Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

                                 EARTHLINK, INC.
                              STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I  DEFINITIONS.........................................................1
     1.01. Acceleration Date...................................................1
     1.02. Administrator.......................................................1
     1.03. Agreement...........................................................1
     1.04. Board...............................................................1
     1.05. Cause...............................................................1
     1.06. Change in Control...................................................1
     1.07. Code................................................................2
     1.08. Committee...........................................................2
     1.09. Common Stock........................................................2
     1.10. Company.............................................................2
     1.11. Control Change Date.................................................2
     1.12. Employee............................................................2
     1.13. Exchange Act........................................................2
     1.14. Fair Market Value...................................................2
     1.15. Incentive Stock Option..............................................2
     1.16. Nonqualified Stock Option...........................................2
     1.17. Option..............................................................3
     1.18. Participant.........................................................3
     1.19. Permitted Transferees...............................................3
     1.20. Person..............................................................3
     1.21. Plan................................................................3
     1.22. Subsidiary..........................................................3
     1.23. Ten Percent Shareholder.............................................3
     1.24. Voting Stock........................................................3
ARTICLE II  PURPOSES...........................................................3
ARTICLE III  ADMINISTRATION....................................................4
ARTICLE IV  ELIGIBILITY........................................................4
ARTICLE V  STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN...............................................4
     5.01. Shares Issued.......................................................4
     5.02. Aggregate Limits....................................................4
     5.03. Individual Limits...................................................5
     5.04. Reallocation of Shares..............................................5
ARTICLE VI  TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ALL OPTIONS................................5
     6.01. Grants..............................................................5
     6.02. Option Price........................................................5
     6.03. Maximum Option Period...............................................5
     6.04. Nontransferability..................................................5
     6.05. Employee Status.....................................................6
     6.06. Change in Control...................................................6
     6.07. Exercise............................................................6
     6.08. Performance Objectives..............................................7
     6.09. Payment.............................................................7
     6.10. Shareholder Rights..................................................7
     6.11. Forfeiture Provisions...............................................7
     6.12. Other Conditions....................................................8

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     7.01. Reload Provision....................................................8
ARTICLE VII ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF INCENTIVE STOCK
        OPTIONS................................................................8
    7.01. Employee Status......................................................8
    7.02. Exercise Price.......................................................8
    7.03. Aggregate Exercise Limits............................................8
    7.04. Restrictions on Ten-Percent Shareholders.............................9
    7.05. Validity of Options..................................................9
    7.05. Notification Upon Sell...............................................9
ARTICLE VIII  LIMITATION ON BENEFITS...........................................9
ARTICLE IX  ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK............................10
ARTICLE X  COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES..............10
   10.01. Compliance..........................................................11
    7.01. Postponement of Exercise............................................11
ARTICLE XI  GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................11
   11.01. Effect on Employment and Service....................................11
   11.02. Unfunded Plan.......................................................12
   11.03. Tax Withholding.....................................................12
   11.04. Governing Law.......................................................12
ARTICLE XII  AMENDMENT........................................................12
ARTICLE XIII  DURATION OF PLAN................................................13
ARTICLE XIV  EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN...........................................13
ARTICLE XV  RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.............................................13

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                                 EARTHLINK, INC.
                              STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

1.01. ACCELERATION DATE means the earlier of (i) the date that the Board
approves a transaction or series of transactions that, if consummated, would
result in a Change in Control or (ii) the date that an agreement is entered into
with respect to a transaction or series of transactions that, if consummated,
would result in a Change in Control.

1.02. ADMINISTRATOR means the Committee and any delegate of the Committee that
is appointed in accordance with Article III.

1.03. AGREEMENT means a written agreement (including any amendment or supplement
thereto) between the Company and a Participant specifying the terms and
conditions of an Option granted to the Participant.

1.04. BOARD means the Board of Directors of the Company.

1.05. CAUSE means (i) the Participant's willful and repeated failure to comply
with the lawful directives of the Board, the Board of Directors of any
Subsidiary or any supervisory personnel of the Participant, (ii) any criminal
act or act of dishonesty or willful misconduct by the Participant that has a
material adverse affect on the property, operations, business or reputation of
the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) the material breach by the Participant of
the terms of any confidentiality or noncompetition agreement that the
Participant has with the Company or any Subsidiary or (iv) acts by the
Participant of willful malfeasance or gross negligence in a matter of material
importance to the Company or any Subsidiary. For purposes of the Plan, in no
event shall any termination of employment be deemed for Cause unless the
Company's Chief Executive Officer concludes that the situation warrants a
determination that the Participant's employment terminated for Cause; in the
case of the Chief Executive Officer, any determination that the Chief Executive
Officer's employment terminated for Cause shall be made by the Board acting
without the Chief Executive Officer.

1.06. CHANGE IN CONTROL means the occurrence of any of the following: (i)(a) the
Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, another Person, (b) there is
a merger, reorganization, consolidation, share exchange or other transaction
involving the Voting Stock of the Company, (c) the Company sells, assigns,
conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company to any Person, (d) any Person consolidates with, or
merges with or into, the Company, or (e) any similar event, where with respect
to each of the events described in (a) through (e) the outstanding Voting Stock
of the Company is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other
property, except that none of the foregoing events will constitute a Change in
Control where the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is converted into or
exchanged for Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee Person and the
beneficial owners of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately before such
event own, directly or indirectly, Voting Stock representing not less than 60
percent of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee
Person immediately after such event, or (ii) any

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transaction that results in any person, other than a trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company,
beneficially owning Voting Stock of the Company representing, directly or
indirectly, 40 percent or more of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the
Company, or (iii) the approval by the holders of Voting Stock of the Company
of any plan or proposal for liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (iv)
the consummation of any other transaction that a majority of the Board, in
its sole and absolute discretion, determines constitutes a Change in Control
for purposes of this Plan.

1.07. CODE means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

1.08. COMMITTEE means the Compensation Committee of the Board, if the Board
appoints one, or the Board itself if no Compensation Committee is appointed. If
such Compensation Committee is appointed, if and to the extent deemed necessary
by the Board, such Compensation Committee shall consist of two or more
non-employee outside directors, all of whom are "non-employee directors" within
the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and "outside directors" within
the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

1.09. COMMON STOCK means the voting common stock, $.01 par value per share, of
the Company.

1.10. COMPANY means EarthLink, Inc.

1.11. CONTROL CHANGE DATE means the date on which a Change in Control occurs. If
a Change in Control occurs on account of a series of transactions, the "Control
Change Date" is the date of the last of such transactions.

1.12. EMPLOYEE means any person whom the Company or any Subsidiary employs under
the rules of Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

1.13. EXCHANGE ACT means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

1.14. FAIR MARKET VALUE means, on any given date, the fair market value of a
share of Common Stock as the Administrator in its discretion shall determine;
provided, however, that the Administrator shall determine Fair Market Value
without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms,
will never lapse and, if the shares of Common Stock are traded on any stock
exchange, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing
price of a share of Common Stock as reported on such stock exchange on such
date, or if the shares of Common Stock are not traded on such stock exchange on
such date, then on the next preceding day that the shares of Common Stock were
traded on such stock exchange, all as reported by such source as the
Administrator shall select. The Fair Market Value that the Administrator
determines shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and each
Participant.

1.15. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION means an Option that is subject to Section 422 of
the Code.

1.16. NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION means an Option that is not subject to Section
422 of the Code.

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1.17. OPTION means a stock option that entitles the holder to purchase from the
Company a stated number of shares of Common Stock at the price set forth in the
Agreement that specifies the terms and conditions of the Option.

1.18. PARTICIPANT means an Employee, contractor, agent or other service provider
of the Company or any Subsidiary, including a member of the Board, who satisfies
the requirements of Article IV and who the Administrator selects to receive an
Option.

1.19. PERMITTED TRANSFEREES means, with respect to any Person that is a natural
person, (i) such individual's spouse, estate, lineal descendants, heirs,
executors, legal representatives and administrators and (ii) any trust for the
benefit of any of the foregoing, and with respect to any Person that is not a
natural person, any other Person controlled by such Person.

1.20. PERSON means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or
political subdivision thereof or any other entity of any kind.

1.21. PLAN means the EarthLink, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.

1.22. SUBSIDIARY means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken
chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if at the time of the granting
of the Option, each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the
unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50 percent or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such
chain.

1.23. TEN PERCENT SHAREHOLDER means any individual who (considering the stock
attribution rules described in Section 424(d) of the Code) owns stock possessing
more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
of the Company, its parent within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code or
any Subsidiary.

1.24. VOTING STOCK with respect to any specified Person means any class or
classes of stock of the specified Person pursuant to which the holders thereof
have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a
majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of the specified
Person.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                    PURPOSES

This Plan is intended to assist the Company and its Subsidiaries in recruiting
and retaining individuals with ability and initiative by enabling such persons
to participate in the future success of the Company and to associate their
interests with those of the Company and its shareholders. The Plan is intended
to permit the grant of Options. The proceeds the Company receives from the sale
of Common Stock pursuant to any Participant's exercise of an Option shall be
used for general corporate purposes.

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                                   ARTICLE III

                                 ADMINISTRATION

The Administrator shall have the complete authority to grant Options on such
terms (not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan), as the Administrator
may consider appropriate. Such terms may include conditions (in addition to
those contained in this Plan) on the exercisability of all or any part of an
Option. The Administrator also shall administer the Plan. The Administrator
shall have the complete authority to interpret all provisions of this Plan; to
prescribe the form of Agreements; to accelerate the exercisability of an Option;
to adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations pertaining to the
administration of the Plan; and to make all other determinations necessary or
advisable for the administration of this Plan. The express grant in the Plan of
any specific power to the Administrator shall not be construed as limiting any
power or authority of the Administrator. Any decision or action of the
Administrator in connection with the administration of this Plan shall be final
and conclusive. Neither the Administrator nor any member of the Committee shall
be liable for any act done in good faith with respect to this Plan, any
Agreement or any Option. The Company shall bear all expenses of administering
this Plan. The Administrator, in its discretion, may delegate to one or more
officers of the Company or another committee of the Board, all or part of the
Administrator's authority and duties with respect to grants of Options to
Participants who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of
Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms
of such delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior
actions of the Administrator's delegate or delegates that were consistent with
the terms of the Plan.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   ELIGIBILITY

Any Employee, contractor, consultant, agent or other service provider of the
Company or any Subsidiary (including a corporation that becomes a Subsidiary
after the adoption of this Plan) is eligible to receive Options if the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, determines that such person has
contributed significantly or can be expected to contribute significantly to the
profits or growth of the Company or any Subsidiary. Members of the Board or the
Board of Directors of any Subsidiary also may receive Options.

                                    ARTICLE V

                              STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

5.01. SHARES ISSUED. On the exercise of any Option, the Company may deliver to
the Participant (or the Participant's broker if the Participant so directs)
shares of Common Stock from its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock
or from reacquired shares of Common Stock.

5.02. AGGREGATE LIMITS. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be
issued under this Plan pursuant to the exercise of Options is 20,000,000 shares
of Common Stock. The maximum number of shares shall be subject to adjustment as
provided in Article IX.

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5.03. INDIVIDUAL LIMITS. Subject to the other limitations set forth in this
Plan, no individual may, in any calendar year, be granted aggregate Options
covering more than 750,000 shares of Common Stock. If an Option that a
Participant holds is canceled, the canceled Option shall continue to be counted
against the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which Options may be
granted to the Participant in any calendar year and any replacement Options
granted to such Participant in replacement of the canceled Options also shall
count against such maximum limit. The maximum number of shares that may be
granted in any calendar year to any individual shall be subject to adjustment as
provided in Article IX.

5.04. REALLOCATION OF SHARES. If an Option is terminated, in whole or in part,
for any reason other than its exercise, the number of shares of Common Stock
allocated to the Option or the terminated portion thereof may be reallocated to
other Options to be granted under this Plan, subject to the aggregate limits
described above.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              TERMS AND CONDITIONS
                                 OF ALL OPTIONS

6.01. GRANTS. In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Administrator
will designate each individual to whom an Option is to be granted and will
specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such grant and whether
the Option is an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.
Incentive Stock Options also must comply with the provisions of Article VII.

6.02. OPTION PRICE. The Administrator on the date of grant shall determine the
price per share for Common Stock payable upon the exercise of an Option except
that the price per share for Common Stock shall not be less than the Fair Market
Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option.

6.03. MAXIMUM OPTION PERIOD. The Administrator on the date of grant shall
determine the maximum period in which an Option may be exercised, except that no
Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date such
Option is granted. The terms of any Option may provide that it is exercisable
for a period less than such maximum period.

6.04. NONTRANSFERABILITY.

         (a) Except as set forth in Section 6.04(b) below, each Option
granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution. In the event of any such transfer of an Option, the
Option must be transferred to the same person or persons or entity or entities.
Except as set forth in Section 6.04(b) below, during the lifetime of the
Participant to whom the Option is granted, only the Participant may exercise the
Option. No right or interest of a Participant in any Option shall be liable for,
or subject to, any lien, obligation or liability of such Participant.

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         (b) Notwithstanding Section 6.04(a) above, if the Agreement so
provides, an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option may be transferred by
the Participant to the Participant's children, grandchildren, spouse, one or
more trusts for the benefit of such family members or a partnership in which
such family members are the only partners, on such terms and conditions as the
Securities Exchange Commission Rule 16b-3 as in effect from time to time may
permit. Any such transfer will be permitted only if (i) the Participant does not
receive any consideration for the transfer and (ii) the transfer is expressly
approved by the Administrator. The holder of such Option shall be bound by the
same terms and conditions that govern the Option during the period the
Participant held it; provided, however, that such transferee may not transfer
such Option except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any such
transfer shall be evidenced by an appropriate written document executed by the
Participant, and a copy thereof shall be delivered to the Administrator on or
prior to the effective date of the transfer.

6.05. EMPLOYEE STATUS. In the event that the terms of any Option provide that it
may be exercised only during employment or within a specified period of time
after termination of employment, the Administrator may decide to what extent
leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary
disability or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of employment.

6.06. CHANGE IN CONTROL. Notwithstanding any provision of any Agreement, in the
event of or in anticipation of a Change in Control, the Administrator in its
discretion (i) may declare that some or all outstanding Options previously
granted under the Plan shall terminate as of a date on or after an Acceleration
Date or before or on the Control Change Date without any payment to the holder
of the Option, provided the Administrator gives prior written notice to the
Participants of such termination and gives such Participants the right to
exercise their outstanding Options before such date to the extent then
exercisable or (ii) may terminate on or after an Acceleration Date or before or
on the Control Change Date some or all outstanding Options previously granted
under the Plan in consideration of payment to the holder of the Option, with
respect to each share of Common Stock to which the Option is then exercisable,
of the excess of the Fair Market Value on such date of the Common Stock subject
to the exercisable portion of the Option over the Option price. The payment
described in (ii) above may be made in any manner the Administrator determines,
including in cash, Voting Stock or other property. The Administrator in its
discretion may take the actions described in (i) or (ii) above with respect to
some or all outstanding Options or on an Option-by-Option basis, which actions
need not be uniform with respect to all outstanding Options. The preceding
sentences to the contrary notwithstanding, the Options shall not be terminated
to the extent that written provision is made for their continuance, assumption
or substitution by a successor employer or its parent or subsidiary in
connection with the Change in Control.

6.07. EXERCISE. The Administrator in its discretion may but need not declare
that some or all outstanding Options previously granted under the Plan shall be
exercisable, in whole or in part, on the earlier of (i) immediately before the
time the Administrator takes either of the actions described in (i) or (ii) of
Section 6.06 above or (ii) as of the Control Change Date; if the Administration
makes such declaration, all such Options which became exercisable shall remain
exercisable thereafter in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the
applicable Agreement. The Administrator may act with respect to some or all
outstanding Options or on an Option-by-Option basis, which actions need not be
uniform for with respect to outstanding Options. Subject

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to the preceding sentences, an Option may be exercised in whole at any time
or in part from time to time at such times and in compliance with such
requirements as the Administrator shall determine and as set forth in the
Agreement. An Option granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to
any number of whole shares less than the full number of shares for which the
Option could be exercised. A partial exercise of an Option shall not affect
the right to exercise the Option from time to time in accordance with this
Plan and the applicable Agreement with respect to the remaining shares
subject to the Option.

6.08. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES. The Administrator may prescribe that an Option is
exercisable only to the extent that certain performance objectives are obtained.
Such performance objectives may be based on one or more of the Company's or any
Subsidiary's (i) gross, operating or net earnings before or after taxes, (ii)
return on equity, (iii) return on capital, (iv) return on sales, (v) return on
assets or net assets, (vi) earnings per share, (vii) cash flow per share, (viii)
book value per share, (ix) earnings growth, (x) sales growth, (xi) volume
growth, (xii) cash flow (as the Administrator may define), (xiii) Fair Market
Value of the Company or any Subsidiary or shares of Common Stock, (xiv) share
price or total shareholder return, (xv) market share, (xvi) economic value
added, (xvii) market value added, (xviii) productivity, (xix) level of expenses,
(xx) quality, (xxi) safety, (xxii) customer satisfaction, or (xxiii) peer group
comparisons of any of the aforementioned performance objectives. If the
Administrator, on the grant of the Option, prescribes that the Option shall
become exercisable only upon the attainment of performance objectives stated
with respect to one or more of the foregoing criteria, the Option shall become
exercisable only to the extent the Administrator certifies that such performance
objectives have been attained.

6.09. PAYMENT. Unless the Agreement provides otherwise, payment of the Option
price shall be made in cash or a cash equivalent acceptable to the
Administrator. If the Agreement so provides, the Administrator in its discretion
may permit a Participant to pay all or part of the Option price (i) by
surrendering shares of Common Stock to the Company that the Participant has held
for at least six months, (ii) by a cashless exercise through a broker, (iii) by
delivery of the full recourse, interest-bearing promissory note of the
Participant, (iv) by such other medium of payment as the Administrator, in its
discretion shall authorize or (v) by any combination of the aforementioned
methods of payment. If Common Stock is used to pay all or part of the Option
price, the sum of the cash and cash equivalent and other payments and the Fair
Market Value (determined as of the day preceding the date of exercise) of the
Common Stock surrendered must not be less than the Option price of the shares
for which the Option is being exercised.

6.10. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder
with respect to shares of Common Stock subject to an Option until the proper
exercise of such Option and the issuance to the Participant of the certificates
representing the shares of Common Stock for which the Option is exercised. The
Company may include on any certificates representing shares of Common Stock
issued pursuant to an Option such legends referring to any representations,
restrictions or any other applicable statements as the Company, in its
discretion, shall deem appropriate.

6.11. FORFEITURE PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan or
any Agreement, all rights to any Common Stock that a Participant has regarding
Options will be immediately discontinued and forfeited, and the Company shall
not have any further obligation

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hereunder to the Participant with respect to any Option and the Option will
not be exercisable for any number of shares of Common Stock (whether or not
previously exercisable), on and after the Participant is discharged from
employment with the Company or any Subsidiary for Cause.

6.12. OTHER CONDITIONS. The Administrator, in its discretion, may, as a
condition to the grant of an Option, require the Participant on or before the
date of grant of the Option to enter into (i) a covenant not to compete
(including a confidentiality, non-solicitation or other similar agreement) with
the Company or any Subsidiary, which shall become effective on the date of
termination of employment of a Participant with the Company or any Subsidiary or
another date and contain such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall
otherwise specify, and (ii) an agreement to cancel any employment agreement,
fringe benefit or compensation arrangement in effect between the Company or any
Subsidiary and such Participant. If the Participant shall fail to enter into any
such agreement or agreements at the Administrator's request, then no Option
shall be granted to the Participant and the number of shares of Common Stock
that would have been subject to such Option shall be added to the remaining
shares of Common Stock available under the Plan.

6.13. RELOAD OPTION. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accompany the
grant of an Option with a reload Option, which shall represent an additional
Option to acquire the same number of shares of Common Stock as used by the
Participant to pay for the original Option. The reload Option shall be subject
to all of the same terms and conditions as the original Option except that (i)
the purchase price for the shares of Common Stock subject to the reload Option
will be the same Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock that the
Participant used to pay for the original Option and (ii) such reload Option
shall conform to all the provisions of the Plan at the time the original Option
is exercised.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                       ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
                             INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

7.01. EMPLOYEE STATUS. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any
Agreement, the Administrator may only grant an Incentive Stock Option to an
Employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

7.02. EXERCISE PRICE. Notwithstanding any other provision contained in the Plan
or any Agreement, no Employee may receive an Incentive Stock Option under the
Plan, unless the Option price for such Incentive Stock Option is at least 100
percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of the Common Stock
subject to such Incentive Stock Option.

7.03. AGGREGATE EXERCISE LIMITS. The Administrator may not grant an Incentive
Stock Option to the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value, determined at the
time the Administrator grants the Incentive Stock Option, of shares of Common
Stock with respect to which a Participant may exercise Incentive Stock Options
for the first time during any calendar year under this Plan and any other plan
of the Company (or any plan of any parent or Subsidiary of the Company) exceeds
$100,000. If the limitation is exceeded, the Incentive Stock Options that cause
the limitation to be exceeded shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.

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7.04. RESTRICTIONS ON TEN-PERCENT SHAREHOLDERS. No Employee may receive an
Incentive Stock Option under the Plan if such Employee, at the time of grant, is
a Ten Percent Shareholder, unless the option price for such Incentive Stock
Option is at least 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of
the Common Stock subject to such Incentive Stock Option and such Incentive Stock
Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such
Incentive Stock Option is granted.

7.05. VALIDITY OF OPTIONS. Incentive Stock Options that do not comply with this
Article VII shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.

7.06. NOTIFICATION UPON SALE. Participant shall give written notice to the
Company if the Participant sells or otherwise disposes of any shares of Common
Stock acquired under an Incentive Stock Option before the expiration of the
later of the two-year period beginning on the date of grant of the Incentive
Stock Option or the one-year period beginning on the date that the Participant
exercises the Incentive Stock Option with respect to such shares of Common
Stock.

7.07. NO LIABILITY OF COMPANY. The Company shall not be liable to any
Participant or any other person if the Internal Revenue Service or any court
having jurisdiction over such matter determines for any reason that any Option
intended to be an Incentive Stock Option and granted hereunder does not qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                             LIMITATION ON BENEFITS

         Despite any other provisions of this Plan to the contrary, if the
receipt of any payments under this Plan would subject a Participant to tax under
Code Section 4999, the Administrator may determine whether some amount of
payments would meet the definition of a "Reduced Amount." If the Administrator
determines that there is a Reduced Amount, the total payments to the Participant
hereunder must be reduced to such Reduced Amount, but not below zero. If the
Administrator determines that the benefits and payments must be reduced to the
Reduced Amount, the Company must promptly notify the Participant of that
determination, with a copy of the detailed calculations by the Administrator.
All determinations of the Administrator under this Article VIII are binding upon
the Company and the Participant. It is the intention of the Company and the
Participant to reduce the payments under this Plan only if the aggregate Net
After Tax Receipts to the Participant would thereby be increased. If as result
of the uncertainty in the application of Code Section 4999 at the time of the
initial determination by the Administrator under this Article VIII, however, it
is possible that amounts will have been paid under the Plan to or for the
benefit of a Participant which should not have been so paid ("Overpayment") or
that additional amounts which will not have been paid under the Plan to or for
the benefit of a Participant could have been so paid ("Underpayment") - in each
case, consistent with the calculation of the Reduced Amount. If the
Administrator, based either upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal
Revenue Service against the Company or the Participant which the Administrator
believes has a high probability of success or controlling precedent or other
substantial authority, determines that an Overpayment has been made, any such
Overpayment must be treated for all purposes as a loan which the Participant
must repay to the Company together with interest at the applicable federal rate
under Code Section 7872(f)(2); provided, however, that no such loan may be
deemed to have been made and no amount shall be

                                       9

<PAGE>

payable by Participant to the Company if and to the extent such deemed loan
and payment would not either reduce the amount on which the Participant is
subject to tax under Code Section 1, 3101 or 4999 or generate a refund of
such taxes. If the Administrator, based upon controlling precedent or other
substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment has occurred, the
Administrator must promptly notify the Company of the amount of the
Underpayment, which then shall be paid to the Participant. For purposes of
this section, (i) "Net After Tax Receipt" means the Present Value of a
payment under this Plan net of all taxes imposed on Participant with respect
thereto under Code Sections 1, 3101 and 4999, determined by applying the
highest marginal rate under Code section 1 which applied to the Participant's
taxable income for the immediately preceding taxable year; (ii) "Present
Value" means the value determined in accordance with Code Section 280G(d)(4);
and (iii) "Reduced Amount" means the smallest aggregate amount of all
payments under this Plan which (a) is less than the sum of all payments under
this Plan and (b) results in aggregate Net After Tax Receipts which are equal
to or greater than the Net After Tax Receipts which would result if the
aggregate payments under this Plan were any other amount less than the sum of
all payments to be made under this Plan.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                     ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK

         The maximum number of shares as to which Options may be granted under
this Plan, the terms of outstanding Options, the per individual limitations on
the number of shares for which Options may be granted and any other limitations
in this Plan shall be adjusted as the Administrator shall determine to be
equitably required in the event that (a) the Company (i) effects one or more
stock dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or consolidations of shares or
(ii) engages in a transaction to which Section 424 of the Code applies or (b)
there occurs any other event which, in the judgment of the Administrator,
necessitates such action. In addition, the Administrator may make such other
adjustments to the terms of an outstanding Option to the extent equitable and
necessary to prevent an enlargement or dilution of the Participant's rights
thereunder as a result of any similar transaction. Any determination the
Administrator makes under this Article IX shall be final and conclusive. The
issuance by the Company of either shares of stock of any class or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for
labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or
warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of
the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect,
and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the maximum
number of shares as to which Options may be granted, the per individual
limitations on the number of shares for which Options may be granted, any other
limitations in this Plan or the terms of outstanding Options. The Administrator
may grant Options in substitution for performance shares, stock awards, stock
options, stock appreciation rights, phantom shares, or similar awards held by an
individual who becomes an Employee, contractor, agent or other service provider
of the Company in connection with a transaction described in the first paragraph
of this Article IX. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than the
limitations of Section 5.02), the terms of such substituted Option shall be as
the Administrator, in its discretion, determines is appropriate.

                                       10

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE X

                             COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND
                          APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES

10.01. COMPLIANCE. No Option shall be exercisable, no Common Stock shall be
issued, no certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, and no
payment shall be made except in compliance with all applicable federal and state
laws and regulations (including, without limitation, withholding tax
requirements), any listing agreement with any stock exchange to which the
Company is a party, and the rules of all domestic stock exchanges on which the
Company's shares may be listed. The Company shall have the right to rely on an
opinion of its counsel as to such compliance. Any certificate for shares issued
to evidence Common Stock for which an Option is exercised may bear such legends
and statements as the Administrator may deem advisable to assure compliance with
federal and state laws and regulations. No Option shall be exercisable, no
Common Stock shall be issued, no certificate for shares of Common Stock shall be
delivered, and no payment shall be made under this Plan until the Company has
obtained such consent or approval as the Administrator may deem advisable from
regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such matters.

10.02. POSTPONEMENT OF EXERCISE. The Administrator may postpone any exercise of
an Option for such time as the Administrator in its sole discretion may deem
necessary in order to permit the Company (i) to effect, amend or maintain any
necessary registration of the Plan or the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
the exercise of any Option under the securities laws, (ii) to permit any action
to be taken in order to (A) list such shares of Common Stock on a stock exchange
if shares of Common Stock are then listed on such exchange or (B) comply with
restrictions or regulations incident to the maintenance of a public market for
its shares of Common Stock, including any rules or regulations of any stock
exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed, or (iii) to determine
that such shares of Common Stock in the Plan are exempt from such registration
or that no action of the kind referred to in (ii)(B) above needs to be taken;
and the Company shall not be obligated by virtue of any terms and conditions of
any Agreement or any provision of the Plan to recognize the exercise of an
Option or to sell or issue shares of Common Stock in violation of the securities
laws or the laws of any government having jurisdiction thereof. Any such
postponement shall not extend the term of the Option and neither the Company nor
its directors and officers shall have any obligation or liability to any
Participant or to any other person with respect to shares of Common Stock as to
which the Option shall lapse because of such postponement.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

11.01. EFFECT ON EMPLOYMENT AND SERVICE. Neither the adoption of this Plan, its
operation, nor any Agreement or other documents describing or referring to this
Plan shall confer upon any individual any right to continue in the employ or
service of the Company or any Subsidiary or in any way affect the right and
power of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment or service of
any individual at any time with or without assigning a reason therefor.

                                       11

<PAGE>

11.02. UNFUNDED PLAN. The Plan, insofar as it provides for grants of Options,
shall be unfunded, and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets
that may at any time be represented by grants under this Plan. Any liability of
the Company to any person with respect to any grant under this Plan shall be
based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to
this Plan. No such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by
any pledge of, or other encumbrance on, any property of the Company.

11.03. TAX WITHHOLDING. Unless an Agreement provides otherwise, each Participant
shall be responsible for satisfying in cash or cash equivalent acceptable to the
Administrator any income and employment tax withholding obligations attributable
to participation in the Plan and the exercise of Options granted thereunder. In
accordance with procedures that the Administrator establishes, the Administrator
may permit a Participant to pay such amounts (i) by surrendering shares of
Common Stock that the Participant has held for at least six months, (ii) by a
cashless exercise through a broker, (iii) by delivery of the full recourse,
interest-bearing promissory note of the Participant, (iv) by such other medium
of payment as the Administrator, in its discretion, shall authorize, or (v) by
any combination of the aforementioned methods of payment.

11.04. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Company, during the term of this Plan, shall
at all times reserve and keep available such number of shares of Common Stock as
shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. Additionally, the
Company, during the term of this Plan, shall use its best efforts to seek to
obtain from appropriate regulatory agencies any requisite authorizations needed
in order to issue and to sell such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. However, the inability of
the Company to obtain from any such regulatory agency the requisite
authorizations the Company's counsel deems to be necessary for the lawful
issuance and sale of any shares of Common Stock hereunder, or the inability of
the Company to confirm to its satisfaction that any issuance and sale of any
shares of Common Stock hereunder will meet applicable legal requirements, shall
relieve the Company of any liability in respect to the failure to issue or to
sell such shares of Common Stock as to which such requisite authority shall not
have been obtained.

11.05. GOVERNING LAW. This Plan and all Options granted hereunder shall be
governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, except to the extent federal law
applies.

11.06. OTHER ACTIONS. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the
authority of the Company to exercise its corporate rights and powers, including,
by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the right to grant options
for proper corporate purposes otherwise than under the Plan to any employee or
to any other person, firm, corporation, association or other entity, or to grant
options to, or assume options of any person in connection with, the acquisition,
purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise, of all or
any part of the business and assets of any person, firm, corporation,
association or other entity.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                                    AMENDMENT

         The Board may amend this Plan from time to time or terminate the Plan;
provided, however, that no amendment may become effective until shareholder
approval is obtained if (i) the amendment increases the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock that may be

                                       12

<PAGE>

issued pursuant to Options under the Plan or (ii) the amendment changes the
class of individuals eligible to become Participants. No amendment shall,
without a Participant's consent, adversely affect any rights of such
Participant under any outstanding Option at the time such amendment is made.

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                                DURATION OF PLAN

         No Option may be granted under this Plan 10 years after the Board
adopts the Plan. Options granted before that date shall remain valid in
accordance with their terms.

                                   ARTICLE XIV

                             EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

         Options may be granted under this Plan upon its adoption by the Board,
provided that no Option shall be effective or exercisable unless the Company's
shareholders approve this Plan within 12 months of the Board's adoption of this
Plan.

                                   ARTICLE XV

                              RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

         Headings are given to the articles and sections of this Plan solely as
a convenience to facilitate reference. The reference to any statute, regulation,
or other provision of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or
successor of such provision of law.

                                 EARTHLINK, INC.

                                 BY:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                 TITLE:
                                        ---------------------------------------=

                                       13<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.5

                                 EARTHLINK, INC.
                                STOCK OPTION PLAN
                           FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

1.       PURPOSE

         The purpose of the Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the
"Plan") of EarthLink, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is to
promote the long-term interests of the Company by attracting and retaining
qualified and experienced persons for service as non-employee directors of
the Company by providing an additional incentive for such non-employee
directors to work for the success and growth of the Company through ownership
of the Company's common stock.

2.       DEFINITIONS

         When used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:

         2.1. "Affiliate" means the same as set forth in Rule 12b-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         2.2. "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

         2.3. "Change in Control" means the occurrence of any of the
following: (i)(a) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into,
another Person, (b) there is a merger, reorganization, consolidation, share
exchange or other transaction involving the Voting Stock of the Company, (c)
the Company sells, assigns, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person, (d)
any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, or (e) any
similar event where with respect to each of the events described in (a)
through (e) the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is converted into or
exchanged for cash, securities or other property, except that none of the
foregoing events will constitute a Change in Control where the outstanding
Voting Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock
of the surviving or transferee Person and the beneficial owners of the Voting
Stock of the Company immediately before such event own, directly or
indirectly, Voting Stock representing more than 50 percent of the Voting
Stock of the surviving or transferee Person immediately after such event, or
(ii) any transaction that results in any Person, other than a trustee or
other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company, beneficially owning Voting Stock of the Company representing,
directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the Voting Stock of the
Company, or (iii) the approval by the holders of the Voting Stock of the
Company of any plan or proposal for liquidation or dissolution of the
Company, or (iv) the consummation of any other transaction that a majority of
the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, determines constitutes a
Change in Control for purposes of this Plan.

         2.4. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         2.5. "Company" means EarthLink, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

         2.6. "Disability" means a mental or physical condition that, in the
opinion of the Company, renders the director unable or incompetent to serve
as a director, which condition in the opinion of the physician that the
Company employs is expected to be permanent or to last for an indefinite
duration or a duration in excess of six months.

<PAGE>

         2.7. "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to the Company's
Shares, the closing price of the Shares on the date on which the value is to
be determined, as reported on the stock exchange on which such Shares are
traded, or such other source of quotations for or reports of trading activity
in Shares as the Board from time to time may select, or if the Shares are not
traded on such exchange on such date, then on the next preceding day that the
Shares were traded on such exchange, or as reported by such other source as
the Board from time to time may select. If at the time of the determination
of Fair Market Value the Shares are not actively traded on any such stock
exchange, Fair Market Value means the fair market value of a Share as the
Board determines taking into account such facts and circumstance as the Board
deems material to the value of the Shares. The Fair Market Value that the
Board determines shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and
each Non-Employee Director.

         2.8. "Non-Employee Director" means a director of the Company who is
not an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
Affiliates and who was not elected or appointed to the Board pursuant to
voting rights or other similar authority granted to the holders of any
preferred stock or similar equity securities of the Company, which voting
rights or similar authority are exclusive of any voting rights or other
similar authority granted to any class or classes of any common stock of the
Company that generally has the voting power under ordinary circumstances to
elect at least a majority of the Board. A "Non-Employee Director" includes
any director of the Company who serves as a consultant to the Company.

         2.9. "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means an Option not entitled to
special tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code.

         2.10. "Option" means a stock option that entitles the holder to
purchase from the Company a stated number of Shares at the price set forth in
the agreement that specifies the terms and conditions of the Option.

         2.11. "Optionee" means a Non-Employee Director to whom an Option is
granted.

         2.12. "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or
government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or any other
entity of any kind.

         2.13. "Plan" means the EarthLink, Inc. Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors contained herein, and as it may be amended from time
to time.

         2.14. "Shares" means the shares of the Company's common stock, $.01
par value per share.

         2.15. "Voting Stock" means with respect to any specified Person any
class or classes of stock of the specified Person pursuant to which the
holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to
elect at least a majority of the Board of Directors, managers or trustees of
the specified Person.

3.       ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

         The Board shall administer the Plan. The Board shall have the sole
responsibility for construing and interpreting the Plan, for establishing and
amending such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or desirable for
the proper administration of the Plan, and for resolving all questions
arising under the Plan.

         Any decision or action the Board takes arising out of or in
connection with the construction, administration, interpretation and effect
of the Plan and of its rules and regulations

                                       2

<PAGE>

shall, to the extent permitted by law, be within its absolute discretion,
except as otherwise specifically provided herein, and shall be conclusive and
binding upon the Company, all Optionees and any other person, whether that
person is claiming under or through any Optionee or otherwise.

4.       ELIGIBILITY

         All Non-Employee Directors of the Company shall be eligible to
participate in the Plan during the time they serve as Non-Employee Directors.
A Non-Employee Director's right to participate in the Plan shall
automatically terminate on and after the time he is no longer a Non-Employee
Director.

5.       SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

         An aggregate of 350,000 Shares (subject to adjustment in accordance
with Section 12 below) shall be reserved for issuance in connection with
Options granted under the Plan. The Shares so issued may be either authorized
but unissued Shares of the Company or Shares that have been or may be
reacquired by the Company, including treasury shares. Any Shares subject to
issuance upon exercise of Options but that are not issued because of a
surrender, lapse, expiration or termination of any such Option, shall once
again be reserved and available for issuance under the Plan.

6.       GRANTING OF OPTIONS

         6.1. All grants of Options under the Plan shall be automatic and
non-discretionary, and subject to the terms and conditions provided in this
Plan. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

         6.2. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, each Non-Employee
Director who was in office on March 8, 2000 shall on adoption of this Plan be
granted an Option to purchase 15,000 Shares. Each Non-Employee Director who
is elected or appointed to the Board after March 8, 2000 shall be granted an
Option to purchase 35,000 Shares on the date such director takes office.

          6.3. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, each Non-Employee
Director who was in office on March 8, 2000 shall, as of the first business
day of each fiscal year of the Company beginning after the effective date of
the Plan, be granted an Option to purchase an additional 15,000 Shares. Each
Non-Employee Director who is elected or appointed to the Board after March 8,
2000 shall be granted any Option to purchase an additional 15,000 Shares
pursuant to this Plan. If at any time there is not sufficient Shares reserved
under the Plan for grants of Options, the Options to be granted each
Non-Employee Director under the Plan at such time shall be proportionately
adjusted.

         6.4. The purchase price of each Share that may be purchased upon
exercise of an Option shall be the Fair Market Value of the Share on the date
the Option is granted. Options awarded pursuant to this Section 6 shall be
subject to such additional terms and conditions as are set forth in the
written agreement covering the Option.

         6.5. Except as set forth in Sections 7.2 or 11, Options granted
under the Plan shall become exercisable with respect to one-third of the
Shares subject to the Option on each annual anniversary of the date of grant,
provided the Non-Employee Director is still serving as a Non-Employee
Director at such time, until the Option becomes exercisable with respect to
all of the Shares subject to the Option, provided the Option does not expire
by its terms before such time.

                                       3

<PAGE>

7.       TERMINATION OF DIRECTORSHIP

         7.1. The Option of any Optionee whose status as a director of the
Company shall terminate because of death or Disability may be exercised, to
the extent exercisable on the date of death or Disability, at any time within
one year after the date of such termination or prior to the date on which the
Option expires by its terms, whichever is earlier. Any such exercise shall be
made (i) in the case of the death of the Optionee, by the executor or
administrator of the estate of the deceased Optionee or the person or persons
to whom the deceased Optionee's rights under the Option shall pass by will or
by the laws of descent and distribution, and (ii) in the case of the
Disability of the Optionee, by the Optionee or by the Optionee's guardian or
legal representative.

         7.2. The Board in its discretion may declare that an Option of an
Optionee whose status as a director terminates because of removal from the
Board on or within one year after a Change in Control shall become fully
exercisable with respect to all Shares covered thereby and not previously
purchased upon exercise of the Option, and shall remain fully exercisable
until three months after the date of such termination or prior to the date
the Option expires by its terms, whichever is earlier. If the Board does not
make any such declaration before the Optionee's status as a director
terminates because of removal from the Board on or within one year after a
Change in Control, then the Option of any Optionee whose status as a director
so terminates may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of such
termination, within three months after the date of termination or prior to
the date on which the Option expires by its terms, whichever is earlier.

         7.3. The Option of any Optionee whose status as a director shall
terminate for any reason other than as specified in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 may
be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of such termination,
within three months after the date of such termination or prior to the date
on which the Option expires by its terms, whichever is earlier.

8.       NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS

         Each Option granted under the Plan shall not be transferable
otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall
be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or by
the Optionee's guardian or legal representative. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, an Optionee, at any time prior to his death, may assign
all or any portion of an Option granted to him to (i) his spouse or lineal
descendants, (ii) the trustee of a trust established for the primary benefit
of his spouse or lineal descendants, or (iii) a partnership of which his
spouse and lineal descendants are the only partners. In such event, the
spouse, lineal descendants, trust, or partnership will be entitled to all the
rights of the Optionee with the respect to the assigned portion of such
Option (except that such transferee may not transfer the Option other than by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution), and such portion of the
Option will continue to be subject to all of the terms, conditions and
restrictions applicable to the Option as set forth herein immediately prior
to the effective date of the assignment. Any such assignment will be
permitted only if (i) the Optionee does not receive any consideration
therefor, and (ii) the assignment is expressly approved by the Board. Any
such assignment shall be evidenced by an appropriate written document
executed by the Optionee and a copy thereof shall be delivered to the Board
on or prior to the effective date of the assignment.

9.       TERMS OF OPTIONS

         Options shall expire 10 years from the date of the granting thereof,
but shall be subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 7. Options
shall be evidenced by written agreements containing terms and conditions
consistent with the provisions of the Plan. Each agreement shall comply with
and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and shall
constitute evidence, by the Non-Employee Director's signature thereon, that
it is the intent of the Non-Employee Director to continue to serve as a
director of the Company for the remainder of his

                                       4

<PAGE>

term during which the Option was granted. It shall be a condition to the
exercise of an Option that the Optionee represent to the Company at the time
of exercise that the Shares are being acquired for investment and not with a
view to the distribution thereof and that the Optionee agrees that the Shares
will not be disposed of except pursuant to an effective registration
statement, unless the Company shall receive an opinion of counsel that such
disposition is exempt from registration under the applicable securities laws.
The Company may include on certificates representing Shares issued pursuant
to any Option such legends referring to the foregoing representations or
restrictions or any other applicable restrictions as the Company, in its
discretion, shall deem appropriate.

10.      EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

         An Optionee may exercise an Option by delivery of a written notice,
specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being
exercised, accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price of any Shares
to be purchased (in the form of a cashier's or certified check). The Option
shall not be deemed exercised and no Shares shall be issued upon exercise of
an Option until full payment has been made therefor. Notwithstanding the
foregoing sentences, the Board, in its discretion, may permit an Optionee to
pay the purchase price of the Shares to be purchased (i) in Shares that the
Optionee has owned for at least six months prior to the date of exercise
valued at their Fair Market Value on the day preceding the date of exercise
equal to the exercise price of the Option, (ii) in a cashless exercise
through a broker, or (iii) by any combination of the aforementioned methods
of payment. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued only in
the name of the Optionee. All notices shall be delivered to the Secretary of
the Company and shall become effective when received.

11.      CHANGE IN CONTROL

         Outstanding Options previously granted under the Plan shall be
exercisable in whole or in part, with respect to the additional number of
Shares to which the Option is not at that time exercisable as if the Optionee
had remained on the Board for an additional 18 months from the date of the
Change in Control (it being deemed that the Non-Employee Director had an
additional 18 months on the Board for purposes of determining the extent of
the exercisability of such outstanding Options), on the earlier of (i)
immediately before the consummation of the Change in Control or (ii)
immediately before the Board takes any of the actions described in the next
sentence provided the Non-Employee Director to whom the Option was granted is
still serving as a Non-Employee Director at such time, and such Options shall
remain exercisable to such extent thereafter in accordance with the terms of
such Options, notwithstanding any provisions in the Options to the contrary
regarding exercisability. Notwithstanding any provision of any agreement
covering the Option to the contrary, in the event of or in anticipation of a
Change in Control, the Board in its discretion (i) may declare that some or
all outstanding Options previously granted under the Plan shall terminate as
of a date on or before the Change in Control without any payment to the
holder of the Option, provided the Board gives prior written notice to the
holders of the Options and gives them the right to exercise their outstanding
Options before such date to the extent they are exercisable and/or (ii) may
terminate some or all outstanding Options on the consummation of the Change
in Control in consideration of payment to the holder of each such Option,
with respect to each Share to which the Option is then exercisable, of the
excess of the Fair Market Value on such date of the Shares subject to the
Option over the Option price. The Board may take such actions with respect to
some or all outstanding Options or on an Option-by-Option basis, which
actions need not be uniform for all outstanding Options. Such payment in (ii)
above may be made in any manner the Board determines, including in cash,
Voting Stock or other property. However, such Options shall not be terminated
to the extent that written provision is made for their continuance,
assumption or substitution by a successor employer or its parent or
subsidiary in connection with the Change in Control.

                                       5

<PAGE>

12.      LISTING AND REGISTRATION OF SHARES; CONTRACTS

         Each Option shall be subject to the requirement that, if at any time
the Board shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration
or qualification of the Shares covered thereby upon any securities exchange
or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any
governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or
in connection with, the granting of such Option or the issuance or purchase
of Shares thereunder, such Option may not be exercised in whole or in part
unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, consent or
approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not
acceptable to the Board. Each Option shall also be subject to the condition
that the Company shall not be obligated to issue or transfer its Shares to
the Optionee thereof on its exercise, if the Board determines that such
issuance or transfer would violate any covenant in any loan agreement or
other contract to which the Company is a party. The Company may include on
certificates representing Shares issued pursuant to an Option such legends
referring to the foregoing representations or restrictions or any other
applicable restrictions on resale as the Company, in its discretion, shall
deem appropriate.

13.      ADJUSTMENT FOR CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION

         Any increase in the number of outstanding Shares of the Company
occurring through stock splits or stock dividends after the adoption of the
Plan shall be reflected proportionately in an increase in the aggregate
number of Shares then available for the grant of Options under the Plan, or
becoming available through the termination, surrender or lapse of Options
previously granted but unexercised, and in the number of Shares subject to
Options then outstanding. Any fractional shares resulting from such
adjustments shall be eliminated. If changes in capitalization other than
those considered above shall occur, the Board shall make such adjustment in
the number and class of Shares as to which Options may thereafter be granted,
and in the number and class of Shares remaining subject to Options then
outstanding, as the Board in its discretion may consider appropriate, and all
such adjustments shall be conclusion upon all persons.

14.      TAXES

         Each Optionee shall be responsible for satisfying any income and tax
withholding obligations attributable to participation in the Plan and the
exercise of any Options. The Board may permit an Optionee to satisfy any such
amounts (i) in Shares that the Optionee has owned for at least six months
prior to the date of exercise valued at their Fair Market Value on the day
preceding the date of exercise, (ii) in a cashless exercise through a broker
or (iii) by any combination of the aforementioned methods of payment.

15.      LIMITATION OF RIGHTS

         15.1. Neither the Plan, nor the granting of an Option nor any other
action taken pursuant to the Plan, shall constitute or be evidence of any
agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the Company will retain
a director for any period of time, or at any particular rate of compensation.

         15.2. An Optionee shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect
to the Shares covered by Options until the date of the issuance of a stock
certificate upon exercise thereof, and no provision will be made for
dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such
stock certificate is issued.

16.      OTHER ACTIONS

         Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the authority of the
Company to exercise its corporate rights and powers, including, by way of
illustration and not by way of limitation, the

                                       6

<PAGE>

right to grant Options for proper corporate purposes otherwise than under the
Plan to any employee or any other person, firm, corporation, association or
other entity, or to grant Options to, or assume Options of, any person in
connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or
otherwise, of all or any part of the business and assets of any person, firm,
corporation, association or other entity.

17.      EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

         The Plan shall become effective on March 8, 2000, subject to
approval by the Company's stockholders at the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders or any adjournment thereof or at a Special Meeting of
Stockholders. Options granted hereunder shall not be exercisable prior to
such stockholder approval. Unless earlier terminated by the Board, the Plan
shall terminate on March 8, 2010. No Option shall be granted under the Plan
after such date.

18.      TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

         The Board, without further action on the part of the Company's
stockholders, may at any time terminate, suspend or modify the Plan to the
extent permitted by law, regulation or stock exchange requirements. The Plan
will automatically terminate on and after the time there is no longer any
Shares available for issuance pursuant to Options granted under the Plan. No
termination or amendment of the Plan, or amendment of any Option, shall
adversely affect any right acquired by any Optionee under an Option granted
before the date of such termination or amendment, unless such Optionee shall
consent; but it shall be conclusively presumed that any adjustment for
changes in capitalization as provided in Section 12 above does not adversely
affect any such right.

19.      GOVERNING LAW

         The Plan shall be construed and administered under the laws of the
State of Delaware.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Plan has been executed on behalf of the
Company on this 8th day of April, 2000.

                                 EARTHLINK, INC.

                                 By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                 Title:
                                        ----------------------------------------

                                       7

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