Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.3

                      AMENDED 1998 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS'
                               STOCK OPTION PLAN

1. Purpose.

   The purpose of the Ziff-Davis 1998 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") is to promote the interests of Ziff-Davis Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") and its affiliates and stockholders, by allowing
the Company to attract and retain highly qualified directors who are not
employees of the Company, SOFTBANK Corp., SOFTBANK Holdings Inc. or SOFTBANK
America Inc. ("Non-Employee Directors") by permitting such Non-Employee
Directors to obtain or increase their ownership position in the Company through
the holding of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share
(regardless of series, the "Common Stock"), and providing such Non-Employee
Directors with an interest in the Company parallel to that of the Company's
stockholders.

2. Plan Administration.

   The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Board") or by a Compensation Committee (the "Committee") appointed by the
Board. To the extent the Plan is administered by the Board, the term
"Committee" shall refer to the Board. A majority of the Committee shall
constitute a quorum, and the acts of the majority of such quorum shall be the
acts of the Committee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee
shall have the authority to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend, and
rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to determine the terms
and provisions of any option agreements entered into hereunder, and to make all
other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any option granted
hereunder, and may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan or in any option agreement in the manner and to the
extent it shall deem desirable to carry it into effect. The determinations of
the Committee in the administration of the Plan, as described herein, shall be
final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company and its
subsidiaries, its shareholders, Non-Employee Directors and their estates and
beneficiaries. Members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the
Company or any subsidiary acting at the direction of, or on behalf of, the
Committee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken
or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the extent
permitted by law, be fully indemnified by the Company with respect to any such
action or determination. It is the intention of the Company that the Plan and
the administration thereof comply in all respects with Section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and the rules
and regulations thereunder, and in all events the Plan shall be construed in
favor of its meeting the requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act.

3. Eligibility.

   Each Non-Employee Director is eligible to receive awards of stock options
("Awards") under Section 5.

4. Shares Subject to the Plan.

   Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9, the total number of shares
of Common Stock which may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the
Plan through the Company's fiscal year ending in 2000 shall not exceed 300,000
shares and pursuant to Awards granted in each fiscal year thereafter shall not
exceed one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of the issued and outstanding shares of
Common Stock determined as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal
year, increased by the number of shares available for Awards in previous fiscal
years but not covered by Awards granted in such years. The shares issued under
the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares, as the
Company may from time to time determine. Shares subject to or underlying an
Award that expires unexercised, or is forfeited, terminated or canceled, or is
paid in cash in lieu of Common Stock and shares that are tendered to pay for
the exercise of a stock option shall thereafter again be available for grant
under the Plan.

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5. Awards.

   (a) Non-Discretionary Grants. Each Non-Employee Director shall receive upon
election as a member of the Board an initial grant of stock options ("Initial
Grant") to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock which, in the event of a
reclassification of the Common Stock into (x) a series of Common Stock that is
intended to reflect the performance of the ZDNet division of the Company
("ZDNet Common Stock"), and (y) a series of Common Stock that is intended to
reflect the performance of the business of the Company other than the ZDNet
division, plus a retained interest in the ZDNet division ("ZD Common Stock")
(the "Reclassification"), shall be composed of 15,000 shares of ZD Common
Stock; provided, that following an initial public offering of the ZDNet Common
Stock, the Initial Grant shall be composed of shares of ZD Common Stock and
shares of ZDNet Common Stock in such proportion as determined by the Committee;
provided, that each Non-Employee Director who is on the Board on the date of
the initial public offering of Common Stock (prior to the Reclassification)
shall receive such Initial Grant on the date of such initial public offering;
provided, further, that each Non-Employee Director who is on the Board on the
date of the initial public offering of ZDNet Common Stock shall receive a grant
of stock options to purchase 25,000 shares of ZDNet Common Stock on the date of
such offering at the initial public offering price, which will vest and become
exercisable with respect to 25% of the shares on December 31 of the year in
which the consummation of the offering occurs, and an additional 6.25% of the
shares at the end of each three-month period thereafter. On the date of each
annual shareholders meeting thereafter, each Non-Employee Director shall
automatically receive an annual grant of stock options to purchase 7,500
additional shares of Common Stock which, following the Reclassification, shall
be composed of 7,500 shares of ZD Common Stock; provided, that following an
initial public offering of the ZDNet Common Stock, such annual grant shall be
composed of shares of ZD Common Stock and shares of ZDNet Common Stock in such
proportion as determined by the Committee; provided, that a Non-Employee
Director shall not receive such annual grant of options to purchase 7,500
shares of common stock in any year in which such Non-Employee Director also
receives the Initial Grant. Except as otherwise provided above in this Section
5(a), and unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion, the
terms of each stock option granted under this Section 5(a) shall provide that
(1) the option price shall be equal to 100% of the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock on the date of grant, (2) such option shall not be exercisable for
a period more than 10 years following the date of grant, and (3) such option
shall vest and become exercisable with respect to 20% of the shares on the
first anniversary of the date of grant, and an additional 5% of the shares at
the end of each three-month period thereafter. For purposes of the Plan, "Fair
Market Value" means, per share of Common Stock, the closing price of the Common
Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on the applicable date, or,
if there are no sales of Common Stock on the NYSE on such date, then the
closing price of the Common Stock on the last previous day on which a sale on
the NYSE is reported; provided, that prior to the initial public offering of
the Common Stock, Fair Market Value means such value as determined in good
faith by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its
discretion, if an optionee ceases to be a Non-Employee Director, options
granted under this Section 5(a) shall terminate except with respect to any
portion of such option then exercisable, which portion shall remain exercisable
for a period of (x) 90 days, if the termination as Non-Employee Director
resulted from any reason other than death, disability or cause, or (y) one
year, if the termination resulted from death or disability; provided, that in
the event the termination resulted from a removal for cause, such option shall
immediately terminate and no longer be exercisable to any extent; provided,
further, that in no event shall any such option remain exercisable past the
remainder of its scheduled ten-year term. For purposes of the Plan, with
respect to any stock option granted under the Plan, references to the term
"Common Stock" shall be deemed to refer to the applicable series of Common
Stock with respect to which such option is granted.

   (b) Method of Exercise. The option price of each share as to which a stock
option is exercised shall be paid in full at the time of such exercise in cash,
by tender of shares of Common Stock owned by the Non-Employee Director valued
at Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise (subject to such guidelines for
the tender of Common Stock as the Committee may establish), by a "sale to
cover" broker transaction or other cashless exercise method permitted under
Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, or by a combination of cash, shares
of Common Stock and other consideration as the Committee deems appropriate.

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   (c) Discretionary Grants. In addition, each Non-Employee Director shall be
eligible to receive additional grants of stock options to purchase Common Stock
from time to time on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall
determine.

6. Award Agreements.

   Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an agreement setting forth
the terms and conditions, as determined by the Committee, which shall apply to
such Award, in addition to the terms and conditions specified in the Plan. In
the sole discretion of the Committee, a Non-Employee Director may be permitted
to defer, on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall specify, the
receipt of Common Stock otherwise deliverable under any Award.

7. Nontransferability; Forfeiture.

   No Award shall be assignable or transferable, and no right or interest of
any Non-Employee Director shall be subject to any lien, obligation or liability
of the Non-Employee Director, except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the Committee
may, subject to the terms and conditions it may specify, permit a Non-Employee
Director to transfer any stock options granted to him pursuant to the Plan to
one or more of his immediate family members or to trusts established in whole
or in part for the benefit of the Non-Employee Director and/or one or more of
such immediately family members. During the lifetime of the Non-Employee
Director, stock options shall be exercisable only by the Non-Employee Director
or by the immediate family member or trust to whom such stock options have been
transferred in accordance with this Section 7. For purposes of this Plan,
"immediate family" shall mean the Non-Employee Director's spouse and issue
(including adopted and step children). In addition, notwithstanding anything in
the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may provide in any Award agreement that
such Award may be forfeited for Cause (as determined by the Committee).

8. Adjustment of and Changes in Stock.

   In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock by
reason of any stock dividend or split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation,
spinoff, combination or exchange of shares or other corporate change, or any
distributions to common shareholders other than regular cash dividends, the
Committee may make such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to be
equitable, as to the number or kind of shares of Common Stock or other
securities issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan and to
outstanding Awards.

9. Change of Control.

   (a) In the event of a Change of Control, all stock options shall be fully
vested and exercisable in full. For purposes of the Plan, "Change in Control"
means the occurrence of any one of the following events:

     (1) individuals who, on June 1, 1998, are members of the Board (the
  "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason following June 1, 1998 to
  constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, that any new
  director who is approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent
  Directors shall be treated as an Incumbent Director;

     (2) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger, consolidation,
  statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction in which
  the Company is not the surviving corporation or entity; provided, however,
  that such approval shall not be a Change in Control if immediately
  following such transaction, SOFTBANK Corporation, directly or indirectly,
  would be the beneficial owner of more than 25% of the securities entitled
  to vote for the election of the board of directors of the surviving
  corporation or entity; or

     (3) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
  liquidation or dissolution of the Company or a sale of all or substantially
  all of the Company's assets.

   (b) The Committee, in its sole discretion, may further provide that in the
event of a Change of Control, each Non-Employee Director shall receive in
cancellation of such Non-Employee Director's outstanding and

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unexercised stock options, a cash payment in an amount equal to the difference
between the option price of such stock options and (A) in the event the Change
of Control is the result of a tender offer or exchange offer for the Common
Stock, the final offer price per share paid for the Common Stock, or such lower
price as the Committee may determine with respect to any incentive stock option
to preserve its incentive stock option status, multiplied by the number of
shares of Common Stock covered by such stock options, or (B) in the event the
Change of Control is the result of any other occurrence, the aggregate value of
the Common Stock covered by such stock options, as determined by the Committee
at such time; provided, that such cash payment election shall not be available
in the event such cancellation and payment would prevent the Company from using
the pooling-of-interests method of accounting with respect to the transaction
giving rise to the Change of Control.

10. Governmental Compliance.

   Each Award under the Plan shall be subject to the requirement that if at any
time the Committee shall determine that the listing, registration or
qualification of any shares issuable or deliverable thereunder upon any
securities exchange or under any Federal or state law, or the consent or
approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a
condition thereof, or in connection therewith, no such grant or award may be
exercised or shares issued or delivered unless such listing, registration,
qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of
any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

11. Amendment and Termination.

   The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at
any time, provided that (a) no amendment shall be made without stockholder
approval (including an amendment to increase the number of shares reserved for
issuance under the Plan) if such approval is necessary in order for the Plan to
comply with any applicable law, regulations or stock exchange rule, and (b)
except as provided in Section 9, no amendment shall be made that would
adversely affect the rights of a Non-Employee Director under any Award
previously granted, without such Non-Employee Director's written consent.

12. Effective Date; Approval of Stockholders.

   The Plan shall be effective as of February 13, 1998. Subject to earlier
termination pursuant to Section 11, the Plan shall have a term of ten years
from its Effective Date. The Plan is conditioned upon the approval of the
stockholders of the Company prior to the initial public offering of shares of
Common Stock of the Company, and failure to receive such approval shall render
the Plan and all outstanding Awards issued thereunder void and of no effect.

                                       4<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10

                               License Agreement

     THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is dated as of April 5, 2000 and
made by and between Ziff-Davis Inc. ("ZDNet"; as used in this Agreement, the
term "ZDNet" shall be deemed to include subsidiaries of ZDNet, except where the
context otherwise requires) and Ziff Davis Media Inc. ("Ziff Davis Media"; as
used in this Agreement, the term Ziff Davis Media shall be deemed to include
affiliates of Ziff Davis Media, except where the context otherwise requires), a
Delaware corporation (formerly known as WS-ZD Acquisition, Inc.).

     1.   License to Use Content
          ----------------------

          (i)  Subject to Section 5(iv) below, Ziff Davis Media hereby grants
ZDNet the exclusive license to translate, reproduce, publicly display, transmit
and distribute online throughout the world all of the editorial content of Ziff
Davis Media's  magazine and newspaper publications  listed on Exhibit A (the
"Publications") on ZDNet's online service in the United States and on
international versions of the U.S. service (collectively, the "Service") but
such license shall not include any translation, reproduction, public display,
transmission or distribution of Alternative Electronic Versions. For purposes of
this Agreement online distribution shall mean electronic distribution via the
World Wide Web, the Internet or any technology hereafter developed and used for
similar purposes or evolutions or migrations thereof.  Any successors to a
Publication whether by change of name or
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merger into another publication shall continue to be Publications and covered by
this Agreement. Ziff Davis Media shall also cause the purchaser of any
Publication to agree to assume and carry out the obligations of Ziff Davis Media
under this Agreement with respect to that Publication. Ziff Davis Media and any
such purchaser shall be responsible for negotiating an allocation of royalties
and any participation of the purchaser on the Content Board and Sales and
Marketing Board described below. The editorial content of the Publications is
hereafter referred to as "Content." Publications shall in no event include the
Yahoo! Internet Life e-shopper publication launched by ZD Publishing, the
unincorporated division of a subsidiary of ZDNet and its foreign affiliates
engaged in the print publishing business (collectively, "ZD Publishing"), in
November 1999.

          (ii)  Notwithstanding the exclusivity of Ziff Davis Media's license to
ZDNet, Ziff Davis Media may (a) license advertisers, award-winners or entities
with a similar relationship to Ziff Davis Media, to display for a limited time
period, an individual article or similar limited content from the Publications
on that advertiser's, winner's or entity's Website,  (b) display, and allow
international print licensees of its Publications to display, a limited amount
of Content online as part of Ziff Davis Media advertisements or similar
promotional efforts (for example, an ad or promotion may include a column or
review as an example of Publication content),(c) license the online publication,
display and download of a limited amount of Content ancillary to a license for
the use of Content in books; provided, however, no such publication or display
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shall compete with ZDNet,  and (d) continue the ZDTV License Agreement on its
current terms. As used herein, "Website" means a website or any technology

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hereafter developed or used for similar purposes or evolutions or migrations
thereof.

          (iii) Ancillary to the license granted in Section 1(i) above, Ziff
Davis Media grants ZDNet a  license to use the  titles (including logos) and
other Ziff Davis Media trademarks and trade names associated with the
Publications (but excluding "Ziff-Davis") and, subject to Section 5(iv) below,
the urls containing those titles and trade names (collectively, the
"Trademarks") in the Service in connection with the Content provided such uses
are consistent with proper trademark usage and other reasonable guidelines set
forth in Exhibit D or otherwise communicated to ZDNet from time to time.

          (iv)  Ziff Davis Media shall be responsible for acquiring from its
non-employee authors, sufficient rights, consistent with current practices, for
the license to ZDNet under this Agreement, it being understood that some part of
the Publications' content may not be available for online use because of
extraordinary arrangements with authors or other content providers (for example,
book serialization rights may not be available for online publication) or
because certain content providers will not grant a license beyond print use on
commercially reasonable terms.

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          (v) ZDNet acknowledges that as between it and Ziff Davis Media, Ziff
Davis Media is the exclusive owner of the Trademarks and the Content and agrees
it will not have or obtain any rights or interests in the Trademarks or the
Content beyond the rights granted by this Agreement.

          (vi) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, Ziff
Davis Media shall be permitted to engage in the activities set forth in clause
(y) at the second sentence of Section 3(i).

     2.  License to Redistribute Online.
         ------------------------------

          (i)  ZDNet's license to use the Content shall also include the
exclusive right, subject to Section 1(ii) and 5(iv), to grant third parties the
right to distribute the Content (accompanied by the Trademarks associated with
that Content) on their online Websites and, subject to the last sentence of this
subsection (i) below, to retain all the revenues or other consideration from
such distribution; provided, however:
                   --------  -------

          (A) ZDNet may not allow display or distribution of the Content by any
direct competitor of the Publications as defined in 7(i);

          (B) All such distribution shall prominently display the name of the
author and the Publication;

          (C) Ziff Davis Media may require ZDNet to terminate any distribution
by a third party if such third party alters the Content or misuses any Trademark
or such third party Website does not meet reasonable standards of quality
consistent with the reputation of the Trademarks and the Publications (after
notice of such failure and a reasonable time to cure). Ziff Davis Media
acknowledges that the  myway.com and Excite.com websites on which the Content

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is currently displayed are examples of websites meeting these reasonable
standards of quality; and

          (D) All of the terms and conditions applicable to the display of the
Content and the Trademarks by ZDNet shall apply to those third parties.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, ZDNet shall continue to license the Content for
inclusion in archival databases distributed to public libraries and educational
institutions under existing arrangements with Gale/IAC or similar third parties
(for example, Lexis/Nexis and Dow Jones) to which Gale/IAC has sublicensed
Content, and ZDNet shall pay Ziff Davis Media an amount equal to 50% of  the
royalties received from such license. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ZDNet shall
not be required to license Gale/IAC or similar companies unless their
distribution is restricted so as not to compete with ZDNet. If ZDNet licenses
any of the Content to a third party for royalties (whether a fixed amount of
cash or a per article or per use amount of cash), it shall promptly remit 50% of
such royalties to Ziff Davis Media.

          (ii) Notwithstanding (i) above, if Ziff Davis Media wishes to have
part of the Content distributed on a third party Website as part of a
Publication's or Ziff Davis Media's promotional, marketing (but exclusive of ad
sales) or circulation efforts, it may do so, but it shall first seek ZDNet's
consent by notice describing in reasonable detail such proposed arrangement and
ZDNet shall not unreasonably refuse such request. (For example, if Family PC
believes it is important for its promotional and circulation efforts to have
selected content posted on women.com, it may notify ZDNet and ZDNet shall not
unreasonably refuse that request.) ZDNet shall respond to Ziff Davis Media
within 20 days after such request; the failure to deliver a notice denying such
consent and specifying in reasonable detail the reasons

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therefor shall be deemed consent. Grounds on which ZDNet may reasonably refuse
such request may include:

        (A) the Website designated directly competes with ZDNet;

        (B) ZDNet has an exclusive arrangement with another entity for that
content area; or

        (C) the third party Website refuses to include appropriate branding and
links back to ZDNet; provided, however, ZDNet shall use its best efforts to work
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around limitations imposed by its arrangements with other Websites and to avoid
such limitations in arrangements it makes with third parties.  It is understood
that the content which Ziff Davis Media may request to be posted on other
Websites may only be a small part of the Content of a Publication (for example,
a column, articles on a particular topic, etc.) and, without limiting ZDNet's
right to reasonably refuse on other grounds, shall not include product reviews
and shall not constitute more than ten percent (10%) of the Content of any
single issue or more than five percent (5%) of the Content of any Publication's
issues published within the previous twelve months.

   3.  Hosting of Publications Websites.
       --------------------------------

          (i)  ZDNet shall host the Websites of each Publication and  Ziff Davis
Media may not create or support any other Websites which also use the Trademarks
of a Publication except as provided in Sections 1(ii),  2(ii) and 5(iv).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing shall prevent Ziff Davis Media
from (x) having a corporate Website with general information about the
Publications including advertising rates, schedules, subscription forms,
mastheads and contact information, (y) operating Websites with pages displaying
Trademarks for two or more Ziff Davis Media publications, and including on those
pages e-commerce

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links, links to additional information about particular publications and/or
content, so long as those Websites do not include any Content, the e-commerce
links do not appear to be directly tied to any Trademarks and no Trademarks are
situated in a manner that suggests that any content is Content or (z) delivering
Alternative Electronic Versions. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Alternative Electronic Versions" shall mean outbound periodic electronic
versions substantially equivalent to a Publication as an exclusive or
nonexclusive alternative to print delivery, but only if such electronic versions
do not contain hyperlinks (or any technology hereafter developed or used for
similar purposes or evolutions or migrations thereof) to any Website and the
recipients have no ability to interact with the content (including advertising)
to receive additional content (other than with respect to a functional
equivalent of a printed order form or subscription form (and which functional
equivalent is limited to such purpose) to receive other Additional Electronic
Versions) or to send additional content. Each Publication's Website (including
any url containing a Publication's name or mark) may, except as described below,
contain only Content provided by the Publication and shall contain all the
Content from the Publication from past issues consistent with current practices,
subject to each Publication's right to remove or not to provide Content that may
be incorrect, dated, subject to a third party claim or otherwise inappropriate
for continued display. ZDNet shall remove any such Content immediately after
notice from Ziff Davis Media. Each Publication's Website shall also contain
links to Ziff Davis Media's corporate Website or, if Ziff Davis Media chooses,
information about the Publication which is customary to be included in such
Websites including contact information,

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<PAGE>

editorial feedback, subscription order forms, advertising information, masthead
and similar topics.  Electronic files of the Content shall be made available to
ZDNet by Ziff Davis Media consistent with ZD Publishing's practice as of the
date hereof.

       (ii)  Ziff Davis Media and ZDNet shall each designate three senior
managers who shall include the senior editorial manager from each party to form
a Content Board.  The Content Board shall meet at least once each month to
review the Publications' Websites and changes that ZDNet or Ziff Davis Media may
wish to make in those Websites.  ZDNet shall keep the Content Board and each
Publication informed in advance on any proposed significant change in the
design, presentation or navigation of each Publication's Website (it being
understood that day to day matters do not require notice or consent).  Subject
to Section 9, no significant change shall be made to the design, arrangement or
content practices of any Publication's Website unless the Content Board has
approved such change by the favorable vote of a majority of the representatives
from both Ziff Davis Media and ZDNet.  The Content Board shall to the extent
commercially feasible and consistent with the overall design and structure of
the Publication and ZDNet, as the case may be, use its best efforts to
accommodate requests by the Publication or ZDNet to make changes in a
Publication's Website.  Each of Ziff Davis Media and ZDNet may also raise at the
Content Board concerns about the quality or quantity of the Content from Ziff
Davis Media or the quality of the Service or third party Websites which have
been licensed by ZDNet to distribute the Content.  Any deadlocks on the Content
Board shall be referred to the chief executive officers of ZDNet and Ziff Davis
Media who shall meet and attempt in good faith to resolve such disputes.  If
they are

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

unable to resolve any disputes, those deadlocks shall be referred to mediation
by a person to be mutually agreed with recognized expertise in the area of the
Web and publishing. Each Publication shall inform ZDNet and the Content Board as
far in advance as reasonably practicable (but not less than sixty (60) days
before) of any material changes in the scope of its editorial focus.

          (iii)  From time to time ZDNet may request that the Publications
create additional editorial content for inclusion on the Publication's Websites
(for example, updates of reviews) and in such instance the Publications shall
not unreasonably refuse such requests provided that ZDNet bears any incremental
cost of creating such material.  ZDNet may also include content it creates or
licenses in a Publication Website provided such content is consistent with the
Publication's editorial focus, is up to the standards of the Publication's
Content and provided the Editor-in-Chief of the Publication has consented, which
consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.  Ziff Davis Media may also include a
reasonable amount of additional content on the Publications' Websites provided
that content is consistent with the Content published in the Publication (for
example, the PC Week Website may include breaking news) subject to ZDNet's
consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.  All such additional content
shall be considered as "Content" under this Agreement.

          (iv)  ZDNet shall also distribute at no cost to Ziff Davis Media,
Publication e-mail newsletters and news alerts to  persons requesting those
newsletters and alerts.  Each Publication shall be entitled to the greater of
(x) two mailings per month and (y) the number of mailings currently being
provided by ZDNet to that Publication (set forth on Exhibit E).  Ziff Davis
Media shall be responsible for

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

creating the content of each newsletter or alert, but those newsletters and
alerts shall comply with the same policies and practices that apply to ZDNet
newsletters and alerts. ZDNet shall offer subscriptions to each such newsletter
or alert as part of its registration process. If Ziff Davis Media requests that
ZDNet seek to acquire additional subscribers, ZDNet shall use its best efforts
to do so, subject to Ziff Davis Media's bearing the out-of-pocket costs of such
efforts.

          (v)  During the period ZDNet hosts the Publication Websites, ZDNet
shall use reasonable efforts on the Service to promote and drive traffic to each
Publication's Website. These efforts shall be at least as great as the efforts
expended currently and shall be consistent throughout the term. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, ZDNet shall include:

          (A) a link on its homepage to the  Websites of Family PC, Inter@ctive
Week, PC Magazine, PC Week, PC Computing and Smart Reseller, a link to pages
that list game and international titles and a link to the archival Website for
the Publications; and

          (B) a link to each Publication's Website as part of the display of any
content from a Publication.

          (vi)  ZDNet shall continue to hire and provide  its fulltime employees
to work on the design, template, navigation and content for the Publications'
Websites  and those persons shall be reasonably satisfactory to Ziff Davis
Media.  Those persons shall be provided with office space by Ziff Davis Media in
the offices of the Publications at ZDNet's expense (based on a reasonable
allocation of actual costs). Those persons shall report to and be under the
general supervision of  ZDNet's editorial group. To the extent those persons
create or edit Content on the

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

Publications' Websites, however, they shall continue to take direction from the
editors of the applicable Publication. For example, Tom Ponzo, a ZDNet employee,
is part of the PC Magazine First Looks team, and he shall continue to perform
that function under the direction of the PC Magazine editor in charge of First
Looks. Similarly Don Willmott shall be under the direction of a PC Magazine
editor in respect to overseeing the First Looks, Trends, Pipeline, Columns and
other content of PC Magazine and the PC Magazine Website.

          (vii)  ZDNet may edit the Content as required to fit space or similar
editorial requirements for the Service or to render the Content more readily
comprehensible in style or language to the service users; provided, however,
                                                          --------  -------
such changes may not affect the meaning of any items of the Content and
provided, however, that certain Content (to be designated by Ziff Davis Media)
--------  -------
may not be edited without the author's consent (that is, in the rare case where
an author refuses to allow editing of his work without his consent).  ZDNet may
cause the translation of the Content to be made in languages other than English
so long as the translation is faithful and accurate.  Ziff Davis Media shall own
any resulting translations.

          (viii)  ZDNet acknowledges that prior to the date hereof, ZD
Publishing has licensed the trademark Yahoo and other brand features from Yahoo!
Inc. for Yahoo! Internet Life pursuant to an agreement dated January 15, 1996
and amended as of October 30, 1996 and amended as of January 1, 2000 (the "Yahoo
Agreement"), a copy of which has been provided to ZDNet.  ZDNet shall comply
with all of the obligations of Ziff Davis Media under the Yahoo Agreement with
respect to the Yahoo! Internet Life Website (defined as the "ZD Online Magazine"
in the Yahoo Agreement) including, without limitation, the payment to Yahoo of
twenty (20%)

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

percent of Advertising Revenues (as defined in the Yahoo Agreement) on the
Yahoo! Internet Life Website in accordance with Section 5 of the Yahoo
Agreement. ZDNet shall deliver to Ziff Davis Media a copy of each payment to
Yahoo and the supporting statement promptly after the delivery thereof by ZDNet
to Yahoo!. ZDNet also acknowledges that notwithstanding any suggestion to the
contrary in Section 1(iii), the name "Yahoo! Internet Life" may only be used in
compliance with the Yahoo Agreement.

          (ix)  ZDNet shall incorporate all bug fixes and technical upgrades,
which it incorporates into the other channels of the Service, into the
Publication Websites while it hosts such Websites and shall maintain the
hardware and  software reasonably needed to maintain the Publications' Websites
with performance and reliability standards  no less favorable in any respect
than the standards to which ZDNet maintains its own channels.

  4.  Joint Ad Sales
      --------------

          ZDNet and Ziff Davis Media shall cooperate to coordinate and offer
combined advertising packages for the Publications in print, the Publications'
Websites and otherwise on ZDNet. ZDNet and Ziff Davis Media shall each designate
three senior sales managers who shall comprise a "Sales and Marketing Board."
The purpose of the Sales and Marketing Board shall be to approve and regulate
the joint sales efforts between Ziff Davis Media and ZDNet.

  5.  Royalty
      -------

          (i)  ZDNet shall pay Ziff Davis Media a royalty for the use of the
Content based on its annual gross revenues.  That royalty shall be five percent
(5%) of the first $100,000,000 of gross revenues; four percent (4%) of the next
$50,000,000 and three percent (3%) above $150,000,000, in each case per contract
year, determined quarterly, subject,

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

however, to a minimum and maximum royalty of $7 million and $14 million,
respectively, for the first contract year after the date of this Agreement, $9
million and $18 million, respectively, for the second contract year after the
date of this Agreement and $11 million and $22 million, respectively, for the
third contract year after the date of this Agreement. For purposes of this
Agreement gross revenues shall mean all of ZDNet's revenues from any source
including, without limitation, from advertising, subscriptions, sponsorships,
list rentals, user fees and royalties, but in each case less credits, discounts
and a reasonable reserve for bad debt and also excluding any revenues from (x)
ZDNet's print publications or other non-online products and services and (y) any
royalty amounts shared with Ziff Davis Media pursuant to Section 2(i)(D) above
including the amounts retained by ZDNet. If ZDNet is merged with another
Website, then gross revenues shall include the gross revenues of all activities
which were part of ZDNet prior to the merger or which are conducted as part of
the Service or under the ZDNet name after the merger and also the gross revenues
from all Websites with which the Service is merged which concern technology.

          (ii)  The royalty shall be paid within 45 days after the end of each
calendar quarter.  Each payment shall include a statement of gross revenues for
that quarter.

          (iii)  Ziff Davis Media shall have the right not more than once during
each calendar year to have an independent certified accounting firm review the
appropriate books and records of ZDNet concerning its calculation of gross
revenues for the most recent statement and for the previous three quarterly
statements.  If such statement is more than 10% under the amount determined by
such audit,

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

ZDNet shall also reimburse Ziff Davis Media for the reasonable costs of the
audit.

          (iv)  Beginning on the date that is three years from the date of this
Agreement, there shall commence a transition period which shall last for 24
months, which is referred to herein as the "Transition Period".  During the
first twelve months of the Transition Period, ZDNet shall continue to have all
its rights to use and license the Content and the Trademarks hereunder and to
host the Publication Websites, but Ziff Davis Media shall have the right to
display the Content from the Publications on its own Websites.  During the
second twelve months of the Transition Period, ZDNet shall have the right to use
and license the Content hereunder, but Ziff Davis Media shall have the right to
host, maintain and produce its own Publication Websites and to the exclusive use
of its urls.  During the second twelve months of the Transition Period, Ziff
Davis Media shall cause the Publication Websites using the urls that had been
used by ZDNet to host the Publications prior to the beginning of the last twelve
months of the Transition Period to contain links to ZDNet in contextually-
appropriate locations within the Websites using that url.  Each of the links
shall be a graphic button designed and programmed by ZDNet and reasonably
acceptable to Ziff Davis Media), which button shall contain inserted text
prominently displayed. Similarly, during the second twelve months of the
Transition Period ZDNet shall use reasonable commercial efforts to redirect
traffic seeking Publication Websites to  urls designated by Ziff Davis Media.
Each of the links shall be a graphic button designed and programmed by Ziff
Davis Media (and reasonably acceptable to ZDNet), which button shall contain
inserted text prominently displayed. Ziff Davis Media shall not license the
Content to any third party (any entity

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

which is not controlled by them) during the first twelve months of the
Transition Period. During the second twelve months of the Transition Period,
Ziff Davis Media may license the Content to third parties but not to any entity
with which ZDNet has in effect at the end of the first twelve months of the
Transition Period a bona fide license for Content entered into in the ordinary
course. During the first twelve months of the Transition Period, the ZDNet
royalty to Ziff Davis Media shall be reduced by 50% (i.e., from 5% of the first
                                                     ----
$100 million of annual revenues, 4% of the next $50,000,000 and 3% of all
additional revenues, to 2.5%, 2% and 1.5%, respectively) and in the second
twelve months of the Transition Period by 75% (i.e., from 5%, 4% and 3% to
                                               ----
1.25%, 1% and .75%, respectively).

  6.      Cross Promotional Rights.
          ------------------------

          (i)  ZDNet shall have the right to run (1) one 4-color print ad for
the Service (and not for any other use) for free in each U.S. Publication and
(2) one 4-color print ad for the Service (and not for any other use) at house
rates in each U.S. Publication.  Except for rates, all such ads shall be subject
to each Publication's standard terms and conditions.  Ziff Davis Media shall
continue to put on the cover of the U.S. Publication, on the table of contents
and, where appropriate as determined by Ziff Davis Media, in the text and on all
circulation solicitations sent by Ziff Davis Media, the url of such U.S.
Publication's Website on the Service and shall offer subscriptions to ZDNet
newsletters as part of its subscription signups, provided in each case that such
inclusion shall not violate postal regulation or require Ziff Davis Media to
mail in a more expensive class, or materially adversely affect the response rate
to such solicitations.  The provisions of this paragraph shall continue through
the end of the third contract year.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

          (ii) ZDNet shall provide the U.S. Publications with free banner ads,
e-mail solicitations and other promotional opportunities in the format and
manner no less favorable to Ziff Davis Media in any respect than currently being
provided, in sufficient amounts, to meet annual goals for net subscriptions
secured on the Service  set by Ziff Davis Media for each year of this Agreement
as described below. (Net subscriptions means for Publications with a paid
circulation, subscriptions for which the subscriber actually pays; for qualified
Publications, subscriptions for which the subscriber actually qualifies.)  Ziff
Davis Media shall have the right to set the terms and rates of such
subscriptions and to allocate  the net amount of each annual goal among the
Publications by notice to ZDNet.  The goal for U.S. Publications for net
subscriptions secured on the Service in 1999 was 163,000 and in 2000 is 206,000.
For 1999 and 2000 the allocation of those subscription goals among the U.S.
Publications and the timing is set forth on Exhibit C.  Commencing in 2000,
ZDNet shall be obligated to meet the level of 163,000 of such subscriptions per
year each year; above that level, ZDNet shall use its  best efforts to reach the
goal, but shall only be obligated to provide an additional percentage of
promotional efforts equivalent to the increase in the goal.  (For example, in
2000, when the goal is 206,000 subscriptions, ZDNet shall be obligated to
provide at least 163,000 subscriptions and to use 26.4% (i.e., the percentage
                                                         ----
increase from 163,000 subscriptions to 206,000 subscriptions) more promotional
efforts in each category of promotional activity than it used to meet the
163,000 goal in 1999, but shall not be in breach if it fails to deliver 206,000
subscriptions.)  The annual subscription goal shall be reduced for each
Publication no longer under this Agreement by the amount of subscriptions
allocated to it

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

in the previous year. The annual subscription goal shall be adjusted to the
extent Ziff Davis Media materially changes the kind and nature of its
subscription offers (for example, instead of an equal mix of hard and soft
offers, Ziff Davis Media materially increases the ratio of hard offers to soft
offers). Ziff Davis Media shall have the right to increase the net subscription
goal for years after 2000 by up to 10% for 2001, 5% for 2002 and 3% for each
year thereafter. ZDNet shall be entitled to a bounty of $3 per net subscription
secured on the Service for each year for the Publications above the base goal of
163,000 (as adjusted in the future for deleted Publications). Ziff Davis Media
shall have the right at any time by notice to ZDNet to instruct ZDNet to suspend
subscription solicitations for a specific Publication. Without limiting the
generality of the first sentence of this Section (ii), ZDNet's subscription
promotion efforts shall continue to include, without limitation, hosting the
webpages, graphics and related scripts of the Ziff Davis Media circulation
department (including subscription order forms and customer service pages),
developing CD premiums for use in Publication solicitations to be paid for by
Ziff Davis Media under the pricing methodology in effect between ZD Publishing
and ZDNet as of the date hereof, and including Publication subscription offers
in the registration process for ZDNet and for ZDNet's hosted contests (as
currently provided), a high impact promotion on each Publication Website, at the
bottom of pages on sponsored links, and, on a remnant basis, on AnchorDesk and
other email newsletters. Both parties shall consult in good faith and make
changes as appropriate in the mix of promotional efforts. Ziff Davis Media shall
provide reports at least once each quarter to ZDNet on the number of net
subscriptions secured. ZDNet shall immediately add

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

additional promotions in the event that the net subscriptions are falling short
of the annual goal. This provision shall terminate one year from the date of
this Agreement, unless Ziff Davis Media shall elect by written notice on or
before one month prior to such termination date to extend this provision for one
additional year.

          (iii)  ZDNet and Ziff Davis Media shall each make available to the
other lists of subscribers to the Publications and registered users of ZDNet,
subject to applicable privacy restrictions.  Those lists may be used in
accordance with standard industry practice by ZDNet solely for promoting ZDNet
online products and services and by Ziff Davis Media solely for its print
products and services and may not be used for the benefit of, or made available
to, any third party.  ZDNet and Ziff Davis Media may set reasonable restrictions
on the number of mailings or e-mails to each person on such lists; provided,
                                                                   --------
however, neither may restrict such uses to less than the average annual number
-------
provided prior to this date (for example, for circulation for U.S. Publications,
twelve mailings a year).  This provision and the right to use such lists shall
terminate one year from the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that if
                                                    --------  -------
Ziff Davis Media extends the provisions of (ii) for an additional year, the
provisions of this paragraph (iii) shall also be extended for an additional
year.

  7.  Restrictions on Use of Competitive Materials.
      --------------------------------------------

          (i)  In consideration of ZDNet's right to use the Content and host the
Publication's Websites, during the first three contract years, ZDNet shall not:

          (A) incorporate content into its Websites from the publications set
forth on Schedule 7.1(i),

          (B) manage, host or assist the Websites of the publications set forth
on Schedule 7.1(i),

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

          (C) publish any print products Directly Competitive with the
Publications, or

          (D) accept and run advertising from, offer subscriptions to, or
otherwise promote, the publications set forth on Schedule 7.1(i).

A Publication is "Directly Competitive" if it is principally focused on the same
editorial subject matter as any of the Publications, provided if any Publication
changes its principal focus to a new editorial subject matter materially
different from its previous principal subject matter and, prior to notice of
such change, ZDNet has entered into an agreement with a publication primarily
focused on the new subject matter, ZDNet may complete the then current term of
such agreement (without any renewals or extensions) without regard to whether
that publication is then a Directly Competitive publication.

          (ii)  In consideration of ZDNet's payment to Ziff Davis Media and
other services, during the term of this Agreement, but not during the Transition
Period, Ziff Davis Media shall not accept or run advertising in any of the
Publications from any of the Websites set forth in Schedule 7.1(ii).

     8.  Term.
         ----

          (i)  Subject to Section 5(iv), the term of Ziff Davis Media's license
shall be for a period ending on the fifth anniversary hereof, except that
shortly after the second anniversary, at the request of either party, the
parties will discuss whether and on what terms they might extend the term of
this Agreement, it being understood that neither party has any obligation under
this paragraph to extend this Agreement except in their sole discretion.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

          (ii)  Either party may also terminate this license and its obligations
under this Agreement if the other party  materially breaches any of its
obligations under this Agreement unless, in respect of any breach which is
curable, the other party cures such breach within 60 days after notice by the
non-breaching party.

          (iii)  ZDNet shall have the right to terminate this Agreement or
demand a renegotiation of the royalties going forward in the event of a
substantial reduction in the Content available to it from the Publications.  A
substantial reduction shall mean that the number of Publications is reduced to
less than six United States non-gaming titles (counting Publications which may
be owned by third parties, but still are subject to this Agreement); or that the
number of articles within the Content is less than 66% of the number of articles
produced in 1999 (reduced by the number of articles in Computer Shopper).  If
the parties are unable to agree on new royalties, then the royalties shall be
determined by an independent arbitrator.

          (iv)  If either party is acquired by or acquires a direct competitor
to the other (that is, Ziff Davis Media acquires or is acquired by an online
technology content Website or ZDNet acquires or is acquired by a print publisher
Directly Competitive to the Publications), the other party may within six (6)
months  after such transaction, give notice of not less than (six) 6 months of
its termination of this Agreement.  Any entity that maintains a Website
primarily focused on technology content shall be deemed to be a direct
competitor of ZDNet.

          (v) ZDNet and Ziff Davis Media may by mutual consent remove any
Publication from this Agreement.

  9.  Quality Standards. In consideration of Ziff Davis Media's license of the
      -----------------
Trademarks, ZDNet shall cause the

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

Service to be maintained in all material respects at substantially the same
standards of quality as the Service currently has been maintained. ZDNet shall
not take or allow any action with respect to the Service or the use of the
Trademarks or the Content on the Service or on any third party Website that
would infringe or adversely affect the value or reputation of the Trademarks or
derogate, dilute or impair the rights of Ziff Davis Media in the Trademarks.

  10.  Indemnities.
       -----------

          (i) ZDNet shall indemnify and hold Ziff Davis Media harmless from any
and all loss, cost, liability, damage and expense (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and other legal costs) (a) incurred by Ziff Davis Media on
account of any claims or lawsuits arising out of or relating to any of ZDNet's
or its licensees' activities hereunder, including without limitation, the
publication and distribution of the Content appearing in the Service (other than
claims as to which Ziff Davis Media indemnifies ZDNet under Section 10(ii)), or
of ZDNet created content, or the marketing, promotion, publication, sale or
distribution of the Service; (b) arising out of any breach by ZDNet of any of
its obligations under this Agreement; or (c) arising out of the use of the
Content, except as specifically authorized herein, or improper reproduction or
use of the Trademarks as licensed under this Agreement. Ziff Davis Media shall
promptly advise ZDNet of any such claim, shall give ZDNet the opportunity to
defend, compromise or settle the same (so long as such settlement is satisfied
solely by payments by ZDNet and imposes no obligations on Ziff Davis Media), as
ZDNet in its sole discretion may determine, shall cooperate fully with ZDNet in
the defense of same and shall not settle any such claim without first obtaining
ZDNet's written consent thereto, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

          (ii)  Subject to Section 10(iii) below, Ziff Davis Media shall
indemnify and hold ZDNet harmless from any and all loss, cost, liability, damage
and expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees and other legal costs)
incurred by ZDNet on account of (a) any suit or claim by a third party against
ZDNet alleging  that ZDNet's use of the Trademarks in the United States in
accordance with the terms and conditions hereof is an infringement of the rights
of that third party in their trademark,  or that ZDNet's use in the Service in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement of any Content
(unless the claim arises out of the creation, translation or alteration by ZDNet
of the Content) is libelous, an infringement of copyright or an invasion of
privacy (but with respect to Content originating in the U.S. only to the extent
that the claim would have been actionable in the United States, it being
understood that Ziff Davis Media shall not be responsible for claims of libel,
infringement of copyright, or invasion of privacy with respect to Content
originating in the U.S. that may arise solely under the law of any country other
than the United States), or (b) arising out of any breach by Ziff Davis Media of
any of its obligations under this Agreement.  ZDNet shall promptly advise Ziff
Davis Media of any such claim, shall give Ziff Davis Media the opportunity to
defend, compromise or settle the same (so long as such settlement is satisfied
solely by payments by Ziff Davis Media and imposes no obligation on ZDNet), as
Ziff Davis Media in its sole discretion may determine, shall cooperate fully
with Ziff Davis Media in the defense of same, and shall not settle any such
claim without first obtaining Ziff Davis Media's written consent thereto, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld.

          (iii)  In the event of a third party claim alleging that ZDNet's use
of any of the Trademarks or the Content is

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

an infringement of the rights of that third party, ZDNet shall, upon Ziff Davis
Media's request, remove or modify the Content, or use a modified non-infringing
form of the affected Trademark, or a different title and/or logo. Ziff Davis
Media shall have the right to settle any claim or action arising out of any such
third party claim in its sole discretion. In no event may ZDNet make any
settlement or compromise which may authorize or permit any third party to use
any of the Trademarks, or any element thereof, or any similar trademark in any
language or the Content without Ziff Davis Media's written consent.

          (iv)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in
no event shall either party be liable to the other for consequential or indirect
damages, including, but not limited to damages resulting from lost profits or
goodwill, whether or not that party has been advised or is aware of the
possibility of such damages.

          (v)  Ziff Davis Media's aggregate liability to ZDNet in respect of any
claims for damages under this Agreement (including any liability for attorneys'
fees) arising in any contract year following the date of this Agreement shall
not exceed the total amount of royalties paid to Ziff Davis Media under this
Agreement during that contract year.  The foregoing language shall not be
construed to affect the extent to which specific performance or other equitable
or injunctive relief may be available with respect to the breach by either
party.

  11.  Retention of Rights.  All rights not specifically granted to ZDNet herein
       -------------------
are retained by Ziff Davis Media.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, except for the rights specifically granted to ZDNet in Section 1
above, Ziff Davis Media retains all rights in and to the Trademarks, and the
Content, including, but not limited to, the right to

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

use and exploit the Trademarks and the Content throughout the world, in all
languages in any medium or form, whether now known or hereafter invented,
including, but not limited to, books, magazines, newspapers, newsletters,
microfilm, reprint, serial, syndication, condensation, abridgment, radio
adaptation, television, motion picture, video, recording, tape or any electronic
or digital form and in connection with any services or business.

  12.  Assignment.
       ----------

          (i)  In entering into this Agreement, Ziff Davis Media is relying upon
the skills, reputation and personnel, including the officers, directors and
owners, of ZDNet.  This Agreement and all rights and obligations under this
Agreement are personal to ZDNet and shall not, without the prior written consent
of Ziff Davis Media, be assigned, sublicensed, delegated or otherwise
transferred by ZDNet or by operation of law. Any unauthorized transfer or
delegation in violation of this Section 12(i) shall be void and of no force or
effect and shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

          (ii)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may assign its
rights and obligations under this Agreement to an affiliate or division or in
connection with the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets
of its business with the consent of the other party which shall not be
unreasonably withheld.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of each
party's permitted successors and assigns.

  13.  Discontinuance of a Publication.  Notwithstanding anything contained
       -------------------------------
herein to the contrary, (but subject to the provision in Section 1(i) above with
respect to the sale or merger of a Publication) Ziff Davis Media shall have the
absolute right in its sole discretion, at any time, to discontinue, suspend,
abandon or otherwise terminate the

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

publication of any Publication or merge any Publication into or with another
publication.

  14.  Confidential Information.  If pursuant to this Agreement either party
       ------------------------
receives or becomes aware of any information from the other that is confidential
or proprietary in nature, that party shall keep such information confidential
and shall not, without the other party's prior written consent, disclose such
information in any manner whatsoever, in whole or in part, except as may
otherwise be required by applicable law and shall not use such information for
any purpose except to carry out its rights and obligations under this Agreement.

  15.  Copyright and Trademark Notice and Credit.  The Service shall carry the
       -----------------------------------------
following notice and credit. "Editorial items appearing in "ZDNET" that were
originally published in the [U.S.] Edition of [Publication] are the copyright
property of [ZD Inc.] or its suppliers.  Copyright (C) [year of publication] ZD
Inc. All Rights Reserved.  [___] is a [registered] trademark of ZD Inc."  ZDNet
shall make any additions, changes and deletions to such notices and credits as
are reasonably required by Ziff Davis Media upon notice to ZDNet.  In addition,
ZDNet shall give attribution to the Content back to the Publication and author
so as to avoid confusion over the source and ownership of the Content and that
attribution shall be prominent and consistent with industry practice.

     16.  Trademarks.
          -----------

          (i) All trademark rights related to or created by ZDNet's use of the
Trademarks in any language belong to Ziff Davis Media.  If, contrary to the
provisions of this Agreement, ZDNet has obtained or shall obtain any such right
or interest in the Trademarks by any cause, then all rights ZDNet has obtained
in the Trademarks, including all

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

associated goodwill, shall be the sole property of Ziff Davis Media and ZDNet
shall assign to Ziff Davis Media or its designee all of such trademark rights,
together with the associated goodwill or shall abandon or withdraw any
application or other claim of ownership for the Trademarks, at Ziff Davis
Media's option and at ZDNet's expense, in accordance with Ziff Davis Media's
written instructions given at any time.

          (ii) ZDNet agrees to use the Trademarks only in accordance with, and
subject to the restrictions set forth in, this Agreement and the Trademark
Guidelines set forth on Exhibit D and such other guidelines as Ziff Davis Media
may reasonably prescribe from time to time and in a manner that does not
derogate Ziff Davis Media's or its affiliate's rights therein, and not in
combination with any other words or marks without Ziff Davis Media's consent,
not unreasonably withheld, or in any corporate name, trade name or other
designation used by ZDNet to identify its business.  ZDNet shall not, directly
or indirectly, (a) interfere with Ziff Davis Media's or its affiliate's use,
licensing or registration of the Trademark anywhere throughout the world, (b)
challenge, contest or attack the ownership by Ziff Davis Media or its affiliate,
of any Trademarks or the validity of any Trademark or, (c) seek to register or
claim ownership of any of the Trademarks or any other designation similar to the
Trademarks.

          (iii)  Upon Ziff Davis Media's written instructions, ZDNet will assist
and fully cooperate with Ziff Davis Media's efforts to secure, protect and
preserve Ziff Davis Media's rights and interests in the Trademarks, including
Ziff Davis Media's or its affiliate's procuring of copyright and trademark
registrations, and ZDNet, at its expense, will execute and deliver any and all
documents, and

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

perform any and all acts, including, without limitation, the supplying of such
samples and similar materials (e.g., copies of printouts of the Service and
                               ----
promotional or similar materials) as may be required in this Agreement or
reasonably requested by Ziff Davis Media to confirm Ziff Davis Media's ownership
of the Trademarks and Content and otherwise further the intent and purposes of
this Agreement.

          (iv) ZDNet shall use reasonable efforts to monitor the marketplace
during the term of this Agreement for infringements by third parties of the
Trademarks, the Content and any other material which is proprietary to Ziff
Davis Media and ZDNet will immediately notify Ziff Davis Media in writing of any
infringement or imitation of, or any other event or claim adverse to or in
violation of Ziff Davis Media's or its affiliates' rights or interests in, any
Trademarks, the Content, or any other rights.  Ziff Davis Media will have sole
discretion to decide whether any communication or legal action is undertaken
with respect to such events or claims, and will have sole right to control all
aspects of such communication and action (including choice of attorney and
settlement).  ZDNet will not take any steps with respect to such events or
claims, including any oral or written communication with the offending or
adverse person, without the prior written specific instructions of Ziff Davis
Media.  ZDNet will assist and fully cooperate with Ziff Davis Media in
connection with any such communications and actions.

     17.  Non-Solicitation.  For a period of twelve months after the date of
          ----------------
this Agreement, neither party shall solicit for employment any employee of the
other, it being understood that if an employee of a party initiates discussion
about employment with the other party without any solicitation by

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

the other party, that other party shall be free to hire such employee.

  18.  Miscellaneous.
       -------------

          (i) Notices. All notices, requests, instructions, claims, demands,
              -------
consents and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when
delivered personally to the recipient, (b) one business day after being sent to
the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid), (c) upon
machine-generated acknowledgment of receipt after transmittal by facsimile if so
acknowledged to have been received before 5:00 p.m. on a business day at the
location of receipt and otherwise on the next following business day, provided
that each such notice, demand or other communication is also deposited within 24
hours thereafter with a reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid)
for delivery to the same Person or (d) five days after being mailed to the
recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage
prepaid, to the parties at the following addresses:

        (a)  with respect to notices to Ziff Davis Media regarding any matters,
             to:

             Ziff Davis Media Inc.
             c/o Willis Stein & Partners II, L.P.
             227 West Monroe Street
             Chicago, IL  60606
             Telephone: 312/422-2400
             Facsimile: 312/422-2418
             Attention: Daniel H. Blumenthal
                        Avy H. Stein

with  copies of any notices to Ziff Davis Media regarding the breach,
interpretation or termination of this Agreement, to:

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

               Kirkland & Ellis
               200 E. Randolph Drive
               57th Floor
               Chicago, IL 60601
               Telephone: 312/861-2000
               Facsimile: 312/861-2200
               Attention: John A. Weissenbach
                John Lynn - New York City

(b)  with respect to notices to ZDNet regarding any matters, to:

               ZDNET
               650 Townsend Street
               San Francisco, CA 94103, U.S.A.
               Attention: Chief Executive Officer

with a copy of any notices to ZDNet regarding the breach, interpretation or
termination of this Agreement, to ZDNet's Legal Department at ZD Inc., 28 East
28th Street, New York, New York 10016, U.S.A.

          (ii)  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains a complete statement
                ----------------
of all of the arrangements between Ziff Davis Media and ZDNet with respect to
its subject matter, supersedes all previous agreements, arrangements and
understandings, written or oral, relating to its subject matter, and may not be
modified except by a writing signed by both parties. This Agreement shall be
binding on each party's permitted successors and permitted assigns, including
subsequent owners of each party.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement
shall not supercede the arrangements made between ZDNet and Ziff Davis Media
with respect to magazine subscriptions offered as part of ZD Rewards or
GamesGuide arrangements with respect to payments to Ziff Davis Media or Ziff
Davis Media employees for part of the time of its employees (for example, Tom
Steinhart-Threlkeld) or for special contributions by Ziff Davis Media employees,
nor similar arrangements not specifically covered by this Agreement.

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

          (iii)  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
                 -------------
construed during and after the term of this Agreement in accordance with the law
of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in
New York and the United States Federal law where applicable. Each party agrees
that any action or proceeding brought by the other during or after the term of
this Agreement and arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be brought
in courts located in the State of New York. Each party irrevocably consents to
the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and of any Federal Court
located in New York in connection with any action or proceeding brought during
or after the term of this Agreement and arising out of or related to this
Agreement and waives any objection to venue or any claim that the action is
brought in an inconvenient forum.  In any such action or proceeding, each party
waives personal service of any summons, complaint or other process and agrees
that service thereof shall be deemed made when mailed registered air mail,
return receipt requested, addressed to that party at its address set forth in
Section 18(a) or at such other address as that party may specify by written
notice to the other party.

          (iv)  No Waiver.  The failure of a party to insist upon strict
                ---------
adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered
a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict
adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement.  Any waiver must be
in writing.

          (v)  Force Majeure.  Neither party shall be responsible for any
               -------------
failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement because
of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation,
acts of God, fires, floods, wars, civil disturbances,

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

sabotage, accidents, labor disputes (whether or not the employees' demands are
reasonable and within the party's power to satisfy), governmental actions or
inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation, nor, except as
provided below, shall any such failure or delay give the other party the right
to terminate this Agreement. No event of force majeure shall affect any
obligation of ZDNet to pay any amounts under this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the full amount of the royalty payable under Section 5.

          (vi) Separability.  If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or
               ------------
unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall remain in effect, and if any
provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless
remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.

          (vii)  Survival.  Sections 8(v), 10, 11, 14, 15 and 16 shall survive
                 --------
the expiration or termination of this Agreement, as well as all other provisions
of this Agreement which expressly state that they survive or that they apply
during and after the term of this Agreement, or which by their sense are
intended to survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

          (viii)  Further Instruments.  Each party agrees to execute and deliver
                  -------------------
such further documents and take such further steps as may be reasonably
requested by the other party to further the purposes of this Agreement.  Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, ZDNet agrees to execute, upon Ziff
Davis Media's request, a shortened version of this Agreement, as it relates to
the Trademarks, acceptable in form and content to Ziff Davis Media's counsel,
for purposes of recording such agreement with any appropriate authority.  Upon
the execution of such agreement, all

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

provisions in this Agreement regarding the recordation of this Agreement shall
be deemed to also apply to that agreement.

          (ix)  Affiliates.  Ziff Davis Media shall ensure that each of its
                ----------
affiliates complies with all of its obligations purported to be created hereby,
and ZDNet shall ensure that each of its subsidiaries complies with all of its
obligations purported to be created hereby.

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their officers duly authorized as of the date first written
above.

                                ZIFF-DAVIS INC.

                                By:   /s/ J. MALCOLM MORRIS
                                   ------------------------------
                                   Name:  J. Malcolm Morris
                                   Title: Senior Vice President

                                ZIFF DAVIS MEDIA INC.

                                By:   /s/ DANIEL H. BLUMENTHAL
                                   ------------------------------
                                   Name:  Daniel H. Blumenthal
                                   Title: Vice President

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

                                Schedule 7.1(i)

                                  Competitors

Comp Reseller News
Computer World
Dr. Dobbs
Game Pro
Home Office Computing
Incite
Industry Standard
Info World
InformationWeek
InternetWeek
MacAddict
Maximum PC
Network Computing
Network World
PC Gamer
PC Games
PC World
Smart Computing
The Net
Tips & Tricks
Var Business
Wired
Next Generation
PC Accelerator

                                      -34-
<PAGE>

                                Schedule 7.1(ii)
                                ----------------

                              Competitors of ZDNet

cnet.com
internet.com
earthweb.com
idg.com
cmp.com
andovernet.com
comdex.com
zdtv.com
happypuppy.com
gamerevolution.com
gamesdomain.com
ign.com

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit A
                                   ---------

Computer Gaming World

Electronic Gaming Monthly
Expert Gamer
Family PC
Inter@ctive Week
-----------

Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine
PC Computing
PC Magazine
PC Week
Smart Reseller
Yahoo! Internet Life

France
------

PC Expert
PC Direct

Germany
-------

PC Direct
---------
PC Professionell
----------------
Internet Professionell
----------------------

UK

PC Direct
PC Magazine
It Week
PC Gaming World

Australia
---------

PC Magazine
-----------
PC Week
-------

China
-----

PC Magazine
-----------
PC Week
-------
Smart Reseller
--------------
PC Computing
------------

                                      -36-
<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit B
                                   ---------

                            [Intentionally Omitted]
                            -----------------------

                                      -37-
<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit C

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  1999
  zdnet                            jan    feb    mar   apr   may   jun    jul      aug   sep   oct  nov    dec

<S>                               <C>      <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>      <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>
            Yahoo! Internet Life  1300     800   800   800   800   800    1800     800   800   900   900   900    11400
                    PC Computing  1400    1900  1200  1100  1600  1400    1100    1100  1100  1100  1100  1100    15200
                        FamilyPC   800    1000   400   400   300   600     300     300   300   400   400   400     5600
               PC Magazine Extra    30      30    30    30    30    30      30    1870    30    30    30    30     2200
                     PC Magazine  2400    1400  1300  1100   800  1000    1000    1500  1500  1500  1600  1600    16700
           Computer Gaming World   695     167   521   344   404   271     333     333   333   333   333   333     4400
       Electronic Gaming Monthly   150     140   140   200   140   225     245     245   245   490   490   490     3200
                   Expert Gamer     41      41    41    41    42    42      42      42    42    42    42    42      500
Official US Playstation Magazine   100     100   100   100   100   100     100     100   100   100   100   100     1200
                         PC Week  3500    3500  3500  3500  3500  3500    3500    3500  3500  3500  3500  3500    42000
                Inter@ctive Week  3966    3966  3966  3966  3967  3967    3967    3967  3967  3967  3967  3967    47600
                  Sm@rt Reseller  1083    1083  1083  1083  1083  1083    1083    1083  1084  1084  1084  1084    13000

                                 15465   14127 13081 12664 12766 13018   13500   14840 13001 13446 13546 13546   163000
</TABLE>

                                     -38-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  2000
  zdnet                            jan    feb    mar   apr   may   jun    jul      aug   sep   oct  nov    dec

<S>                               <C>      <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>      <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>
            Yahoo! Internet Life  1615    1615  1615  1615  1615  1615    2215    2215  2215  2215  2215  2215   22980
                    PC Computing  1600    1600  1600  1600  1600  1600    2500    2500  2500  2500  2500  2500   24600
                        FamilyPC   500     500   500   500   500   500     900     900   900   900   900   900    8400
                     PC Magazine  1500    1500  1500  1500  1500  1500    3500    3500  3500  3500  3500  3500   30000
           Computer Gaming World   700     700   700   700   700   700     700     700   700   700   700   700    8400
       Electronic Gaming Monthly   500     500   500   500   500   500     500     500   500   500   500   500    6000
                   Expert Gamer    .75      75    75    75    75    75     150     150   150   150   150   150    1350
Official US Playstation Magazine   125     125   125   125   125   125     150     150   150   150   150   150    1650
                         PC Week  1500   19000  1500  1500  1500  1500    1500   14010  1500  1500  6510  1500   53020
                Inter@ctive Week   600     500 13000   600   600   600   10000     600   600   600   800   600   36400
                  Sm@rt Reseller  5000     300   300   300  3000   300     300     300   300  2500   300   300   13200

                                 13715   26515 21415  9015 11715  9015   22415   25525 15215 13015 25425 13015  206000
</TABLE>

                                     - 39 -

<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit D
                           Trademark Usage Guidelines

  1. The Trademarks shall not be enclosed in any way by, combined with or
  incorporated into or with any other words or marks, or modified in any other
  ways. In each instance of use, the Trademarks shall be of a sufficient size
  aid on an appropriately contrasting background so that all words and logo
  elements are plainly legible.

  2. ZDNet will use its commercially diligent efforts to use the Trademarks only
  as brands or adjectives followed by the common generic term for the
  Trademarks, e.g., "PC Week Magazine". ZDNet shall not use the Trademarks in
  the genitive or as a possessive, e.g., "PC Week's Table of Contents" or "the
  Table of Contents of PC Week".

  3. ZDNet shall use commercially reasonable efforts to include a notice that
  the Trademarks are being used under license from Ziff Davis Media.

  4. The Trademarks must include the symbol "TM" (or the symbol "(R)" if so
  designated by Ziff Davis Media) or the following notice where reasonable:
  "(Trademark] is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Ziff Davis
  Media Inc. in the United States and/or in foreign countries."

  5, ZDNet shall not register domain names that contain or are confusingly
  similar to the Trademarks.

  6. Ziff Davis Media may reasonably amend these guidelines from time to time
  upon at least one hundred eighty (18o) days written notice to ZDNet, subject
  to ZDNet's consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

  All terms used in this Exhibit D and defined in the Agreement shall have the
  meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

                                     -40-
<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit E
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

E-mail Newsletters             Magazines         Publishing Frequency             Distribution
------------------             ---------         --------------------             ------------
<S>                            <C>               <C>                              <C>

Bill Machrone's New Product
 Alert                         PC Magazine       3x Weekly                        N/A
E-mail Readership Survey       PC Week           Monthly                          N/A
FamilyPC                       FamilyPC          Weekly                                 70,000
Inter@ctive Week Alert         Inter@ctive Week  2x Week                          N/A
-----------                    -----------
IT WEEK                        IT Week           Weekly                           N/A
LINUX                          PC Week           Daily - Monday thru Friday       N/A
Miller's Choice                PC Magazine       Weekly                           N/A
PC Direct                      pcdirect.co.uk    Weekly                           N/A
PC Magazine Alert              PC Magazine       Occasionally                     N/A
PC Week InBox Direct           PC Week           Monday thru Friday               N/A
Sm@rt Reseller Online          Sm@rt Reseller    Monday and Thursday              60,000 to
-----                          -----
                                                                                     70,000
TIP OF THE DAY                 PCComputing       Twice p/week                     200,000+
Y2K Watch                      PC Week           Weekly                           N/A
Y-Life Daily Bulletin          YILO              Daily                            120,009
Y-Life Weekly                  YILO              Weekly                            28,370
Y-Life Music News              YILO              Weekly                           Start-up
                                                                                    newsletter
</TABLE>

                                      -41-

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