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Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION

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Exhibit 10.41    
  

April 3,
2001 

A.
George "Skip" Battle

35 Vicente Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94705 

 Re: Offer of New Terms of Employment  

Dear
Skip: 

    The
Board of Directors of Ask Jeeves, Inc. ("Ask Jeeves") is pleased to offer the following changes to your employment at Ask Jeeves, effective immediately upon your acceptance
of this offer. 

Title  

    Your title will be Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of Ask Jeeves Inc.. 

Duties and Obligations.  

    As CEO, you will have all of the duties the chief executive officer of any company generally would have. 

Base Salary  

    Your annual salary will be $250,000.00 (the "Base Salary"), paid on the 15th and last working day of each month (less applicable deductions and withholdings),
in accordance with the company's normal payroll procedures. 

Operating Executive Bonus Plan  

    You will be eligible to participate in the existing bonus program for Operating Executives at Ask Jeeves. This program currently provides an opportunity for
you to earn up to an additional 60% of your Base Salary on an annual basis if specific company financial targets set by the Board of Directors (the "Board") are met. This bonus program is subject to
change by Ask Jeeves pursuant to its terms. The details of this bonus program will be provided to you within 30 days. 

Stock Options  

    You will be granted a non-statutory option to purchase up to 720,000 shares of stock in Ask Jeeves at the fair market value of the stock on the
date of grant pursuant to the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Option"). The Board will approve this grant as soon as possible after your acceptance of this offer. The Option shares will vest as
follows so long as you remain in active and continuous service as the CEO of Ask Jeeves: 

	•
	25%
of the Option shares (180,000) will vest on September 4, 2001.

	•
	Thereafter,
the remainder of the Option shares (540,000) will vest on the 4th of each month in a series of equal installments (15,000 each
installment) over the subsequent 36 months of active and continuous services as CEO. 

    These
terms, and those relevant to the Option that follow, will be evidenced by a Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement provided to you after the Board approves the
grant. 

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Voluntary Resignation as CEO  

    If you terminate your employment as CEO in the absence of a written request by the Board that you do so, and provided that (i) you remain as an active
member of the Board and (ii) you execute a general release of all claims against the Company which becomes effective within 45 days after termination of your employment as CEO, you will
be eligible to continue to vest in one-third of the unvested Option shares following the time your services as CEO terminates (the other two-thirds of the unvested Option
shares would expire immediately upon termination of your employment as CEO). This one-third of the unvested Option shares will vest in equal installments, on the 4th of each month over the
remaining vesting period of the Option so long as you remain in active and continuous service as a member of the Board. Such continued vesting of one-third of the Option shares shall be in
lieu of any other form of compensation for your services as a member of the Board. 

    Upon
any later termination of your active service as a member of the Board, you may exercise the Option (to the extent that you are entitled to exercise it as of the date of such
termination) within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following the termination of your active service as a member of the Board, or
(ii) the expiration of the ten (10) year term of the Option. 

    If
you terminate your employment as CEO in the absence of a written request by the Board that you do so and you do not remain as an active member of the Board, or you remain as an
active member of the Board but you did not execute a general release of all claims against the Company which becomes effective within 45 days after termination of your employment as CEO, you
may exercise the Option (to the extent that you are entitled to exercise it as of the date of termination of your employment as CEO) within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the
date three (3) months following the termination of your employment as CEO, or (ii) the expiration of the ten (10) year term of the Option. 

Involuntary Termination from CEO Position  

    If your employment as CEO is terminated by the Board, or by you at the written request of the Board, and provided that you execute a general release of all
claims against the Company which becomes effective within 45 days after termination of your employment as CEO, you will receive as severance (i) the equivalent of 6 months of Base
Salary and (ii) immediate vesting of one-third of the unvested Option shares (the other two-thirds of the unvested Option shares would expire immediately upon
termination of your employment as CEO). 

    If
you also are removed as a member of the Board in connection with such termination of your employment as CEO, and provided that you execute a general release of all claims against
the Company which becomes effective within 45 days after termination of your employment as CEO, you may exercise the Option (to the extent that you are entitled to exercise it as of the date of
termination) within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) years following the termination of your Continuous
Status as CEO and as a member of the Board, or (ii) the expiration of the ten (10) year term of the Option. 

    If
you remain as an active member of the Board following such termination of your employment as CEO, you will be eligible for a standard Director's package as compensation for your
services as a member of the Board. You will not be eligible to continue vesting in any of the remaining unvested Option shares, and you may exercise the Option (to the extent that you are entitled to
exercise it as of the date of the termination of your employment as CEO) within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following the termination of
your active service as a member of the Board, or (ii) the expiration of the ten (10) year term of the Option. 

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Change of Control  

    In the event that there is a Change of Control (as defined below) of Ask Jeeves, 100% of the unvested Options shares would immediately vest. 

    For
the purpose of the Option, a Change of Control means: (i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (ii) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than a sale, lease or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to an entity, at least fifty percent
(50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior
to such sale; (iii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation and in which beneficial ownership of securities of the Company representing at least fifty
percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of Directors has changed; (iv) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of
Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise, and in which beneficial
ownership of securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of Directors has changed; (v) an acquisition by
any person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or any comparable successor provisions (excluding any employee benefit plan, or related trust,
sponsored or maintained by the Company or subsidiary of the Company or other entity controlled by the Company) of the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act, or comparable successor rule) of securities of the Company representing at least fifty
percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of Directors; or (vi) in the event that the individuals who, as of the date of adoption of the Plan, are members of
the Company's Board (the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty percent (50%) of the Board. (If the election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders,
of any new Director is approved by a vote of at least fifty percent (50%) of the Incumbent Board, such new Director shall be considered to be a member of the Incumbent Board in the future.) 

At-Will Employment  

    Your employment with Ask Jeeves is "at will," meaning that Ask Jeeves may terminate your employment with Ask Jeeves for any reason at any time, with or without
notice, and with or without cause, subject to the terms above. Similarly, you are free to resign at any time, for any reason or for no reason, subject to the terms above. 

Proprietary Information Agreement  

    Your employment shall be contingent upon you executing the Company's standard form of proprietary information agreement. 

Governing Law & Severability  

    This offer letter shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflicts of law principles. In the event that any provision
hereof becomes or is declared by a court to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this letter shall continue in full force and effect without said provision. 

Entire Agreement  

    This offer letter contains all of the terms and understandings between you and Ask Jeeves concerning the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all
prior agreements, representations, and understandings between you and Ask Jeeves. This offer letter can only be modified by a written 

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agreement signed by you and an authorized member or member(s) of the Board of Directors of Ask Jeeves. 

Sincerely,

/s/
Roger Strauch 

Roger
Strauch

Board of Directors

Chairman Compensation Committee

Ask Jeeves, Inc. 

Accepted
by: 

	/s/ A. George Battle
 George "Skip" A. Battle	 	 
	

April 3, 2001
 Date	
 	

 

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Exhibit 10.41Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION

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Exhibit 10.42    
  

April 23,
2001 

Steve
Berkowitz

2 Brightwood Circle

Danville, CA 94506 

Dear
Steve; 

    Ask
Jeeves is pleased to offer you the position of President and General Manager of the Web Properties Division of Ask Jeeves Inc. You will report to Skip Battle, Chief
Executive Officer. This position is a full time, regular, exempt position and will be based out of Emeryville, CA. Your target hire date will be May 16, 2001. Details of your offer are outlined
below. 

Base Salary  

    Your starting annual salary will be $275,000.00, subject to applicable deductions, paid on the 15th and last working day of each month, in accordance with the
company's normal payroll procedures. 

Bonus Plan  

    You will be eligible to participate in the Ask Jeeves Executive Performance Bonus Plan, which provides you the opportunity to earn a bonus up to an additional
60% of your base pay the performance period (Quarterly), based on 100% of Company and Division financial performance against targets. If financial
performance exceeds 100% of goals, you would be eligible to earn a bonus greater than 60% of your period base pay, but in no case greater than 120% of your period base pay. Ask Jeeves reserves the
right to change any provisions under this plan at any time for any reasons. 

Stock Options  

    Upon Board of Directors approval you will be granted 360,000 options to purchase stock in Ask Jeeves. Your options will vest over a period of four years, with
25% of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of your employment, and the remaining shares vesting in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, at the end of each month thereafter during which
you remain an active regular employee of Ask Jeeves. Options granted under this plan have a term of ten years. 

    The
strike price for your options will be the closing price on your first day of work. 

    In
addition, you will be granted 40,000 options on the date of the company's Q2 Earnings Release, expected to be in late July 2001. The price of these options will be the
closing price effective the date of the Earnings Release. 

Change of Control and Severance  

    In the event that there is a Change of Control (as defined below) of the company and there has been a constructive termination of your employment (or a
material change in your duties or responsibilities), or you are Terminated without Cause (as defined below) then as of the effective date of the latest of these conditions, you would receive
1) severance pay at the equivalent of 6 months of your base pay rate; and 2) service credit for an additional 6 months of stock option vesting. If the Change of Control is
effective within your first six months of employment, you will receive a pro-rata portion of the first 25% of the vesting of this grant, based on your service. Thus, if the Change of
Control were effective after 3 full months of your employment, you would receive 9/12 of your first cliff vesting. 

Page 1 of 3

 

    For the purpose of this Offer Letter, Change in Control means: (i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (ii) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than a sale, lease or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to an entity, at least fifty percent
(50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior
to such sale; (iii) a merger or consolidation in which the
Company is not the surviving corporation and in which beneficial ownership of securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the
election of Directors has changed; (iv) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are
converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise, and in which beneficial ownership of securities of the Company representing at least fifty
percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of Directors has changed; (v) an acquisition by any person, entity or group within the meaning of
Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or any comparable successor provisions (excluding any employee benefit plan, or related trust, sponsored or maintained by the Company or subsidiary
of the Company or other entity controlled by the Company) of the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or comparable successor
rule) of securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of Directors; or (vi) in the event that the
individuals who, as of the date of adoption of the Plan, are members of the Company's Board (the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty percent (50%) of the Board. (If
the election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, of any new Director is approved by a vote of at least fifty percent (50%) of the Incumbent Board, such new Director shall be
considered to be a member of the Incumbent Board in the future.) 

    For
the purpose of this Offer Letter, Cause shall mean the occurrence of any of the following (and only the following): (i) your indictment or conviction of any felony or of
any crime involving dishonesty; (ii) your participation in any fraud against the Company; (iii) your material breach of your duties to the Company, including persistent unsatisfactory
performance of your job; (iv) your material violation of your proprietary information agreement or other material agreement with the Company; or (v) your intentional damage to any
property of the Company. 

Other Employment Benefits  

    Ask Jeeves provides you a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. If you choose to participate in the Ask Jeeves health benefit program, the benefits
become effective on your hire date. 

At-Will Employment Status  

    Your employment with Ask Jeeves is "at will." This means that if you accept this offer of employment from Ask Jeeves, Ask Jeeves may terminate your employment
for any reason at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause. Similarly, you are free to resign at any time, for any reason or for no reason. This offer is contingent upon your
signing an Agreement of At-Will Employment Status. 

Terms and Conditions of Employment  

    You and the Company agree that any dispute relating to or arising out of your employment relationship, except for disputes relating to or arising out of the
obligations set forth in your Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement shall be fully and finally resolved by mandatory, binding arbitration conducted by the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA") in Alameda County pursuant to the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the AAA in effect at the time of the dispute. 

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Conditions of Offer  

    This offer of employment is contingent upon the following: 

	•
	Your
signing this offer letter and all agreements, including, but not limited to, the Conditions of Employment, the Confidential Information and Invention
Assignment Agreement and Inside Trading Policy.

	•
	Your
submission of appropriate documentation of employment eligibility in the United States.

	•
	The
satisfactory outcome of reference checks, including verification of valid drivers' license if required for your job. 

    The
above are conditions of your employment even if you begin work before all conditions are met. 

Acceptance of Offer  

    If you choose to accept this offer of employment pursuant to the terms set forth above, please sign and date this letter. Fax this signed document to
510-985-7507, attention Paul Bianchi, Human Resources then forward the original documents to Human Resources, 5858 Horton St., Ste. 350, Emeryville, CA 94608 on your first day
of work. This offer will be effective until April 27, 2001, and will be voided after this date. 

    Steve,
I, as well as your immediate and company-wide team members are very excited about the contributions we expect you will make to our organization. 

    If
you have any further questions, please contact me at (510) 985-7578 or Paul Bianchi at (510) 985-7587. 

Sincerely, 

/s/
A. George (Skip) Battle

A. George (Skip) Battle

Chief Executive Officer 

	cc:	 	File

Human Resources

I
agree and accept the terms of this employment offer. 

	/s/ Steve Berkowitz
 Steve Berkowitz	 	Date: 4/24/01

This
will be my first day of work at Ask Jeeves: May 16, 2001 

Employment Offers must be signed only by the VP of Human Resources or an Officer of Ask Jeeves Inc. All other signatures will cause this agreement to be invalid. Any edits or
alterations to these contract may invalidate this agreement.  

Page 3 of 3

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Exhibit 10.42

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