Document:

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.17

                                                                   CONFIDENTIAL

                                February 4, 2000

VIA FACSIMILE

Mr. James Carney
President and Chief Executive Officer
Bidder's Edge, Inc.
131 Middlesex Turnpike
Burlington, Massachusetts  01803

Dear Mr. Carney:

We are pleased to present you with the term sheet for the acquisition of
Bidder's Edge, Inc. by OpenSite Technologies, Inc. dated February 4, 2000.

The intent of the attached Term Sheet is to establish a foundation for
preparing and executing a Definitive Transaction Agreement (as defined below)
among the foregoing parties. The terms of the proposed transaction set forth
below are subject to the completion of legal, technical, financial and other
due diligence as well as the execution of the Definitive Transaction Agreement.
This Term Sheet is non-binding except for the provisions regarding Public
Disclosure, No Shop, Access and Cooperation and Expenses and Fees. Please
acknowledge your agreement to the terms set forth in the Term Sheet as the
basis on which we will prepare the Definitive Transaction Agreement and your
agreement to be bound by the Public Disclosure, No Shop, Access and Cooperation
and Expenses and Fees provisions by signing this letter below and returning a
copy to me by return fax to (919) 287-0310 no later than February 7, 2000.

Regards,

OPENSITE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Kip A. Frey
President and Chief Executive Officer

Acknowledged by:

Bidder's Edge, Inc.

By:  /s/ James Carney
    ---------------------------------------------
    James Carney
    Its: President and Chief Executive Officer

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                                  CONFIDENTIAL

                                   Term Sheet

               FOR THE ACQUISITION BY OPENSITE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                             OF BIDDER'S EDGE, INC.

                                February 4, 2000

         This Term Sheet sets forth in general terms the provisions under which
OpenSite Technologies, Inc. ("OpenSite") proposes to acquire all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of Bidder's Edge, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Target"). The principal terms relating to such proposed
transaction (the "Transaction") are as follows:

STRUCTURE:                          OpenSite and Target will review the
                                    structure of the transaction consistent
                                    with the intention of the parties to
                                    maximize operational and tax efficiency.
                                    Shareholders of Target will receive
                                    OpenSite Common Shares (subject to pooling
                                    of interest limitations) in exchange for
                                    their Target Shares and OpenSite will
                                    assume all Target Options as described
                                    below. The Parties will enter into a merger
                                    agreement with customary terms, including
                                    representations, warranties (which
                                    representations and warranties shall be
                                    identical for each party with respect to
                                    its business) and indemnifications, the
                                    survival of which will conform to the
                                    requirements for "pooling of interests"
                                    accounting treatment.

SHARE CONSIDERATION:                The aggregate purchase price for all
                                    outstanding Target Common Shares, Target
                                    Preferred Shares and Target Common Shares
                                    issuable as of the date of the Definitive
                                    Transaction Agreement upon exercise or
                                    conversion, as the case may be, of
                                    outstanding vested Target Options or other
                                    rights to acquire Target Common Shares,
                                    with cash paid for fractional shares, will
                                    be 8,941,307 shares of OpenSite Common
                                    Stock (which represents 23% of the issued
                                    and outstanding capital stock and awarded
                                    options of OpenSite as of January 28, 2000
                                    plus the OpenSite Common Stock issued in
                                    the Transaction).

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TAX AND ACCOUNTING TREATMENT:       The Transaction is intended to qualify as a
                                    tax-free reorganization, and as a "pooling
                                    of interests" for accounting purposes.

TREATMENT OF TARGET OPTIONS:        OpenSite will assume the Target Options and
                                    the Target Option Plans, with adjustments
                                    to the exercise price and number of shares
                                    to preserve the spread between exercise
                                    price and market value of the target shares
                                    as of the Definitive Transaction Agreement
                                    and reflect the OpenSite Common Shares
                                    exchange ratio, and otherwise with
                                    substantially the same terms as the
                                    OpenSite Stock Option Plan. OpenSite will
                                    convert existing Target Incentive Stock
                                    Options and Non-Qualified Stock Option
                                    Programs into comparable OpenSite Programs.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS:              OpenSite will require employment agreements
                                    with James Carney ("Carney"), Kimbo Mundy
                                    and Peter Leeds and other identified
                                    employees mutually agreeable to both
                                    parties (collectively, the "Key Employees")
                                    as a condition of closing the Transaction.
                                    These employment agreements will include
                                    customary provisions regarding termination
                                    by OpenSite without cause and constructive
                                    termination. "Constructive temination"
                                    shall include the change of the Key
                                    Employee's principal place of work for
                                    OpenSite, without his consent, to a
                                    location more than 50 miles from the
                                    current principal office of Target. If Key
                                    Employee is terminated without cause or by
                                    constructive termination, all OpenSite
                                    Common shares subject to forfeiture and all
                                    unvested stock options held by such Key
                                    Employee shall become fully vested (subject
                                    to forfeiture of such shares and options so
                                    vested if the Key Employee breaches his
                                    non-disclosure or non-competition covenants
                                    with OpenSite). In addition, Carney's
                                    employment agreement will provide that
                                    Carney shall become vice president
                                    responsible for the continued operations of
                                    Target's business, with Carney reporting
                                    directly to the president and CEO of
                                    OpenSite. Any material reduction in
                                    Carney's responsibilities will be
                                    considered a constructive termination by
                                    OpenSite. Target employees who become
                                    employees of OpenSite will participate in
                                    OpenSite's Stock Option Plan and any other
                                    employee benefit plans available to
                                    OpenSite employees generally.

NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS:         All Target employees who become employees
                                    of OpenSite will agree to enter into
                                    OpenSite's standard Employee
                                    Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights
                                    Agreement. In addition, the Key Employees
                                    will agree to enter into non-competition
                                    agreements with OpenSite which will provide
                                    for non-competition during the

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                                    term of employment and for one (1) year
                                    thereafter. The Key Employees of Target,
                                    who do not become OpenSite employees will,
                                    concurrent with the execution of the
                                    Definitive Transaction Agreement, enter
                                    into one (1) year non-competition
                                    agreements which will be effective at the
                                    time of the Closing.

SIGNING DATE; CLOSING DATE:         The parties' objective is to execute the
                                    Definitive Transaction Agreement as soon as
                                    reasonably possible but not later than
                                    March 15, 2000 and to close the Transaction
                                    not later than April 15, 2000. As used
                                    herein, "Definitive Transaction Agreement"
                                    shall include, in addition to the
                                    Definitive Transaction Agreement, any and
                                    all employment agreements, noncompetition
                                    agreements, and other ancillary agreements
                                    and documents that may be contemplated by
                                    the Definitive Transaction Agreement.

REGISTRATION OF OPENSITE SHARES:    Subject to pooling of interest limitations,
                                    shareholders of Target will receive demand
                                    and piggyback registration rights (subject
                                    to underwriters' cutbacks) on a pari passu
                                    basis with the holders of OpenSite's Series
                                    C Preferred Stock. Subject to pooling of
                                    interest limitations, shareholders of
                                    Target also will receive during the period
                                    beginning 7 months from the effective date
                                    of OpenSite's IPO and ending 1 year after
                                    the effective date of such IPO, one demand
                                    registration right if OpenSite has not
                                    conducted or has not held an organizational
                                    meeting for a secondary or selling
                                    shareholder offering (with the sharholders
                                    having the right to participate in such
                                    offering through piggyback registration
                                    rights whose exercise shall be independent
                                    of the piggyback registration rights of the
                                    other shareholders of OpenSite, but subject
                                    to underwriters' cutbacks on a pro-rata
                                    basis with other shareholders of OpenSite);
                                    provided, however, no individual
                                    shareholder of Target may demand
                                    registration pursuant to any such
                                    registration statement for an amount of
                                    shares which would exceed the volume
                                    permitted under Rule 144(e).

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE:                  Neither party will make any public
                                    disclosure concerning the matters set forth
                                    in this Term Sheet or the negotiation of
                                    the proposed Transaction without the prior
                                    written consent of the other party. If and
                                    when a party desires to make any such
                                    public disclosure, such party will give the
                                    other party an opportunity to review and
                                    consent to any such disclosure in advance
                                    of public release, which consent will not
                                    be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
                                    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
                                    herein, to the extent that OpenSite or
                                    Target is advised by their respective
                                    counsel that disclosure of the matters set
                                    forth in this Term Sheet

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                                    is required by applicable laws or
                                    securities exchange requirements, then
                                    OpenSite or Target, as the case may be,
                                    shall provide the other party reasonable
                                    prior notice of such disclosure as well as
                                    an opportunity to review and comment on
                                    such disclosure in advance of public
                                    release.

NO SHOP:                            Until the earlier of (the "No Shop
                                    Period"): (i) the signing of the Definitive
                                    Transaction Agreement, (ii) the date on
                                    which OpenSite advises the Target in
                                    writing that OpenSite does not wish to
                                    proceed with the proposed Transaction, or
                                    (iii) March 15, 2000, neither Target nor
                                    any affiliate of Target nor any officer,
                                    director, employee or principal stockholder
                                    thereof, will, directly or indirectly,
                                    solicit, encourage, provide any information
                                    to, or enter any agreement with any entity
                                    or person other than OpenSite concerning
                                    any sale or acquisition of all or any
                                    material number of the shares or assets of
                                    Target or any merger of Target or any
                                    subsidiary of Target or any sale of any
                                    material assets or any sale of any shares
                                    of Target other than pursuant to presently
                                    outstanding options, warrants or other
                                    convertible securities.

                                    During the No Shop Period, neither OpenSite
                                    nor any affiliate of OpenSite nor any
                                    officer, director, employee or principal
                                    stockholder thereof, will, directly or
                                    indirectly, solicit, encourage, provide any
                                    information to, or enter into any agreement
                                    with any entity or person other than Target
                                    concerning any acquisition of all or any
                                    material number of shares or assets of any
                                    competitor of Target, except that OpenSite
                                    may engage in discussions with
                                    AuctionWatch.com as long as such
                                    discussions do not address specific terms
                                    of a merger or acquisition with
                                    AuctionWatch.com.

ACCESS AND COOPERATION              Unless the Transaction is sooner
                                    terminated, for a period of 30 days after
                                    the date of this Term Sheet, Target shall
                                    ensure that OpenSite and its
                                    representatives will have full access to
                                    Target and its officers, counsel,
                                    investment bankers, auditors, books and
                                    records; full opportunity to investigate
                                    Target's titles to property and the
                                    condition and nature of its assets,
                                    business and liabilities; and full
                                    opportunity to review Target's business
                                    plan with key officers of Target.

                                    Unless the Transaction is sooner
                                    terminated, for a period of 30 days after
                                    the date of this Term Sheet, OpenSite shall
                                    ensure that Target and its representatives
                                    will have full access to OpenSite and its
                                    officers, counsel, investment bankers,
                                    auditors, books and records; full
                                    opportunity to investigate OpenSite's
                                    titles to

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                                    property and the condition and nature of
                                    its assets, business and liabilities; and
                                    full opportunity to review OpenSite's
                                    business plan with key officers of
                                    OpenSite.

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS:               Target shareholders and Board must have
                                    approved the Definitive Transaction
                                    Agreement; OpenSite's Board must have
                                    approved the Definitive Transaction
                                    Agreement; OpenSite shall have received a
                                    letter from its outside auditors that the
                                    Transaction qualifies for pooling of
                                    interests treatment; OpenSite shall have
                                    received a letter from the Target's outside
                                    auditors that Target is poolable; the
                                    Transaction shall be treated as a tax free
                                    exchange; no injunction or order must be
                                    threatened or in effect by any governmental
                                    agency prohibiting the Transaction; the
                                    employment agreements, the non-competition
                                    agreements, and any other ancillary
                                    agreements contemplated by the Definitive
                                    Transaction Agreement must be in place;
                                    shareholders of Target exercising
                                    dissenters' rights shall own less than five
                                    percent (5%) of Target's outstanding
                                    shares; the representations and warranties
                                    of the parties in the Definitive
                                    Transaction Agreement must have been true
                                    and correct in all material respects when
                                    made; Target has provided audited financial
                                    statements for its last three (3) fiscal
                                    years; and all covenants of the parties in
                                    the Definitive Transaction Agreement
                                    required to be satisfied prior to Closing
                                    must have been satisfied.

FOUNDER'S STOCK                     If the transaction is not structured as a
                                    pooling of interests, then the OpenSite
                                    Common shares issued to the Key Employees
                                    of Target will be subject to the following
                                    forfeiture provisions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    If Employment Is Terminated:                          Amount Forfeited
                                    ----------------------------                          ----------------
                                    <S>                                                   <C>
                                    Within 180 days of Closing                                     50%
                                    After 180 days but within 216 days of Closing                  42%
                                    After 216 days but within 252 days of Closing                  34%
                                    After 252 days but within 288 days of Closing                  26%
                                    After 288 days but within 324 days of Closing                  18%
                                    After 324 days but within 360 days of Closing                   9%
                                    After 360 days of Closing                                       0%
</TABLE>

TERMINATION:                        The Definitive Transaction Agreement may be
                                    terminated by mutual consent of the
                                    parties, or by either party if the
                                    Transaction: (a) has not been consummated
                                    by April 15, 2000;

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                                    (b) is enjoined by a court or a
                                    governmental body; (c) cannot be
                                    consummated due to a breach of any
                                    representation, warranty, covenant or
                                    agreement on the part of the other party;
                                    (d) is disapproved by the Target
                                    shareholders; or (e) shareholders of Target
                                    exercising dissenters' rights own more than
                                    five percent (5%) of Target's outstanding
                                    shares.

EXPENSES AND FEES:                  Generally, OpenSite, on the one hand, and
                                    the shareholders of Target, on the other
                                    hand, will each bear their own fees and
                                    expenses; provided, however, that in the
                                    event the parties consummate the
                                    Transaction substantially according to the
                                    terms of this Term Sheet, OpenSite will pay
                                    Target's actual out of pocket expenses in
                                    an amount up to one hundred thousand
                                    dollars ($100,000).

INDEMNIFICATION OF OPENSITE:        Target's shareholders will jointly and
                                    severally indemnify and hold OpenSite and
                                    its officers, directors and affiliates
                                    harmless from and against certain losses or
                                    liabilities that may be suffered by
                                    OpenSite due to any breach of any provision
                                    of the Definitive Transaction Agreement or
                                    any ancillary document. This
                                    indemnification survives until the earlier
                                    of one (1) year after closing of the
                                    Transation or when OpenSite publishes
                                    audited financial statements which include
                                    combined results of OpenSite and Target.

                                    Ten percent (10%) of the OpenSite Shares to
                                    be issued to each Target shareholder (the
                                    "Holdback Shares") will be pledged to and
                                    held by an independent escrow agent to
                                    secure the indemnification obligations and
                                    will be released from escrow at the
                                    expiration of the indemnification period.
                                    Absent fraud or intentional misconduct,
                                    each Target shareholder's liability is
                                    limited to the amount of such shareholder's
                                    Holdback Shares. Notwithstanding the
                                    forgoing, OpenSite can only collect on
                                    indemnity claims if they exceed a $250,000
                                    "basket," in which case the claims are paid
                                    in full without regard to the basket.
                                    Indemnification claims will be satisfied in
                                    shares of OpenSite stock and recourse to
                                    the Holdback Shares will be OpenSite's
                                    exclusive remedy for breaches (other than
                                    fraud or intentional misconduct) of the
                                    Definitive Transaction Agreement or any
                                    ancillary documents. The E-Bay litigation
                                    currently pending against Target will be
                                    excluded from indemnification by Target's
                                    shareholders.

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                                    A breach of any representation or warranty
                                    by OpenSite also will be subject to a
                                    $250,000 "basket" and will be subject to
                                    aggregate limitation of $10,000,000.

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER:           Sales of OpenSite Shares by Affiliates of
                                    Target will be restricted under the pooling
                                    of interests rules until OpenSite has
                                    released post-Closing financial statements
                                    with at least thirty (30) days of combined
                                    financial results which shall occur as soon
                                    as reasonably practicable after Closing. In
                                    addition, sale of OpenSite shares will be
                                    otherwise limited under Rule 144.

VOTING AGREEMENT:                            Target's and OpenSite's officers,
                                    directors, principal shareholders and
                                    Preferred Stockholders hold in excess of
                                    the required vote to approve the
                                    Transaction, and they will execute an
                                    agreement to vote their shares in favor of
                                    the Transaction.

BOARD SEAT:                         One designee of the Target founders and one
                                    designee of Landmark Communications will be
                                    elected to the Board of Directors of
                                    OpenSite and, consistent with other
                                    contractual rights of investors to have
                                    directors on OpenSite's Board of Directors,
                                    shall be re-elected until the first annual
                                    meeting of shareholders of OpenSite
                                    following its initial public offering. The
                                    OpenSite Board of Directors will be
                                    increased to nine (9) members. OpenSite
                                    will take all actions reasonably necessary
                                    to ensure the election of the Target board
                                    members in accordance with the above.

GOVERNING LAW:                      This Term Sheet shall be governed by
                                    Delaware law without regard to principles
                                    of conflicts of laws.

                                       8<PAGE>   1
CONFIDENTIAL                                                     EXHIBIT 10.18

                          STRATEGIC MARKETING AGREEMENT
               Excite@Home, Inc. and OpenSite Technologies, Inc.

This Strategic Marketing Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of December
23, 1999 ("Effective Date") by Excite@Home, Inc., a Delaware corporation with
offices at 450 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 ("E@H") and OpenSite
Technologies, Inc., 2800 Meridian Parkway, Durham, NC 27713, a Delaware
corporation ("OpenSite") (collectively, the "Parties").

WHEREAS, OpenSite develops and markets software and services to enable branded
Web-based dynamic pricing solutions and is the developer and owner of the
BidStream.com aggregation site for web-based auctions; and

WHEREAS, E@H (Nasdaq: ATHM) is a global media company, centered around its
narrowband portal, Excite (www.excite.com). It also maintains or plans to
maintain business to business portals or sites known as Work.com and
Excitestorebuilder.com ("Applicable Sites") that offer content and interactive
services across both narrowband and broadband, and offer advertisers targeted
marketing solutions across all platforms of delivery; and

WHEREAS, E@H and OpenSite desire to set forth in this Agreement certain aspects
of a strategic marketing relationship between OpenSite and E@H, limited to
Applicable Sites whereby (1) OpenSite will license to E@H its "AuctionNow" and
"Dynamic Pricing Toolkit" software, (2) OpenSite will be the preferred provider
of dynamic pricing technology for E@H's Applicable Sites, (3) OpenSite will
purchase Advertising and services from E@H and its subsidiary, MatchLogic, Inc.,
with respect to Applicable Sites and elsewhere; and (4) OpenSite will cooperate
to establish the Co-branded Sites that will link to the Applicable Sites; and

WHEREAS, OpenSite and E@H will share revenue generated from Advertising on the
Co-branded Site, AuctionNow Galleries and participating OpenSite powered auction
sites; and

WHEREAS, OpenSite and E@H will share all revenues generated from OpenSite's
dynamic pricing products and services licensed through the Applicable Sites; and

WHEREAS, OpenSite will commit to certain levels of spending on E@H and
MatchLogic services and on E@H Advertising opportunities.

NOW, THEREFORE, in exchange for valuable and adequate consideration and the
terms set forth below, the Parties agree as follows:

Definitions:

a)       ADVERTISING. Non-Matchlogic banner advertising, promotional placements,
         sponsorships, links, hyperlinks, graphical links to other sites, and/or
         other impressions on the Applicable Sites or on other Excite sites.

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                         Page 1
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CONFIDENTIAL

     b)  APPLICABLE SITES. Shall be limited to the unique individual domains of
         Work.com and Excitestorebuilder.com (only as it exists as sub-domain
         storefront solution hosted on Work.com).

     c)   CO-BRANDED SITES. Web pages (1) resident an the Bidstream.com site
          that are created by E@H, match the look and feel of an Applicable
          Site, are linked to the Applicable Site, display some or all of the
          BidStream content, identify BidStream and OpenSite as the content
          providers and (2) resident on an Applicable Site that are created by
          E@H, match the look and feel of an Applicable Site and offer auction
          functionality to visitors of Applicable Sites through the use of the
          AuctionNow Software.

     d)   CONTENT PRESENCE. Content or application based software available
          through the Applicable Sites, or links from any of the Dynamic Pricing
          Technology Services Providers as defined in Section 2 a) i) to an
          Applicable Site.

     e)   DOCUMENTATION. The written, electronic or recorded work generally
          provided by OpenSite to licensed End-Users in connection with the
          Software that describes the function and features of said Software.

     f)   EXCITESTORE BUILDER. The E@H branded business-focused Web-Sites
          providing merchant site and storefront enablement.

     g)   GALLERY. One of several individual auctions pursuant to a single
          AuctionNow license grant, that is capable of being administered
          directly by E@H or a customer of E@H.

     h)   SOFTWARE. OpenSite's AuctionNow and Dynamic Pricing Toolkit Software.

     i)   TERM. As defined in Section 13 hereof.

     j)   USER DATA. As defined in Section 14(c) hereof.

     k)   UTILIZATION RATE. The number of impressions successfully targeted
          divided by the total number of impressions evaluated to reach said
          targets.

1.   CO-BRANDED SITES.

     a)   OpenSite and E@H will work together to link the Co-branded Sites into
          the Applicable Sites.

     b)   E@H will develop, host, and maintain, at its expense, the Applicable
          Sites. E@H will have sole control over the "look and feel" of the
          Applicable Sites and will be responsible for any hardware or labor or
          software and or service technology (including updates thereto)
          reasonably necessary to maintain the Applicable Sites as described
          herein.

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                         Page 2

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CONFIDENTIAL

     c)   OpenSite will develop, host, and maintain, at its expense, the
          Co-branded Site(s) resident on BidStream.com in accordance with the
          mutually agreed specifications and consistent with OpenSite standards.
          E@H will provide creative as needed for the provision of this
          Co-branded Site.

     d)   E@H will develop, host, and maintain, at its expense, the Co-branded
          Site(s) resident on the Applicable Sites in accordance with mutually
          agreed specifications consistent with E@H standards. OpenSite will
          provide creative as needed for the provision of this Co-branded Site.

     e)   E@H will display links from Applicable Sites to the Co-branded Sites.
          E@H will have sole discretion and control over the number, placement
          and positioning of such links. Notwithstanding, OpenSite will have an
          opportunity to review and comment an such placement and positioning
          prior to implementation.

     f)   Attached hereto as EXHIBIT G s a "Scope of Work" that illustrates the
          plan, methodologies, financial and other obligations of the parties in
          relation to the Applicable Sites, the Co-branded Sites, Advertisement
          serving, AuctionNow offering and AuctionNow hosting.

2.   STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP.

     a)   E@H grants to OpenSite the right during the Term, to be the preferred
          and dominant Dynamic Pricing Technology Services Provider (as defined
          below) for the Applicable Sites.

          i)   "Dynamic Pricing Technology Services Provider" shall mean, in
               addition to OpenSite, one or more of the entities named below,
               not to exceed five (5) in number (exclusive of OpenSite) at any
               given moment. The following companies, with the addition of
               OpenSite, are the initial Dynamic Pricing Technology Services
               Providers: FairMarket, Moai, WebVision, Trading Dynamics, and
               Beyond Solutions. OpenSite may replace company names on the
               preceding list not more than once quarterly.

          ii)  OpenSite, as the "Preferred and Dominant" Dynamic Pricing
               Technology Services Provider on the Applicable Sites will have at
               least three (3) times the prominence and exposure as any other
               Dynamic Pricing Technology Services Provider, as measured by
               aggregate number of impressions and number of pixels. E@H may
               display ads for E@H's own products and services anywhere in the
               E@H Network, and may display ads for Dynamic Pricing Technology
               Service Providers in the Applicable Sites.

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                         Page 3

<PAGE>   4
CONFIDENTIAL

          b)   At any time during the Term, on 120 days prior written notice,
               E@H may permit any other Dynamic Pricing Technology Services
               Provider to have a Content Presence on the Applicable Sites. In
               such event, OpenSite will have 60 days (from the date of E@H's
               written notification to deliver a written notice to E@H
               terminating this Agreement. If OpenSite elects to terminate under
               this Section 2(b), it will continue to purchase the services and
               Advertising provided in Section 2 hereof for the balance of the
               E@H 120-day notice period. Upon the expiration of such notice
               period OpenSite would have no further monetary obligations
               hereunder. Absent such 120 notice to OpenSite from Excite
               regarding a proposed Content Presence, in the event that Opensite
               delivers a written notice terminating under this Section 2 b),
               the cure period described in section 13 b) shall apply.

          c)   The Parties acknowledge that E@H has formed and will continue to
               form relationships with third party Dynamic Pricing Technology
               Services Providers related to all sites other than the Applicable
               Sites, and these relationships shall have no effect on this
               Agreement or any rights and liabilities pursuant to this
               Agreement.

2A.  INSERTION ORDER.

     a)   During the Term of this Agreement, OpenSite will purchase Advertising
          and other services from MatchLogic as specified in separate Insertion
          Orders ("IO"). The actual IOs must be agreed to in writing and signed
          by the parties' respective representatives prior to becoming
          effective. The IO will be subject to the E&H standard terms and
          conditions (attached hereto as EXHIBIT B) as they may be amended for
          general use by E@H or Matchlogic from time to time. In the event of
          any inconsistencies between this Agreement and the attached Exhibit B,
          Exhibit B shall control. The parties expect that changes to the
          agreed-upon advertising placements may be desirable at various points
          during the term of this advertising commitment. In the event that one
          or more of the defined placements or services do not perform to
          OpenSite's satisfaction or are no longer available, or the Utilization
          Rate falls below 10%, the parties will negotiate in good faith to
          develop new target parameters. In addition, the parties will negotiate
          in good faith to replace the IO describing such placement or service
          with an IO describing a new placement or service of similar value.
          OpenSite shall not be charged any penalty fees for such changes.
          The parties will not make such changes more than once per calendar
          quarter.

Pursuant to the IO(s) (attached in Exhibit B) OpenSite agrees to pay for
Advertising and other services from E@H and Matchlogic in the following
minimum amounts:

          (i)   From the time of execution hereof through March 31, 2001: $4
                million;

          (ii)  From April 1, 2001 through March 31, 2002: $5 million; and

          (iii) From April 1, 2002 through March 31, 2003: $6 million.

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                         Page 4

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CONFIDENTIAL

          The parties intend that foregoing spending obligations will be applied
          ratably, $8 million to Applicable Sites and $7 million to MatchLogic.
          Payments related to the Applicable Sites will be for Advertising
          services used approximately ratably throughout the relevant period.
          Payments for Matchlogic services (to be mutually agreed upon) will be
          made for services, including those targeted specifically to
          business-to-business markets, and advertising spending on third party
          sites as and when incurred and/or directed by OpenSite, during the
          relevant period. All services and Advertising purchased from E@H and
          MatchLogic by OpenSite pursuant to this Section shall be at prices for
          services and CPMs which are no more than competitive market rates, and
          no less favorable than other similar reasonably contemporaneous
          services and Advertising arrangements between Work.com and MatchLogic,
          on the one hand, and entities similarly situated to OpenSite on the
          other.

3.   CO-MARKETING.

     a)   E@H will feature the Co-branded Sites prominently throughout the
          Applicable Sites, subject to OpenSite's right to review and approve
          the specific uses of the OpenSite and BidStream brands, such approval
          not to be unreasonably withheld.

     b)   OpenSite will receive such brand attribution on the Co-branded sites
          as the Parties may mutually agree, and as is consistent with E@H
          co-brand standards.

     c)   E@H will use commercially reasonable efforts to feature OpenSite in
          relevant public statements including, but not limited to, relevant
          press releases, releases regarding OpenSite's participation in E@H's
          Applicable Sites launch events, sales promotions, and trade shows at
          E@H's discretion, with review approval of OpenSite. Specifically, E@H
          and OpenSite will issue a joint press release at or about the time of
          execution hereof stating that E@H has chosen OpenSite to be its
          preferred Dynamic Pricing Technology Services Provider for the
          Applicable Sites. Each party will designate a marketing coordinator
          who will serve as the main point of contact for the other party
          regarding joint marketing activities. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
          the parties agree that there shall be no statements or releases made
          by OpenSite regarding any possible or actual equity investments
          without the express prior written approval of E@H, and Opensite shall
          indemnify E@H against any such OpenSite breach.

4.   AUCTIONNOW AVAILABILITY.

     a)   Subject to the terms of the Services Level Agreement (SLA) between the
          parties and attached hereto as Exhibit A, OpenSite will host (arrange
          for the placement of the Software on servers at a remote third party
          site), and maintain, at E@H expense, the AuctionNow Software as
          available through the Applicable Sites in accordance with
          specifications to be mutually agreed by the Parties.

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                         Page 5

<PAGE>   6
CONFIDENTIAL

     b)   E@H will bear all system operation software and or service technology
          costs, hardware costs, Gallery end-user customer service costs and
          operation costs incurred in connection with the operation of
          AuctionNow as available through the Applicable Sites.

     c)   Administration of the Software and the use by end-users of the
          Galleries will be the responsibility of E@H, which will also be the
          sole point of contact for the Gallery end-users.

5.   I/MALL TRANSACTION PROCESSING.

          The parties will negotiate in good faith to evaluate the use of
          "I/Mall" as one of the transaction processing engines to which the
          Software is integrated.

6.   SALE OF ADVERTISING.

          E@H and or Matchlogic shall have the right sell and serve all
          Advertising an the Applicable Sites, Co-branded Sites and
          participating OpenSite-powered auctions, which shall include but not
          be limited to banner advertising and E@H sponsorship module
          advertising. OpenSite will work with E@H, and use its commercially
          reasonable efforts to accommodate E@H's technical requirements, to
          serve targeted banners and sponsorship placement$, and to create and
          target additional Advertising positions within the Co-branded Sites
          and elsewhere.

7.   AUCTIONNOW REVENUE.

          E@H will use commercially reasonable efforts to promote the
          availability of the Software on the Applicable Sites and to generate
          Software-related revenue from making auctions available through the
          Applicable Sites using the Software.

8.   PAYMENTS.

     a)   During the term of this Agreement, E@H shall pay to OpenSite
          seventy-five percent (75%) of all gross Software-related revenue from
          the conduct of auctions on the Applicable Sites and net Advertising
          revenue, (net of out-of-costs of sale, not to exceed 17%) derived
          from the sale of Advertising on the Co-branded Sites, until such time
          as cumulative payments to OpenSite pursuant to all provisions of this
          Agreement equal or exceed two million dollars ($2,000,000) prior to
          March 31, 2001, or three million dollars ($3,000,000) during the
          period from April 1, 2001 through March 31, 2002, or four million
          dollars ($4,000,000) during the period from April 1, 2002 through
          March 31, 2003. The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of all gross
          Software-related revenue from the conduct of auctions on the
          Applicable Sites and net

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                         Page 6

<PAGE>   7
CONFIDENTIAL

          Advertising revenue shall be retained by E@H. Once any threshhold
          described, in this Section 8 (a) has been reached, the parties will
          thereafter share the revenue described therein equally.

     b)   Payments of the fees described herein shall be due and payable within
          thirty (30) days after the close of the calendar month in which either
          party realizes the revenue derived from these transactions. OpenSite's
          designated point of contact for billing and fee purposes is Vice
          President, Finance at the address listed above, and E@H's designated
          point of contact for billing and fee purposes is Controller at the
          address listed above. Either party may change the designations in this
          subsection by providing written notice to the other.

     c)   E@H will make commercially reasonable business reports and
          documentation available to OpenSite an a periodic basis, not less
          frequently than quarterly, that will provide the basis for all revenue
          sharing calculations required hereunder. OpenSite will have a right to
          audit such calculations during normal business hours through a
          nationally recognized accounting firm, not more frequently than once
          annually, at its own expense.

9.   (REMOVED BY AGREEMENT)

10.  TRADEMARK OWNERSHIP.

     a)   OpenSite will retain all right, title and interest in and to its
          trademarks, service marks and trade names worldwide, subject to the
          limited license granted to E@H hereunder.

     b)   OpenSite will retain all right, title and interest in and to its
          OpenSite, BidStream.com and other proprietary Web sites worldwide
          including, but not limited to, ownership of all copyrights, look and
          feel and other intellectual property rights therein.

     c)   E@H will retain all right, title, and interest in and to its
          broadband and narrowband sites, including but not limited to the
          Work.com site, the @Home site, the Excite site, the Webcrawler site,
          and the C2000 site worldwide including, but not limited to, ownership
          of all copyrights, look and feel and other intellectual property
          rights therein.

     d)   E@H will retain all right, title and interest in and to its
          trademarks, service marks and trade names worldwide, subject to the
          limited license granted to OpenSite hereunder.

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                         Page 7

<PAGE>   8
     e)   Each party hereby grants to the other a non-exclusive, limited license
          to use its trademarks, service marks or trade names only as
          specifically described in this Agreement. All such use shall be in
          accordance with each party's reasonable policies regarding such usage
          as established from time to time.

     f)   Upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement, each party will
          cease using the software and/or service technologies, trademarks,
          service marks and/or trade names of the other except:

          i)   As the Parties may agree in writing; or

          ii)  To the extent permitted by applicable law.

11.  LICENSE.

     a)   OpenSite hereby grants to E@H, for the Term of this Agreement, a non-
          exclusive license to use the AuctionNow Software and Documentation
          (1500 Galleries of up to 1000 items each) in accordance with the terms
          and conditions of the OpenSite license agreement attached hereto as
          EXHIBIT C at an annual fee of $250,000, payable in advance, plus $125
          per Gallery per year for each Gallery used in excess of one thousand
          five hundred (1500).

     b)   OpenSite hereby grants to E@H, for the Term of this Agreement, a non-
          exclusive license to use the DYNAMIC PRICING ENGINE TOOLKIT
          Software and Documentation in accordance with the terms and conditions
          of the OpenSite license agreement attached hereto as EXHIBIT D.

     c)   E@H acknowledges that OpenSite retains title to and ownership of and
          all proprietary rights with respect to the AuctionNow or DYNAMIC
          PRICING ENGINE TOOLKIT Software and Documentation. The AuctionNow or
          DYNAMIC PRICING ENGINE TOOLKIT Software and Documentation are or may
          be protected by patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and/or
          other laws and international treaty provisions. The AuctionNow or
          DYNAMIC PRICING ENGINE TOOLKIT Software and Documentation are licensed
          and not sold.

12.  SUPPORT.

     OpenSite will provide telephone and email support for THE DYNAMIC PRICING
     ENGINE TOOLKIT Software and Documentation to E@H during the Term pursuant
     to the maintenance and support agreement attached hereto as EXHIBIT F.
     Further, OpenSite will provide telephone and email support for the
     AuctionNow Software and Documentation to E@H during the Term pursuant to
     the maintenance and support agreement attached hereto as EXHIBIT E.

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                         Page 8

<PAGE>   9
CONFIDENTIAL

13.  TERM AND TERMINATION.

     a)   This Agreement will begin on the Effective Date and will continue
          until March 31, 2003 (the "Term") unless terminated in accordance with
          the provisions of this Agreement.

     b)   Either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the
          other party if the other party materially fails to perform or observe
          any of its obligations under this Agreement and such failure cannot be
          remedied or, if remediable, is not cured within sixty (60) days after
          written notice thereof from the terminating party.

     c)   Upon the consummation of a merger, acquisition, or similar transaction
          (excluding an IPO) through which a change in more than 50% of the
          equity ownership of OpenSite occurs, OpenSite shall have 30 days to
          terminate this Agreement. In the event of a termination under this
          Section 13(c) OpenSite shall pay to E@H an amount equal to five (5)
          percent of the balance of its spending commitment hereunder, without
          regard to any early termination of this Agreement under Section 13(d)
          hereof. Such amount shall be payable ratably over a period of eighteen
          (18) months following the notification of termination hereunder. In
          the event of such a merger, acquisition or similar transaction, in
          which a change of more than 50% of the equity ownership of OpenSite
          occurs, if OpenSite does not elect to terminate this Agreement, the
          parties agree that the Matchlogic related spending commitment
          described in 2A may be reached by OpenSite spending for the benefit of
          either a) OpenSite or b) the acquiring or newly controlling company,
          subject to Matchlogic's reasonable approval.

     d)   If aggregate payments to OpenSite pursuant to all provisions of this
          Agreement for the period from the Effective Date to March 31, 2002 do
          not equal or exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000), either party
          shall have the right to terminate the agreement on 60 days written
          notice; provided, however, that if Opensite offers Work.com (as an
          Independent entity) an opportunity to purchase OpenSite Common Stock
          and if WORK.COM (as an Independent entity) accepts such offer and
          makes an investment, and provided Work.com (as an independent entity)
          does not reduce such investment by selling any portion of the
          investment from the time initially made until March 31, 2002, then
          neither party shall have any right to terminate under this Section
          13(d (this must reference this particular sub section)). The parties
          agree that no public statement may be made about this Section 13(d)
          without the express prior written consent of both parties and that
          failure to acquire express prior written consent of both parties shall
          be a material breach of the Agreement.

     e)   If the quality of the Software or the services provided to the
          Gallery end users using the Software are not at least comparable to
          other similar service(s) on the Internet, based on ranking by a
          cross-section of third party reviewers (to be agreed to by E@H and
          OpenSite), in terms of features and functionality

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                         Page 9

<PAGE>   10
CONFIDENTIAL

     including user interface, product services, accessibility and reliability
     (the. "Default Standard"), E@H or OpenSite, as the case may be, shall
     notify the other in writing, and such other shall use its best efforts to
     bring the Software or service to the Default Standard. If the notifying
     party determines that the other party has not met the Default Standard
     within sixty (60) days following such notification, the notifying party may
     terminate this Agreement upon 30 day's written notice.

     f)   All undisputed payments that have accrued prior to the termination or
          expiration of this Agreement will be payable in full within thirty
          (30) days thereof.

     g)   The provisions of Section 14 (Confidentiality and User Data), Section
          15 (Indemnity), (Limitation of Liability) and Section 16 i) (Dispute
          Resolution) will survive any termination or expiration of this
          Agreement.

14.  CONFIDENTIALITY AND USER DATA.

     a)   For the purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means
          information about the disclosing party's (or its suppliers') business
          or activities that is proprietary and confidential, which shall
          include all business, financial, technical and other information of a
          party marked or designated by such party as "confidential or
          proprietary" or information which, by the nature of the circumstances
          surrounding the disclosure, ought in good faith to be treated as
          confidential. This Section 14 imposes no obligation on either party
          with respect to Confidential Information which it can clearly
          establish (a) was in the possession of or was known by it without an
          obligation to maintain its confidentiality prior to its receipt from
          the other party; (b) is or becomes generally known to the public
          without violation of this Agreement; (c) is obtained from a third
          party having the right to disclose it without an obligation of
          confidentiality; or (d) was independently developed without
          participation of individuals who have had access to the Confidential
          or proprietary Information. Either party may disclose Confidential or
          proprietary Information to the extent required by a court of competent
          jurisdiction or other governmental authority or otherwise as required
          by law provided it gives the other party written notice of the
          proposed disclosure with sufficient time to seek relief and that such
          disclosure, if made, is made in a fashion to maximize the protection
          of the Confidential Information from further disclosure or (ii) on a
          "need-to-know" basis under an obligation of confidentiality to its
          legal counsel, accountants, banks and other financing sources and
          their advisors. Each party shall notify, inform and bind its employees
          and contractors to all limitations, duties and obligations regarding
          use, access to, and nondisclosure of Confidential or proprietary
          Information.

     b)   Each party agrees (i) that it will not disclose to any third party or
          use any Confidential Information disclosed to it by the other except
          as expressly permitted in this Agreement and (ii) that it will take
          all reasonable measures to maintain the confidentiality of all
          Confidential Information of the other party in

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                        Page 10

<PAGE>   11
CONFIDENTIAL

     its possession or control, which will in no event be less than the measures
     it uses to maintain the confidentiality of its own information of similar
     importance.

     c)   For the purposes of this Agreement, "User Data" means information
          submitted by users of the Applicable Site(s) or the Co-branded Site(s)
          during the Term of the Agreement. Both Parties will retain all rights
          to make use of any User Data obtained through this Agreement.

     d)   Neither party will use User Data to specifically target any users of
          the other party's sites, as distinct from all users of such party's
          sites, for solicitations (except as specifically provided in this
          Agreement), either individually or in the aggregate, during the Term
          of this Agreement and for a period of twelve (12) months following the
          expiration or termination of this Agreement.

     e)   Neither party will sell, disclose, transfer or rent any User Data
          which could reasonably be used to identify a specific named individual
          ("Individual Data") to any third party nor will either party use
          Individual Data on behalf of any third party without the express
          permission of the individual user. Where user permission for
          dissemination of Individual Data to third Parties has been obtained,
          each party will use commercially reasonable efforts to require the
          third party recipients of Individual Data to provide an "unsubscribe"
          feature in any email communications generated by, or on behalf of, the
          third party recipients of Individual Data. Neither party will make any
          use of any User or Confidential Data which is adverse to the
          competitive interests of the other without the prior written
          permission of such other.

15.  WARRANTIES, INDEMNITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

     a)   Each party hereby represents and warrants that it is duly organized
          and has the unrestricted right to enter into and perform this
          Agreement.

     b)   OpenSite will indemnify, defend and hold harmless E@H, its affiliates,
          officers, directors, employees, consultants and agents from any and
          all third party claims, liability, damages and/or costs (including,
          but not limited to, attorneys fees) arising from:

          i)   Its breach of any representation or covenant in this Agreement;
               or

          ii)  Any claim arising from the OpenSite Site, or any OpenSite
               supplied material, content or services on the Co-Branded site
               excluding material, content or services provided by E@H.

     c)   E@H will promptly notify OpenSite of any and all such claims and will
          reasonably cooperate with OpenSite with the defense and/or settlement
          thereof; provided that, if any settlement requires an affirmative
          obligation of, results in any ongoing liability to or prejudices or
          detrimentally impacts E@H in any way and such obligation, liability,
          prejudice or impact can reasonably be expected to

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                        Page 11

<PAGE>   12
CONFIDENTIAL

          be material, then such settlement shall require E@H'S written consent
          (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and E@H may have its own
          counsel in attendance at all proceedings and substantive negotiations
          relating to such claim.

     d)   E@H will indemnify, defend and hold harmless OpenSite, its affiliates,
          officers, directors, employees, consultants and agents from any and
          all third party claims, liability, damages and/or costs (including,
          but not limited to, attorneys fees) arising from:

          i)   Its breach of any representation or covenant in this Agreement;
               or

          ii)  Any claim arising from the E@H Site(s) other than material,
               content or services provided by OpenSite.

     e)   OpenSite will promptly notify E@H of any and all such claims and will
          reasonably cooperate with E@H with the defense and/or settlement
          thereof; provided that, if any settlement requires an affirmative
          obligation of, results in any ongoing liability to or prejudices or
          detrimentally impacts OpenSite in any way and such obligation,
          liability, prejudice or impact can reasonably be expected to be
          material, then such settlement shall require OpenSite's written
          consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and OpenSite may
          have its own counsel in attendance at all proceedings and substantive
          negotiations relating to such claim.

     f)   EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY
          WARRANTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT AND
          HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE,
          INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
          PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

     g)   IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, PUNITIVE,
          SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE IN CONNECTION WITH OR
          ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, USE, DATA OR
          OTHER ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE), HOWEVER IT MAY ARISE, WHETHER FOR BREACH OF
          THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING BREACH OF WARRANTY, OR IN TORT, EVEN IF THAT
          PARTY HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
          LIABILITY FOR SUCH INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR
          CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE SHALL BE EXCLUDED EVEN IF THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES
          PROVIDED FOR IN THIS AGREEMENT FAIL OF THEIR ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                        Page 12

<PAGE>   13
CONFIDENTIAL

16.      MISCELLANEOUS.

     a)   FORCE MAJEURE. Any delay in or failure of performance by either party
          under this Agreement will not be considered a breach of this
          Agreement and will be excused to the extent caused by any occurrence
          beyond the reasonable control of such party including, but not limited
          to, acts of God, power outages and governmental restrictions, so long
          as the party so effected gives prompt notice and makes all reasonable
          efforts to perform. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no case shall
          performance be excused for a period in excess of six (6) months.

     b)   COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW. The Parties agree to comply strictly
          with all such laws and regulations applicable to this Agreement.

     c)   INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. The Parties are independent contractors under
          this Agreement and no other relationship is intended, including a
          partnership, franchise, joint venture, agency or employer/employee
          relationship. Neither party shall act in a manner that expresses or
          implies a relationship other than that of independent contractor, nor
          may either party bind the other party. Neither party makes any
          representation to the other of any minimum benefit that may be derived
          by a Party hereunder.

     d)   CONFIDENTIALITY OF TERMS. Pursuant to Section 14, "Confidential
          Information and User Data", the terms and conditions of this Agreement
          shall be considered Confidential Information of both Parties and may
          not be disclosed without the prior written consent of the other party;
          provided, however, that either party may describe this Agreement in
          any filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission to the extent
          it determines is advisable or desirable but may not include a copy of
          this Agreement as an exhibit to any such filings without the prior
          written consent of the other party.

     e)   NOTICE. Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing and
          delivered by personal delivery, express courier, confirmed facsimile,
          confirmed email or certified or registered mail, return receipt
          requested, and will be deemed effective upon personal delivery, one
          (1) day after deposit with express courier, upon confirmation of
          receipt of facsimile or email or five (5) days after deposit in the
          mail.

               FOR NOTICE TO E@H: General Counsel
               Excite@Home, Inc., 450 Broadway Street
               Redwood City, CA 94063 Fax (650) 556-3430

               FOR NOTICE TO OPENSITE: Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs
               OpenSite Technologies, Inc. 2800 Meridian Parkway
               Durham, NC 27713 Fax (919) 544-9367

     f)   ASSIGNMENT. Neither party may assign this Agreement, in whole or in
          part, without the other party's written consent (which will not be
          unreasonably

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                        Page 13

<PAGE>   14
CONFIDENTIAL

          withheld), except that no such consent will be required in connection
          with a merger, reorganization or sale of all, or substantially all,
          of such party's capital stock or assets; or (ii) Excite@Home's
          assignment of this Agreement to a third party formed for the purpose
          of developing, managing and maintaining the Work.com Site. Any attempt
          to assign this Agreement other than as permitted above will be null
          and void.

     g)   NO WAIVER. Any waiver of any provision of this Agreement, or delay by
          either party in the enforcement of any right hereunder, shall neither
          be construed as a continuing waiver nor create an expectation of
          non-enforcement of that or any other right.

     h)   SAVINGS. If any term or provision of this Agreement is found to be
          invalid under any applicable statute or rule of law, then that
          provision notwithstanding, this Agreement shall remain in full force
          and effect and only such provision shall be deemed omitted, unless
          such an omission would frustrate the intent of the Parties with
          respect to any material aspect of the relationship established hereby,
          in which case, this Agreement shall terminate.

     i)   DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The Parties agree that any breach of either of the
          Parties' obligations regarding trademarks, service marks or trade
          names, confidentiality and/or User Data would result in irreparable
          injury for which there is no adequate remedy at law. Therefore, in the
          event of any breach or threatened breach of a party's obligations
          regarding trademarks, service marks or trade names or confidentiality,
          the aggrieved party will be entitled to seek equitable relief in
          addition to its other available legal remedies in a court of competent
          jurisdiction.

          i)   Disputes arising between the Parties hereunder regarding
               trademarks, service marks or trade names, confidentiality and/or
               User Data are subject to the following two requirements: (1)
               OpenSite may only commence proceedings regarding trademarks,
               service marks or trade names, confidentiality and/or User Data
               against E@H in a state or federal court sitting in California,
               applying California law without regard to its choice of law
               provisions, and (2) E@H may only commence legal proceedings
               regarding trademarks, service marks or trade names,
               confidentiality and/or User Data against OpenSite in a state or
               federal court sitting in North Carolina, applying North Carolina
               law, law without regard to its choice of law provisions, provided
               that once litigation is initiated by one of the Parties, the
               other may assert counterclaims in those proceedings.

          ii)  In the event of disputes between the Parties arising from or
               concerning in any manner the subject matter of this Agreement,
               other than disputes arising from or concerning trademarks,
               service marks or trade names, confidentiality and/or User Data,
               the Parties will first attempt to resolve

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                        Page 14
<PAGE>   15
CONFIDENTIAL

               the dispute(s) through good faith negotiation. Such negotiation
               must include at a minimum a meeting, in person, between the
               Chief Executive Officers of the parties hereto in an attempt to
               resolve the dispute. In the event that the dispute(s) cannot be
               resolved through such good faith negotiation, the Parties will
               refer the dispute(s) to a mutually acceptable mediator in the
               city or county in which the defendant has its principle place of
               business.

          iii) In the event that disputes between the Parties arising from or
               concerning in any manner the subject matter of this Agreement,
               other than disputes arising from or concerning trademarks,
               service marks or trade names, confidentiality and/or User Data,
               cannot be resolved through good faith negotiation or mediation,
               the Parties will refer the dispute(s) to the American Arbitration
               Association for resolution through binding arbitration by a
               single arbitrator pursuant to the American Arbitration
               Association's rules applicable to commercial disputes in the city
               or county in which the defendant has its principle place of
               business.

     j)   PAROLE EVIDENCE. This Agreement is the Parties' entire understanding
          and agreement with respect to its subject matter. It supersedes all
          prior or contemporaneous oral or written communications, proposals,
          warranties and representations with respect to its subject
          acknowledgment, or similar communication between the Parties during
          the term of this Agreement. No modification to this Agreement will be
          binding, unless in writing and signed by a duly authorized
          representative of each party.

     k)   COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
          which, when taken together, will serve to evidence the Parties'
          binding agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by
their duly authorized representatives.

OpenSite Technologies, Inc.                        Excite@Home, Inc.

By: /s/ Thomas F. Hanlon, III         By:
   -------------------------------         ------------------------------
Name: Thomas F. Hanlon, III           Name:
   -------------------------------         ------------------------------
Title: V.P. of Sales & B.P.           Title:
   -------------------------------         ------------------------------
Date:   12/27/99                      Date
   -------------------------------         ------------------------------

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                        Page 15

<PAGE>   16
CONFIDENTIAL

OpenSite Technologies, Inc.                        Excite@Home, Inc.

By:                                     By: /s/ Donald P. Hutchison
   -------------------------------         ------------------------------
Name:                                 Name: Donald P. Hutchison
   -------------------------------         ------------------------------
Title:                    .           Title: SVP
   -------------------------------         ------------------------------
Date:                                 Date 12/27/99
   -------------------------------         ------------------------------

                                   EXHIBIT A

                            SERVICES LEVEL AGREEMENT

                                  OpenSite/E@H

                                                                        Page 16

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