Document:

THIS SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE ("NOTE") AND THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK THAT MAY BE
ISSUED UPON CONVERSION OF THE NOTE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES
ONLY AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
(THE "ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW ("BLUE SKY REQUIREMENTS"). NEITHER THIS
NOTE NOR THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK WHICH THIS NOTE MAY BE CONVERTED MAY BE SOLD
OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
ACT OR UNLESS THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE
TO IT STATING THAT SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND
PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SAID ACT OR BLUE SKY REQUIREMENTS.

                       SECURED CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

$__________________________                                   New York, New York
(Original Principal Amount)                                      _________, 2003

      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the
undersigned, Dune Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Maker"), hereby
promises to pay to the order of _____________ (the "Payee" or "Holder"), whose
address is ___________________________, on or before ___________ (the "Maturity
Date"), the principal sum of _____________ dollars ($______). Interest on the
unpaid principal amount hereof shall accrue at a rate of ten per cent (10%) per
annum and shall be payable quarterly in arrears. Payments due hereunder shall be
paid in lawful money of the United States of America (or by wire transfer or
certified check payable in such money) at Payee's address (as given above) or at
such other place as Payee or any other holder of this Note may from time to time
have designated by prior written notice to Maker.

            This Note is issued pursuant to a Subscription Agreement between the
Maker and the Holder and is one of several Notes issued in connection with a
private offering conducted by the Maker and described in Maker's Confidential
Private Offering Memorandum dated April 29, 2003. The rights of the Holder shall
be pari-passu with the rights afforded all other holders of Notes issued by
Maker in its private offering.

            1. Secured Debt. The Maker herein warrants and confirms hereby that
repayment of this Note is secured by a first lien on the Maker's assets and by a
pledge of certain shares of Maker's common stock owned by certain members of
Maker's Board of Directors and select insiders.

            2. Prepayment. Maker shall have the right prior to the Maturity Date
to repay all or any part of the principal amount of this Note.

<PAGE>

            3. Conversion. At any time prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder
may elect to convert all or a portion of the principal amount of the Note and
accrued interest into shares of the Maker's common stock, upon delivering
written notice thereof (the "Conversion Notice") to the Maker. In addition, if
at any time prior to the Maturity Date the Maker shall complete a private
placement of its equity securities (the "Equity Offering"), in which the Maker
(i) realizes gross proceeds of one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more and (ii)
sells shares of its common stock at a price not less than one dollar ($1.00) per
share, then the Maker, in its sole discretion, may elect to convert all or a
portion of the principal amount of the Note and accrued interest into shares of
the Maker's common stock, upon delivering a Conversion Notice to the Holder.

            For conversion purposes, the Board of Directors of the Maker has
attributed a value of $0.45 per share to each share of its common stock (the
"Conversion Price"). Accordingly, if either the Maker or the Holder shall elect
to convert the Note into shares of the Maker's common stock, then the Holder
would receive such number of shares of the Maker's common stock equal to (a) the
face value of this Note, together with interest accrued and unpaid as of the
date of the Conversion Notice divided by (b) $0.45. As an additional "kicker"
for participating in the Maker's private offering, upon conversion, each Holder
will receive an additional number of shares of the Maker's common stock equal to
(c) ten percent (10%) of the face amount of this Note divided by (d) $0.45.

            If neither the Maker nor the Holder have elected to convert this
Note prior to the Maturity Date, then all principal and accrued interest on the
Notes shall be payable by the Company on the Maturity Date.

            4. Allocation. All payments made hereunder (whether in prepayment or
otherwise) shall first be applied against any interest then due hereunder and
shall then be applied against principal.

            5. Events of Default. The following shall constitute Events of
Default:

                  a. Maker shall fail to pay when due, any payment of principal
or interest due under this Note, which failure continues for a period of five
(5) days after delivery of notice of such failure to Maker; or

                  b. Written admission by Maker of its inability to pay its
debts as they become due, an assignment by Maker for the benefit of creditors,
the institution of proceedings by Maker under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any
state law relating to relief of debtors, or the institution of such proceedings
by another party against Maker which is not subsequently dismissed within ninety
(90) days of the filing of same, or the seizure of substantially all of the
assets of Maker.

<PAGE>

            If an Event of Default should occur, Payee, at its option, may (i)
allow the Note to remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest at the rate
provided for above or (ii) declare the outstanding principal balance of
principal and all accrued but unpaid interest on this Note to be immediately due
and payable without presentment, demand, protest, or notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived.

            Further, Maker agrees to pay all fees, costs and expenses, including
reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses, incurred by Payee in endeavoring
to collect any amounts payable hereunder which are not paid when due, whether by
acceleration or otherwise.

            6. Waiver. No delay or omission of Payee in exercising any right or
power hereunder shall impair such right or power or be a waiver of any default
or an acquiescence therein; and no single or partial exercise of any such right
or power shall preclude other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of
any other right; and no waiver shall be valid unless in writing signed by Payee,
and then only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies
hereunder or by law afforded shall be cumulative and shall be available to Payee
until the principal amount of and all interest on this Note have been paid in
full.

            7. Notices. All notices, requests, demands or other communications
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing, addressed to the
appropriate party as follows:

      If to Maker, to:

      Dune Energy, Inc.
      c/o Eaton & Van Winkle LLP
      3 Park Avenue
      New York, NY 10016

and to Payee at the address first indicated above or to such other address as
may have been designated in prior notice. Notices may be sent by (a) overnight
courier or (b) registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
requested; and shall be deemed given (i) in the case of overnight courier, the
next business day after the day sent and (ii) in the case of mailing, four (4)
business days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, and otherwise
notices shall be deemed to have been given when received.

            8. Successors and Assigns. This Note and the obligations hereunder
shall not be assignable or transferable by the Maker without the prior written
consent of the Payee. Subject to the preceding sentence, all of the terms and
provisions of this Note shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

<PAGE>

            9. Binding Effect. The terms and provisions of this Note shall be
binding upon Maker and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall inure to
the benefit of Payee and its successors and assigns, and any subsequent holder
of this Note.

            10. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard for the
conflicts of laws principles thereof.

            11. Headings. The section headings contained in this Note are
intended solely for convenience of reference and do not themselves constitute a
part of this Note.

            12. Severability. If any provision of this Note or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance should, for any reason and to any extent,
be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Note and the application of
such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby,
but rather shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

            13. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue. This Note shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York without
regard to conflict of law provisions. Any legal suit, action or proceeding
arising out of or based upon this Note shall be instituted in any federal or
state court only in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New
York.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker has executed this Note as of the date
first above written.

                                           DUNE ENERGY, INC.

                                           By: ___________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF MERGER

      THIS PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF MERGER (this "Agreement") made and entered into
this 5th day of May 2003 by and between IP Factory, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(hereinafter, "IP Factory"), and Merchant Builders, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(hereinafter, "Merchant Builders"). IP Factory and Merchant Builders may be
hereinafter referred to individually as a "Party" and collectively as the
"Parties".

                                    RECITALS:

      WHEREAS, IP Factory is a corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware;

      WHEREAS, Merchant Builders is a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware;

      WHEREAS, on the date of this Agreement, IP Factory has authority to issue
25,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value (the "IP Factory Common
Stock"). IP Factory currently has 8,729,954 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding;

      WHEREAS, on the date of this Agreement, Merchant Builders has authority to
issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (the "Merchant
Builders Common Stock"), of which 1,725,000 common shares are issued and
outstanding;

      WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Merchant Builders and IP
Factory deem it advisable and in the best interests of the corporations'
respective shareholders that Merchant Builders be acquired by IP Factory through
a merger ("Merger") of IP Factory and Merchant Builders, whereby IP factory
shall acquire all of the business, assets and goodwill, subject to the
liabilities, of Merchant Builders and that shares of Merchant Builders Common
Stock shall be converted to shares of IP Factory Common Stock on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual warranties and covenants
set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    AGREEMENT

      1. Merger of Merchant Builders into IP Factory.

            (a) Merger of Merchant Builders with and into IP Factory. Merchant
Builders and IP Factory hereby adopt the plan of reorganization encompassed by
this Agreement and hereby agree that Merchant Builders shall merge with, and
into IP Factory on the terms and conditions set forth herein. Merchant Builders
will, upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger contemplated by Section 251
of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Effective Date"),
merge with and into IP Factory, and thereafter the separate existence of
Merchant Builders will cease. A copy of the Certificate of Merger is attached

<PAGE>

hereto as Appendix I. As of the Effective Date, IP Factory shall succeed to all
of the rights, privileges, powers and property, including, without limitation,
all rights, privileges, franchises, patents, trademarks, licenses,
registrations, bank accounts, contracts, patents, copyrights and other assets of
every kind and description of Merchant Builders. IP Factory shall assume all of
the obligations and liabilities of Merchant Builders, and, by virtue of the
merger, IP Factory shall assume all the obligations and liabilities of Merchant
Builders excepting and excluding, (i) the minute books and stock records of
Merchant Builders insofar as they relate solely to its organization and
capitalization, and (ii) the rights of Merchant Builders arising out of this
Agreement. The Merger will occur in accordance with the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware.

            (b) Pending and Subsequent Actions. Merchant Builders will
cooperate, and will cause its officers, directors, shareholders and other
employees to cooperate, with IP Factory on, and after the Effective Date (i) in
effecting the collection of all receivables and other items owing to Merchant
Builders, if any, and (ii) in prosecuting claims and furnishing information,
testimony and other assistance in connection with all actions, proceedings,
arrangements or disputes based upon contracts, arrangements or acts of Merchant
Builders which were in effect or which occurred on or prior to the Merger.

            (c) Tax-Free Reorganization. IP Factory and Merchant Builders have
prepared, and intend to complete a merger pursuant to the provisions and
requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 368(a), that is a " tax-free
reorganization". The Parties hereto represent that the purpose of their
combination is to complete a merger to combine their business interests,
resources, and personnel in a mutually beneficial and economic manner to achieve
and execute a plan of business to benefit the combined Company. There shall be a
continuation of the stock ownership of the Merchant Builders shareholders as
described in Section 2, below.

      2. Delivery of IP Factory Common Stock and Assumption of Liabilities by IP
Factory.

            (a) Conversion of Stock. Effective as of the Effective Date, each
stock certificate representing shares of Merchant Builders Common Stock, and
pursuant to the Merchant Builders list of shareholders attached hereto and made
a part hereof as Attachment B, along with any and all accrued and unpaid
dividend rights with respect thereto, shall be deemed to represent the
respective numbers of shares of IP Factory Common Stock, and each right to
purchase shares of Merchant Builders Common Stock shall be deemed to represent a
right to purchase the respective number of shares of IP Factory Common Stock, in
each case as is determined by the formula set forth in Section 2 (b).

            (b) Issuance and Delivery of IP Factory Common Stock. Upon surrender
of certificates representing Merchant Builders Common Stock by the shareholders
listed in the Merchant builders list of shareholders attached hereto and made a
part hereof as Attachment B, or by tender of affidavits of lost stock, IP
Factory will issue and deliver as provided in Section 2 (c) hereunder,
certificates representing one (1) share of IP Factory Common Stock in exchange
for each one (1) share of Merchant Builders Common Stock issued and outstanding
on the Effective Date. Merchant Builders Shareholders may request that IP

<PAGE>

Factory issue certificates to the said Shareholder or the said shareholder's
assigns or designees. Fractional shares of IP Factory Common Stock shall not be
issued, but their cash value, as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of IP Factory shall be paid for the fractional shares. Merchant
Builders shareholders shall, accordingly, be issued a total of 1,725,000 shares
of IP Factory, causing the total issued and outstanding stock of IP Factory at
the completion of the merger herein, to be 10,454,954 shares.

            (c) Surrender and Conversion of Merchant Builders Share
Certificates. All persons holding shares of Merchant Builders Common Stock, as
detailed in the Merchant Builders list of shareholders attached hereto and made
a part hereof as Attachment B, shall surrender the certificates representing the
shares of Merchant Builders Common Stock, either by certified mail, return
receipt requested, or in person to: Warren A. Kirshenbaum, Esq., Eaton & Van
Winkle LLP, 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, or such other location as IP
Factory or Merchant Builders shall advise such holders in writing. Upon receipt
of the surrendered share certificate of Merchant Builders Common Stock, a
replacement certificate reflecting shares of IP Factory Common Stock subject to
the exchange rate set forth in Paragraph 2 (b) hereof shall be issued and
delivered in accordance with this Agreement. Notwithstanding proposed exchanges
of certificates, each certificate representing shares of Merchant Builders
Common Stock not physically surrendered pursuant to this section shall be deemed
to represent shares of IP Factory Common Stock and be subject to the exchange
rate set forth in Paragraphs 2 (b) and 2 (c) hereof.

            (d) Employee Plans.

                  (i) Employment Agreements. As of the Effective Date, IP
Factory will adopt as employer mutatis mutandis all employment agreements and
employment, salary and fringe benefit arrangements and obligations of Merchant
Builders.

                  (ii) Other Agreements. As of the Effective Date, IP Factory
will assume mutatis mutandis any and all agreements of Merchant Builders, and
agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of each such agreement.

      3. Dissenters' Rights. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, shares of Merchant Builders Common Stock that are issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date and that are held by
stockholders who have not voted such shares in favor of the Merger and who have
delivered a written demand for appraisal of such shares in the manner provided
in Section 262 of the Delaware Law ("Dissenting Shares") shall have no right to
receive any cash payment based upon the applicable exchange rate unless and
until such holder shall have failed to perfect, or shall have effectively
withdrawn or lost, such holder's right to appraisal and payment under Delaware
Law. If such holder shall have so failed to perfect, or shall have effectively
withdrawn or lost such right, such holder's shares of Merchant Builders Common
Stock shall thereupon be deemed to have been cancelled and converted as
described in Section 2 at the Effective Date, and each such share shall
represent the right to receive the appropriate cash payment based upon the
applicable exchange rate. Merchant Builders shall give IP Factory prompt notice
of any demands received by Merchant Builders for appraisal of its shares.

<PAGE>

      4. Representations and Warranties of Merchant Builders. Merchant Builders
represents and warrants to IP Factory as follows:

            (a) Corporate Organization. Merchant Builders is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, or is in the process of obtaining good standing in the state of
Delaware, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each
other jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a material
adverse effect on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be
conducted.

            (b) Validity of Transaction. Merchant Builders has the full right,
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
Merchant Builders, and constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of
Merchant Builders.

            (c) Capitalization. Immediately prior to the Effective Date, the
authorized capital stock of Merchant Builders shall consist solely of 50,000,000
shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value.

            (d) Litigation. Merchant Builders is not engaged in, nor has it been
threatened with, any material litigation (which for this purpose shall mean a
potential liability in excess of $10,000 or potential liabilities in the
aggregate in excess of $25,000), arbitration, investigation or other legal
proceeding relating to Merchant Builders or its business, property or employee
benefit plans or policies, nor, to the knowledge of Merchant Builders, is there
any valid basis for any such proceeding.

            (e) Approvals; No Violation. Except as may be required by the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), state securities
laws, and applicable corporate law, there is no requirement applicable to
Merchant Builders to make any filing with, or to obtain any permit,
authorization, consent or approval of, any governmental or regulatory authority
as a condition to the lawful consummation by Merchant Builders of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Merchant Builders does not know of
any reason why any required permit, authorization, consent or approval could not
be obtained. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Merchant
Builders nor the consummation by Merchant Builders of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will (i) conflict with or result in any breach of
any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Merchant Builders,
(ii) result in a material breach or default (or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration) under any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license agreement, lease or
other material contract, instrument or obligation to which Merchant Builders is
a party or by which Merchant Builders or any of its assets may be bound, (iii)
or violate in any material respect any statute, rule, regulation, order, writ,
injunction or decree applicable to Merchant Builders or any of its assets, or
(iv) result in the creation of any material (individually or in the aggregate)
liens, charges or encumbrances on any of the material assets of Merchant
Builders.

<PAGE>

            (f) Financial Statements. DELETED.

            (g) Undisclosed Liabilities. Merchant Builders does not have any
material liabilities, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, and
whether due or to become due, except for those liabilities which are of a
normally recurring nature and were incurred after December 31, 2002 in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

            (h) Absence of Changes. Since December 31, 2002, there has not been:

                  (i) any material adverse change in the business, assets,
liabilities, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of Merchant
Builders taken as a whole;

                  (ii) any material damage, destruction or casualty loss,
whether or not covered by insurance, to any assets or properties of Merchant
Builders that amounts to more than in the aggregate;

                  (iii) any increase in the compensation payable or to become
payable by Merchant Builders to its employees (other than adjustments consistent
with prior practice) or any increase in any bonus, insurance, pension or other
employee benefit plan or program, payment or arrangement (other than adjustments
consistent with prior practice) made to, for or with any such directors,
officers or employees except as contemplated by this Agreement;

                  (iv) any termination or notification of intended termination
of a relationship with any material customer or supplier of Merchant Builders;

                  (v) any entry by Merchant Builders into any commitment or
transaction exceeding $10,000 in any instance (including, without limitation,
any borrowing or capital expenditure;

                  (vi) any material change by Merchant Builders in accounting
methods, principles or practices;

                  (vii) any repurchase or retirement of any securities of
Merchant Builders, or any declaration, payment or setting aside for payment of
any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with
respect to the capital stock of Merchant Builders;

                  (viii) any act, omission or event which would be prohibited
after the date of this Agreement;

<PAGE>

                  (ix) DELETED;

                  (xi) recognition of revenue on any transaction where a
substantial or contingent right of return exists; or

                  (k) any agreement, whether in writing or otherwise, to take
any action described in this Section 4 (h).

            (i) Properties and Inventories. DELETED

            (j) Real Property. DELETED

            (k) Insurance. DELETED

            (l) Litigation. DELETED

            (m) Purchase, Sale and Other Agreements. (i) All of the following
(whether written or oral) are agreements to which IP Factory may be a party, or
to which Merchant Builders maybe obligated:

                        (A) every contract or agreement for the purchase by
Merchant Builders of inventory, supplies, equipment or other real or personal
property, or the procurement of services, except individual purchase orders, or
aggregate purchase orders to a single vendor, involving payments of less than
$5,000;

                        (B) lease of equipment, machinery or other personal
property involving aggregate annual payments in excess of $2,500;

                        (C) contract or agreements for the sale or lease of
products or furnishing of services by Merchant Builders, except individual
purchase orders, or aggregate purchase orders from a single customer, involving
payments of less than $2,500;

                        (D) joint venture, partnership or other contract or
arrangement involving the sharing of profits;

                        (E) contract or agreement, other than in the ordinary
course of business, relating to the purchase or acquisition, by merger or
otherwise, of a significant portion of the business, assets or securities of
Merchant Builders by any other person or of any other person by Merchant
Builders;

                        (F) contract or agreement containing a covenant or
covenants which purport to limit to a material extent the ability or right of
Merchant Builders to engage in any lawful business activity or compete with any
person or entity; or

                        (G) material contract or agreement not otherwise
described in this Section 4 (m) which is not terminable by and without penalty
to Merchant Builders within six months after the date of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

                  (ii) A complete and accurate copy of each written contract,
agreement and other document identified hereby will be made available to IP
Factory prior to the Closing. Each contract, agreement or arrangement identified
hereby is, except to the extent fully performed at the date hereof, in full
force and effect and valid and binding in accordance with its terms in all
material respects; there is no material default under any such material
contract, agreement or arrangement; and no party to any such contract, agreement
or arrangement has notified Merchant Builders that it intends to cancel,
withdraw, modify or amend such contract, agreement or arrangement.

            (n) Licenses, Trademarks, Patents and Other Rights. To the best of
Merchant Builders' knowledge, Merchant Builders owns, is licensed or otherwise
entitled to use, or can obtain the right to use on a basis which is commercially
reasonable, all patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights, and
other proprietary rights, and necessary to the business of Merchant Builders as
currently conducted or as contemplated by its current business plan. Merchant
Builders does not have any patents and registered trademarks, trade names and
service marks and copyrights, and applications for any of the foregoing, and all
licenses, the subject matter of which is incorporated into any Merchant Builders
product, to which Merchant Builders is a party (the "Merchant Builders
Intellectual Property"), other than licenses to readily available commercial
software. No claims (including any request to enter into a license agreement)
have been asserted or threatened by any person (A) to the effect that any
activity in which Merchant Builders is engaged infringes on any patents or other
proprietary rights, (B) against the use by Merchant Builders of any trademarks,
trade names, technology, know-how or processes necessary for the operation of
the business of Merchant Builders as currently conducted or presently
contemplated, or (C) challenging or questioning the validity or effectiveness of
any of the Merchant Builders Intellectual Property; and Merchant Builders is not
aware of any valid basis for any such claim. To the best of its knowledge, no
party is infringing the Merchant Builders Intellectual Property.

            (o) Compliance with Contracts. Merchant Builders has performed all
material obligations required to be performed by it as of the date of this
Agreement under each material contract, obligation, commitment, agreement,
undertaking, arrangement or lease referred to in this Agreement and has not
received any notice that it is in default thereunder. To its knowledge no other
party is in default under such material agreements. The Merger and the actions
contemplated thereby will not conflict with or result in a breach of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any such material agreement or cause any
acceleration of maturity of any such material agreements.

            (p) Compliance with Laws. Merchant Builders has substantially
complied with all laws, regulations, judgments, decrees or orders of any court
or governmental agency or entity applicable in any material respect to the
conduct of its business.

            (q) Taxes. All United States, foreign, state and local tax returns
and reports (collectively "Returns") required to be filed to date with respect
to the operations of Merchant Builders have been accurately prepared in all

<PAGE>

material respects and duly filed, or an extension therefrom has been duly
obtained, and, except for Taxes contested in good faith, all Taxes payable have
been paid when due; there is no examination or audit known to Merchant Builders
or any claim, asserted deficiency or assessment for additional Taxes in
progress, pending, or threatened, nor to the knowledge of Merchant Builders is
there any reasonable basis for the assertion of any such claim, deficiency or
assessment; no material special charges, penalties, fines, liens, or similar
encumbrances have been asserted against Merchant Builders with respect to
payment of or failure to pay any Taxes which have not been paid or resolved
without further liability to Merchant Builders. Merchant Builders has not
executed or filed with any taxing authority any agreements extending the period
for assessment or collection of any Taxes. Proper amounts have been withheld by
Merchant Builders from its employees' compensation payments for all periods in
compliance with the tax withholding provisions of applicable federal and state
laws. Merchant Builders is not a party to any tax-sharing or tax-allocation
agreement, nor does Merchant Builders owe any amounts under any tax-sharing or
tax-allocation agreement. As used in this Agreement, "Taxes" means all taxes,
however denominated, imposed by any federal, territorial, state, local or
foreign government or any agency or political subdivision of any such
government, which taxes shall include, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, all income or profits taxes (including but not limited to, federal
income taxes and state income taxes), payroll and employee withholding taxes,
unemployment insurance, social security taxes, sales and use taxes, ad valorem
taxes, excise taxes, franchise taxes, gross receipts taxes, business license
taxes, occupation taxes, real and personal property taxes, stamp taxes,
environmental taxes, transfer taxes, workers' compensation, Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation premiums and other governmental charges, and other
obligations of the same or of a similar nature to any of the foregoing, which
are required to be paid, withheld or collected.

            (r) Compliance with Federal and State Securities Laws. DELETED.

      5. Representations and Warranties of IP Factory. IP Factory represents and
warrants to Merchant Builders as follows:

            (a) Corporate Organization. IP Factory is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each
other jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a material
adverse effect on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be
conducted.

            (b) Validity of Transaction. IP Factory has full right, power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by IP Factory
and constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of IP Factory.

            (c) Capitalization. Immediately prior to the Effective Date, the
authorized capital stock of IP Factory shall consist of 25,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, of which 8,729,954 shares will be issued and outstanding.

<PAGE>

            (d) Litigation. IP Factory is not a party to any litigation or any
governmental proceeding and, to the best of its knowledge, there is no valid
basis for any such litigation or proceeding. There is no judgment or order of
any court or governmental authority in effect against IP Factory.

      6. Conditions Precedent to IP Factory's Obligations to Close. IP Factory's
obligation to consummate the Merger is subject to the satisfaction, on or before
the Effective Date, of the following conditions:

            (a) Performance of Acts and Undertakings of Merchant Builders. Each
of the acts and undertakings of Merchant Builders to be performed on or before
the Effective Date pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall have been duly
performed.

            (b) Resolutions. Merchant Builders shall have furnished IP Factory
with a copy of (i) resolutions duly adopted by Merchant Builders' board of
directors authorizing and approving this Agreement and directing that it be
submitted to a vote of Merchant Builders' shareholders, attached hereto as
Exhibit C, and made a part hereof, and (ii) resolutions adopting this Plan and
Agreement of Merger, duly approved by the holders of at least a majority of the
total number of outstanding shares of common stock of Merchant Builders,
attached hereto as Exhibit D, and made a part hereof.

            (c) Continued Accuracy of Merchant Builders' Representations and
Warranties. All of the representations and warranties of Merchant Builders
contained in this Agreement shall be true in every respect on and as of the
Effective Date, with the same effect as though such representations and
warranties had been made on and as of that date; and IP Factory shall have
received at the closing a certificate, dated the Effective Date and executed by
the president or a vice president of Merchant Builders, containing a
representation and warranty to that effect.

            (d) DELETED.

            (e) DELETED

            (f) Approvals From Authorities. IP Factory shall have received, or
shall have satisfied itself that it will receive, in form satisfactory to IP
Factory, all necessary approvals of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement from authorities having any jurisdiction over the business of Merchant
Builders or any Merchant Builders Subsidiary, so that Merchant Builders and
Merchant Builders Subsidiaries may continue to carry on their business as
presently conducted after consummation of the Merger; and no such approval shall
have been withdrawn or suspended.

            (g) Consents. All consents of other parties to the mortgages, notes,
leases, franchises, agreements, licenses, and permits of Merchant Builders or
any Merchant Builders Subsidiary necessary to permit consummation of the Merger
shall have been obtained.

<PAGE>

            (h) Adoption of Merger by Shareholders. At least a majority of the
outstanding shares of Merchant Builders Common Stock shall have been voted for
the adoption of the Merger and Plan of Reorganization set forth in this
Agreement.

            (i) Dissenting Shares. Not more than twenty percent (20%) of the
outstanding shares of Merchant Builders Common Stock shall be "dissenting
shares" within the definition of Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law.

            (j) Employment Agreements. Those executives of Merchant Builders and
Merchant Builders Subsidiaries designated by IP Factory shall have entered into
employment agreements on terms satisfactory to such executives or employees and
their respective counsel and to IP Factory and its counsel.

            (k) Filing of Certificate of Merger. A Certificate of Merger shall
be filed in the office of the Secretary of State or other office or each
jurisdiction in which such filings are required in order for the Merger to
become effective as soon as practically possible following the date hereof.

      7. Condition Precedent to Merchant Builders's Obligation to Close.
Merchant Builders' obligation to consummate the Merger is subject to the
satisfaction on or prior to the Effective Date of the following conditions:

            (a) Performance of Acts and Undertakings by IP Factory. Each of IP
Factory's acts and undertakings to be performed on or before the Closing Date
pursuant to this Agreement shall have been performed.

            (b) Resolutions. IP Factory shall have furnished Merchant Builders
with copies of (i) resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors of IP
Factory authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of this Plan and
Agreement of Merger, attached hereto as Exhibit A, and made a part hereof, and
(ii) resolutions adopting this Plan and Agreement of Merger, duly approved by
the holders of at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of
common stock of IP Factory, attached hereto as Exhibit B, and made a part
hereof.

            (c) Continued Accuracy of IP Factory's Representations and
Warranties. The representations and warranties of IP Factory contained in this
Agreement shall be true on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as
though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of that date;
and Merchant Builders shall have received at the closing a certificate, dated
the Closing Date and executed on behalf of IP Factory by its president or any
vice president, containing a representation and warranty to that effect.

            (d) Shareholder Vote. At least a majority of the outstanding shares
of common stock of Merchant Builders and IP Factory shall have been voted for
the adoption of the Merger and Plan of Reorganization contemplated by this
Agreement.

<PAGE>

            (e) DELETED

      8. Investigation by IP Factory. (a) Prior to the Effective Date, IP
Factory may directly or through its representatives make such investigation of
the assets and business of Merchant Builders and its subsidiaries (including,
without limitation, confirmation of its cash, inventories, accounts, accounts
receivable and liabilities, and investigation of its titles to and the condition
of its property and equipment) as IP Factory deems necessary or advisable. The
investigation shall not affect (i) Merchant Builders' representations and
warranties contained or provided for in this Agreement, (ii) IP Factory's right
to rely on those representations and warranties, or (iii) IP Factory's right to
terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section 8 and in Section 12.
Merchant Builders shall allow IP Factory and its representatives full access, at
reasonable times after the date of execution of this Agreement, to the premises
and to all the books, records, and assets of Merchant Builders and its
subsidiaries, and Merchant Builders' officers shall furnish to IP Factory such
financial and operating data and other information with respect to the business
and properties of Merchant Builders and each Merchant Builders Subsidiary as IP
Factory shall from time to time reasonably request. IP Factory agrees not to
disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of its
investigation or use it for any purposes other than evaluation of Merchant
Builders and its Subsidiaries with respect to the contemplated merger.

            (b) As soon as practicable, and in any event within ten (10) days
after the receipt of any supporting documentation requested by IP Factory, IP
Factory shall give Merchant Builders notice if IP Factory has decided that it
wishes to terminate this Agreement based on any information contained in any of
the Schedules or obtained during the course of its investigation. The notice
shall specify the information obtained during the investigation on which IP
Factory's decision to terminate is based. Merchant Builders shall have ten (10)
days after receipt of the notice to review that information with IP Factory. If
IP Factory does not withdraw its notice within this ten (10) day period, then
all further obligations of Merchant Builders and of IP Factory under this
Agreement shall terminate without further liability of Merchant Builders to IP
Factory or of IP Factory to Merchant Builders, except their respective
obligations to return documents as provided in Section 15. If Merchant Builders
does not advise IP Factory within the ten (10) day period specified in the first
sentence above that it wishes to terminate this Agreement, IP Factory shall be
deemed to be satisfied with the information relating to Merchant Builders and
its Subsidiaries contained in the Schedules and/or obtained during the course of
its investigation, subject to IP Factory's rights concerning the continued
accuracy of Merchant Builders' warranties and representations set forth in
Section 4.

      9. Survival of Representations, Warranties, and Indemnities. The
representations, warranties, and indemnities included or provided for in this
Agreement or in any Schedule or certificate or other document delivered pursuant
to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Date for a period of one (1) year.
No claim may be made under this paragraph unless written notice of the claim is
given within that one (1) year period.

<PAGE>

      10. Indemnification. Notwithstanding IP Factory's investigations of
Merchant Builders and its subsidiaries before the Effective Date, and
notwithstanding the fact that IP Factory may be deemed satisfied as to certain
matters investigated by IP Factory, all as provided in Section 8, Merchant
Builders shall indemnify, defend, and hold IP Factory and each of its
subsidiaries harmless, a provided for in this Section, from and against any and
all losses, liabilities, costs, expenses, judgments, assessments, penalties,
damages, deficiencies, suits, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, and causes
of action, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees, court costs,
and related expenses, that were caused by, arose as a result of, or arose with
respect to any of the following:

            (a) Any inaccuracy in any representation or warranty or any breach
of any warranty of Merchant Builders under this Agreement or any Schedule,
certificate, instrument, or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement;

            (b) Any failure of Merchant Builders duly to perform or observe any
term, provision, covenant, or agreement to be performed or observed by Merchant
Builders pursuant to this Agreement, and any Schedule, certificate, agreement,
or other document entered into or delivered pursuant to this Agreement; or

            (c) Any inaccuracy whatsoever in the Balance Sheet, whether such
losses were known or unknown to Merchant Builders or its Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that IP Factory and its subsidiaries shall not be indemnified and held
harmless unless and until such damages, losses, and expenses exceed $20,000, in
which event, IP Factory and its subsidiaries shall be indemnified and held
harmless in full. All claims under this provision for indemnity shall be made
within the time period and in the manner provided for in Section 10.

      11. Consultant's Compensation. The parties hereto agree that for services
rendered to IP Factory, upon the Effective Date, IP Factory, as a post-merger
entity shall be liable for consultant's compensation pursuant to the following
schedule: (a) For having completed the preparation of the Secured Convertible
Promissory Note and Summary of Offering (hereinafter the "Bridge Loan
Documents"), R. Scott Barter, or his assigns or designees ("Barter") shall on
the Effective Date, receive one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) shares of IP
Factory; and (b) For having completed the preparation of the Private Placement
Memorandum of IP Factory, Barter shall on the Effective Date, receive an
additional one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) shares of IP Factory.

      12. Participation of Current Shareholders of Merchant Builders in Future
Investments. The shareholders of Merchant Builders, as of the date immediately
preceding the Effective Date of the merger of Merchant Builders with and into IP
Factory, as contemplated herein, shall have the ability to participate, parri
passu, in any future investment, offering, capital raise, sale of shares, or any
other liquidity event in IP Factory, and said shareholders shall be entitled to
so participate on the same terms and conditions offered to any future investors
and shareholders, or on any terms accepted by future investors or shareholders.

<PAGE>

      13. Status-Quo Provision. For a period of twelve (12) months from the
Effective Date of the merger of Merchant Builders with and into IP Factory, as
contemplated herein, IP Factory, and its shareholders agree that the Company
shall not engage in, complete, plan, prepare, or perform any split of its
shares, reverse split, or cancellation of the existing stock of IP Factory.

      14. Registration Rights. The shareholders of Merchant Builders as of the
Effective Date of the merger of Merchant Builders with and into IP Factory, as
contemplated herein, will receive "piggyback" registration rights pursuant to
this Merger Agreement on Common Stock pursuant to which the shareholders will be
included in any registration statement prepared and filed by IP Factory, wherein
IP Factory is selling or offering its own securities in a private or public
offering of its securities (other than registrations filed pursuant to Forms S-4
or S-8). The piggyback registration rights will be subject to standard
underwriting provisions such as cut backs due to market conditions and market
standoff agreements, and shall be subject to the holding and resale requirements
of Rule 144 and Rule 144 (k) of Regulation D of the 1933 Securities Act.

      15. Further Assurances. Merchant Builders and IP Factory each agrees that
from time to time, as and when requested by the other, it will execute,
acknowledge, deliver and file all proper deeds, assurances, assignments, bills
of sale, assumptions and other documents, and do, or cause to be done, all other
acts and things necessary or proper in order to vest, perfect, assure or confirm
in IP Factory title to and possession of all the property, rights, privileges,
powers, franchises, bank accounts, contracts, patents, copyrights, and stated
liabilities of Merchant Builders, or otherwise necessary or proper to carry out
the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

      16. Termination of this Agreement. This Agreement and the transactions
contemplated under this Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Effective Date, either before or after the meeting of IP Factory's shareholders:

            (a) By mutual consent of Merchant Builders and IP Factory;

            (b) By Merchant Builders if there has been a material
misrepresentation or a material breach of warranty in IP Factory's
representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement or in any Schedule or
certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement;

            (c) By IP Factory if there has been a material misrepresentation or
a material breach of warranty in Merchant Builders' representations and
warranties set forth in this Agreement;

            (d) By Merchant Builders or IP Factory if either party shall have
determined in its sole discretion that the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement have become inadvisable or impracticable by reason of the institution
or threat of institution, by governmental authorities (local, state, or federal)

<PAGE>

or by any other person, of material litigation or proceedings against either or
both of the parties, it being understood and agreed that a written request by
governmental authorities for information with respect to the proposed
transactions, which information could be used in connection with such litigation
or proceedings, may be deemed by Merchant Builders or IP Factory to be a threat
of material litigation or proceedings, whether such request is received before
or after the date of this Agreement;

            (e) By Merchant Builders if it has determined that the business,
assets, or financial condition of IP Factory and IP Factory Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, have been materially and adversely affected, whether by reason of
changes, developments, or operations in the ordinary course of business or
otherwise;

            (f) By IP Factory or by Merchant Builders if the Effective Date
referred to in Section 1 (a) has not occurred by May 31, 2003; and

            (g) By IP Factory if it has determined that the business, assets or
financial conditions of Merchant Builders and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, have been adversely affected, whether by reason of changes, developments,
or operations in the ordinary course of business or otherwise.

      17. Right to Proceed. In the event that this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to this Section 17, or because of the failure to satisfy any of the
conditions specified in Section 6 or Section 7, all further obligations of
Merchant Builders and of IP Factory under this Agreement shall terminate without
further liability of Merchant Builders to IP Factory or IP Factory to Merchant
Builders, except for the obligations of both parties under Section 13 and of IP
Factory under Section 19; provided, however, anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, that if IP Factory fails satisfy any of the conditions
specified in Section 6, Merchant Builders shall nonetheless have the right in
its discretion, to proceed with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
and if Merchant Builders fails to satisfy any of the conditions specified in
Section 7, IP Factory shall nonetheless have the right, in its discretion, to
proceed with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

      18. Return of Documents in Event of Termination. In the event of the
termination of this Agreement for any reason, IP Factory will return to Merchant
Builders all documents, work papers, and other materials (including copies)
relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether obtained
before or after execution of this Agreement. IP Factory will not use any
information so obtained for any purpose, and will take all practicable steps to
have such information kept confidential.

      19. Miscellaneous.

            (a) Amendments. At any time before or after approval and adoption by
the shareholders of Merchant Builders, this Agreement may be amended in any
manner (except that the provisions of Section 2 may not be amended without the
approval of the shareholders of Merchant Builders) as may be determined in the
judgment of the respective Boards of Directors of Merchant Builders and IP
Factory to be necessary, desirable or expedient in order to clarify the
intention of the parties hereto or to effect or facilitate the purposes and
intentions of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

            (b) Attorney Fees and Costs in Event of Termination. In the event of
the termination of this Agreement for any reason, each party shall bear its own
costs and expenses, including attorney fees.

            (c) Public Announcement. Neither Merchant Builders nor IP Factory,
without the consent of the other, shall make any public announcement or issue
any press release with respect to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated by it, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

            (d) Meeting of Merchant Builders's Shareholders. Merchant Builders
shall take all necessary steps to call a meeting of its shareholders to be held
within three (3) days from the date of this Agreement, which number of days
includes adequate time for the preparation and mailing of proxy statements if
applicable. In all proxy statements or other communications with the
shareholders on this subject, Merchant Builders's board of directors shall
recommend to the shareholders that they adopt the plan of merger and approve the
terms of this Agreement.

            (e) Covenant to Operate in the Ordinary Course. Between the date of
this Agreement and the Effective Date, Merchant Builders shall operate its
business only in the ordinary course and in a normal manner consistent with past
practice. During this period, Merchant Builders shall not encumber any asset or
enter into any transaction or make any commitment relating to its assets or
business otherwise than in the ordinary course of its business (consistent with
its prior practices), or take any action that would render inaccurate any
representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or would cause a breach
of any other covenant under this Agreement, without first obtaining the written
consent of IP Factory.

            (f) Governing Law; Successors and Assigns; Counterparts; Entire
Agreement. This Agreement (i) shall be construed under and in accordance with
the laws of the state of Delaware; (ii) shall be binding on and shall inure to
the benefit of the parties to the Agreement and their respective successors and
assigns; (iii) may be executed in one or more counterparts, by facsimile
transmission, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and an
original, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts shall have
been signed by each of the parties and delivered to Merchant Builders and IP
Factory, either by facsimile transmission or by any other means; and (iv)
embodies the entire agreement and understanding, superseding all prior
agreements and understandings between IP Factory and Merchant Builders relating
to the subject matter of this Agreement.

            (g) Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given (i) on the date of service if served personally on the
party to whom notice is to be given, or on the fifth (5) day after mailing if
mailed to the party to whom notice is to be given, by first class mail,
registered or certified, postage prepaid, and properly addressed as hereunder

<PAGE>

provided; or (ii) four (4) days after deposit with the United States Post
Office, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid; or (iii) one day after
deposit with reputable overnight courier service and addressed to the party at
the address provided hereunder. The parties addresses are as follows:

       To IP Factory at:          99 Washington Street
                                  South Norwalk, CT 06854
                                  Attn: Mr. Alan Gaines

       To Merchant Builders at:   16161 College Oak, Suite 101,
                                  San Antonio, Texas 78249
                                  Attn: Mr. Carey G. Birmingham

      Any party may change its address for purposes of this paragraph by giving
the other parties written notice of the new address in the manner set forth
above.

            (h) Article and Section Titles. The headings herein are inserted as
a matter of convenience only and do not define, limit, or describe the scope of
this Agreement or the intent of the provisions hereof.

            (i) Exclusive Jurisdiction and Venue. Any suit involving any dispute
or matter arising under this Agreement may only be brought in a United States
District Court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware State Court
having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the dispute or matter. All
Parties hereby consent to the exercise of personal jurisdiction by any such
court with respect to any such proceeding.

            (j) Terms. Common nouns and pronouns shall be deemed to refer to the
masculine, feminine, neuter, singular, and plural, as the identity of the Person
may in the context require.

            (k) Separability of Provisions. Each Provision of this Agreement
shall be considered separable; and if, for any reason, any provision or
provisions herein are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or
future law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or affect those
portions of this Agreement which are invalid.

            (l) Representation of Counsel.The parties represent herein that they
have been fully and adequately represented by counsel in this transaction.

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement
to be executed by their duly authorized officers and their corporate seals to be
hereto affixed effective as of the date first written above.

                                               IP FACTORY, INC.

                                               By: /s/ Alan Gaines
                                                   ---------------------------
                                               Name:  Alan Gaines
                                               Title: Chairman, CEO

                                               MERCHANT BUILDERS, INC.

                                               By: /s/ Carey Birmingham
                                                   ---------------------------
                                               Name:  Carey Birmingham
                                               Title: President

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