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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8
                                                                Redacted Version

                                  CONFIDENTIAL
                        INTERACTIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

       This Interactive Services Agreement (this "Agreement"), effective as of
April 4, 2000 (the "Effective Date"), is made and entered into by and between
America Online, Inc. ("AOL"), a Delaware corporation, with its principal offices
at 22000 AOL Way, Dulles, Virginia 20166, and NewsReal, Inc., d/b/a/ YellowBrix,
Inc. ("YellowBrix"), a Delaware corporation, with its principal offices at 66
Canal Center Plaza, Suite 700, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314 (each a "Party" and
collectively the "Parties").

                                 INTRODUCTION

       AOL and YellowBrix each desires to enter into an interactive services
agreement whereby YellowBrix will design, develop and manage, and will provide
AOL and the AOL Network access to, the Customized Site and Customized
Programming, and whereby AOL will promote YellowBrix, the Customized Site and
the Customized Programming throughout the AOL Network subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement. To the extent this Agreement requires
performance by a subsidiary of AOL, AOL, in its capacity as stockholder of such
subsidiary, shall cause such subsidiary to perform in accordance with this
Agreement. Defined terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall
be as defined on Exhibit B attached hereto.

                                    TERMS

1.    DISTRIBUTION; PROGRAMMING

      1.1   PROMOTION AND DISTRIBUTION. Beginning on the date(s) indicated in
            Exhibit A-1, AOL shall provide YellowBrix with the promotions set
            forth on Exhibit A-1. The promotions described on Exhibit A-1 and
            any other promotions provided by AOL to YellowBrix shall be
            referred to as the "Promotions." Except to the extent expressly
            described herein, the exact form, placement and nature of the
            Promotions shall be determined by AOL in its reasonable editorial
            discretion. The Promotions shall link to the Customized Site
            and/or Customized Programming, as provided on Exhibit A-l or as
            determined by AOL in its reasonable editorial discretion.

      1.2   PROGRAMMING AND CONTENT. The Customized Site and Customized
            Programming shall consist of the Content described on the
            programming plan attached as Exhibit A-2 (the "Programming
            Plan"). The inclusion of any additional Content (other than
            advertisements, links or promotions permitted under Section 5)
            within the Customized Site and/or Customized Programming
            (including, without limitation, any features, functionality or
            technology) not expressly described on Exhibit A shall be subject
            to AOL's prior written approval, which approval shall not be
            unreasonably withheld.

      1.3   LICENSE. Except as provided herein, YellowBrix hereby grants AOL
            a worldwide license to use, market, cache, distribute, reproduce
            (with respect to headlines only ("Headlines"), as such headlines
            are described in the Programming Plan set forth in Exhibit A-2),
            display, adapt (without modifying text), communicate, perform,
            transmit, and promote the Customized Site, the Customized
            Programming and the Licensed Content (or any portion thereof)
            through the AOL Network as AOL may determine in its sole
            discretion, including without limitation the right to integrate
            Content from the Customized Site and/or Customized Programming
            by linking to specific areas thereon, provided that the link to
            any such Content on the AOL Network shall conform to the
            specifications of a YellowBrix Presence, and AOL shall have the
            right to use and change the Licensed Content using the YellowBrix
            Tools, as described in Section 1.4.2 below. AOL shall give notice
            (the "AOL Notice") to YellowBrix in advance of any use,
            marketing, caching,

         "[*]"=omitted, confidential material, which material has been
          seperately filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
          pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

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            distribution, reproduction, display, adaptation, communication,
            performance, transmission or promotion (the "Action") of the
            Licensed Content (other than the Headlines) that is not in or for
            the Customized Site, and YellowBrix shall, within ten (10) calendar
            days after receiving the AOL Notice, give AOL a notice in writing
            (the "YellowBrix Notice") identifying in good faith any part of
            such Action that would violate any YellowBrix agreement with a
            third party content provider ("Third Party Agreements"). The
            YellowBrix Notice will contain a brief description of the nature of
            the violation, and YellowBrix will, upon AOL's request, provide AOL
            with a copy of the relevant Third Party Agreement. If AOL does not
            receive the YellowBrix Notice within ten (10) calendar days after
            receiving the AOL Notice, then AOL may take the Action described in
            the AOL Notice. AOL agrees not to take an Action with respect to
            the Licensed Content (except for the Headlines) solely to the
            extent that such action would violate the Third Party Agreements as
            notified by YellowBrix. Without limiting the indemnification
            provision set forth in part VI of Exhibit E of this Agreement,
            YellowBrix shall be responsible for and will indemnify AOL for any
            liabilities resulting from the breach of the Third Party
            Agreements, provided that such liabilities are not caused by AOL's
            taking any Action prohibited in the YellowBrix Notice.

      1.4   MANAGEMENT.

            1.4.1 YellowBrix Management Obligations. YellowBrix shall design,
                  create, edit, manage, review, update (on a daily basis or as
                  otherwise specified herein), and maintain the Customized Site,
                  Customized Programming and the Licensed Content in a timely
                  and professional manner and in accordance with the terms of
                  this Agreement and shall keep the Licensed Content current and
                  well-organized at all times. Except as specifically provided
                  for herein, AOL shall have no obligations of any kind with
                  respect to the Customized Site or Customized Programming.
                  YellowBrix shall be responsible for any hosting or
                  communication costs associated with the Customized Site and
                  Customized Programming, including, without limitation, the
                  costs associated with (i) any mutually agreed-upon direct
                  connections between the AOL Network and the Customized Site or
                  Customized Programming or (ii) a mirrored version of the
                  Customized Site.

            1.4.2 Content Management Tools. YellowBrix will develop the

                        Customized Site for integration on Netscape Netcenter,
                  including, but not limited to, adapting (i) news and other
                  feeds to the specifications of the personalization technology
                  underlying the pages on Netscape Netcenter, and (ii) the
                  personalization controls to function with the cookie
                  technology or other technology that AOL utilizes or develops
                  to control the page state for the end user. YellowBrix will,
                  as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, provide AOL
                  with tools for managing the Licensed Content, including the
                  flow of headlines and stories (the "YellowBrix Tools"). The
                  YellowBrix Tools will allow AOL to, without limitation, [*].
                  YellowBrix will, from time to time during the Term, provide
                  AOL with updated YellowBrix Tools, to the extent such
                  YellowBrix Tools have been released in updated form.
                  YellowBrix hereby grants AOL a license to use and store the
                  YellowBrix Tools (or any portion thereof) for the purpose of
                  managing the Licensed Content as provided for in this
                  paragraph.

            1.4.3 Quality of Content. YellowBrix shall ensure that the Licensed
                  Content and the functionality of the tools and applications
                  provided by YellowBrix within or for the Customized Site and
                  Customized Programming is equal to or better than the

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                  Content and functionalities licensed to and distributed by
                  YellowBrix through any other YellowBrix Interactive Site in
                  all material respects, including without limitation, quality,
                  breadth, depth, timeliness, functionality, features, prices of
                  products and services and terms and conditions, unless
                  otherwise required by this Agreement (e.g., Content that
                  YellowBrix would be required to include to comply with this
                  sentence violates another provision of this Agreement).
                  Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties acknowledge that
                  the Content included in the Customized Site and Customized
                  Programming shall be modified from time to time by YellowBrix,
                  provided that AOL shall approve such modifications (such
                  approval not to be unreasonably withheld). YellowBrix will
                  review, delete, edit, create, update and otherwise manage all
                  Content available on or through the Customized Site in
                  accordance with the terms of this Agreement or any amendments
                  hereto.

            1.4.4 Registration. AOL Members shall not be subject to a
                  registration process (or any similar process) in order to
                  access and use the Customized Programming or the top level of
                  the Customized Site, but the Customized Site may require
                  registration or similar processes for the specific features or
                  functionality expressly described on Exhibit A and other types
                  of features and functionality generally consistent with those
                  set forth on Exhibit A. Such registration processes shall be
                  integrated with Netscape's "Universal Registration" system or
                  such other registration system identified by AOL, and shall
                  comply with Netscape's then-current privacy policy, each as
                  set forth on Exhibit C.

            1.4.5 Compliance. In the event YellowBrix fails to comply with any
                  material term of this Agreement, including without limitation
                  YellowBrix's obligations under this Section 1.4, its
                  promotional obligations under Section 2, the customization and
                  integrity requirements of Section 5, or its obligations to
                  provide the Content set forth herein and on the Programming
                  Plan, AOL will have the right (in addition to any other
                  remedies available to AOL hereunder), upon notice to
                  YellowBrix, to decrease the promotion it provides to
                  YellowBrix hereunder and/or to decrease or cease any other
                  contractual obligation of AOL hereunder until such time as
                  YellowBrix corrects its non-compliance, in which event AOL
                  will be relieved of the proportionate amount of any
                  promotional commitment made to YellowBrix by AOL hereunder
                  corresponding to such decrease in promotion.

      1.5   CARRIAGE FEE AND WARRANTS.

            1.5.1 CASH PAYMENT. YellowBrix shall pay AOL $ [*] as follows:
                  $ [*] on the Effective Date and $ [*] on or before
                  each of the following dates: [*].

            1.5.2 WARRANTS. In connection with the obligations of the parties
                  hereunder, and subject to the provisions hereof, YellowBrix
                  shall enter into, concurrently with this Agreement, the Common
                  Stock Subscription Warrant Agreement (the "Warrant Agreement")
                  substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto.

      1.6   IMPRESSIONS COMMITMENT. As set forth in further detail in Exhibit
            A-1, AOL shall provide YellowBrix with at least [*] Impressions
            from placement of YellowBrix Presences on the AOL Network (the
            "Impressions Commitment"). In the event that the Impressions
            Commitment is not met (or will not, in AOL's reasonable judgment,
            be met) during the Term, then as YellowBrix's sole remedy, AOL
            shall provide the undelivered Impressions by, at AOL's option, (a)
            extending the Term for up to six (6) months without additional
            carriage fees payable by YellowBrix, or

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            (b) providing YellowBrix from time to time with the remaining
            Impressions in the form of promotional space within the AOL
            Represented Advertising of comparable value to the undelivered
            Impressions (as reasonably determined by AOL), or (c) some
            combination thereof.

      1.7   SITE AND CONTENT PREPARATION. YellowBrix shall achieve Site and
            Content Preparation no later than April 28, 2000 for Phase I, and no
            later than July 26, 2000 for Phase II (each a "Launch Date", and
            each as described in the programming plan attached as Exhibit A-2).
            "Site and Content Preparation" shall mean that YellowBrix shall have
            completed all necessary production work for the Customized Site, all
            Customized Programming and any other related areas or screens
            (including programming all Content thereon); customized and
            configured the Customized Site, and all Customized Programming in
            accordance with this Agreement; and completed all other necessary
            work (including, without limitation, undergone all AOL site testing
            set forth on Exhibit F) to prepare the Customized Site, all
            Customized Programming and any other related areas or screens to
            launch on the AOL Network as contemplated hereunder. In the event
            YellowBrix has not achieved Site and Content Preparation by the
            relevant Launch Date, and provided that AOL has not been the primary
            reason for any delays in achieving such Launch Date, then in
            addition to any other remedies available, the Impressions Commitment
            set forth in Section 1.6 shall be reduced on a pro rata basis based
            on the number of days after the relevant Launch Date that YellowBrix
            achieves Site and Content Preparation divided by [*]. In the event
            YellowBrix has not achieved Site and Content Preparation within
            seven days after the relevant Launch Date, and if AOL has not been
            the primary reason for the original or further delays in achieving
            such Launch Date, then in addition to any other remedies available,
            AOL shall have the right to terminate this Agreement immediately
            upon giving YellowBrix written notice thereof. If YellowBrix is
            delayed in achieving Site and Content Preparation primarily due to a
            failure by AOL to perform its obligations under this Agreement and
            YellowBrix notifies AOL in writing of such failure and the resulting
            delay, then the Launch Dates and the seven day period referenced in
            this Section shall each be extended by the amount of time of
            YellowBrix's delay solely attributable to such failure by AOL.

2.    CROSS-PROMOTION

      2.1   COOPERATION. Each Party shall cooperate with and reasonably assist
            the other Party in supplying material for marketing and promotional
            activities.

      2.2   INTERACTIVE SITE.

            2.2.1 On the first screen of each YellowBrix Interactive Site,
                  YellowBrix shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure
                  (to the extent that such action is within its reasonable
                  control or not prohibited by contractual restrictions) the
                  inclusion of a prominent actionable graphical promotional
                  button (at least 90 x 30 pixels or 70 x 70 pixels in size)
                  appearing above the fold promoting the AOL Service (or other
                  AOL product or service designated by AOL subject to
                  YellowBrix's approval, which shall not be unreasonably
                  withheld) (the "AOL Promo"). AOL will provide the creative
                  content to be used in the AOL Promo.

            2.2.2 On the first screen of each YellowBrix Interactive Site,
                  YellowBrix will also use its commercially reasonable efforts
                  to ensure (to the extent that such action is within its
                  reasonable control or not prohibited by contractual
                  restrictions) the display of the then-current version of the
                  "Netscape Now button as provided by Netscape or the equivalent
                  successor button or the words "Download Netscape Now" (or
                  successor text reasonably designated by AOL) (the "Netscape
                  Now

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            button/text" and, collectively with the AOL Promo, the "Site
            Promos") prominently above the fold. When an end user clicks on the
            Netscape Now button/text, the end user's internet client software or
            online service will access the applicable HTML page located at a URL
            supplied by AOL. On any page on which it is displayed, the Netscape
            Now button/text will be displayed in the same format (i.,e., button,
            text, or graphic) and equal to or greater in size and prominence
            than the button, text or graphic for any other internet client
            software, online service, software provider, "push" content delivery
            system, or other online service. YellowBrix will use its best
            efforts to have promptly remedied any misplacement or malfunctioning
            of the Netscape Now button/text on its pages. AOL will fully
            cooperate with YellowBrix to remedy any such misplacement or
            malfunctioning outside its reasonable control.

            2.2.3 AOL hereby grants YellowBrix a non-exclusive,
                  non-transferable, non-assignable (except in accordance with
                  this Agreement), non-sublicensable license to use, reproduce
                  and display the Site Promos in connection with fulfilling the
                  foregoing obligations. YellowBrix's use of the Site Promos
                  will be in accordance with AOL's reasonable policies regarding
                  advertising and trademark usage as established from time to
                  time by AOL, including the guidelines of the Netscape Now
                  Program published in Netscape Netcenter. AOL may immediately
                  suspend YellowBrix's use of the Site Promos if AOL determines
                  that such use violates quality standards. The use of the Site
                  Promos in connection with this Agreement will not create any
                  right to the Site Promos or associated trademarks and all
                  goodwill associated with the Site Promos and associated
                  trademarks will inure to the benefit of AOL. YellowBrix agrees
                  not to register or use any trademark that is similar to the
                  Site Promos. YellowBrix further agrees that it will not use
                  the Site Promos in a manner that could mislead end users or
                  reflect adversely on AOL or its products and services.

            2.2.4 YellowBrix shall post (or update, as the case may be) the
                  creative content supplied by AOL within the spaces for any
                  Site Promo within five (5) days of its receipt of such content
                  from AOL. In the event that AOL elects to serve either or both
                  Site Promos to the YellowBrix Interactive Site from an ad
                  server controlled by AOL or its agent, YellowBrix shall take
                  all reasonable operational steps necessary to facilitate such
                  ad serving arrangement, including, without limitation,
                  inserting HTML code designated by AOL on the pages of the
                  YellowBrix Interactive Site on which such Site Promo will
                  appear.

            2.2.5 In addition, YellowBrix will participate in the AOL Affiliate
                  Network marketing program, pursuant to which YellowBrix shall
                  receive the standard partner bounties under the AOL Affiliate
                  Network marketing program in connection with AOL Member
                  acquisition through the AOL Promo. The terms and conditions of
                  the AOL Affiliate Network marketing program are as set forth
                  at http://affiliate.aol.com/affiliate/welcome.html. YellowBrix
                  will also participate in the Netscape Affiliate browser
                  distribution program, pursuant to which YellowBrix shall
                  receive the standard bounties under the Netscape Affiliate
                  browser distribution program in connection with the sale of
                  Netscape browser software through the Netscape Promo. The
                  terms and conditions of the Netscape Affiliate browser
                  distribution program are as set forth at
                  http://home.netscape.com/affiliate/welcome.html.

            2.2.6 In addition, within each YellowBrix Interactive Site, to the
                  extent YellowBrix offers or promotes any products or services
                  similar to the AOL Tools listed in Section 5.2(c)), other than
                  chat and message boards, YellowBrix shall provide equal or
                  greater promotions for such AOL-designated products.

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      2.3   PREFERRED ACCESS PROVIDER. YellowBrix shall not promote any other
            Interactive Service as a preferred means of accessing YellowBrix's
            Content, or otherwise promote any other Interactive Service more
            prominently than it promotes AOL, unless YellowBrix has entered into
            an agreement with an Interactive Service for co-promotion and such
            Interactive Service has paid YellowBrix bona fide value for the
            relevant promotion.

 3.   REPORTING; PAYMENT.

      3.1   AOL USAGE REPORTING. AOL shall make available to YellowBrix a
            monthly report specifying for the prior month aggregate usage and
            Impressions with respect to YellowBrix's presence on the AOL
            Network, which are similar in substance and form to the reports
            provided by AOL to other content partners similar to YellowBrix.

      3.2   CUSTOMIZED SITE REPORTING. YellowBrix will supply AOL with monthly
            reports which reflect total impressions by AOL Members to the
            Customized Site during the prior month, the number of and dollar
            value associated with the transactions involving AOL Members and any
            registration information obtained from AOL Members at the Customized
            Site during the period in question. YellowBrix represents that all
            URLs related to the Customized Site are listed on Exhibit A-2 and
            YellowBrix shall provide AOL with an update of such list promptly
            upon any change thereto. In addition, YellowBrix shall comply with
            the reporting requirements for Netscape Netcenter set forth on
            Exhibit G.

      3.3   PROMOTIONAL COMMITMENTS. YellowBrix shall provide to AOL a
            quarterly report documenting its compliance with any promotional
            commitments it has undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, which
            report shall include the type of promotion, date of the promotion,
            duration and circulation of the promotion and any other mutually
            agreed upon information.

      3.4   PAYMENT SCHEDULE. Except as otherwise specified herein, each Party
            agrees to pay the other Party all amounts received and owed to such
            other Party as described herein on a quarterly basis within
            [*] days of the end of the quarter in which such amounts were
            collected by such Party. The first quarter for which payment is to
            be made shall (i) begin on the first day of the month following the
            month of execution of this Agreement and (ii) include the portion
            of the month of execution following the Effective Date (unless this
            Agreement was executed on the first day of a month, in which case
            the quarter shall be deemed to begin on the first day of such
            month).

      3.5   METHOD OF PAYMENTS. All payments by YellowBrix hereunder shall be
            paid in immediately available, non-refundable U.S. funds wired to
            the "America Online" account, Account Number 323070752 at the Chase
            Manhattan Bank, 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10081
            (ABA: 021000021), or such other account of which AOL shall give
            YellowBrix written notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
            Transaction Revenues to be paid by YellowBrix to AOL may be paid by
            wire or by check mailed to the address specified by AOL. All
            payments by AOL hereunder shall be paid by check mailed to the
            address set forth in the preamble to this Agreement, to the
            attention of the Chief Financial Officer. If payments due to be paid
            by AOL to YellowBrix are overdue at the end of the Term (or, if any
            Extension Term, then the Extension Term), such payments shall be
            made by AOL by wire transfer to the "BizWatch" account, Account
            Number 5 135718132 at the BB&T Bank, 1421 Prince Street, Alexandria,
            Virginia 22314 (ABA: 051 404 260), or such other account of which
            YellowBrix shall give AOL written notice.

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4.    ADVERTISING AND MERCHANDISING

      4.1   ADVERTISING SALES. Subject to Section 4.2, AOL will own all
            advertising inventory within the Customized Site and will have the
            exclusive right to license and/or sell all Advertisements in the
            Customized Site. YellowBrix may not incorporate or link to any
            Advertisement or other commercial elements without AOL's prior
            written approval.

      4.2   SHARING OF ADVERTISING REVENUES. AOL shall own the rights to
            Advertising Revenues generated through the Customized Site, as set
            forth in Section 4.1. AOL will pay to YellowBrix [*] percent
            ([*]%) (or such greater percentage as AOL shall determine in its
            sole discretion) of Advertising Revenues received by AOL for such
            Advertisements in the Customized Site as described herein.

      4.3   INTERACTIVE COMMERCE. Any merchandising permitted hereunder through
            the Customized Site and/or Customized Programming shall be subject
            to (i) the then-current requirements of AOL's merchant certification
            program as set forth at AOL Keyword: Merchants under the "Anchor and
            Gold Tenants" section, and (ii) approval by AOL of all products,
            goods and services to be offered through the Customized Site or the
            Customized Programming, which approval will not be unreasonably
            withheld. YellowBrix will take all reasonable steps necessary to
            conform us promotion and sale of Products through the Customized
            Site and Customized Programming to the then-existing technologies
            identified by AOL which are optimized for the AOL Service. All
            promotion and sale of Products shall conform to any "quick checkout"
            tool which AOL may implement to facilitate purchase of Products by
            AOL Members through the Customized Site.

      4.4   SHARING OF TRANSACTION REVENUES. During the Term, YellowBrix shall
            pay AOL [*] percent ([*]%) of Net Transactions Revenues, as such
            term is defined in Exhibit B.

5.    CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMMING AND CUSTOMIZED SITE

      5.1   PRODUCTION; PERFORMANCE. YellowBrix shall optimize all Customized
            Programming and the Customized Site for distribution hereunder
            according to AOL specifications and guidelines (including, without
            limitation, any HTML publishing guidelines) and the Operating
            Standards set forth on Exhibit F attached hereto.

      5.2   CUSTOMIZATION. YellowBrix shall customize all Customized Programming
            and the Customized Site for AOL Members as follows:

                  (a) YellowBrix shall customize and co-brand the Customized
                  Site for distribution over the AOL Properties listed in
                  Exhibit A-1 by displaying on each page of the Customized Site
                  framing, branding for and links to the applicable AOL
                  Property, and other navigational and promotional spaces, each
                  as described for each such AOL Property on the programming
                  plan set forth on Exhibit A-2 and/or Exhibit H. In addition,
                  on each page of the Customized Site linked to from a permanent
                  placement on a main department screen (or a higher level
                  screen) of Netscape Netcenter, YellowBrix shall display a
                  C-frame (i.e., side navigation/menu bars, headers and
                  footers), branding for and links to such Netscape Netcenter,
                  and other navigational and promotional spaces, each in
                  accordance with AOL's standards for Netscape Netcenter.
                  YellowBrix shall make any changes to the customization and/or
                  co-branding of the Customized Site to conform to the standard
                  requirements of any AOL Property or otherwise requested by AOL
                  during the Term; provided that any such change shall not
                  increase the portion of the Customized Site that is covered by
                  such framing by more than 10% over the portion covered by the
                  framing shown on Exhibit

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                  H for such AOL Property or the standard C-frame for such AOL
                  Property as of the Effective Date, as applicable. YellowBrix
                  shall provide continuous navigational ability for AOL Members
                  to return to an agreed-upon point on the applicable AOL
                  property (for which AOL shall supply the proper address) from
                  the Customized Site or Customized Programming (e.g., the point
                  on the applicable AOL Property from which such site is
                  linked), which, at AOL's option, may be satisfied through the
                  use of a hybrid browser format.

                  (b) YellowBrix shall ensure that AOL Members accessing the
                  Customized Programming or linking to the Customized Site do
                  not receive advertisements, promotions or links (i) for any
                  entity reasonably construed to be in competition with AOL or
                  the applicable AOL Property, (ii) in a category in which AOL
                  or the applicable AOL Property has an exclusive or other
                  preferential relationship, or (iii) otherwise in violation of
                  the applicable AOL Property's then-standard advertising
                  policies. In addition, YellowBrix shall ensure that no
                  promotions, advertisements or links for any Internet browser
                  (other than Netscape browsers) appear within any Customized
                  Programming displayed to AOL Members accessing Netscape
                  Netcenter or within the version of the Customized Site that is
                  customized and co-branded for Netscape Netcenter.

                  (c) Within the Customized Site, YellowBrix shall use and/or
                  feature solely AOL's tools and technology for the following
                  utilities and functionality: instant messaging, chat,
                  personalization technology, calendaring, web page community
                  services, message boards, user groups and lists, and
                  commerce/content aggregation services, excluding the "product
                  matching" tools provided by YellowBrix ("AOL Tools"). If any
                  such AOL Tool is not made available for use on the Customized
                  Site within a reasonable time upon YellowBrix's request,
                  YellowBrix shall be permitted to utilize on the Customized
                  Site similar tools and technology provided by a third party,
                  provided that such tools and technology are not branded by
                  such third party and no links or promotions for such third
                  party appear on the Customized Site and, provided, further
                  that YellowBrix will convert such tools and technology over to
                  the corresponding AOL Tool once such AOL Tool is made
                  available. In addition, except as provided for herein, the
                  Customized Site shall not (x) provide or promote any email
                  service or (y) without AOL's prior written consent and unless
                  otherwise provided for in this Agreement (including the
                  Programming Plan in Exhibit A-2), use or feature the tools or
                  technology of any Interactive Service other than AOL. The
                  Parties will apply commercially reasonable efforts to agree
                  upon the terms of the integration, use and promotion of the
                  AOL Tools within sixty (60) days after the date of execution
                  of this Agreement

                  (d) YellowBrix shall host all pages of the Customized Site and
                  Customized Programming under a domain name co-branded with
                  Netscape Netcenter (i.e., yellowbrix.netscape.com) and traffic
                  to pages hosted on any such domain name shall be deemed to be
                  AOL traffic. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of
                  this Agreement, unless the Parties otherwise agree, YellowBrix
                  shall (i) discontinue hosting the Customized Site under the
                  co-branded domain name, and (ii) for a period of [*] years
                  thereafter, host a jump page under each such co-branded domain
                  name. The design of such jump page shall be mutually agreed to
                  by the Parties. In addition, such jump page shall be subject
                  to all terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to
                  Customized Programming, shall be co-branded with each Party's
                  brands and shall contain prominent navigation to both the
                  Generally Available Site (or, upon AOL's prior written
                  approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld,
                  such other site as YellowBrix may designate and which site is
                  not reasonably construed to be in competition with AOL) and an
                  area(s) of the AOL

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                  Network, or other Content area(s), selected by AOL and related
                  in subject matter to the Content contained on the Customized
                  Site.

      5.3   INTEGRITY OF AOL NETWORK. The Parties will work together on mutually
            acceptable links (including links back to the AOL Network) within
            the Customized Site in order to create a robust and engaging AOL
            member experience and the Customized Site may include reasonable
            editorial links that are contextually related to the Content
            described on the Programming Plan subject to the terms of this
            Agreement, including Section 5.2 (b) and the following:

            (a)   YellowBrix shall take reasonable efforts to ensure that AOL
                  traffic is generally either kept within the Customized Site or
                  channeled back into the AOL Network. If AOL notifies
                  YellowBrix in writing that, in AOL's reasonable judgment,
                  links from the Customized Site cause an excessive amount of
                  AOL traffic to be diverted outside of the Customized Site and
                  the AOL Network in a manner that has a detrimental effect on
                  the traffic flow of the AOL audience, then YellowBrix shall
                  immediately reduce the number of links out of the Customized
                  Site. The attribution required in YellowBrix Third Party
                  Agreements, if any, shall consist only of the name and/or logo
                  of the content provider, will contain no other marketing or
                  promotional Content, and will not be considered to cause an
                  excessive amount of diverted traffic under this clause,
                  provided that any logo in the attribution will be no larger
                  than 75 x 30 pixels in size. In the event that YellowBrix
                  cannot or does not so limit diverted traffic from the
                  Customized Site, AOL reserves the right to terminate any links
                  from the AOL Network to the Customized Site.

            (b)   YellowBrix shall ensure that the Customized Site does not
                  contain any permanent or semi-permanent links for third party
                  Content, except as expressly described in the Programming
                  Plan. In addition, YellowBrix shall ensure that the Customized
                  Site does not contain any rotational links (including, without
                  limitation, banner advertisements) for aggregated Content
                  within the same Content category or AOL Property channel as
                  YellowBrix's Content, except as expressly described in the
                  Programming Plan.

            (c)   Any links within the Customized Site to other Content shall be
                  directed to Content within the AOL Network or within the
                  customized sites of other AOL interactive Content providers to
                  the extent such Content is available within such areas.

            (d)   Any Advertisements purchased by YellowBrix within the sites of
                  other AOL interactive Content providers or interactive
                  marketing partners shall link to the Customized Site.

      5.4   LINKS WITHIN CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMMING. The Customized Programming
            shall not contain any links or pointers to any other area on or
            outside of the AOL Network without AOL's prior written consent,
            except as expressly described in the Programming Plan or in Section
            5.3(a) above.

      5.5   REVIEW. YellowBrix shall allow appropriate AOL personnel to have
            reasonable access to all Customized Programming and the Customized
            Site from time to time for the purpose of reviewing such sites to
            determine compliance with the provisions of this Section 5.

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

6.     TERM, TERMINATION, PRESS RELEASES.

       6.1.   TERM. Unless earlier terminated as set forth herein, the initial
              term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and
              expire eighteen (18) months after the Effective Date. AOL shall,
              upon reaching the Impressions Commitment provided for in Section
              1.6 above, have the right to extend this Agreement for an
              additional one (1) year period (the "Extension Term"), with such
              Extension Term commencing on the later of (a) the expiration of
              the initial term of this Agreement, or (b) the date the
              Impressions Commitment is reached. The Extension Term shall be on
              the same terms and conditions contained herein, provided that,
              during any Extension Term, YellowBrix shall make payments in the
              amount of $ [*] on or before each of the dates that is [*] months
              after the commencement of the Extension Term, and AOL shall
              provide YellowBrix with an Impressions Commitment of at least [*].
              Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any Extension Term, no
              Transaction Revenues will be paid by YellowBrix to AOL pursuant
              to Section 4.4. AOL shall exercise its option to extend this
              Agreement by providing YellowBrix with written notice of such
              election no later than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration
              of the initial term, or, if AOL elects to extend this Agreement
              by six (6) months pursuant to Section 1.6 above, then sixty (60)
              days prior to the expiration of such six (6) month period.

       6.2    TERMINATION FOR BREACH. Either Party may terminate this Agreement
              at any time in the event of a material breach by the other Party
              of this Agreement or the Warrant Agreement, which breach remains
              uncured after thirty (30) days written notice thereof; provided,
              however, that AOL will not be required to provide notice to
              YellowBrix in connection with YellowBrix's failure to make any
              payment required under Section 1.5.1 of this Agreement, and the
              cure period with respect to any scheduled payment shall be
              fifteen (15) days from the date such payment is due. In the event
              of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 6.2
              as the result of a material breach by AOL, AOL shall refund to
              YellowBrix the pro rata portion of any guaranteed payments paid by
              YellowBrix for Impressions (pursuant to Section 1.5.1 above) not
              yet delivered as of such date of termination, and no further
              guaranteed payments shall be due thereafter.

       6.3    TERMINATION FOR BANKRUPTCY/INSOLVENCY OR CHANGES IN BUSINESS.
              Either Party may terminate this Agreement immediately following
              written notice to the other Party if the other Party (i) ceases to
              do business in the normal course, (ii) becomes or is declared
              insolvent or bankrupt, (iii) is the subject of any proceeding
              related to its liquidation or insolvency (whether voluntary or
              involuntary) which is not dismissed within ninety (90) calendar
              days or (iv) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors.

       6.4    PRESS RELEASES. Each Party will submit to the other Party, for its
              prior written approval, which will not be unreasonably withheld or
              delayed, any press release or any other public statement ("Press
              Release") regarding the transactions contemplated hereunder.
              Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may issue Press
              Releases and other disclosures as required by law, rule,
              regulation or court order or as reasonably advised by legal
              counsel without the consent of the other Party and in such event,
              the disclosing Party will provide at least five (5) business days
              prior written notice of such disclosure. The failure to obtain the
              prior written approval of the other Party shall be deemed a
              material breach of this Agreement. Because it would be difficult
              to precisely ascertain the extent of the injury caused to the
              non-breaching Party, in the event of such material breach, the
              non-breaching Party may elect either to (a) terminate this
              Agreement immediately upon notice to the other Party, or (b)
              elect, as liquidated damages, to modify the Impressions commitment
              hereunder by [*] percent ([*]%) (i.e., either an increase in the

                      * Confidential Treatment Requested

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

              Impressions commitment if AOL has violated this provision or a
              decrease in the Impressions commitment if YellowBrix has violated
              this provision). The Parties agree that the liquidated damages set
              forth in the preceding sentence are a reasonable approximation of
              the injury that would be suffered by the non-breaching Party.

              [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

       7.     TERMS AND CONDITIONS. The terms and conditions set forth on the
              Exhibits attached hereto are hereby made a part of this Agreement.

              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this
Agreement as of the Effective Date.

AMERICA ONLINE, INC.                            NEWSREAL, INC.

By: /s/ ERIC L. KELLER                          By: /s/ JEFFREY P. MASSA
   ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

Print Name: Eric L. Keller                      Print Name: Jeffrey P. Massa
           --------------------                            --------------------

Title: SVP                                      Title: CTO
      -------------------------                       -------------------------

Date:                                           Date:
     --------------------------                      --------------------------

                                                Tax ID/EIN#:      541869419
                                                            -------------------

                                       12<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of December 11, 1997, by and
between BIZWATCH, INC., a Delaware corporation, having its principal office at
1199 North Fairfax Street, Suite 800, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (the
"Company"), and David C. Hoppman, an individual residing at 3225 N Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007 ("Executive").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ Executive in an executive capacity and
Executive is desirous of being so employed.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and
agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.   Employment, Duties and Acceptance.
          ---------------------------------

          (a)  The Company hereby employs Executive for the Term (as hereinafter
defined) to render services to the Company, including any subsidiaries thereof,
as President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and to perform such duties
commensurate with such office as he shall reasonably be directed by the Board of
Directors (the "Board") of the Company to perform, which duties shall be
consistent with the provisions of the Bylaws in effect on the date hereof that
relate to the duties of the President and CEO. Unless otherwise determined by
the Board or as required by the Bylaws of the Company, all employees and
executives of the Company and any subsidiaries thereof will report directly or
indirectly to the President and CEO.

          (b)  Executive agrees to devote his entire working time, attention and
energies to the performance of the business of the Company, including any
subsidiaries thereof, and Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or
as a member of any partnership or other organization, or as an officer, director
or employee of any other corporation, partnership or other organization, be
actively engaged in or concerned with any other duties or pursuits which
materially interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder, or which,
even if noninterfering, may be inimical, or contrary, to the best interests of
the Company, except those duties or pursuits specifically authorized by the
Board.

          (c)  Executive further agrees to accept any appointment and to serve
during all or any part of the Term as a director of the Company without any
compensation therefor other than that specified in this Agreement. The Company
shall use its best efforts to cause Executive to be elected as a director during
the Term and shall include him in the management slate for election as a
director at every
<PAGE>   2
stockholders meeting during the Term at which his term as a director would
otherwise expire.

          (d)  The principal place of employment of Executive hereunder shall at
all times during the Term be in the greater Alexandria, Virginia area, or other
locations mutually acceptable to Executive and the Company. Executive
understands and agrees that he may be required to travel from time to time for
business reasons.

          (e)  Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to render the
services described above and abide by the terms of this Agreement.

     2.   Term of Employment
          ------------------

     Subject to the terms of this Agreement, including Section 8 hereof, the
term of Executive's employment under this Agreement will commence as of the date
hereof (the "Effective Date") and shall end on the later of (i) the third
anniversary hereof or (ii) the second anniversary of the closing of an initial
public offering of the Company's securities.

     3.   Compensation and Benefits
          -------------------------

          (a)  (1)  As full compensation for all services to be rendered
          pursuant to this Agreement, commencing the Effective Date, the Company
          agrees to pay Executive during the Term a base salary at an annual
          rate of $165,000, payable in such installments as is the policy of the
          Company with respect to executive employees of the Company (the
          "Salary"). Thereafter, from time to time, and subject to the
          provisions of subparagraph (a)(3) below, the Board of Directors of the
          Company shall consider, in its sole and absolute discretion, any
          appropriate adjustments to Executive's Salary.

          (2)  From time to time, and subject to the provisions of subparagraph
          (a)(3) below, the Board of Directors of the Company shall consider, in
          its sole absolute discretion, any bonus payments, whether consisting
          of cash, securities or otherwise ("Bonus") to Executive.

          (3)  The aggregate amount of Salary and Bonus, if any, paid to
          Executive during any calendar year shall not exceed $200,000 until
          such time as the Company has generated cumulative revenues of at least
          $4.3 million and is no longer experiencing a net operating loss on a
          monthly basis. The Company and Executive hereby agree that, within
          thirty (30) days following such time, the Company and Executive shall
          increase Executive's Salary and Bonus by a mutually agreeable upon
          amount which is reasonable in light of the salaries and bonuses then
          offered by similarly situated and comparable companies.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>   3
          (b)  The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for all reasonable
travel, entertainment and other business expenses actually incurred or paid by
him during the Term in the performance of his services under this Agreement,
upon presentation of expense statements or vouchers or such other supporting
information as the Company may reasonably require of Executive and in accordance
with the policy of the Company.

          (c)  Executive shall be eligible under any disability insurance, group
insurance, 401(k) or other so-called "fringe" benefits, if any, which the
Company generally provides for its executives.

          (d)  The Company shall provide to Executive, at the Company's expense,
medical, dental and vision insurance which the Company generally provides for
its executives.

          (e)  After the first six (6) months of the Term, Executive shall be
entitled to vacation time of four (4) weeks per year taken during the Term,
subject to fulfillment of his duties hereunder, in accordance with the vacation
policy of the Company.

     4.   Stock.
          -----

          Executive hereby acknowledges that Executive owns an aggregate of
2,562 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per
share ("Common Stock") and options to purchase an aggregate of 10,829 shares of
Common Stock (the "Options"). Executive hereby further acknowledges that the
Shares and the Options were issued pursuant, and remain subject, to the
provisions of that certain Subscription Agreement, dated as of October 2, 1997,
as amended, that certain Option Agreement, dated October 2, 1997, as amended,
and that certain Shareholders Agreement, dated the date hereof by and among the
Company, Executive, Infoseek Corporation and certain other parties named
therein.

     5.   Confidentiality.
          ---------------

          (a)  Executive shall not, during the Term of this Agreement, or for a
period of three (3) years following termination of this Agreement, directly or
indirectly, disclose or permit to be known other than (i) as is reasonably
required in the regular course of his duties, including disclosures to the
Company's advisors and consultants, (ii) as required by law (in which case
Executive shall give the Company prior written notice of such required
disclosure) or (iii) with the prior written consent of the Board of Directors)
to any person, firm or corporation any information relating to the Company's
business or purpose, which information is not in the public domain or generally
known in the Company's Field of Interest, in any form acquired by Executive
during the course of, or as an incident to, his employment with the Company or
any predecessor to the Company's business or the rendering of services
hereunder, and relating to the Company, any subsidiaries or other Affiliates (as
defined below) thereof,

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
any client, investor, corporate partner or joint venturer of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries, or any corporation, partnership or other entity owned or
controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, any subsidiaries or other
Affiliates thereof or, to the knowledge of Executive, any of the other persons
or entities listed above, or in which the Company, any subsidiaries or other
Affiliates thereof or, to the knowledge of Executive, any of the other persons
or entities listed above, has a beneficial interest. Such information shall
include, but shall not be limited to, business affairs, proprietary technology,
trade secrets, patented processes, research and development data, know-how,
market studies and forecasts, competitive analyses, pricing policies, employee
lists, personnel policies, the substance of agreements with customers,
suppliers and others, marketing arrangements, customer lists and any other
documents embodying such confidential information. This confidentiality
obligation shall not apply to any information which becomes publicly available
other than pursuant to a breach of this Section 5 by Executive.

          (b)  All information and documents relating to the Company and any
subsidiaries or other Affiliates thereof as hereinabove described shall be the
exclusive property of the Company, and, upon termination of Executive's
employment with the Company, all documents, records, reports, writings and
other similar documents containing confidential information, including copies
thereof, then in Executive's possession or control shall be returned to and
left with the Company.

     6.   Noncompetition; Nonintervention.

          (a)  Executive shall not, during the Term of this Agreement, or for a
period of three (3) years following termination of this Agreement (the
"Restricted Period"), directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, joint
venturer, stockholder, employee, broker, agent, principal, trustee, corporate
officer, director, licensor, or in any capacity whatsoever engage in, become
financially interested in, be employed by, render any consultation or business
advice with respect to, or have any connection with any business which is in
the Company's Field of Interest (as defined below) anywhere within the United
States; provided, however, that Executive may own any securities of any
corporation which is engaged in such business and is publicly owned and traded
but in an amount not to exceed at any one time one percent (1%) of any class of
stock or securities of such company.

          (b)  During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, whether for
his own account or for the account of any other individual, partnership, firm,
corporation or other business organization (other than the Company), directly
or indirectly solicit, endeavor to entice away from the Company or its
Affiliates, or otherwise directly interfere with the relationship of the
Company or its Affiliates with any person who, to the knowledge of Executive,
is employed by or otherwise engaged to perform services for the Company or its
Affiliates (including, but not limited to, any independent sales
representatives or organizations) or who is, or was within the then most recent
twelve-month period, a customer or client, of the Company, its predecessors or
any of its Affiliates. The placement of any general classified or "help wanted"
advertisements

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
and/or general solicitations to the public at large shall not constitute a
violation of this Section unless Executive's name is contained in such
advertisements or solicitations.

         7.       Injunction and Enforceability of Covenants.

                  (a)      If Executive commits a breach, or threatens to
commit a breach, of any of the provisions of Sections 5, 6 or 9 hereof, the
Company shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions of this
Agreement specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction, it
being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach will
cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages will not provide
an adequate remedy to the Company.

                  (b)      If any of the covenants contained in Sections 5, 6 or
9 hereof, or any part thereof, is hereafter construed to be invalid or
unenforceable, the same shall not affect the remainder of the covenant or
covenants, which shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid
portions.

                  (c)      If any of the covenants contained in Sections 5, 6
or 9 hereof, or any part thereof, is held to be unenforceable because of the
scope or duration of such provision or the area covered thereby, the parties
agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to reduce
the scope, duration and/or area of such provision to the least extent necessary
to render them enforceable and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then
be enforceable.

                  (d)      The parties hereto intend to and hereby confer
jurisdiction to enforce the covenants contained in Sections 5, 6 or 9 hereof
upon the courts of any state within the geographical scope of such covenants.
In the event that the courts of any one or more of such states shall hold any
such covenant wholly unenforceable by reason of the breadth of such scope or
otherwise, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such determination
not bar or in any way affect the Company's right to the relief provided above
in the courts of any other states within the geographical scope of such other
covenants, as to breaches of such covenants in such other respective
jurisdictions, the above covenants as they relate to each state being, for this
purpose, severable into diverse and independent covenants.

                  (e)      The existence of any claim or cause of action by
Executive against the Company or any subsidiaries or other Affiliates of the
Company shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the
covenants contained in Sections 5, 6 or 9 hereof, but such claim or cause of
action shall be litigated separately.

         8.       Termination of Employment.

                  (a)      The Company may terminate this Agreement upon
written notice to Executive if Executive acts, or fails to act, in a manner
that provides Cause for termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Cause" means: (i) the willful or continual neglect by Executive of his duties
or obligations hereunder (other than

                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6
breaches of the covenants set forth in Sections 5, 6 and 9 hereof which events
are governed by clause (vi) below), provided that such neglect remains uncured
for a period of 30 days after written notice describing the same is given to
Executive, and provided further that isolated or insubstantial failures shall
not constitute Cause hereunder; (ii) Executive's conviction (which, through
lapse of time or otherwise, is not subject to appeal) of any felony or crime of
moral turpitude or any crime or offense involving money or other property of the
Company or any subsidiaries or other Affiliates thereof; (iii) Executive's
performance of any act or failure to act which, if Executive were prosecuted and
convicted therefor, would constitute a crime or offense either involving money
or property of the Company or any subsidiaries or other Affiliates thereof or
constituting a felony in the jurisdiction involved; (iv) any attempt by
Executive to improperly secure any personal profit in connection with the
business of the Company or any subsidiaries or other Affiliates thereof; (v)
chronic alcoholism or the use of illegal drugs; or (vi) any breach by Executive
of the terms of Sections 5, 6 or 9 hereof, provided such breach continues
uncured for 10 days after written notice of such breach is given by the Company
to Executive. All determinations of Cause shall be made by the vote of a
majority of the entire Board of Directors (without Executive's participation).

         (b)      Executive may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to
the Company for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Good
Reason" means: (i) a substantial reduction of Executive's duties, position,
authority or responsibilities hereunder which is not corrected within thirty
(30) days after written notice from Executive; (ii) material breach by the
Company of its obligations hereunder if not remedied within thirty (30) days
after written notice from Executive; (iii) a material reduction in Executive's
compensation (provided, however, that a Company-wide salary reduction which is
instituted with the concurrence of Executive shall not constitute Good Reason
hereunder); or (iv) Executive is not the highest ranking officer of the Company.

         (c)      This Agreement shall immediately terminate upon the
occurrence of any of the following:

                  (1)      Executive's death during the Term; provided, however,
         that Executive's legal representatives shall be entitled to receive
         Executive's Salary through the last day of the month in which his death
         occurs; or

                  (2)      Executive's physical or mental disability such that
         he is unable substantially to perform his services hereunder for (i) a
         period of 60 consecutive days or (ii) for shorter periods aggregating
         120 days during any twelve-month period during the Term.
         Notwithstanding such disability, the Company shall continue to pay
         Executive his Salary through the date of such termination.

         (d)      In the event that Executive's employment is terminated for
any reason other than (i) at the end of the Term upon expiration of this
Agreement, (ii) by

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
the Company for Cause, (iii) death, (iv) disability or (v) by Executive other
than for Good Reason, the Company shall (x) pay Executive for a period equal to
the greater of two (2) years or the remainder of the Term (the "Severance
Period") his Salary at the then current rate (including an amount equal to any
bonuses paid to Executive during the prior twelve (12) month period), payable
in such installments as the Company customarily pays Executive, which amount
shall be in lieu of any and all other payments due and owing to Executive under
the terms of this Agreement (other than any payments constituting reimbursement
of expenses pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof), and (y) continue to allow
Executive to participate, during the Severance Period and at the Company's
expense, in the Company's health, dental and vision insurance and disability
insurance programs, if any, to the extent permitted under such programs and
applicable laws.

     (e) Upon any termination of Executive's employment hereunder for any
reason, with or without Cause or Good Reason, whether by the Company or by
Executive, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all positions as an
officer, employee and director of the Company or any subsidiaries or other
Affiliates thereof.

     9.   Inventions Discovered by Executive.

     Executive shall promptly disclose to the Company any invention,
improvement, discovery, process, formula or method or other intellectual
property, whether or not patentable, whether or not copyrightable, in the
Company's Field of Interest (collectively, "Inventions") made, conceived or
first reduced to practice by Executive, either alone or jointly with others,
while performing service hereunder. Executive hereby assigns to the Company all
of his right, title and interest in and to any such Inventions. During and
after the Term, Executive shall execute any documents necessary to perfect the
assignment of such Inventions to the Company and to enable the Company to apply
for, obtain and enforce patents and/or copyrights in any and all countries on
such Inventions. Executive hereby irrevocably designates counsel to the Company
as Executive's agent and attorney-in-fact to execute and file any such document
and to do all lawful acts necessary to apply for and obtain patents and/or
copyrights and to enforce the Company's rights under this Section 9. Any
invention relating to the business of the Company and disclosed by Executive
within six months following the termination or his or her employment with the
Company shall be deemed to fall within the provisions of this Section unless
proved to have been first conceived and made following such termination. This
Section 9 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

     10.  Representations and Agreements of Executive.

          (a)  Executive represents and warrants that he is free to enter into
this Agreement and to perform the duties required hereunder and that there are
no employment contracts or understandings, restrictive covenants or other
restrictions, whether written or oral, preventing the performance of his duties
hereunder.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

          (b) Executive agrees to submit to a medical examination and to
cooperate and supply such other information and documents as may be required by
the Company in connection with its obtaining or providing any type of insurance
or other fringe benefit as the Company shall determine from time to time.

     11.  Definitions.

          As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

          (a) "Affiliate" means and includes any person, corporation or other
entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the entity in
question; and

          (b) "Company's Field of Interest" means the businesses of the Company
as conducted and proposed to be conducted as of the date hereof and any
business reasonably determined from time to time and during the Term by the
Company in its sole discretion to be competitive with the business of the
Company.

     12.  Arbitration.

     Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
the breach thereof (other than disputes with respect to alleged violations of
the covenants contained in Sections 5, 6 and 9 hereof and the Company's pursuit
of the remedies described in Section 7 hereof in connection therewith) shall be
settled by arbitration in the City of New York, in accordance with the rules
then existing of the American Arbitration Association (three arbitrators), and
judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof. The parties shall be free to pursue any remedy before the
arbitration tribunal that they shall be otherwise permitted to pursue in a
court of competent jurisdiction. The award of the arbitrators shall be final
and binding.

     13.  Notices.

     All notices, requests, consents and other communications required or
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if sent by private overnight mail service, registered or
certified mail (return receipt requested and received), telecopy or delivered
personally, as follows (or to such other address as either party shall
designate by notice in writing to the other in accordance herewith):

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
If to the Company:

                  BizWatch, Inc.
                  1199 North Fairfax Street
                  Suite 800
                  Alexandria, VA 22314
                  Attention: Secretary
                  Telephone: (703) 838-5566
                  Fax: (703) 683-4707

With a copy to:

                  Stephen M. Feldhaus, Esq.
                  Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
                  Market Square
                  801 Pennsylvania Avenue
                  Washington, D.C. 20004-2604
                  Telephone: (202) 662-0200
                  Fax: (202) 662-4643

If to Executive:

                  Mr. David C. Hoppman
                  3225 N Street, N.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20007
                  Tel: (202) 337-1032
                  Fax: (202) 333-2550

     14.  Withholding.

     All payments required to be made by the Company to Executive under this
Agreement shall be subject to withholding taxes, social security and other
payroll deductions in accordance with the policy of the Company.

     15.  Successors and Assigns.

          (a)  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and the Company shall
require any successor or assign to expressly assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place. The
term "the Company" as used herein shall include such successors and assigns.
The term "successors and assigns" as used herein shall mean a corporation or
other entity acquiring all or substantially all of the assets and business of
the Company (including this Agreement) whether by operation of law or otherwise.

                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10
          (b)  This Agreement and all rights under this Agreement are personal
to Executive and shall not be assignable other than by will or the laws of
intestacy. All of Executive's rights under this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of his heirs, personal representatives, designees or other legal
representatives, as the case may be.

     16.  General.

          (a)  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements
made and to be performed entirely in New York.

          (b)  This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding
of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, arrangements and understandings, written or oral, relating to the
subject matter hereof; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of the
Stock Agreement shall continue to remain in full force and effect. No
representation, promise or inducement has been made by either party that is not
embodied in this Agreement or the Stock Agreement, and neither party shall be
bound by or liable for any alleged representation, promise or inducement not so
set forth.

          (c)  This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, canceled,
renewed or extended, and the terms or covenants hereof may be waived, only by a
written instrument executed by the parties hereto, or in the case of a waiver,
by the party waiving compliance. The failure or delay of a party at any time or
times to require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect
the right at a later time to enforce the same. No waiver by a party of the
breach of any term or covenant contained in this Agreement, whether by conduct
or otherwise, or any one or more or continuing waivers of any such breach,
shall constitute a waiver of the breach of any other term or covenant contained
in this Agreement.

          (d)  Should any provision of this Agreement be held by an arbitration
tribunal to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalid or unenforceable
provision shall not render the entire Agreement invalid or unenforceable, and
this Agreement and each individual provision hereof shall be enforceable and
valid to the fullest extent permitted by law.

          (e)  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of this
Agreement.

          (f)  This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures
thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement shall become
effective when each party hereto shall have received counterparts hereof signed
by the other party hereto.

                                      -10-

<PAGE>   11
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by
its duly authorized officer and Executive has executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

                                     BIZWATCH, INC.

                                     By: /s/ Jeffery P. Massa
                                         -------------------------
                                         Name:  Jeffery P. Massa
                                         Title: Secretary

                                         /s/ David C. Hoppmann
                                         -------------------------
                                         David C. Hoppmann

                                      -11-

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