Document:

Exhibit

10.4

 

EMPLOYEE NONCOMPETITION,

NONDISCLOSURE AND DEVELOPMENTS AGREEMENT

 

In consideration and as a condition of my employment

by META Group, Inc., or any of its subsidiaries, subdivisions or affiliates,

(“MG,” or the “Company”), and the compensation received by me from the Company

from time to time, I hereby agree with the Company as follows:

 

1.                                       During

my employment by the Company, I will devote my full time and best efforts to

the business of the Company and I further agree that during my employment by

the Company and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, regardless of the

reason for my termination of employment, I will not, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)                                                                                     alone

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

agent, independent contractor or stockholder of any company or business

organization, engage in any business activity that is or may be directly or

indirectly in competition with the “Business,” and/or accept employment with

any person or entity that is or may be directly or indirectly engaged in

competition with the “Business”; provided, however, that the

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

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

to be in violation of this Section 1;

 

(ii)                                                                                  employ,

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

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

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

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

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

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

person; or

 

(iii)                                                                               solicit

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

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

competitive with the Company.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the “Business” shall

mean the development, planning, drafting, manufacturing, marketing,

distributing, or sale of research and/or research advisory services including

but not limited to publications, conferences and conventions.  On the third anniversary of the Effective Date

of the employment agreement between me and the Company dated as of July 31,

2002 (the “Employment Agreement”), as such term is defined therein, I and the

Company will negotiate a modification of the scope of the definition of the

Business as utilized in this Agreement, if necessary to ensure that it

accurately reflects the scope of the Company’s business at such time.  If I and the Company cannot reach mutual

agreement on any such modification, the definition of the Business will remain

as set forth herein.

 

 

2.                                       I

will not at any time, whether during or after the termination of my employment

for any reason, reveal to any person or entity any Confidential Information (as

defined herein), except as may be required in the ordinary course of performing

my duties as an employee of the Company, and I shall keep secret all matters

entrusted to me and shall not use or attempt to use any such information in any

manner which may injure or cause loss or may be calculated to injure or cause

loss, whether directly or indirectly, to the Company.

 

The term “Confidential

Information” shall mean any of the trade secrets or confidential information

concerning the organization, business or finances of the Company or of any

third party which the Company is under an obligation to keep confidential,

including as provided in Section 5 hereof. 

Such Confidential Information shall include, but is not limited to,

trade secrets or confidential information respecting existing and future products

and services, designs, methods, formulas, drafts of publications, research,

know-how, techniques, systems, databases, processes, software programs,

developments or experimental work, works of authorship, customer lists,

business plans, marketing plans, projects, and all other plans and proposals.

 

3.                                       I

agree that during my employment I shall not make, use or permit to be used any

Company Documentation (as defined herein) otherwise than for the benefit of the

Company.  I further agree that I shall

not, after the termination of my employment for any reason, use or permit

others to use any such Company Documentation, it being agreed that all Company

documentation shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the

Company.  Immediately upon the termination

of my employment for any reason I shall deliver all Company Documentation and

all Confidential Information, and all copies thereof, to the Company, at its

main office.

 

The term “Company Documentation” shall mean notes,

drafts, research, memoranda, manuscripts, reports, proposals, business plans,

marketing plans, lists, correspondence, records, drawings, sketches,

blueprints, specifications, software programs, data, documentation or other

materials of any nature and in any form, whether written, printed, or in

digital format or otherwise, relating to any matter within the scope of the

business of the Company or concerning any of its dealings or affairs.

 

4.                                       I

agree that I will not, during my employment with the Company, improperly use or

disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of my former employers or

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

Company any unpublished document or any property belonging to my former

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

or third parties.

 

5.                                       I

recognize that the Company has received and in the future will receive from

third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty

on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and

to use it only for certain limited purposes. 

I agree that I owe the Company and such third parties, during the term

of my employment and thereafter, regardless for the reason for my termination

of employment, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information

in the strictest of confidence and not to disclose it to any person, entity or

corporation (except as necessary in carrying out my work for the Company

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

the benefit of

 

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

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

authorization of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

6.                                       If

at any time or times during my employment, I shall (either alone or with

others) make, conceive, create, discover, or reduce to practice any Development

(as defined herein) that: 

(a) relates to the business of the Company or any customer of or

supplier to the Company or any of the products or services being developed,

manufactured, marketed or sold by the Company or which may be used in relation

therewith; or (b) results from tasks assigned to me by the Company; or (c) results

from the use of premises or personal property (whether tangible or intangible)

owned, leased or contracted for by the Company, such Developments and the

benefits thereof are and shall immediately become the sole and absolute

property of the Company and its assigns, as works made for hire or

otherwise.  I shall promptly disclose to

the Company (or any persons designated by it) each such Development.  I hereby assign any rights (including, but

not limited to, any copyrights and trademarks) I may have or acquire in the

Developments and benefits and/or rights resulting therefrom to the Company and

its assigns without further compensation and shall communicate, without cost or

delay, and without disclosing to others the same, all available information

relating thereto (with all necessary plans, drafts, manuscripts, research and

models) to the Company.

 

The term “Developments” shall mean any modification,

discovery, design, development, improvement, process, software program,

software code, manuscript, work of authorship, work made for hire, derivative

work, documentation, publication, formula, data, technique, know-how, trade

secret or intellectual property right whatsoever or any interest therein

(whether or not registrable under copyright, trademark or similar statutes

(including but not limited to the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act) or subject

to analogous protection).

 

7.                                       I

will also promptly disclose to the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to

receive all such disclosures in confidence, any other modification, discovery,

design, development, improvement, process, software program, software code,

manuscript, documentation, publication, formula, data, technique, know-how,

secret or intellectual property right whatsoever or any interest therein

(whether or not registrable under copyright or similar statutes or subject to

analogous protection) made, conceived, discovered, reduced to practice or

possessed by me (either alone or with others) at any time or times during my

employment for the purpose of determining whether they constitute

“Developments,” as defined in Paragraph 6.

 

8.                                       I

will, during my employment and at any time thereafter, regardless of the reason

for the termination of my employment, at the request and cost of the Company,

promptly sign, execute, make and do all such deeds, documents, acts and things

as the Company and its duly authorized officers may reasonably require:

 

(a)                                  to

apply for, obtain, register and vest in the name of the Company alone (unless

the Company otherwise directs) copyrights, trademarks or other analogous

protection in any country throughout the world and when so obtained or vested

to renew and restore the same; and

 

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(b)                                 to

defend any judicial, opposition or other proceedings in respect of such

applications and any judicial, opposition or other proceedings or petitions or

applications for revocation of such copyright, trademark or other analogous

protection.

 

9.                                       In

the event the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure my

signature on any application for copyright or trademark registration or other

documents regarding any legal protection relating to a Development (as defined

in Paragraph 6), whether because of my physical or mental incapacity or

for any other reason whatsoever, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the

Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and

attorney-in-fact, to act for and in my behalf and stead to execute and file any

such application or applications or other documents and to do all other

lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of copyright or

trademark registrations or any other legal protection thereon with the same

legal force and effect as if executed by me.

 

10.                                 I

agree to keep and maintain adequate and current written records of all

Developments (as defined in Paragraph 6 hereto) made by me (solely or jointly

with others) during the term of my employment with the Company.  The records will be in the form of notes,

sketches, drawings, and any other format that may be specified by the Company

at all times.

 

11.                                 I

agree to and consent to the use of my name, picture, signature, voice, image,

and/or likeness by the Company. 

Further, I waive all claims I have against the Company and its officers,

employees, and agents arising out of the Company’s use, adaptation,

reproduction, modification, distribution, exhibition, or other commercial

exploitation of my name, picture, signature, voice, image, and/or likeness,

including but not limited to right of privacy, right of publicity and

celebrity, use of voice, name or likeness, defamation, and copyright

infringement.  I further represent and

warrant that I have not heretofore made any contract or commitment in conflict

with this consent and waiver.

 

12.                                 I

agree that, at the time of leaving the employ of the Company for any reason, I

will deliver to the Company (and will not keep in my possession or deliver to

anyone else) any and all Confidential Information (as defined in Paragraph 3),

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

13.                                 I

agree that any breach of this Agreement by me will cause irreparable damage to

the Company and that in the event of such breach the Company shall have, in

addition to any and all remedies of law, the right to an injunction, specific

performance or other equitable relief to prevent the violation of my obliga­tions

hereunder, without showing or proving actual damages or exhausting any Company remedy

in the form of money damages and without having to post a bond or any other

security.

 

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14.                                 I

understand that this Agreement does not create an obligation on the Company or

any other person to continue my employment. 

I further acknowledge and agree that my employment is at-will, and that

both I and the Company can terminate my employment without reason and at any

time, subject to the Employment Agreement.

 

15.                                 I

represent that my performance of all of the terms of this Agreement and as an

employee of the Company does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in

confidence proprietary information acquired by me in confidence or in trust

prior to my employment by the Company. 

I have not entered into, and I agree I will not enter into, any

agreement either written or oral in conflict herewith.

 

16.                                 I

further represent that if the representations set forth in the preceding

paragraph are inapplicable, I have attached hereto a copy of each agreement, if

any, which presently affects my compliance with the terms of this

Agreement.  (Such copy specifies the

other contracting party or employer, the date of such agreement, the date of

termination of any employment.)  IF

THERE ARE ANY SUCH AGREEMENTS, THE UNDERSIGNED SHOULD INITIAL HERE.  OTHERWISE IT WILL BE DEEMED THAT THERE ARE

NO SUCH AGREEMENTS.

           .

 

17.                                 Any

waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not

operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach of such provision

or any other provision hereof.

 

18.                                 This

Agreement, together with the Employment Agreement, sets forth the entire

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

matter herein and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and

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

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

by the Company.  Any subsequent change

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

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

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

 

19.                                 I

hereby agree that each provision herein shall be treated as a separate and

independent clause, and the unenforceability of any one clause shall in no way

impair the enforce­ability of any of the other clauses of the Agreement.  Moreover, if one or more of the provisions

contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively

broad as to scope, activity, subject or otherwise so as to be unenforceable at

law, such provision or provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial

body by limiting or reducing it or them, so as to be enforceable to the maximum

extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear.  I hereby further agree that the language of

all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole

according to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against any of the

parties.

 

20.                                 This

Agreement shall be effective as of the date entered below.  My obligations under this Agreement shall

survive the termination of my employment regardless of the reason of such

termination and shall be binding upon my heirs, executors, admin­istrators and

legal representatives.

 

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21.                                 The

Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement to its successors and

assigns, and all covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit

of and be enforceable by said successors or assigns.

 

22.                                 This

Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the

State of Connecticut and shall in all respects be interpreted, enforced and

governed under the internal and domestic laws of such state, without giving

effect to the principles of conflicts of laws of such state.  Any claims or legal actions by one party

against the other arising out of the relationship between the parties

contemplated herein (whether or not arising under this Agreement) shall be

governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut and shall be commenced and

maintained in any state or federal court located in Connecticut, and both

parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any such court.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this

Agree­ment as a sealed instrument as of the 31st day of July, 2002.

 

 

 

	

   

  	

    /s/ Alfred J. Amoroso

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Name:  Alfred

  J. Amoroso

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

    20 Farmhill Court

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Address

  Hillsborough, California

  

 

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TERMINATION CERTIFICATION

 

This is to certify that I do not have in my

possession, nor have I delivered to anyone else or failed to return, any and

all Confidential Information and Company Documentation (as such terms are

defined in the Employee Noncompetition, Nondisclosure and Developments

Agreement between META Group, Inc. and me dated July 31, 2002), keys,

materials, equipment, devices, other documents or property, or reproductions of

any aforementioned items belonging to the Company, its successors or assigns.

 

I agree that I have returned to or otherwise informed

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

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

standard or backdoor, including all account names, passwords, access codes,

unique personal identification numbers, any code kept secret and any other

means allowing employee access to Company data or documentation).

 

I further certify that I have complied with all the

terms of the Agreement, including the reporting of any Developments (as defined

therein), conceived or made by me (solely or jointly with others) covered by

the Agreement and that I will continue to do so.

 

I further agree that, in compliance with the

Agreement, I will not at any time reveal to any person or entity any

Confidential Information (as defined therein) pertaining to the Company or any

confidential or proprietary information of a third party subject to a duty on

the Company’s part to keep confidential, except and to the extent that any such

information through no fault of my own has become or hereafter becomes public

knowledge within the industry or, as evidenced by contemporaneous writings, has

been or is hereafter received by me from a third party without breach of any

duty of confidentiality by such third party.

 

 

	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Name:Alfred J. Amoroso

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Date

  

 

7Exhibit

10.5

 

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

 

This Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”) is

made and entered into as of this 31st day of July, 2002 (the “Effective Date”),

by and between META Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),

and Dale Kutnick (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, Executive

is employed by Company and possesses intimate and essential knowledge about

Company and its operations;

 

WHEREAS, in order

to induce Executive to provide assistance to a new Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”),

Company agrees to provide certain payments and benefits to Executive subject to

the terms hereof and as stated herein, and Executive desires to be so induced;

 

WHEREAS, Company

and Executive desire to set forth in writing the terms and conditions of their

agreement with respect to Company’s provision of such payments and benefits;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in

consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations herein contained, it is

mutually agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

 

1.                                       Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following

terms shall have the meanings set forth herein:

 

a.             “Cause”

shall mean conduct involving one or more of the following:

 

(i)             the Executive’s gross negligence or

willful misconduct which results in material financial detriment to the Company;

 

(ii)            breach of the Executive’s fiduciary

duty to the Company which results in material detriment to the Company;

 

(iii)           the Executive being charged or

indicted for a felony relating to the business of the Company involving moral

turpitude, embezzlement, fraud or dishonesty provided, however,

in the event Executive is acquitted of such felony or the charges are

dismissed, subject to all of the other provisions of this Agreement, a

termination for Cause solely pursuant to this Section 1(a)(iii) that occurred

in connection with such felony shall be deemed instead to be a termination

without Cause for the purposes of Section 5;

 

(iv)          the Executive’s deliberate disregard

of the rules or policies of the Company which results in a material, financial

loss, damage or injury to the Company (it being understood that the Company

acknowledges that Executive intends to take vacation time for all of August

2002);

 

 

(v)           the Executive’s unauthorized

disclosure of any trade secret or confidential information of the Company which

results in material detriment to the Company;

 

(vi)          commission of an act by the Executive

which constitutes unfair competition with the Company or which induces any

customer or supplier to breach a contract with the Company, in each case only

if such act results in a material detriment to the Company; or

 

(vii)         the Executive’s willful and material

breach of this Agreement (other than as a result of incapacity due to death or

Disability) and/or any other agreement described herein which results in

material financial detriment to Company.

 

b.              “Disability” shall be defined as in

Section 10.B of the META Group, Inc. Second Amended And Restated 1995 Stock

Plan, as may be amended and restated from time to time (the “Stock Plan”)

and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

2.                                       At-Will

Status.  Notwithstanding any

provision of this Agreement, Executive is employed at-will, which means that

Executive or the Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time, with

or without notice, for any or no reason, provided, however, that

the Company may not terminate Executive’s employment (other than for Cause) or

his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the

date that is 30 days from the Effective Date; provided, further,

that the foregoing shall be subject to the terms of Section 5 hereof.

 

3.                                       Transition

of Positions.  Effective as of the

date on which a replacement CEO of

the Company is appointed, Executive

will resign from the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Acting President

of the Company and all duties associated with such positions.

 

4.                                       Salary,

Bonus, Options, Stock Liquidity Rights and Attorneys’ Fees.

 

a.             Salary.  Executive’s base salary (“Base Salary”)

may be modified at any time and from time to time by the Compensation Committee

of the Board of Directors of the Company, provided, however, that

(x) no reduction of Base Salary may be made prior to the date that is 30 days

from the Effective Date and (y) any reduction of Base Salary shall be made only

upon 10 days’ prior written notice to Executive.  For any period after the Effective Date during which Executive

remains employed with the Company hereunder, the Base Salary shall be payable

in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices for executive

compensation as such practices may be modified from time to time.  Currently, executive salaries are paid on a

bi-weekly basis.

 

b.             Signing

Bonus.  On the first payroll date

following the Effective Date, the Company will pay Executive a lump sum bonus

in the amount of $82,000 for executing this Agreement.

 

c.             2002

Bonus.  The Company will pay at

least 50% of Executive’s 2002 Target Bonus amount for the fiscal year ending

December 31, 2002, which shall be paid at the

 

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same time and in the same manner as Target Bonuses for the same time

period are generally paid to the Company’s senior executives (but in no event

later than April 30, 2003).  The Executive’s “2002 Target Bonus,” and

the determination of whether to pay Executive more than 50% of the 2002 Target

Bonus, shall be established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of

Directors of the Company in its sole discretion; provided that the

Company shall not reduce the dollar amount of the 2002 Target Bonus currently

in effect.

 

d.             Option Grant.  Subject to the terms, conditions and

restrictions of the Stock Plan and the Company’s standard non-qualified stock

option agreement, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, the Executive shall be granted an option as soon

as practicable on or after August 9, 2002, but in any event within one week

thereof (the “Grant Date”), to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock,

$.01 par value per share, of the Company, at an exercise price per share equal

to the price of the Company’s common stock at the close of business on

the Grant Date, with such option granted as a non-qualified stock option.

 

e.             Amendment of Option Terms.  Simultaneously

with the execution of this Agreement, the Company and the Executive will enter

into an agreement (or agreements) substantively in the form attached hereto as Exhibit

B to amend the Executive’s currently outstanding options, including the

option grant described in Section 4(d) above, to purchase common stock, $.01

par value per share, of the Company, to provide for accelerated vesting under

certain circumstances and an extension of the exercise period of such options

(the “Option Amendment Agreement(s)”).

 

f.              Stock

Liquidity Rights for Purchased Shares and Vested Options. As soon as practicable after the execution of

this Agreement, the Company and the Executive will enter into a registration

rights agreement substantively in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C

(the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

 

g.             Attorneys’

Fees.  Within 30 days of receipt of

an invoice therefor, the Company shall pay to counsel to Executive all

reasonable legal fees incurred by Executive associated with the negotiation and

execution of this Agreement up to $4,000.00.

 

5.                                       Severance

Benefits.  In the event Executive’s

employment is terminated:

 

(x)                                   by

the Company without Cause,

 

(y)                                 in

the event of Executive’s death or Disability, or

 

(z)                                   on

or after the date that is 30 days from the Effective Date and provided that no

facts or circumstances that would constitute Cause exist at such time, by

Executive for any reason, and,

 

in each case, the

Executive (or in the event of the Executive’s death or Disability, the executor

of the Executive’s estate or the Executive’s guardian, as the case may be)

executes a comprehensive release agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit

D and the revocation period of such release expires without the Executive

having exercised his revocation rights, the Company shall provide the following

severance benefits, without duplication:

 

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a.             Salary

Continuation.  Subject to Section 8,

the Company will pay Executive severance payments in the form of salary

continuation at the Executive’s then current Base Salary rate for one (1) year;

provided that if notice is given of a reduction of Base Salary pursuant

to the proviso of Section 4(a) and Executive terminates his employment with the

Company during the 10-day period referenced in such section, for the sake of

clarity the reference to “then current Base Salary” in the first part of this

sentence shall mean Executive’s Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the

reduction that is the subject of the notice. 

Such severance payments shall be payable on a bi-weekly or other basis

in conformity with the Company’s customary practices for executive compensation

as such practices may be modified from time to time.

 

b.             Target

Bonus.  Subject to Section 8, the

Company will pay Executive one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s Target

Bonus amount for the fiscal year in which Executive’s employment terminates

regardless of whether Executive or Company in fact attained the Target Bonus

for that year.  In the event the

Executive’s employment terminates in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002,

the bonus payment described in Section 4(c) hereof shall be credited against

the payment described in this Section 5(b). 

The Target Bonus amount to be paid to the Executive under this Section

5(b) shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner as Target Bonuses

for the same time period are paid to the Company’s senior executives.  The

Executive’s “Target Bonus” shall be established by the Compensation

Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion; provided,

that if Target Bonus amounts established for 2003 or any future year are for

dollar amounts less than that of the immediately preceding year (the “Prior

Year”), the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors shall give

Executive at least 10 days’ prior written notice thereof before such lesser

amount is set; and, for the purposes of calculating payments to be made under

this Section 5(b) after a termination by Executive pursuant to Section 5(z)

during the 10-day period referenced in this sentence, notwithstanding the first

sentence hereof payments made pursuant to such sentence shall not be less than

100% of Executive’s Target Bonus amount payable with respect to the Prior Year.

 

c.             Health Insurance.  In the event the Executive elects, pursuant to the

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), to continue coverage under the Company’s

group medical and/or dental plans after the termination of his employment, the

Company will pay the premiums for such COBRA coverage for the shorter period of

(x) one year or (y) until the date upon which the Executive’s eligibility for

COBRA coverage ceases.  Thereafter,

Executive shall be solely responsible for timely payment of COBRA premiums.

 

6.                                       Termination

For Cause.  Subject to Section 8, if

Executive’s employment is terminated at any time for Cause or any other

termination of Executive’s employment other than those entitling Executive to

the benefits set forth under Section 5, Executive shall not be entitled to, and

shall not receive, any severance benefits under this Agreement, but shall be

paid for all salary and for all accrued, but unused, vacation time earned

through the date of termination.

 

7.                                       Taxes.  All payments and benefits described in this

Agreement shall be subject to any and all applicable federal, state and local

withholding, payroll, income and other taxes.

 

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8.                                       Payments

Upon Dispute.

 

a. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 8,

if the Executive breaches Section 1 of his existing Employee Noncompetition,

Nondisclosure and Developments Agreement (the “Noncompetition Agreement”)

and/or materially breaches his obligations under the Noncompetition Agreement

(other than Section 1) or this Agreement (each such case, a “Breach”)

the Company may immediately cease payment to Executive of 50% of any severance

and other compensation and benefits described in this Agreement to which

Executive is otherwise entitled hereunder but shall continue to make payments

to the Executive of 50% of any severance and other compensation and benefits

described in this Agreement to which Executive is otherwise entitled hereunder.

 

b. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 8,

upon the Company’s termination of Executive where the Company asserts that such

termination has been for Cause, the Company (x) nevertheless agrees that it

will pay Executive 50% of all payments that Executive would otherwise be

entitled to receive under Sections 5(a)-(c) hereof if Executive’s employment

with the Company had been terminated without Cause and (y) shall be entitled to

withhold from payment to Executive 50% of all payments that Executive would

otherwise be entitled to receive under Sections 5(a)-(c) hereof if Executive’s

employment with the Company had been terminated without Cause.

 

c. Subject to the following two sentences, the

Company’s right to withhold payments and the agreement to continue payments to

Executive pursuant to Sections 8(a) and (b) shall be without duplication and

shall continue until no later than the resolution of whether or not a Breach or

a Cause event has occurred, as the case may be, by mutual agreement of the

parties or an arbitration award issued in accordance with Section 13, whichever

is earlier (“Resolution”).  Upon

the occurrence of a Resolution that confirms a Breach or the existence of

Cause, all amounts paid to Executive pursuant to such sections of this

Agreement (along with any other payments made by the Company to Executive after

the date of the Breach, if applicable) shall be immediately returned by

Executive to the Company.  Upon the

occurrence of a Resolution that does not confirm such a Breach or existence of

Cause, the Company shall within 5 business days make a lump sum payment to

Executive of all amounts it has withheld under Sections 8(a) or (b).

 

d.  For the

sake of clarity, payments made pursuant to Sections 8(a) and 8(b) shall be made

at such times and on such terms (other than with respect to the percentages to

be paid) as are set forth in the applicable subsections of Section 4 and 5 hereunder;

provided, however, that the term in Section 5 requiring a release

agreement shall not require a release of any arbitration claim related to the

breach or Cause event giving rise to obligations under this Section 8.

 

9.                                       Survival

of Obligations.  The obligations of

the Executive under the Noncompetition Agreement  expressly survive any termination of the

Executive’s employment, regardless of the manner of such termination, or

termination of this Agreement.

 

10.                                 Nondisparagement.  Except for communications solely to Board

members, Executive agrees not to make disparaging or otherwise detrimental

comments to any person or entity concerning the Company, its officers,

directors, trustees, employees, subsidiaries or affiliates; the products,

services or programs provided or to be provided by the Company; the business

affairs or the financial condition of the Company; or the circumstances

surrounding the

 

5

 

Executive’s

employment and/or termination of employment. 

The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the

members of the Board of Directors of the Company not to make disparaging or

otherwise detrimental comments to any third person or entity concerning

Executive or the circumstances surrounding the Executive’s employment and/or

termination of employment (it being understood that communications among solely

Board members or at meetings of the Board or its committees at which only Board

members (and invited executive officers or agents of the Company (such as

counsel)) are present shall not constitute breach of this sentence).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties

agree that this Section 10 shall not apply in connection with enforcing rights

under this Agreement or as required by court order, law, rule, regulation or

legal process.

 

11.                                 Confidentiality.  Except as publicly disclosed by the Company

or as required by law, rule or regulation or pursuant to legal process,

Executive agrees to maintain confidentiality concerning the dollar amount and

all other terms of this Agreement, provided, however, that

Executive may discuss or otherwise reveal the terms of this Agreement with his

immediate family and accountants or attorneys when such disclosure is necessary

for such accountants and attorneys to render professional services.  Prior to any such disclosure to Executive’s

accountants or attorneys, Executive shall secure from such accountants or

attorneys their agreement to maintain the confidentiality of such matters.  The Company may disclose the terms of this

Agreement and file this Agreement as required by law, rule, or regulation or

pursuant to legal process.

 

12.                                 Resignation.  Upon termination of employment for any

reason, Executive shall immediately submit his written resignation from all of

his (i) officer positions with the Company, (ii) officer and director (or

equivalent) positions with any of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates and

(iii) officer and director (or equivalent) positions with any entity with

respect to which the Company is an investor or a lender, and all duties

associated with such positions.

 

13.                                 Governing

Law/Interpretation; Resolution of Disputes.  Executive and the Company agree that this Agreement and any

claims arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be governed by

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

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

domestic laws of such State, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts

of laws thereof.  Any claim arising out

of or relating to any relationship between Executive and the Company or any

termination thereof, whether or not arising out of or relating to this

Agreement, shall be resolved by binding confidential arbitration, to be held in

Stamford, CT in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the

American Arbitration Association then in effect.   The arbitration award shall be final and binding on the parties

and enforceable by either party in a court of competent jurisdiction in the

State of Connecticut.  Exclusive

jurisdiction over entry of judgment upon any arbitration award rendered shall

be in any court of appropriate subject matter jurisdiction in the State of Connecticut

and the parties by this Agreement expressly subject themselves to the personal

jurisdiction of said court for the entry of any such judgment, for the

resolution of any dispute, action, or suit arising in connection with the entry

of such judgment or to enforce the award as stated in the previous

sentence.  The costs of the arbitration

shall be borne equally by the Company and the Executive and the person or

entity against whom the arbitrator rules shall be responsible for promptly

reimbursing the other party for his or its

 

6

 

reasonable

attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the arbitration (upon submission of

reasonable documentation therefor).

 

14.                                 Entire

Agreement.  This Agreement shall

constitute the sole and entire agreement between the parties with respect to

the subject matter hereof, and supersedes and cancels all prior, concurrent

and/or contemporaneous arrangements, understandings, promises, offers,

agreements and/or discussions, including, but not limited to, those concerning  employment

agreements and/or severance benefits,  whether written (including, without

limitation, electronic mail) or oral, by or between the parties, regarding the

subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is

not intended to, and shall not, supersede, affect, limit, modify or terminate

any of the following, all of which shall remain in full force and effect in

accordance with their respective terms: 

(i) the Noncompetition Agreement; (ii) all option agreements; (iii) the

Option Amendment Agreement(s); and (iv) the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

15.                                 Assignment.  Executive acknowledges that the services to

be rendered hereunder are unique and personal in nature.  Accordingly, Executive may not assign any

rights or delegate any duties or obligations under this Agreement.  The rights and obligations of the Company

under this Agreement shall automatically be assigned to the successors and

assigns of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon,

such successors and assigns, as well as Executive’s heirs and

representatives.  The Company may not

assign any rights or delegate any duties or obligations under this Agreement

except to a person or entity that is an assignee or successor to its business

by merger, sale of all or substantially all of its assets, or otherwise.

 

16.                                 Notices.  All notices required hereunder shall be in

writing and shall be delivered in person, by facsimile or by certified or

registered mail, return receipt requested, and shall be effective upon sending

if by facsimile, or upon receipt if by personal delivery or certified or

registered mail.  All notices shall be

addressed as follows or to such other address as the parties may later provide

in writing:

 

if to the Company:   to the

attention of the Chairman, Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, META

Group Inc., 208 Harbor Drive, Stamford, CT 

06912

 

if to Executive:  at the home address specified on the

signature page of this Agreement.

 

17.                                 Severability/Reformation.  If any one or more of the provisions (or any

part thereof) of this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable

in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining

provisions (or any part thereof) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby,

and this Agreement shall be construed and reformed to the maximum extent

permitted by law.  The language of all

parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole according to

its fair meaning and not strictly for or against either of the parties.

 

7

 

18.                                 Modification.

This Agreement and the rights, remedies and obligations contained in any

provision hereof may be modified or waived only in accordance with this

Section 18.  No waiver by either

party of any breach by the other or any provision hereof shall be deemed to be

a waiver of any later or other breach thereof or as a waiver of any other

provision of this Agreement.  This

Agreement and its terms may not be waived, changed, discharged or terminated

orally or by any course of dealing between the parties, but only by a written

instrument signed by both parties

 

19.                                 Survival

of Obligations and Rights.  The

rights and obligations contained herein shall survive the termination of

Executive’s employment for any reason if so provided herein or if necessary or

desirable to fully accomplish the purposes of such provision.

 

20.                                  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each

of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall

constitute one and the same instrument.

 

21.                                  Section Headings.  The descriptive section headings herein have

been inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to define, limit, or

otherwise affect the construction of any provision hereof.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

8

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have

executed this Agreement as of the date and year first written above.

 

	

   

  	

  META GROUP, INC.

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  By: 

  	

  /s/ Michael

  Simmons

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Title:

  	

  Compensation

  Committee Chairman

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  /s/

  Dale Kutnick

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  DALE KUTNICK

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  23 Sherman

  Turnpike

  
	

   

  	

  Redding, CT  06875

  
							

 

9

 

Exhibit A

 

[FORM

OF NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT]

 

META Group, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the

“Company”), hereby grants as of

        , 2001 to you (the “Optionee”),

an option to purchase shares (the “Option Shares”) of its Common Stock, $.01

par value (“Common Stock”), at the price of $      per

share.  The quantity of Option Shares

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

following terms and conditions:

 

1.                                      Grant

Under Second Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan.  This option is granted pursuant to and is

governed by the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan (the

“Plan”) and, unless the context otherwise requires, terms used herein shall

have the same meaning as in the Plan. 

Determinations made in connection with this option pursuant to the Plan

shall be governed by the Plan as it exists on this date.

 

2.                                      Grant as

Non-Qualified Option; Other Options.  This option shall be treated for federal income tax purposes as a

Non-Qualified Option (rather than an incentive stock option). This option is in

addition to any other options heretofore or hereafter granted to the Optionee

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

duplicate original of this instrument shall not effect the grant of another

option.

 

3.                                      Vesting

of Option if Business Relationship Continues.  If the Optionee continues to serve the

Company or any Related Corporation in the capacity of an employee, officer,

director or consultant (such service is described herein as maintaining or

being involved in a “Business Relationship with the Company”) through the dates

listed under the column entitled “Full Vest” on the cover page hereof, the

Optionee may exercise this option for the number of shares of Common Stock set

opposite the applicable date.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in accordance with and subject to the

provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the

date that any installment of this Option becomes exercisable.  The foregoing rights are cumulative and

(subject to Sections 4 or 5 hereof if the Optionee ceases to maintain or

be involved with a Business Relationship the Company and all Related

Corporations [or dissolves during the term of the Business Relationship])

may be exercised up to and including the date that is ten years from the date

this option is granted.

 

4.                                      Termination

of Business Relationship.

 

(a)           Termination

Other  than  for  Cause:  If the Optionee’s Business Relationship with the Company and all

Related Corporations is terminated, other than by reason of death, disability

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

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

exercisable, and this option shall terminate (and may no longer be exercised)

after the passage of 90 days from the date the Business Relationship ceases,

but in no event later than the scheduled expiration date.  In such a

 

 

case, the Optionee’s only rights hereunder shall be those that are

properly exercised before the termination of this option.

 

(b)           Termination

for Cause:  If the

Optionee’s Business Relationship with the Company is terminated for Cause (as

defined in Section 4(c)), this option shall terminate upon the Optionee’s

receipt of written notice of such termination and shall thereafter not be

exercisable to any extent whatsoever.

 

(c)           Definition

of Cause:  “Cause” means

conduct involving one or more of the following: (i) the substantial and

continuing failure of the Optionee, after notice thereof, to render services to

the Company or Related Corporation in accordance with the terms or requirements

of the Optionee’s Business Relationship with the Company; (ii) disloyalty,

gross negligence, willful misconduct, dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duty to

the Company or Related Corporation; (iii) the commission of an act of

embezzlement or fraud; (iv) deliberate disregard of the rules or policies

of the Company or Related Corporation which results in direct or indirect loss,

damage or injury to the Company or Related Corporation; (v) the

unauthorized disclosure of any trade secret or confidential information of the

Company or Related Corporation; or (vi) the commission of an act which

constitutes unfair competition with the Company or Related Corporation or which

induces any customer or supplier to break a contract with the Company or

Related Corporation.

 

5.                                      Death;

Disability; Dissolution.

 

(a)           Death:  If the Optionee is a natural person who dies

while involved in a Business Relationship with the Company, the Optionee’s

estate, personal representative or beneficiary to whom this option has been

assigned pursuant to Section 9 hereof may exercise this option, to the

extent this option is otherwise exercisable on the date of the Optionee’s

death, at any time within one year after the date of death, but not later than

the scheduled expiration date.

 

(b)           Disability:  If the Optionee is a natural person whose

Business Relationship with the Company is terminated by reason of his or her

disability (as defined in the Plan), this option may be exercised, to the

extent otherwise exercisable on the date the Business Relationship was

terminated, at any time within 180 days after such termination, but not

later than the scheduled expiration date.

 

(c)           Effect of

Termination:  At the

expiration of such 180-day period provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this

Section 5 or the scheduled expiration date, whichever is the earlier, this

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

hereunder shall be those as to which the option was properly exercised before

such termination.

 

(d)           Dissolution:  If the Optionee is a corporation,

partnership, trust or other entity that is dissolved, is liquidated, becomes

insolvent or enters into a merger or acquisition with respect to which the

Optionee is not the surviving entity, at a time when the Optionee is involved

in a Business Relationship with the Company, this option shall immediately

terminate as of the date of such event (and shall thereafter not be exercisable

to any extent whatsoever),

 

2

 

and the only rights hereunder shall be those as to which this option

was properly exercised before such dissolution or other event.

 

6.                                      Partial

Exercise.  This option

may be exercised in part at any time and from time to time within the above

limits, except that this option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share

unless such exercise is with respect to the final installment of stock subject

to this option and cash in lieu of a fractional share must be paid, in

accordance with Paragraph 13(G) of the Plan, to permit the Optionee to

exercise completely such final installment. 

Any fractional share with respect to which an installment of this option

cannot be exercised because of the limitation contained in the preceding

sentence shall remain subject to this option and shall be available for later

purchase by the Optionee in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

7.                                      Payment

of Price.

 

(a)           Form of

Payment:  The option

price shall be paid in the following manner:

 

(i)                  in cash or by check;

 

(ii)                 subject to paragraph 7(b)

below, by delivery of shares of the Company’s Common Stock having a fair market

value (as determined by the Committee) equal as of the date of exercise to the

option price;

 

(iii)                by delivery of an assignment

satisfactory in form  and substance to the Company of a

sufficient amount of the proceeds from the sale of the Option Shares and an

instruction to the broker or selling agent to pay that amount to the Company;

or

 

(iv)                by any combination of the

foregoing.

 

(b)           Limitations

on Payment by Delivery of Common Stock:  If the Optionee delivers Common Stock held

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

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

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

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

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

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

or limitations imposed by this Agreement. 

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

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

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

forfeiture for at least six months.

 

(c)           Permitted

Payment by Recourse Note: 

In addition, if this paragraph is initialed below by the person signing

this Agreement on behalf of the Company, the option price may be paid by

delivery of the Optionee’s three-year personal recourse promissory note bearing

 

3

 

interest payable not less than annually at the applicable Federal rate,

as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code.

 

	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  (initials)

  	

   

  

 

8.                                      Method of

Exercising Option. 

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, this option may

be exercised by written notice to the Company, at the principal executive

office of the Company, or to such transfer agent as the Company shall

designate.  Such notice shall state the

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

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

this option.  Such notice shall be

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

Company shall deliver a certificate or certificates representing such shares as

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

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

if this option is exercised by the Optionee and if the Optionee shall so

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

of the Optionee and another person jointly, with right of survivorship).  If any person or persons other than the

Optionee exercises this option pursuant to Section 5 hereof, such notice

shall be accompanied by appropriate proof of the right of such person or

persons to exercise this option.

 

9.                                      Option

Not Transferable.  This

option is not transferable or assignable except by will or by the laws of

descent and distribution or pursuant to a valid domestic relations order.  Except as set forth in the preceding

sentence, during the Optionee’s lifetime, only the Optionee may exercise this

option.

 

10.                               No

Obligation to Exercise Option. 

The grant and acceptance of this option imposes no obligation on the

Optionee to exercise it.

 

11.                               No

Obligation to Continue Business Relationship.  Neither the Plan, this Agreement, nor the

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

Corporation to continue to maintain a Business Relationship with the Optionee.

 

12.                               No Rights

as Stockholder until Exercise. 

The Optionee has no rights as a stockholder with respect to the Option

Shares until such time as the Optionee has exercised this option by delivering

a notice of exercise and has paid in full the purchase price for the number of

shares for which this option is to be so exercised in accordance with Section

9.  Except as is expressly provided in

the Plan with respect to certain changes in the capitalization of the Company,

no adjustment shall be made for dividends or similar rights for which the

record date is prior to such date of exercise.

 

13.                               Capital

Changes and Business Successions.  The Plan contains provisions covering the treatment of options in

a number of contingencies such as stock splits and mergers.  Provisions in the Plan for adjustment with

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

successors to the business of the Company are hereby made applicable hereunder

and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

4

 

14.                               Withholding

Taxes.  If the Company or

any Related Corporation in its discretion determines that it is obligated to

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

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

Stock or other property acquired pursuant to this option, the Optionee hereby

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

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

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

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

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

Company or Related Corporation does not withhold an amount from the Optionee’s

wages or other remuneration sufficient to satisfy the withholding obligation of

the Company or Related Corporation, the Optionee shall make reimbursement on

demand, in cash, for the amount underwithheld.

 

15.                               Lock-up

Agreement.  The Employee

agrees that in connection with an underwritten public offering of Common Stock,

upon the request of the Company or the principal underwriter managing such

public offering, this Option and the Option Shares may not be sold, offered for

sale or otherwise disposed of without the prior written consent of the Company

or such underwriter, as the case may be, for at least 270 days after the

effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed in connection with such

offering, or such longer period of time as the Board of Directors may determine

if all of the Company’s directors and officers agree to be similarly bound.  The lock-up agreement established pursuant

to this paragraph 16 shall have perpetual duration.

 

16.                               Arbitration.

 Any dispute, controversy, or claim

arising out of, in connection with, or relating to the performance of this

Agreement or its termination shall be settled by arbitration in the State of

Connecticut, pursuant to the rules then pertaining of the American Arbitration

Association.  Any award shall be final,

binding and conclusive upon the parties and a judgment rendered thereon may be

entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

 

17.                               Provision

of Documentation to Employee. 

By signing this Agreement the Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of

this Agreement and a copy of the Plan.

 

18.                               Miscellaneous.

 

(a) 

Notices:  All notices hereunder shall be in writing

and shall be deemed given when sent by certified or registered mail, postage

prepaid, return receipt requested, to the address set forth below.  The addresses for such notices may be

changed from time to time by written notice given in the manner provided for

herein.

 

(b) 

Entire

Agreement; Modification: 

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties

relative to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all proposals, written or

oral, and all other communications between the parties relating to the subject

matter of this Agreement.  This

Agreement may be modified, amended or rescinded only by a written agreement

executed by both parties.

 

5

 

(c) 

Severability:  The invalidity, illegality or

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

validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision.

 

(d) 

Successors

and Assigns: This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to

the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns,

subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9 hereof.

 

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

interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without

giving effect to the principles of the conflicts of laws thereof.  The preceding choice of law provision shall

apply to all claims, under any theory whatsoever, arising out of the

relationship of the parties contemplated herein.

 

6

 

Exhibit B

 

AMENDMENT

TO

OPTION AGREEMENTS

 

This AMENDMENT is entered into as of July 31, 2002

(the “Amendment”) by and between META Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the

“Company”), and Dale Kutnick (“Kutnick”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Kutnick have entered into a

Severance Agreement dated as of the date hereof that sets forth the terms and

conditions of their agreement with respect to META’s provision of certain

payments and benefits to Kutnick (the “Severance Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Kutnick wish to amend the

terms of all stock options held by Kutnick as of the date hereof and the stock

option agreements related thereto, including but not limited to those

agreements listed on Exhibit A hereto (each an “Option Agreement” and

collectively the “Option Agreements”);

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and

the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement and

other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are

hereby acknowledged, the Company and Kutnick agree as follows:

 

1.                                       The

term “Agreement” as used in each Option Agreement shall be deemed to refer to

each Option Agreement as amended hereby.

 

2.                                       Section

3 of each Option Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as

follows:

 

Vesting of Option if

Employment Continues; Acceleration on Certain Events.

 

(a)           Subject

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

any Related Corporation through the relevant vesting dates as set forth herein,

the Employee may exercise this option for the number of shares of Common Stock

which have vested as of such date.

 

(b)           In

addition to the foregoing, but subject to Section 4, (i) if the Employee’s

employment with the Company and all Related Corporations is terminated (x) by

the Company without “Cause” (as defined in the Severance Agreement between the

Company and Employee dated as of July 31, 2002 (the “Severance Agreement”)),

(y) in the event of the Employee’s death or Disability, or (z) on or after the

date that is 30 days from the Effective Date (as defined in the Severance

Agreement) and provided that no facts or circumstances that would constitute

 

 

Cause then exist, by Employee for any reason, and,

in each case, the Employee (or in the event of the Employee’s death or

Disability, the executor of the Employee’s estate or the Employee’s guardian,

as the case may be) executes the Release attached as Exhibit D to the

Severance Agreement (the “Release Agreement”) and the revocation period of such

Release Agreement has expired without the Employee having exercised his

revocation rights, or (ii) upon a “Change of Control” (as defined below), then,

in each case, this option shall become exercisable for an additional number of

Option Shares, if any, equal to the total number of Option Shares with respect

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

or Change of Control, as the case may be.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding

the foregoing, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan,

the Committee may, in its discretion, further accelerate the date that any

installment of this Option becomes exercisable.  The foregoing rights are cumulative and (subject to Sections 4 or

5 hereof if the Employee ceases to be employed by the Company and all Related

Corporations) may be exercised on or before the date which is five years from

the date this option is granted.

 

(d)           “Change

of Control” shall mean:  (i) the sale of

the Company by merger, exchange, tender offer or similar transaction in which

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

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

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

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

any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by the

Board in its sole discretion.

 

3.                                       Section

4 of each Option Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as

follows:

 

Termination of Employment.

 

(a)           Termination

Other Than for Cause:  If the

employment of the Employee is terminated due to the Employee’s voluntary

resignation of his employment for any reason (other than a resignation

specified in subsection (i) of the next sentence), no further installments of

this option shall become exercisable, and this option shall terminate (and may

no longer be exercised) after the passage of 90 days from the Employee’s last

day of employment, but in no event later than the scheduled expiration

date.  If the employment of the Employee

is terminated (i) due to the Employee’s voluntary resignation of his employment

for any reason on or after the date that is 30 days from the Effective Date and

provided no facts or circumstances that would constitute Cause then exist or

(ii) by the Company without Cause, in each case no further installments of this

option shall become exercisable (other than as specified in Section 3(b)), and

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

of two years from the Employee’s last day of employment, but in no event later

than the scheduled expiration date.

 

2

 

In the foregoing cases,

the Employee’s only rights hereunder shall be those that are properly exercised

before the termination of this option.

 

(b)           Termination

for Cause or Breach of Severance Agreement:  Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 3 and 4, if the

employment of the Employee is terminated for Cause or Employee breaches Section

1 of the “Noncompetition Agreement” (as defined in the Severance Agreement)

and/or materially breaches his obligations under the Noncompetition Agreement

(other than Section 1) or the Severance Agreement, this option shall terminate

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

shall thereafter not be exercisable to any extent whatsoever.

 

4.                                       Section

5 of each Option Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as

follows:

 

Death; Disability.

 

(a)           Death:  If the Employee dies while in the employ of

the Company or any Related Corporation, the Employee’s estate, personal

representative or beneficiary to whom this option has been assigned pursuant to

Section 9 hereof may exercise this option, to the extent this option is

otherwise exercisable on the date of the Employee’s death (taking into account

Section 3(b)), at any time within two years after the date of death, but not

later than the scheduled expiration date.

 

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

Company and all Related Corporations by reason of his or her “Disability” (as

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

exercisable on the date of such cessation of his or her employment (taking into

account Section 3(b)), at any time within two years after such cessation, but

not later than the scheduled expiration date.

 

(c)           Effect

of Termination:  At the expiration

of the two-year period provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 5 or

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

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

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

termination.

 

5.                                       Kutnick

acknowledges that this Amendment and/or the exercise of options to purchase

common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company under any Option

Agreement may cause adverse tax consequences to Kutnick, including, without

limitation, the possibility that options originally granted as incentive stock

options may cease to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of

the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and that the Company may

withhold from Kutnick’s wages or other remuneration an amount of tax required

to be withheld, if any, in connection with the exercise of such options.

 

6.                                       This

Amendment shall be effective as of the date hereof and, except as set forth

herein, the Option Agreements shall remain in full force and effect and shall

be otherwise unaffected hereby.

 

3

 

7.                                       This

Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be

deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same

instrument.

 

8.                                       This

Amendment may be memorialized, at the Company’s option, as a separate amendment

to the Option Agreements or included in amended and restated Option Agreements.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

4

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused

this Amendment to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

	

   

  	

  META GROUP, INC.

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  By:

  	

  /s/ Michael Simmons

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Name: 

  	

  Michael Simmons

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Title: 

  	

  Compensation Committee Chairman

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  /s/ Dale Kutnick

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Dale Kutnick

  
								

 

5

 

Exhibit A:  Option Agreements

 

1.               Non-Qualified Stock

Option Agreement dated April 3, 1997 by and between Dale Kutnick and META

Group, Inc.

 

2.               Incentive Stock

Option Agreement dated January 13, 1998 by and between Dale Kutnick and META

Group, Inc.

 

3.               Non-Qualified Stock

Option Agreement dated January 13, 1998 by and between Dale Kutnick and META

Group, Inc.

 

4.               Non-Qualified Stock

Option Agreement dated April 16, 1999 by and between Dale Kutnick and META

Group, Inc.

 

5.               Non-Qualified Stock

Option Agreement dated April 16, 1999 by and between Dale Kutnick and META

Group, Inc.

 

6.               Incentive Stock

Option Agreement dated April 6, 2000 by and between Dale Kutnick and META

Group, Inc.

 

7.               Non-Qualified Stock

Option Agreement dated May 10, 2001 by and between Dale Kutnick and META Group,

Inc.

 

8.               Non-Qualified Stock

Option Agreement dated September 24, 2001 by and between Dale Kutnick and META

Group, Inc.

 

9.               Non-Qualified Stock

Option Agreement dated April 23, 2002 by and between Dale Kutnick and META

Group, Inc.

 

6

 

Exhibit C

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

AGREEMENT

 

This Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July

31, 2002 (the “Agreement”) by and between META Group, Inc., a Delaware

corporation (“META”), and Dale Kutnick (“Kutnick”):

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, META and Kutnick have entered into a

Severance Agreement dated as of the date hereof that sets forth the terms and

conditions of their agreement with respect to META’s provision of certain

payments and benefits to Kutnick (the “Severance Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth

in this Agreement, Kutnick desires to have, and META is willing to grant to

Kutnick, certain rights to have registered for resale to the public (i) shares

of META’s common stock, $.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”),

owned by Kutnick or by Kutnick as custodian for Kyja Kutnick, Toren G. Kutnick or

Varyk G. Kutnick and (ii) certain shares of Common Stock received by Kutnick

pursuant to the exercise of options to purchase Common Stock;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and

the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement and

other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are

hereby acknowledged, META and Kutnick agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND

EFFECTIVENESS

 

1.1                                 Common

Definitions.  Unless otherwise

defined in this Agreement, capitalized terms used in this Agreement that are

defined in the Severance Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in

the Severance Agreement.

 

1.2                                 Certain

Definitions.  For purposes of this

Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Holder” shall mean each of Kutnick or Kutnick

as custodian for Kyja Kutnick, Toren G. Kutnick or Varyk G. Kutnick, provided

that each person continues to hold Registrable Shares, and all other

holders of Registrable Shares, provided that each such holder received

such Registrable Shares in accordance with Section 2.8 hereof.

 

 

“Registration Expenses” means the expenses

incurred by META in complying with Section 2.1 hereof, including registration

and filing fees, securities exchange or market listing fees, printing expenses,

fees and disbursements of counsel for META, state Blue Sky fees and expenses,

and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such

registration, but excluding any underwriting commissions, discounts and

selling concessions and any stock transfer, issuance or other taxes and fees

and expenses of counsel to any Holder, if any, in the case of such exclusions,

relating to Registrable Shares.

 

“Registrable Shares” means any shares of Common

Stock owned by Kutnick or by Kutnick as custodian for Kyja Kutnick, Toren G.

Kutnick or Varyk G. Kutnick as of the date hereof and any additional registered

or unregistered shares received by Kutnick during the period for which the

effectiveness of a registration statement is required to be maintained in

accordance with Article II pursuant to (i) an exercise of stock options held by

Kutnick as of August 17, 2002, (ii) a receipt of a stock dividend on the

Registrable Shares, or (iii) a stock split or similar recapitalization of the

Common Stock pursuant to which additional shares are received in respect of

Registrable Shares, provided, however, that Registrable Shares

shall not include any such shares of Common Stock that as of the date of the

determination may be sold without limitation pursuant to Rule 144 under

the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

1.3                                 Additional

Definitions.  Each of the following

terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:

 

	

  Term

  	

   

  	

  Section

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

  Agreement

  	

   

  	

  Recitals

  	

   

  
	

  Common Stock

  	

   

  	

  Recitals

  	

   

  
	

  Effectiveness Date

  	

   

  	

  1.4

  	

   

  
	

  Kutnick

  	

   

  	

  Recitals

  	

   

  
	

  META

  	

   

  	

  Recitals

  	

   

  
	

  Registration Statement

  	

   

  	

  2.1

  	

   

  
	

  Release Agreement

  	

   

  	

  1.4

  	

   

  
	

  Securities Act

  	

   

  	

  1.2

  	

   

  
	

  Selling Stockholder(s)

  	

   

  	

  2.1

  	

   

  
	

  Severance Agreement

  	

   

  	

  Recitals

  	

   

  
	

  Termination Date

  	

   

  	

  2.1

  	

   

  

 

1.4                                 Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall not become effective

until the date on which (i) Kutnick is no longer an employee of META or any of

META’s subsidiaries, (ii) Kutnick has executed a comprehensive release agreement

in a form and of a scope acceptable to META (the “Release Agreement”)

and (iii) the Release Agreement has become irrevocable (the “Effectiveness

Date”).  Notwithstanding the

foregoing, this agreement shall not become effective if Kutnick’s employment with

META is terminated at any time for “Cause” (as defined in the Severance

Agreement).

 

2

 

ARTICLE II

 

REGISTRATION

RIGHTS

 

2.1                                 Incidental

Registration.  If at any time on or

after the Effectiveness Date but prior to the Termination Date META proposes to

register any of its Common Stock under the Securities Act for sale to the

public by META in a firm commitment underwritten primary public offering

(except with respect to registration statements on Forms S-4, S-8 or their then

equivalents, the registration of shares to be offered solely for the account of

a person or persons other than META, the registration of shares to be issued

solely in connection with an acquisition of an entity or business, the registration

of shares issuable solely upon the exercise of stock options, or the

registration of shares issuable solely pursuant to employee benefit plans),

each such time it will give written, confidential notice to each Holder of its

intention so to do and such Holder hereby agrees to treat such information

confidentially and not to disclose it to any person or entity until META so

publicly discloses it.  Upon the written

request of each Holder to register his, her or its Registrable Shares, received

by META within 10 days after the giving of any such notice by META, META will

use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Shares as to which

registration shall have been so requested to be included in the securities to

be covered by the registration statement proposed to be filed by META (the “Registration

Statement”), provided, however, that META’s obligation to

register Registrable Shares pursuant to such a request shall be conditioned on

the requirements that (i) such Registrable Shares represent, in the aggregate,

(a) at least $500,000 (based on the proposed maximum offering price per share)

and (b) not more than 15% of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price when

considered together with the shares META intends to register on its behalf and

on the behalf of non–Holders and (ii) META, in its sole discretion and

for any reason, does not withdraw such Registration Statement.  The number of Registrable Shares to be

included in any such registration may be reduced in whole or in part (prior to any

reduction of the number of securities to be included in the Registration

Statement held by any other persons who have contractual rights to include such

securities in the Registration Statement and as who have requested the

inclusion of such securities in the Registration Statement) in the managing

underwriter’s sole discretion if and to the extent that the managing

underwriter shall be of the opinion that such inclusion would adversely affect

the marketing of the securities to be sold by META therein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rights

granted by META under this Section 2.1 shall terminate (the “Termination

Date”) on the earlier of (i) the date which is the first anniversary of the

date of effectiveness of this Agreement, (ii) the date on which META

consummates one incidental registration for the benefit of any Holders (each a

“Selling Stockholder” and collectively the “Selling Stockholders”)

or (iii) the date on which all Registrable Shares included on a Registration

Statement shall have been either transferred pursuant to such Registration

Statement or are no longer Registrable Shares. 

If the number of Registrable Shares to be included in such registration

is reduced by 50% by the managing underwriter in accordance with this Section

2.1 or if META, in its sole discretion and for any reason, withdraws such

registration, then such registration shall not count as such for the purpose of

the immediately preceding sentence.

 

3

 

2.2                                 Further

Obligations of META.  META shall

also do the following:

 

(a)           Notify

each Selling Stockholder promptly upon the effectiveness of a Registration

Statement and furnish to each Selling Stockholder such copies of each

preliminary and final prospectus and such other documents as each Selling

Stockholder may reasonably request to facilitate the public offering of his,

her or its Registrable Shares;

 

(b)           Use

commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares covered by a

Registration Statement under the applicable securities or Blue Sky laws of such

jurisdictions as the managing underwriter of the offering in respect thereof

may reasonably request; provided, however, that META shall not be

obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdictions where it is not then

so qualified or to take any action which would subject it to the service of

process in suits other than those arising out of the offer or sale of the

securities covered by such Registration Statement in any jurisdiction where it

is not then so subject;

 

(c)           Furnish,

upon request, to each Selling Stockholder a copy of all documents filed with

the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with any

such offering of the Registrable Shares; and

 

(d)           Notify

each Selling Stockholder on a timely basis at any time when a prospectus

relating to the Registrable Shares is required to be delivered under the

Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the

prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an

untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required

to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading

in light of the circumstances then existing and, at the request of the managing

underwriter, prepare and furnish to the managing underwriter and each Selling

Stockholder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of

such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the

offerees of such shares, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement

of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated

therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of

the circumstances then existing.

 

2.3                                 Further

Obligations of Selling Stockholders. 

In connection with any registration pursuant to this Agreement in which

Registrable Shares held by a Selling Stockholder are to be registered, each

Selling Stockholder shall furnish to META in writing such information with respect

to each Selling Stockholder and the sale or distribution of Registrable Shares

by such Selling Stockholder as META requests for use in connection with any

Registration Statement or prospectus or otherwise as shall be required in

connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in

this Agreement.  Notwithstanding any

other provision hereof, such provision of information shall be a condition

precedent to the obligations of META pursuant to this Agreement.

 

2.4                                 Allocation

of Expenses.  META shall pay all of

the Registration Expenses incurred by META in complying with Section 2.1 of

this Agreement.  In no event shall META

have any obligation to pay or otherwise bear any portion of the underwriters’

commissions or discounts and selling concessions, any fees and expenses of

counsel to the Selling Stockholders,

 

4

 

if any, or stock transfer, issuance or other tax attributable to the

Registrable Shares being offered and sold by any of the Selling Stockholders.

 

2.5                                 Underwriting

Agreement.  In connection with each

registration pursuant to Section 2.1, each Selling Stockholder agrees to enter

into a written agreement with the underwriters provided in such form and

containing such provisions as are customary in the securities business for such

an arrangement between such underwriters, companies of META’s size and

investment stature and selling stockholders that are affiliates of the

issuer.  Notwithstanding any other

provision hereof, such provision of information shall be a condition precedent

to the obligations of META pursuant to this Agreement.

 

2.6                                 “Lock-Up”

Agreement.  Each Selling Stockholder

agrees that, in connection with any offer for sale to the public by META of any

of its securities, such Selling Stockholder shall not offer, sell, grant any

option or right to buy or sell, or otherwise transfer or dispose of in any

manner any Common Stock or other securities of META held by him, her or it

during the 180-day period following the effective date of any registration

statement of META filed under the Securities Act in connection with such offer

for sale to the public and will sign a “lock-up” agreement to such effect.  Such “lock-up” agreement shall be in writing

and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to META and the managing

underwriter(s) of any such offering. 

META may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the

securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such 180-day

period.

 

2.7                                 Sale

or Transfer of Shares.  The

Registrable Shares shall not be sold or transferred unless either (i) they

shall have been registered under the Securities Act, or (ii) META shall

have been furnished with an opinion of legal counsel, satisfactory to META, to

the effect that such sale or transfer is exempt from the registration

requirements of the Securities Act.

 

2.8                                 Transferability.  The registration rights granted in this

Agreement may be assigned or transferred in connection with a sale of

Registrable Shares or otherwise if (a) the assignee or transferee

(i) is a transferee of Kutnick by will or the laws of descent and

distribution, (ii) is a spouse or child of Kutnick, or a trust of which

Kutnick or his spouse or child is the beneficiary or (iii) is a

beneficiary of a trust of which Kutnick is a or the sole trustee and

(b) such assignee or transferee notifies META of such assignment or

transfer in writing, provides META with his, her or its name and address and

the number of Registrable Shares acquired, and agrees in writing (in form and

substance satisfactory to META) to be bound by the terms and conditions of this

Agreement.  Except as provided in the

previous sentence, the registration rights granted in this Agreement may not be

assigned or transferred in connection with a sale of the Registrable Shares or

otherwise.

 

2.9                                 Indemnification

and Contribution.

 

(a)           In

the event a Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 2.1, META will

indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims,

damages or liabilities actually incurred to which such Selling Stockholder

becomes subject under the Securities Act, insofar as such losses, claims,

damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are

based upon any untrue statement of any material fact contained in

 

5

 

such Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or final

prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise

out of or are based upon the omission to state therein a material fact required

to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not

misleading, and will reimburse each such Selling Stockholder for a single legal

counsel or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Selling Stockholders in

connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,

liability or action, provided, however, that META will not be

liable in any such case (x) if and to the extent that any such loss, claim,

damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or

omission so made in reliance upon or in conformity with information furnished

by such Selling Stockholder for use in such Registration Statement or

prospectus or (y) if in the case of a sale directly by such Selling Stockholder

of Registrable Shares, such untrue statement or omission was contained in a

preliminary prospectus and corrected in a final or amended prospectus, and such

Selling Stockholder failed to deliver a copy of the final or amended prospectus

at or prior to the confirmation of the sale of the Registrable Shares to the

person asserting any such loss, claim, damage or liability in any case where

such delivery is required by the Securities Act or any state securities laws.

 

(b)           In

the event a Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 2.1, each

Selling Stockholder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold

harmless META, each person, if any, who controls META within the meaning of the

Securities Act, each officer of META who signs the Registration Statement, each

director of META, each underwriter and each person who controls any underwriter

within the meaning of the Securities Act, against all losses, claims, damages

or liabilities actually incurred to which META or such officer, director,

underwriter or controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act

insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect

thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement of any material fact

contained in such Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or final

prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise

out of or are based upon the omission to state therein a material fact required

to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not

misleading, and will reimburse META and each such officer, director,

underwriter and controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably

incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss,

claim, damage, liability or action, provided, however, that such

Selling Stockholder will be liable hereunder in any such case (x) if and only

to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or

is based upon an untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon or in

conformity with information furnished by such Selling Stockholder, as such, for

use in such Registration Statement or prospectus or (y) if in the case of a

sale directly by such Selling Stockholder of Registrable Shares, such untrue

statement or omission was contained in a preliminary prospectus and corrected

in a final or amended prospectus, and such Selling Stockholder failed to

deliver a copy of the final or amended prospectus at or prior to the confirmation

of the sale of the Registrable Shares to the person asserting any such loss,

claim, damage or liability in any case where such delivery is required by the

Securities Act or any state securities laws, and provided, further, however,

that the liability of each Selling Stockholder hereunder shall be limited to

the net proceeds received by such Selling Stockholder from the sale of

Registrable Shares covered by such Registration Statement.

 

6

 

(c)           Promptly

after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement

of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is

to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying

party in writing thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party

shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to such indemnified

party other than under this Section 2.9 and shall only relieve it from any

liability which it may have to such indemnified party under this Section 2.9 if

and to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced by such omission.  In case any such action shall be brought

against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the

commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate

in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense

thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and,

after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its

election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party

shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 2.9 for any

legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection

with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of

liaison with counsel so selected, provided, however, that, if the

defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the

indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded

that there may be reasonable defenses available to it that are different from

or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or if the interests

of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the

interests of the indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the right

to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defenses and otherwise to

participate in the defense of such action, with the expenses and fees of a

single such separate counsel and other reasonably incurred expenses related to

such participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred.  No indemnified party shall settle,

compromise or consent to the entry of a judgment in any pending or threatened

action, suit, proceeding or other claim for which recovery may be available

under this Section 2.9 without the prior written consent of the indemnifying

party.

 

(d)           In

order to provide for just and equitable contribution to joint liability under

the Securities Act in any case in which either (i) any Selling Stockholder

exercising rights under this Agreement makes a claim for indemnification

pursuant to this Section 2.9 but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a

final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the

expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that

such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact

that this Section 2.9  provides for

indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may

be required on the part of any such Selling Stockholder in circumstances for

which indemnification is provided under this Section 2.9; then, and in each

such case, META and such Selling Stockholder will contribute to the aggregate

losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be subject (after

contribution from others) in such proportion so that such Selling Stockholder

is responsible for the portion represented by the percentage that the public offering

price of its Registrable Shares offered by a Registration Statement bears to

the public offering price of all securities offered by such Registration

Statement, and META is responsible for the remaining portion; provided, however,

that, in any such case, (A) no such Selling Stockholder will be required to

contribute any amount in excess of the public offering price of all such

Registrable Shares offered by it pursuant to such Registration Statement; and

(B) no person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the

meaning of Section 11(f) of the

 

7

 

Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person or

entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Company and each Selling Stockholders

agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this

Section 2.9 were determined by any other method of allocation which does not

take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 2.9.

 

ARTICLE III

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

3.1                                 Termination.

The registration rights set forth in this Agreement shall terminate as set

forth in Section 2.1 or if Kutnick breaches his obligations under the

Severance Agreement or “Noncompetition Agreement” (as such term is defined in

the Severance Agreement), and the other terms and provisions hereof shall

survive indefinitely.

 

3.2                                 Law

Governing.  This Agreement shall be

governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of

Delaware, without giving effect to its principles or rules of conflicts of laws

to the extent that such principles or rules would require or permit the

application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

3.3                                 Amendment;

Waiver.  This Agreement may be

amended, and any provision hereof may be waived, only with the written consent

of META and Dale Kutnick, or as to another Holder, such Holder.

 

3.4                                 Headings.  The headings contained in this Agreement are

for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation

of this Agreement.

 

3.5                                 Notices.  All notices, requests and other

communications to either party hereunder shall be in writing (including

telecopy or similar writing) and shall be given,

 

if to META, to:

 

META Group, Inc.

208 Harbor Drive

P.O. Box 120061

Stamford, CT  06912-0061

Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

Telecopy:  (203) 973-6921

 

8

 

with a copy to:

 

Mark J. Macenka,

Esq.

Testa, Hurwitz

& Thibeault, LLP

125 High Street

Boston, MA 02110

Telecopy: (617)

248-7100

 

If to Kutnick:

 

Dale Kutnick

23 Sherman

Turnpike

Redding, CT 06875

 

If to a Holder other than Dale Kutnick, to such

Holder’s address as set forth in the records of META.

 

Whenever notice is required to be given under the

terms of this Agreement, it shall be deemed delivered at the earlier of (i) the

time it is sent by the sender if sent via telecopy or certified or registered

mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the party for

whom intended at the telecopy number or address identified above (or such other

telecopy number or address as either party may designate in writing to the

other pursuant to this paragraph) or (ii) the time it is actually received by

the party for whom it is intended.

 

3.6                                 Invalidity

of Provisions.  Each of the

provisions contained in this Agreement is distinct and severable and a

declaration of invalidity or unenforceability of any such provision or part

thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or

enforceability of any other provision hereof or thereof.

 

3.7                                 Counterparts;

Facsimile Signatures.  This

Agreement may be executed simultaneously in one or more counterparts, each of

which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall

constitute one and the same instrument. 

For the purposes of executing this Agreement, a document signed and

transmitted by facsimile machine or telecopier shall be treated as an original

document.

 

3.8                                 Integration.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement

between the parties hereto as to the subject matter hereof.

 

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9

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly

executed and delivered by the parties on the date first above written.

 

 

	

   

  	

  META GROUP, INC.

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  By:

  	

  /s/ Michael Simmons

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Name:

  	

  Michael Simmons

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Title:

  	

  Compensation Committee

  Chairman

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  /s/

  Dale Kutnick

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Dale Kutnick

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  /s/

  Dale Kutnick

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Dale Kutnick

  
	

   

  	

  As custodian for Kyja

  Kutnick

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  /s/

  Dale Kutnick

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Dale Kutnick

  
	

   

  	

  As custodian for Toren

  G. Kutnick

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  /s/

  Dale Kutnick

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  Dale Kutnick

  
	

   

  	

  As custodian for Varyk

  G. Kutnick

  
								

 

10

 

Exhibit

D

FORM OF RELEASE

 

This Release (the “Agreement”) is hereby made by [EMPLOYEE] to

the Company.  References to the

“Company” shall refer to META Group, Inc.

 

1.                                      Employment

Status and Final Payments:

 

(a)                                  I

understand that my separation from employment with the Company will be

effective as of [insert separation date] (the “Termination Date”).  As of the Termination Date, I understand my

salary will cease, and any entitlement I have or might have under a

Company-provided benefit plan, program, contract or practice (the “Plans”) will

terminate, except as required by the Plans, federal or state law, or as

otherwise described below.

 

(b)                                 The

Termination Date shall be the date of the “qualifying event” under the

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) and I

understand that the Company will present me with information on COBRA under

separate cover.

 

2.                                      Consideration:  This Agreement is made by me in exchange

for, and in consideration of the Severance Benefits set forth in Section 5 of

the Severance Agreement between the Company and me, dated as of July 31, 2002

(the “Severance Agreement”).

 

3.                                      Release:

 

(a)           In

exchange for the amounts described in Section 2, which are in addition to

anything of value to which I am entitled to receive, and other good and

valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, me and

my representatives, agents, estate, heirs, successors and assigns, absolutely

and unconditionally hereby release, remise, discharge, indemnify and hold

harmless the Company Releasees (defined to include the Company and/or any of

its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates, predecessors, successors or assigns,

and its and their respective current and/or former partners, directors,

shareholders/stockholders, officers, employees, attorneys and/or agents, all both

individually and in their official capacities), from any and all actions or

causes of action, suits, claims, complaints, liabilities, agreements, promises,

contracts, torts, debts, damages, controversies, judgments, rights and demands,

whether existing or contingent, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected,

that I may have or have had against the Company Releasees relating to or

arising out of my employment, change in employment status and/or the

termination of my employment with the Company and arising from conduct

occurring up to and through the date of this Agreement (“Claims”).  This release is intended by me to act as a

full and total release of any Claims, whether specifically enumerated herein or

not, including, but not limited to, any Claims arising from any federal, state

or local law, regulation or constitution dealing with either employment,

employment benefits or employment discrimination, except this release shall not

waive any Claims I may have:  (i)

arising after the date I sign this Agreement; (ii) for accrued employee

benefits under the Plans and accrued and unpaid salary and expense

reimbursement, in each case as of the date of this Agreement; (iii) relating to

my rights as a stockholder or security holder of the Company; (iv)

 

 

relating to any

indemnification rights pursuant to the Company’s charter, certificate of

incorporation, by-laws or directors’ and officers’ insurance policies or

otherwise; or (v) pursuant to the Severance Agreement.

 

(b)           Listed below, by way of example only, are statutes

and laws under which I waive, and will not bring any, Claim, except as

otherwise provided in subsections (i)-(v) of Section 3(a) hereof.  The

Claims so released or acknowledged not to exist include, but are not limited

to, any alleged violation of:

 

The

National Labor Relations Act, as amended;

 

Title

VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000e et  seq.;

 

Sections

1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended;

 

The Employee Retirement Income

Security Act of 1974, as amended, 29 U.S. C. 1001 et  seq.;

 

The

Immigration Reform Control Act, as amended;

 

The

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;

 

The

Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended;

 

The

Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended;

 

The

Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993;

 

The

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, as amended;

 

The laws of the State of

Connecticut relating to family and medical leave, discrimination on the basis

of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sex harassment, sexual orientation,

marital status, national origin, ancestry, handicap, disability, veteran’s

status, alienage, blindness, present or past history of mental disorders or

physical disability, candidacy for or activity in a general assembly or other

public office, constitutionally protected acts of speech, whistleblower status,

use of tobacco products outside course of employment, membership in any

organization engaged in civil defense, veteran’s status or any military service

or application for military service and any claim for retaliation for asserting

Worker’s Compensation rights as well as wrongful termination or breach of any

express or implied employment contract.

 

The laws of the State of

Connecticut relating to Workers’ Compensation;

 

The laws of the State of

Connecticut relating to the payment of wages;

 

Any other federal, state or

local civil or human rights law or any other local, state or federal law,

regulation or ordinance;

 

2

 

Any public policy, contract,

tort, or other common law cause of action, including but not limited to breach

of contract, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress,

negligent misrepresentation, intentional misrepresentation, fraud, defamation,

wrongful discharge;

 

Any claim for breach of the

Severance Agreement arising through the date I execute this Agreement; or

 

Any allegation for costs, fees,

or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in any such matter.

 

4.                                      Waiver of

Rights and Claims Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.  Since I am 40 years of age or older, I have

been informed that I have or might have specific rights and/or Claims under the

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and I agree that:

 

(a)           In

consideration for the amounts described in Section 2, which I am not otherwise

entitled to receive, I specifically waive such rights and/or Claims under the

ADEA to the extent that such rights and/or Claims arose prior to or on the date

this Agreement was executed;

 

(b)           I

understand that rights or Claims under the ADEA which may arise after the date

this Agreement is executed are not waived by me;

 

(c)           I

acknowledge that I have been advised of my right to consult with my counsel of

choice prior to executing this Agreement and I have not been subject to any

undue or improper influence interfering with the exercise of my free will in

deciding whether to consult with counsel;

 

(d)           I

further acknowledge that I have been informed that I have at least 21 days

within which to consider the terms of this Agreement and to consult with or

seek advice from an attorney or any other person of my choosing;

 

(e)           I

have carefully read and fully understand all of the provisions of this

Agreement, and I knowingly and voluntarily agree to all of the terms set forth

in this Agreement; and

 

(f)            I

agree that any revisions to this Agreement will not affect or extend the

calculation of the 21-day period provided in Section (d) above.

 

5.                                      Accord

and Satisfaction:  The amounts

set forth above in Sections 1 and 2 shall be complete and unconditional

payment, settlement, accord and/or satisfaction with respect to all Claims

(except those set forth in subsections (i)-(v) of Section 3(a) and except for

any earned but unpaid compensation payable to me under the Severance Agreement

after the date hereof) of the Company Releasees to me, including, without

limitation, all claims for back wages, salary, vacation pay, draws, incentive

pay, bonuses, stock and stock options, commissions, severance pay, reimbursement

of expenses, any and all other forms of compensation or benefits, attorney’s

fees, or other costs or sums.

 

3

 

6.                                      Company

Files, Documents and Other Property: 

I agree that on the Termination Date I will return to the Company all

Company property and materials, including but not limited to, (if applicable)

personal computers, laptops, fax machines, scanners, copiers, cellular phones,

Company credit cards and telephone charge cards, manuals, building keys and

passes, courtesy parking passes, diskettes, intangible information stored on

diskettes, software programs and data compiled with the use of those programs,

software passwords or codes, tangible copies of trade secrets and confidential

information, sales forecasts, names and addresses of Company customers and

potential customers, customer lists, customer contacts, sales information,

sales forecasts, memoranda, sales brochures, business or marketing plans,

reports, projections, and any and all other information or property previously

or currently held or used by me that is or was related to my employment with

the Company (“Company Property”).  I

agree that in the event that I discover any other Company Property in my

possession after the Termination Date of this Agreement I will immediately

return such materials to the Company.

 

7.                                      Future

Conduct:  Nothing herein shall prohibit or bar me from

providing truthful testimony in any legal proceeding or in communicating with

any governmental agency or representative or from making any truthful

disclosure required, authorized or permitted under law; provided, however, that

in providing such testimony or making such disclosures or communications, I

will use my best efforts to ensure that this Section is complied with to the

maximum extent possible. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall bar or

prohibit me from contacting, seeking assistance from or participating in any

proceeding before any federal or state administrative agency to the extent

permitted by applicable federal, state and/or local law.

 

8.                                      Representations

and Governing Law:

 

(a)       This Agreement, the Noncompetition

Agreement (as defined in the Severance Agreement), the Severance Agreement, the

Option Amendment Agreement(s) (as defined in the Severance Agreement), all of

my option agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in the

Severance Agreement) set forth the complete and sole agreement by or between me

and the Company concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof.  If any provision of this Agreement, or part

thereof, is held invalid, void or voidable as against public policy or

otherwise, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions, or parts thereof,

which may be given effect without the invalid provision or part.  To this extent, the provisions and parts

thereof of this Agreement are declared to be severable.  Any waiver of any provision of this

Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other provision of this

Agreement unless expressly so indicated otherwise.  The language of all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be

construed according to its fair meaning.

 

(b)       This Agreement and any claims arising out

of this Agreement (or any other claims arising out of the relationship between

me and the Company) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the

laws of the State of Connecticut and shall in all respects be interpreted,

enforced and governed under the internal and domestic laws of Connecticut,

without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws of such state.

 

(c)       I may not assign any of my rights or

delegate any of my duties under this Agreement.  The rights of the Company shall inure to the benefit of the

Company’s successors and assigns.  The

Company may not assign any rights under this Agreement except to a person or

entity that is an

 

4

 

assignee or

successor to its business by merger, sale of all or substantially all of its

assets, or otherwise.

 

9.                                      Effective

Date.  I may revoke this

Agreement during the period of seven (7) days following its execution by me and

this Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable, and no payments will

be made pursuant to Section 2, until the revocation period has expired..

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

5

 

Executed this    day of

               ,

200 .

 

I

REPRESENT THAT I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT, THAT I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH AGREEMENT AND THAT I AM KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY

EXECUTING THE SAME.  IN ENTERING INTO

THIS AGREEMENT, I DO NOT RELY ON ANY REPRESENTATION, PROMISE OR INDUCEMENT MADE

BY THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CONSIDERATION

DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT.

 

 

	

   

  	

   

  
	

  [EMPLOYEE]

  
	

   

  
	

   

  
	

  Date:

  	

   

  	

   

  
			

 

6

 

SIGN BELOW IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO USE

THE FULL 21-DAY REVIEW PERIOD.

 

I acknowledge that I was informed and understand that

I have at least 21 days within which to consider the attached Release, have

been advised of my right to consult with an attorney regarding such agreement

and have considered carefully every provision of the Release, and that after

having reviewed the Release, I prefer to and have requested that I enter into

the Release prior to the expiration of the 21-day period.

 

 

	

  Dated

  	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

  Employee

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

  Dated:

  	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

   

  	

   

  
	

  Witness

  	

   

  

 

7

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