years

after the date of this Agreement or (b) the date one year after the date

the Employee acquired such Option Shares. 

The Employee also agrees to provide the Company with any information

concerning any such transfer required by the Company for tax purposes.

 

15.          Withholding

Taxes.  If the

Company or any Related Corporation in its discretion determines that it is

obligated to withhold any tax in connection with the exercise of this option,

or in connection with the transfer of, or the lapse of restrictions on, any

Common Stock or other property acquired pursuant to this option, the Employee

hereby agrees that the Company or any Related Corporation may withhold from the

Employee’s wages or other remuneration the appropriate amount of tax.  At the discretion of the Company or Related

Corporation, the amount required to be withheld may be withheld in cash from

such wages or other remuneration or in kind from the Common Stock or other

property otherwise deliverable to the Employee on exercise of this option.  The Employee further agrees that, if the

Company or any Related Corporation does not withhold an amount from the

Employee’s wages or other remuneration sufficient to satisfy the withholding

obligation of the Company or Related Corporation, the Employee shall make

reimbursement on demand, in cash, for the amount underwithheld.

 

                16.          Lock-up Agreement.  The Employee agrees that in connection with

an underwritten public offering of Common Stock, upon the request of the

Company or the principal underwriter managing such public offering, this Option

and the Option Shares may not be sold, offered for sale or otherwise disposed

of without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriter, as the

case may be, for at least 270 days after the effectiveness of the Registration

Statement filed in connection with such offering, or such longer period of time

as the Board of Directors may determine if all of the Company’s directors and

officers agree to be similarly bound. 

The lock-up agreement established pursuant to this paragraph 16

shall have perpetual duration.

 

                17.          Arbitration.  Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of, in connection

with, or relating to the performance of this Agreement or its termination shall

be settled by arbitration in the State of Connecticut, pursuant to the rules

then pertaining of the American Arbitration Association.  Any award shall be final, binding and

conclusive upon the parties and a judgment rendered thereon may be entered in

any court having jurisdiction thereof.

 

                18.          Provision of Documentation to

Employee.  By signing this Agreement the Employee

acknowledges receipt of a copy of this Agreement and a copy of the Plan.

 

                19.          Miscellaneous.

 

                                (a)  Notices:  All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed

given when sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return

receipt requested, to the address set forth below.  The addresses for such notices may be changed from time to time

by written notice given in the manner provided for herein.

 

                                (b)  Entire Agreement; Modification:  This Agreement constitutes the

entire agreement between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof, and

supersedes all proposals, written or oral, and all other communications between

the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.  This Agreement may be modified, amended or

rescinded only by a written agreement executed by both parties.

 

                                (c)  Severability:  The invalidity, illegality or

unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall in no way affect the

validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision.

                                (d) 

Successors and Assigns: This Agreement shall be

binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their

respective successors and assigns, subject to the limitations set forth in

Section 9 hereof.

 

                                (e)  Governing Law:  This Agreement shall be governed by and

interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,

without giving effect to the principles of the conflicts of laws thereof.

 

 

 

 

	

  Notice of Grant of

  Stock Options

  and Option Agreement

  	

   

  	

  META

  Group, Inc.

  ID:  06-0971675

  208 Harbor Drive

  Stamford, CT 06912

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective September 11,

2001, you have been granted a(n) Incentive Stock Option to buy One Hundred

Seventy Five Thousand (175,000) shares of META Group, Inc. (the Company) stock

at $2.00 per share.

 

The total option price of

the shares granted is $350,000.00.

 

Shares in each period

will become exercisable on the date shown, subject to acceleration under

certain circumstances in accordance with Section 3.

 

	

  Shares

  	

   

  	

  Vest

  Type

  	

   

  	

  Full

  Vest

  	

   

  	

  Expiration

  	

   

  
	

  43,750

  	

   

  	

  On Vest Date

  	

   

  	

  September 11, 2002

  	

   

  	

  September 11, 2011

  	

   

  
	

  43,750

  	

   

  	

  On Vest Date

  	

   

  	

  September 11, 2003

  	

   

  	

  September 11, 2011

  	

   

  
	

  43,750

  	

   

  	

  On Vest Date

  	

   

  	

  September 11, 2004

  	

   

  	

  September 11, 2011

  	

   

  
	

  43,750

  	

   

  	

  On Vest Date

  	

   

  	

  September 11, 2005

  	

   

  	

  September 11, 2011

  	

   

  

 

 

 

 

By your signature and the

Company’s signature below, you and the Company agree that these options are

granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Company’s Stock

Option Plan as amended and the Option Agreement, all of which are attached and

made a part of this document.

 

 

 

 

 

	

     /s/ Dale

  Kutnick

  	

   

  	

     September

  11, 2001

  
	

  META Group, Inc.

  	

   

  	

  Date

  
	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

     /s/

  Michael Levine

  	

   

  	

     September

  11, 2001

  
	

  Name: 

  Michael Levine

  	

   

  	

  Date

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00031-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00031-of-00352.parquet"}]]