Document:

Exhibit 10.17

	

EXHIBIT 10.17

SUBLEASE

     THIS
SUBLEASE (“Sublease”) is made as of the 11th day of February, 2002 by and
between Billing Concepts Corp., a Delaware Corporation (“Sublessor”) and CCC
Centers, Inc. a Texas Corporation, as sublessee (“Sublessee”). 

RECITALS

     A.
Pursuant to a certain lease agreement and amendments thereto by and between
Sublessor, as tenant, and EOP-Union Square Limited Partnership, an Illinois
Limited Partnership, as landlord (“Landlord”), dated as of November 6,
2000 (the “Prime Lease”), Sublessor leased from Landlord certain
premises, including, without limitation, 7,662 rentable square feet (Suite 450),
(the “Prime Premises”), of that certain building commonly known as
Union Square (the “Building”) more particularly described in the Prime
Lease and Amendment thereto. A true and complete copy of the Prime Lease and
amendments is attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit “A”. 

     B.
Sublessor desires to sublet to Sublessee and Sublessee desires to sublease from
Sublessor the Prime Premises, which is comprised of approximately 2,571 rentable
square feet of the Prime Premises included in the Prime Lease, subject to and in
accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. 

AGREEMENT

     NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the
parties hereto do hereby agree as follows: 

     1. 
Premises and Term. Sublessor hereby subleases to Sublessee and Sublessee
hereby subleases and takes from Sublessor the Prime Premises, which is comprised
of approximately 2,571 rentable square feet as more particularly reflected on
the floor plan attached hereto as Exhibit “B” and all existing
leasehold improvements thereto (the “Sublease Premises”). The term of
this Sublease (“Term”) shall commence on the later of 2/1/02 or the
date that Landlord shall grant its consent to the Sublease and the space is
ready for occupancy (the “Commencement Date”) and shall terminate
1/31/04 (the “Termination Date”), unless earlier termination pursuant
to the terms of this Sublease or the Prime Lease. 

     2. 
Incorporation of Prime Lease. Except as otherwise provided herein, all of
the terms and conditions of the Prime Lease with respect to the Sublease
Premises are herby incorporated by reference into this Sublease and shall be
binding upon the parties hereto. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Prime
Lease, Sublessee is not granted hereby an option to extend the term of this
Sublease, a right of notice of availability of additional space, parking and
signage rights (other than as expressly stated herein), and/or an option to
terminate this Sublease. A copy of the Prime Lease is attached as Exhibit A. 

	

     3. 
Base Rent. Commencing on the Commencement Date, Sublessee shall pay monthly
rent to Sublessor in the amount of $3,642.25 in advance, without demand, set off
or deduction, on the first day of each and every calendar month during the Term
hereof. Upon the execution hereof, Sublessee shall pay Sublessor $3,642.25 as
first month’s rent. Rental payments for partial months, if any, shall be
prorated on a daily basis. 

     Sublessee
agrees to pay to Sublessor, at the same time and in the same manner as Base Rent
and other charges due hereunder, all sales and use taxes and excise taxes imposed
or levied upon all payments to be made by Sublessee hereunder by the State of
Texas, if any, or any other governmental authority having jurisdiction, and any
and all taxes assessed upon all of the equipment, furniture, fixtures and
personal property located in the Sublease Premises. 

     Sublessee
shall pay to Sublessor, as additional Base Rent, any increase in Taxes and
Operating Costs (as defined in the Prime Lease) at the same times and in the
same manner as Sublessor is obligated to make such payments to Landlord pursuant
to the Prime Lease in an amount equal to Sublessee’s Proportionate Share
(as hereinafter defined) of the amount of Tenant’s Share (as defined in the
Prime Lease) of any increase in estimated Common Area Maintenance Charge, Taxes
and Operating Costs for each calendar year of the Term hereof over the amount as
shown in Exhibit A. “Sublessee’s Proportionate Share” shall mean
a fraction, the numerator of which is the net rentable square feet contained in
the Sublease Premises, and the denominator of which is the total net rentable
square feet being leased by Sublessor pursuant to the Prime Lease. 

     All
payments of Base Rent and other amounts due hereunder from Sublessee to
Sublessor shall be made to Sublessor at the address set forth in Paragraph 25
hereof or such other address as Sublessor shall designate from time to time by
written notice to Sublessee. Any Base Rent or other amounts owing by Sublessee
to Sublessor and not paid within five (5) days of the date due shall bear
interest from the sixth date until the date paid at the rate of eighteen percent
(18%) per annum. 

     4. 
Services. In the event that any additional utilities and/or services are
provided by Landlord to Sublessee beyond the times and amounts normally provided
by Landlord, such services and/or utilities shall be payable by Sublessee at
Landlord’s actual cost and any other amounts charged by Landlord. Sublessor
shall not be obligated to provide any services to Sublessee. Sublessee’s
sole source of all services is Landlord, pursuant to the Prime Lease. Sublessor
makes no representation about the availability and adequacy of such services. As
of the date of this Sublease, Sublessor has no agreement with Landlord for
after-hours air conditioning. Sublessor shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to assist Sublessee in obtaining the services required by the Prime
Lease from Landlord. 

	

     5. 
Security Deposit. Sublessee, concurrently with Landlord’s consent to
this Sublease, shall deposit with Sublessor a Security Deposit in the amount of
$3,642.25 to be held by Sublessor without interest, and shall be applied by
Sublessor toward the cost of repairing or replacing any equipment damaged or
removed from the Sublease Premises and toward repair of damage (other than
ordinary wear, tear, damage and condemnation) to the Sublease Premises or for
any other liabilities or indebtedness of Sublessee to Sublessor. The deposit is
not to be used or applied by Sublessee as a substitute for rent due any month
but may be so applied by Sublessor at any time at Sublessor’s option. The
use, application, or retention of the Security Deposit, or any portion thereof,
by Sublessor shall not prevent Sublessor from exercising any other right or
remedy provided by this Sublease, the Prime Lease or by law and shall not
operate as a limitation on any recovery to which Sublessor may otherwise be
entitled. If the Security Deposit is used, applied, or retained by Sublessor for
the purpose set forth above, Sublessee agrees, within ten (10) days after a
written demand therefore is made by Sublessor, to deposit cash with the
Sublessor in an amount sufficient to restore the Security Deposit to its
original amount; however, nothing contained herein shall require Sublessor to
make such demand upon Sublessee. The balance of the Security Deposit, if any,
will be refunded to Sublessee within thirty (30) days after the end of the lease
term and after Sublessee has vacated said Sublease Premises, subject to
Sublessee’s satisfactory compliance with the terms and conditions of this
Sublease and the Prime Lease. 

     6. 
Provisions of Prime Lease. Sublessee covenants that, with respect to the
Sublease Premises, Sublessee will: (a) at its own cost and expense, promptly
perform and observe all of the duties and obligations of the tenant under the
Prime Lease that accrue with respect to the Term of the Sublease (other than the
amount of rent) as fully as if Sublessee were said tenant; (b) comply with all
restrictions and requirements of the Prime Lease applicable to the tenant
thereunder; and (c) not do, cause or omit to do any act or thing whereby an
event of default will occur under the Prime Lease or which would, after notice
or lapse of time, constitute an event of default under the Prime Lease. 

     7. 
Sublessee’s Use of the Sublease Premises. Sublessee shall use and
occupy the Sublease Premise only for general office purposes and for no other
use or purpose whatsoever and Sublessee shall not use or permit the Sublease
Premises to be used in any way that would violate the terms of the Prime Lease. 

     8. 
Waiver of Claim and Indemnity. Sublessee hereby releases and waives all
claims against Sublessor and Landlord and each of their respective officers,
directors, agents and employees for injury or damage to person, property or
business sustained in or about the Building or the Sublease Premises by
Sublessee or any of its employees, agents, guests or invitees, except in any
case which would render this release and waiver void under law. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Sublessee does not release or waive any such claims caused by the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of Sublessor, its agents or employees. 

	

     Sublessee
will indemnify, defend and save harmless Sublessor and Landlord and each of
their officers, directors, agents and employees from and against any and all
demands, liabilities, obligations, damages, penalties, claims, costs, charges
and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, which may be imposed
upon or incurred by or asserted against Sublessor or Landlord or either of their
officers, directors, agents or employees by reason of any act or omission of
Sublessee or its agents, officers, employees, guests, contractors, sublessees,
licensees, invitees or customers occurring during the Term of this Sublease. 

     9. 
Sublessee’s Insurance. Sublessee, at Sublessee’s expense, agrees
to maintain in force during the Term of this Sublease, with respect to the
Sublease Premises, such insurance policies required to be maintained by tenant
pursuant to Pages 11-12, Article XV of the Prime Lease. All of such insurance
policies shall list the Landlord, Sublessor and such other parties required by
such provisions of the Prime Lease, if any, (the “Indemnities”) as
additional insureds. Sublessee agrees to look solely to, and to seek recovery
only from, its insurance carrier in the event of any such covered loss or
damage, notwithstanding that such loss or damage may result from the negligence
of Sublessor or of the Indemnities. Sublessee shall use its best efforts to
obtain its insurer’s consent to the preceding sentence without thereby
invalidating its insurance or affecting its right to proceeds payable
thereunder. 

     10. 
No Warranties. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Sublessor does
not make any representations or warranties of Landlord under the Prime Lease and
does not undertake to perform or observe any of the terms, covenants and
conditions on the part of Landlord to be performed or observed. Sublessee is
fully familiar with the physical condition of the Sublease Premises, accepts
possession of the Sublease Premises in its “as is” condition and
agrees that Sublessor shall have no obligation to prepare the same for
Sublessee’s occupancy. Except as otherwise provided herein, Sublessor has
made no representations of whatever nature in connection with the condition of
the Sublease Premises, and Sublessor shall not be liable for any latent or
patent defects therein or for any action or inaction by Landlord with respect to
the condition of the Sublease Premises or the Building. 

     11. Americans
with Disabilities Act. Sublessor makes no representations with respect to whether the
Sublease Premises are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).
Sublessor hereby disclaims any and all liability associated with ADA compliance in
connection with the Sublease Premises. 

     12.
Alterations. Sublessee shall not make any alterations, improvements,
additions, installations or decorations in or to the Sublease Premises, except
as expressly permitted by the Prime Lease. In the event that Sublessee shall
make any alterations, improvements, additions, installations or decorations
which, pursuant to the terms of the Prime Lease or pursuant to any consent of or
agreement with Landlord are required to be removed upon the expiration of the
Term hereof or of the Prime Lease, Sublessee shall remove the same at its own
cost. 

	

     13. 
Fire and Casualty. In the event the Sublease Premises shall be destroyed or
damaged by fire or other casualty, the following shall be applicable: (a)
Landlord, and not Sublessor, shall be responsible for reconstruction if and to
the extent required by the Prime Lease; (b) if the Prime Lease is terminated by
Landlord or Sublessor as a result of such casualty, this Sublease shall also be
terminated as of the same date; and (c) if this Sublease is terminated,
Sublessee shall be responsible for all rental and other obligations up to the
date of such damage or destruction and all such obligations incurred after the
date of such termination shall cease. 

     14. 
Sublessor’s Performance. The performance by Landlord of its obligations
under the Prime Lease shall, for all purposes of this Sublease, be deemed to
satisfy all corresponding obligations of Sublessor under this Sublease, and
Sublessor’s obligations hereunder with respect to the obligations of
Landlord shall be limited to the extent to which Landlord performs its
obligations under the Prime Lease. 

     15. 
Time for Required Action. Whenever any provision of the Prime Lease, which
has been incorporated herein by reference, requires the tenant thereunder to
take any action within a certain period of time after notice from the Landlord
thereunder, then, upon notice from Sublessor to Sublessee, Sublessee shall take
such action before the expiration of the period of time set forth in said notice
under the Prime Lease; provided however, that in the event of a non-monetary
default under the Prime Lease, Sublessee shall cure said default within the
earlier of fifteen (15) days from the date of said notice under the Prime Lease
or ten (10) days before the expiration of the period of time set forth in said
notice. 

     16. 
Default. Sublessee shall be in default hereunder if (a) Sublessee fails to
pay when due any rent or other sum to be paid by Sublessee hereunder; or (b)
Sublessee fails to observe and perform any of the other terms, covenants,
conditions, and/or rules and regulations of this Sublease or the Prime Lease and
such failure continues for ten (10) days after notice (provided, however, if
such default is incapable of being cured within ten (10) days, Sublessee shall
not be in default if Sublessee has commenced curative action within such ten
(10) day period, continues diligently to complete the cure, and actually
completes the cure within the period required by the Prime Lease or if no such
period is specified in the Prime Lease, then within a reasonable time; or (c)
Sublessee abandons or deserts the Sublease Premises without notice to Sublessor
and the continued payment of rent; or (d) if Sublessee assigns this Sublease or
sub-sublets any portion of the Sublease Premises without the prior written
consent of Landlord and Sublessor; or (e) if any petitions shall be filed by or
against Sublessee to declare Sublessee bankrupt or to delay, reduce, or modify
Sublessee’s debts or obligations or if any petition shall be filed or other
action taken to reorganize or modify Sublessee’s capital structure; or (f)
if Sublessee admits in writing its inability to pay its debts, or if a receiver,
trustee, or other court appointee is appointed for all or a substantial part of
Sublessee’s property; or (g) if the leasehold interest of Sublessee is
levied upon or attached by process of law; or (h) if Sublessee makes an
assignment for the benefit of creditors or takes the benefit of any insolvency
act, or if any proceedings are filed by or against Sublessee to declare
Sublessee insolvent or unable to meet its debts; or (i) if a receiver or similar
type of appointment or court appointee or nominee of any name or character is
made for Sublessee or its property. 

	

     In
the event of any default by Sublessee, Sublessor may have any one or more of the
remedies described in the Prime Lease, in addition to all other rights and
remedies available at law or in equity. 

     17. 
Removal of Sublessee’s Personal Property. Upon the Termination Date of
the Sublease Term, Sublessee shall remove from the Sublease Premises all of its
personal property and shall peaceably surrender such Sublease Premises and the
keys thereto to Sublessor in as good order and condition as when delivered to
Sublessee, excepting ordinary wear and tear, repairs required to be made by the
Sublessor or Landlord, damage by fire and other unavoidable casualty and damage
due to Sublessor or Landlord. Sublessee shall have the right to remove trade
fixtures installed and paid for by the Sublessee provided these items can be
removed without material damage to the Building or Sublease Premises and
provided that any holes or other damage to the Building or Sublease Premises
caused by the removal of such items shall be restored or repaired by Sublessee
promptly. If Sublessor or Landlord re-enters or retakes possession of the
Sublease Premises prior to the normal expiration of this Sublease, Sublessor or
Landlord shall have the right, but not the obligation, to remove from the
Sublease Premises all personal property located therein belonging to Sublessee,
and either party may place the property in storage in a public warehouse at the
expense and risk of Sublessee. 

     18. 
Holding Over. In no event shall Sublessee remain in possession of the
Sublease Premises after the Termination Date of the Sublease. In the event that
Sublessee remains in possession of the Sublease Premises after the Termination
Date, Sublessee shall be subject to hold over charges equal to 150% of the Base
Rent, as well as any damages incurred by Sublessor levied by Landlord, under the
Prime Lease, applicable to such holdover. In the event Sublessee creates a Hold
Over situation for the entire Premises leased by Sublessor, provided Sublessor
has vacated its space in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Prime
Lease, Sublessee shall be subject to hold over charges at a rate of two hundred
percent of the rent stated in the Prime Lease, for the entire Premises leased by
Sublessor, for the Hold Over period. In no event shall there by any renewal of
this Sublease by operation of law. 

     19. 
Assignment of Sublease. Sublessee shall not assign this Sublease, or any
part hereof, or further sublet all or any part of the Sublease Premises without
obtaining the prior written consent of Sublessor and of Landlord.
Notwithstanding any such sublease or assignment, Sublessee shall remain fully
liable on this Sublease and shall not be released from performing any of the
terms, covenants and conditions hereof. Any attempt by Sublessee to assign or
sublease all or any part of the Sublease Premises without obtaining such prior
written consent or without Sublessee remaining fully liable on this Sublease
shall be null and void and shall confer no rights on any third person. 

	

     20. Conflict
or Inconsistency. In case of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of
the Prime Lease and those of this Sublease, the provisions hereof shall, as between the
Sublessor and Sublessee, control. 

     21.
Non-Waiver. Failure of Sublessor to declare any default or delay in taking
any action in connection herewith shall not waive such default. No receipt of
moneys by Sublessor from Sublessee after the termination in any way of the Term
of this Sublease or of Sublessee’s right of possession hereunder or after
the giving of any notice shall reinstate, continue or extend the Term of this
Sublease or affect any notice given to Sublessee or any suit commenced or
judgment entered prior to receipt of such moneys. 

     22. Cumulative
Rights and Remedies. All rights and remedies of Sublessor under this Sublease shall
be cumulative and none shall exclude any other rights or remedies allowed by law. 

     23. 
Brokerage. Sublessee and Sublessor represent and warrant to each other that
they each have not dealt or consulted with any real estate broker or agent in
connection with this Sublease, other than Grubb & Ellis and Providence
Commercial (“Brokers”), and agree to indemnify and hold each other
harmless from and against any claims by any other real estate broker or agent
claiming a commission or other form of compensation by virtue of having dealt
with them with regard to this leasing transaction. 

     24. 
Attorneys’ Fees. In connection with any litigation arising out of this
Sublease, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all costs incurred,
including reasonable attorneys’ fees, which include, without limitation,
those reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by such prevailing party for the
services of its attorneys through all trial and appellate levels and
post-judgment proceedings. 

     25. 
Notices. All notices, demands, approvals, consents, requests for approval or
consents or other writings required in this Sublease or in the Prime Lease to be
given, made or sent by either party hereto to the other (“Notice”)
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been fully given, made or sent
when made by personal service or deposited in the United States Mail, certified
or registered, and postage prepaid and properly addressed as follows: 

	
To Sublessor:
	
New Century Equity Holdings Corp.

10101 Reunion Place Suite 450

San Antonio, Texas 78216

Attn: David Tusa

	To Sublessee:	
CCC Centers, Inc.

10101 Reunion Place Suite 440

San Antonio, Texas 78216

Attn: Bryan Asvestas

	

     The
address to which any Notice should be given, made or sent to either party may be
changed by written notice given by such party as above provided. 

     26. Parking.
As specified in Exhibit E of the Prime Lease, Sublessor shall make available to Sublessee
eight (8) non-reserved parking spaces in, or on the roof of, the building garage for the
term of this sublease. These non-reserved spaces shall be made available to the Sublessee
at no charge for the term of the sublease. 

     27. 
Entire Agreement. This Sublease and the Consent and Exhibits A-D, attached
hereto and forming a part hereof, set forth all of the covenants, promises,
agreements, conditions and understandings between Sublessor and Sublessee
concerning the Sublease Premises and there are no covenants, promises,
agreements, conditions or understandings, either oral or written, between them
other than as are herein set forth. Except as herein otherwise provided, no
subsequent alteration, amendment, change or addition to this Sublease shall be
binding upon Sublessor or Sublessee unless reduced to writing and signed by each
of them. 

     IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Sublease to be duly
executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written. 

	
SUBLESSOR:

BILLING CONCEPTS CORP.

Signature: /s/ DAVID P. TUSA

——————————————

By: David P. Tusa

——————————————

Its: Executive VP & CFO

——————————————
		
SUBLESSEE:

CCC CENTERS, INC.

Signature: /s/ BRYAN ALLEN ASVESTAS

——————————————————

By: Bryan Allen Asvestas

——————————————————

Its: CEO

——————————————————<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                               MTS, INCORPORATED,

                                       AND

                              VALTONA HOLDING B.V.

                                   DATED AS OF

                                 APRIL 11, 2002

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                    ARTICLE I

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE SHARES AND THE COMPANY
                                      MARKS

<S>    <C>                                                               <C>
1.1    Purchase and Sale of the Shares and the Company Marks..............1

1.2    Purchase Price.....................................................1

1.3    Closing............................................................2

                                   ARTICLE II

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

2.1    Organization; Subsidiary...........................................2

2.2    Authority; Enforceability..........................................3

2.3    Ownership of Capital Stock.........................................3

2.4    No Breach..........................................................3

2.5    Brokers............................................................4

2.6    Financial Statements; Liabilities..................................4

2.7    Consents...........................................................5

2.8    Actions and Proceedings............................................5

2.9    Tax Matters........................................................5

2.10   Title to Property; Condition.......................................6

2.11   Intellectual Property..............................................6

2.12   Compliance with Legal Requirements; Permits........................6

2.13   Employment Matters.................................................7

2.14   Contracts..........................................................7

2.15   Insurance Coverage.................................................8

2.16   Transactions with Affiliates.......................................8

2.17   No Other Representations or Warranties.............................8

                                   ARTICLE III

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

3.1    Organization; Authority and Enforceability.........................8

3.2    No Breach..........................................................9

</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>    <C>                                                               <C>
3.3    Consents...........................................................9

3.4    Brokers............................................................9

3.5    Litigation.........................................................9

3.6    Acquisition of the Shares.........................................10

3.7    No Ownership of Competitors.......................................10

                                   ARTICLE IV

                               COVENANTS OF SELLER

4.1    Conduct of Business...............................................10

4.2    Inspections.......................................................11

                                    ARTICLE V

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

5.1    Further Actions...................................................11

5.2    Certain Notifications.............................................11

5.3    Tax Indemnity, Contests, Other Tax Matters........................11

5.4    Employee and Employee Benefit Matters.............................12

5.5    Press Releases, Public Announcements..............................13

5.6    Updated Disclosure................................................13

5.7    Non-competition and Non-solicitation..............................13

5.8    Credit Agreement..................................................14

5.9    Settlement of Intercompany Obligations............................14

5.10   Financing Documents...............................................14

5.11   Third Party Software..............................................14

5.12   Current and Accrued Royalties.....................................14

                                   ARTICLE VI

                         CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING

6.1    Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Purchaser..................15

6.2    Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Seller.....................16

                                   ARTICLE VII

                       INDEMNIFICATION AND RELATED MATTERS
</TABLE>

                                       ii

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>    <C>                                                               <C>
7.1    Indemnification by Seller.........................................17

7.2    Indemnification by Purchaser......................................18

7.3    Losses Net of Insurance, etc......................................18

7.4    Procedures Relating to Indemnification............................19

7.5    Survival of Representations; Termination of Indemnification.......20

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   TERMINATION

8.1    Grounds for Termination...........................................21

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

9.1    Costs and Expenses................................................21

9.2    Notices...........................................................21

9.3    Counterparts......................................................22

9.4    Entire Agreement..................................................23

9.5    Governing Law.....................................................23

9.6    Arbitration.......................................................23

9.7    No Third Party Rights; Assignment.................................23

9.8    Waivers and Amendments............................................23

9.9    Interpretation....................................................24

9.10   Confidentiality...................................................24

9.11   Definitions.......................................................24

</TABLE>

Schedule A -- Seller Disclosure Schedule
Schedule B -- Purchaser Disclosure Schedule
Schedule C -- List of Certain Employees
Exhibit 1 -- Form of Trademark Usage Agreement
Exhibit 2 -- Form of Software License Agreement

                                      iii

<PAGE>

               STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), dated as of April 11,
2002, among MTS, INCORPORATED, a corporation organized under the laws of
California ("Seller"), and VALTONA HOLDING B.V., a corporation (Besloten
Vennootschap) organized under the laws of The Netherlands ("Purchaser").

               WHEREAS, Seller owns all of the authorized and issued capital
stock (the "Capital Stock"), constituting 25,000 shares of common stock, of
Tower Records Kabushiki Kaisha, a joint stock corporation (kabushiki kaisha)
organized under the laws of Japan (the "Subject Company");

               WHEREAS, the Subject Company is primarily engaged in the business
of retail music sales in Japan;

               WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell and Purchaser desires to purchase
100% of the authorized and issued Capital Stock, constituting 25,000 shares of
common stock of the Subject Company (the "Shares"); and

               WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell and Purchaser desires the Subject
Company to purchase the Japanese trademarks, service marks and trade names
listed on Schedule 2.11 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule (the "Company Marks").

               NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations,
warranties, covenants, agreements and undertakings contained or referred to in
this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                         PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE SHARES

                              AND THE COMPANY MARKS

        1.1 Purchase and Sale of the Shares and the Company Marks. (a) Upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing
(as defined below) Seller shall sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser shall purchase
from Seller, the Shares, and Seller shall sell to the Subject Company, and the
Subject Company shall purchase from Seller, the Company Marks, free and clear of
all liens, mortgages, charges, security interests, burdens, encumbrances or
other restrictions or limitations of any nature whatsoever ("Liens") and
together with all rights now and hereafter attaching thereto.

        (b) The parties agree and acknowledge that Purchaser shall be entitled
to the entire amount of any annual or interim dividends which the Subject
Company may declare after the Closing, whether or not such dividends relate to a
period commencing with a date on or prior to the Closing Date (as defined
below).

        1.2 Purchase Price. The aggregate consideration to be paid by Purchaser
for the Shares shall be 16,000,000,000 Japanese Yen less the Marks Purchase
Price and the Debt Settlement Amount (the "Shares Purchase Price"). The
aggregate consideration to be paid by the Subject Company for the Company Marks
(as defined below) shall be 2,000,000,000 Japanese Yen (the "Marks Purchase
Price"); provided that the amount allocated to the Marks Purchase Price may be
increased by mutual consent of the parties to an amount not to exceed

<PAGE>

5,115,000,000 Japanese Yen so long as such reallocation does not (i) have any
adverse tax or other financial impact on the Subject Company, Purchaser or
Seller or (ii) result in the Subject Company being unable to repay the Debt
Settlement Amount at the Closing without any adverse tax or other financial
impact on the Subject Company or Seller. The Marks Purchase Price shall be paid
by the Subject Company to Seller from funds provided to the Subject Company by
Purchaser or its lender. The "Debt Settlement Amount" shall be equal to the
amount outstanding under Facility B of the Credit Agreement minus the net amount
(the "Net Amount") to be paid by or to the Subject Company to settle the credits
and debits owed to or by the Subject Company as of the Closing Date in the
categories listed on Schedule 5.9 (the payment of such amount, the
"Settlement"). The "Purchase Price" shall be equal to 16,000,000,000 Japanese
Yen. Such consideration shall be paid in the manner and at the time set forth in
Section 1.3. Any and all income taxes of Seller to be imposed on the Purchase
Price and any withholding taxes arising from the Settlement shall be borne by
Seller.

        1.3 Closing. (a) The closing of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement (the "Closing") shall be held at 8:00 a.m. at the offices of Cleary,
Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, in Tokyo, Japan on May 21, 2002 or as soon
thereafter as practicable after each of the conditions set forth in Article VI
of this Agreement shall have been fulfilled or waived in accordance herewith, or
at such other time, date or place as the parties hereto may agree in writing.
The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to as the "Closing Date".

        (b) At the Closing: (i) the parties shall exchange the documents
referred to in Article VI; (ii) Seller shall deliver to Purchaser certificates
for all of the Shares and shall cause the Subject Company to register in its
shareholders' registry the name of Purchaser as holder of the Shares; and (iii)
Purchaser shall pay, or cause the Subject Company to pay from funds provided by
Purchaser or its lender, to Seller, or to JP Morgan Chase Bank ("Chase") on
Seller's behalf, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in Japanese Yen
to the account(s) inside or outside Japan designated by Seller (the "Seller Bank
Account"), an amount equal to the Purchase Price.

                                   ARTICLE II
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
                                     SELLER

               Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser that as of the date
hereof, except as set forth in its disclosure schedule attached hereto as
Schedule A (the "Seller Disclosure Schedule"):

        2.1 Organization; Subsidiary. (a) Seller is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
California. The Subject Company is a joint stock corporation (kabushiki kaisha)
duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of Japan.

        (b) The Subject Company does not own, of record or beneficially, any
outstanding voting securities or other equity interests in any corporation or
company other than Super Shnozz, Inc. (Japan), a limited liability company
(yugen kaisha) duly organized and validly existing under the laws of Japan
("Subsidiary"). Subsidiary is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the

                                       2
<PAGE>

Subject Company, with no operations, assets or liabilities that are material to
the Subject Company taken as a whole.

        2.2 Authority; Enforceability. Seller has the corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations
hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and, provided the
conditions to Sellers' obligations contained in Section 6.2 hereof have been
satisfied at Closing, the Trademark Transfer Agreement (as defined below), and
the consummation of the transactions provided for hereby by Seller have been
duly authorized by all required corporate action of Seller and no other
corporate action on the part of Seller is necessary to authorize the execution
or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated hereby by Seller. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Seller and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by
Purchaser, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable
against Seller in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general principles of equity.

        2.3 Ownership of Capital Stock (a) The Subject Company has authorized
capital stock as set forth in the official extract of the Subject Company's
Commercial Registration as at the date hereof. The Shares constitute 25% of the
authorized Capital Stock and 100% of the authorized and issued Capital Stock.
All of the Shares are duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid
and nonassessable. Seller owns beneficially and of record all of the Shares,
free and clear of all Liens, other than the Liens which are specified in
Schedule 2.3 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule and any other Liens which shall
be discharged on or before the Closing.

        (b) Except for the currently outstanding bonds with warrants set forth
in the official extract of the Subject Company's Commercial Registration as at
the date hereof (the "Bonds with Warrants"), which will cease by their terms to
be exercisable into shares of Capital Stock following the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, there are not authorized or outstanding any
subscriptions, options, conversion rights, warrants or other agreements,
securities or commitments of any nature whatsoever (whether oral or written and
whether firm or conditional) obligating the Subject Company to issue, deliver or
sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any authorized or outstanding
shares of the Capital Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable
for shares of Capital Stock, of the Subject Company or obligating the Subject
Company to grant, extend or enter into any such agreement or commitment. The
bonds associated with the Bonds with Warrants shall be redeemed by the Subject
Company at or prior to the Closing.

        2.4 No Breach. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Seller nor the performance by Seller of its obligations hereunder nor the
consummation of the transactions provided for hereby by Seller does or will:

        (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the articles of
incorporation or bylaws of Seller or the articles of incorporation of the
Subject Company;

                                       3
<PAGE>

        (b) violate, conflict with or result in the breach or termination of, or
constitute a default or event of default under the terms of, any contracts,
agreements, commitments, undertakings, leases, licenses, mortgages, bonds, notes
or other instruments ("Contracts") or any permits, authorizations, approvals,
registrations or licenses granted by or obtained from any governmental,
administrative or regulatory authority ("Permits") to which Seller or the
Subject Company is a party or by which either of them or any of their respective
properties or assets are bound, except, in the event the Consents set forth in
Section 2.7(a) and (b) are not obtained, the Contracts listed on Schedule 2.4(b)
of the Seller Disclosure Schedule; or

        (c) constitute a violation by Seller or the Subject Company of any laws,
rules or regulations of any governmental, administrative or regulatory authority
to which it is subject (as applicable, "Laws") or any judgments, orders, rulings
or awards of any court, arbitrator or other judicial authority or any
governmental, administrative or regulatory authority (as applicable,
"Judgments"),

except for any such matters that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
"Material Adverse Effect" means any one or more events, circumstances,
conditions or changes, which result in, individually or in the aggregate, an
adverse impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the
Subject Company (before tax effect) in an amount equal to or greater than
fifteen (15) million Japanese Yen or on the ability of Seller to perform its
obligations under this Agreement.

        2.5 Brokers. Other than Deutsche Securities Limited and Chilmark
Partners, whose fees and expenses shall be paid by Seller, no person has acted
directly or indirectly as a broker, finder, consultant, intermediary or
financial advisor for Seller or the Subject Company in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby and no person is entitled to any fee or
commission or like payment from Seller or the Subject Company in respect thereof
based in any way on any agreement, arrangement or understanding made by or on
behalf of Seller or the Subject Company.

        2.6 Financial Statements; Liabilities. (a) Seller has delivered to
Purchaser copies of the audited financial statements of the Subject Company at
and for the years ended April 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001, together with the related
schedules and notes, and the unaudited restated income statement and balance
sheet of the Subject Company as of January 31, 2002 (the "Financial
Statements"). The Financial Statements fairly present in conformity with United
States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), applied on a
consistent basis, the financial condition of the Subject Company at the dates
thereof and the results of its operations and changes in financial condition for
the periods then ended, subject, in the case of the unaudited restated income
statement and balance sheet of the Subject Company as of January 31, 2002, to
customary year-end adjustments, including, without limitation, true-up to
physical inventory, actuarial reports and tax provision.

        (b) As of January 31, 2002, the Subject Company did not have any
liabilities or obligations required to be reflected in its financial statements
(collectively, "Liabilities" and individually, a "Liability"), that were not
reflected or reserved against in the unaudited restated balance sheet of the
Subject Company as of January 31, 2002 or disclosed or provided for in the

                                       4
<PAGE>

notes thereto, other than Liabilities that would not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect and subject to customary year-end adjustments,
including, without limitation, actuarial reports and tax provision. Since
October 31, 2001, the Subject Company has not incurred any Liability except
Liabilities that (i) were incurred in the ordinary and usual course consistent
with the Subject Company's past practice or (ii) do not have a Material Adverse
Effect on the financial condition of the Subject Company.

        (c) Since October 31, 2001, the Subject Company has conducted its
businesses only in the ordinary and usual course in substantially the same
manner as previously conducted, has not taken any of the actions described in
subparagraphs (b) through (h) of Section 4.1 of this Agreement and has not
undergone or suffered any change in its financial condition or results of
operations that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

        2.7 Consents. No consent, waiver, approval, authorization, registration,
license or declaration of or by, or filing with, any governmental,
administrative or regulatory authority ("Governmental Authority") or any third
party (a "Consent") is required to be made or obtained by Seller or the Subject
Company in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation of any of the transactions provided for hereby, except for: (a) a
written consent from the requisite number of lenders pursuant to the Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2001, entered into among
Seller, the Subject Company and the lenders listed therein, and amended by the
First Amendment, dated as of October 5, 2001 (as so amended and as hereafter
amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), (b) consents of the
counterparties to the Contracts set forth on Schedule 2.4(b) of the Seller
Disclosure Schedule and (c) such other consents, approvals, orders,
authorizations registrations, declarations and filings the failure of which to
be obtained or made would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

        2.8 Actions and Proceedings. There is no action, suit, claim or legal,
administrative, arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution proceeding
or investigation (each, a "Proceeding" and collectively, "Proceedings") pending
or, to the best knowledge of Seller, threatened against Seller, the Subject
Company or any of their respective affiliates that would reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect or that questions the validity of this
Agreement or any action taken or to be taken by Seller in connection with, or
which seeks to enjoin or obtain monetary damages in respect of, the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the execution of the
Trademark Transfer Agreement, or which would reasonably be expected to impair
materially Seller's ability to effect the Closing.

        2.9 Tax Matters. (a) The Subject Company has filed all Tax Returns
required to be filed and paid all Taxes shown thereon as owing or otherwise duly
imposed. The Subject Company in good faith believes such Tax Returns to be
accurate. "Taxes" means all taxes, however denominated, including any interest
or penalties that may become payable in respect thereof, imposed by any
government or any agency or political subdivision of any such government. "Tax
Returns" means a report, return or other information return (including any
amendments) required to be supplied to a governmental entity with respect to
Taxes.

                                       5
<PAGE>

        (b) The Subject Company is not being audited by a taxing authority and
no deficiencies for Taxes have been assessed against the Subject Company.

        (c) The Subject Company has neither waived any statute of limitations in
respect of Taxes nor agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax
assessment or deficiency.

        2.10 Title to Property; Condition. (a) The Subject Company does not have
an ownership interest in any real property. The Subject Company has or will have
prior to the Closing, with respect to all Leased Real Property, valid and
subsisting leasehold estates. "Leased Real Property" means the space leased by
the Subject Company which is listed on Schedule 2.10(a) of the Seller Disclosure
Schedule.

        (b) The Subject Company has or will have prior to the Closing, with
respect to all material personal property owned by the Subject Company, good
title, in each instance free and clear of all Liens, other than statutory Liens
which would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. In connection with the operation of the
Subject Company's business, the Subject Company leases certain personal property
from third party lessors pursuant to personal property lease agreements or
installment sale contracts. Set forth on Schedule 2.10(b) of the Seller
Disclosure Schedule is a list of the third party lessors to which the Subject
Company paid in excess of 2,000,000 Yen in the aggregate in respect of such
leases in the fiscal year ended April 30, 2001 and the type of personal property
leased from each such lessor.

        2.11 Intellectual Property. The Subject Company has the full legal right
to use the intellectual property necessary to transact its business as now
transacted and to the best knowledge of Seller the use of such intellectual
property in connection with the operations of the Subject Company does not
infringe in any material respect, and no third party has asserted in writing to
the Subject Company or Seller that such operations infringe on, any intellectual
property rights of a third party. Subject Company is the exclusive licensee in
Japan of the Company Marks. The Company Marks include all of the material
trademarks, service marks and trade names adequately necessary for the conduct
of the business of the Subject Company as such business is conducted as of the
Closing Date, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will
not alter or impair the Subject Company's rights in the Company Marks, except
for alterations or impairments which would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. Seller is the sole legal owner of all right, title and
interest in and to the intellectual property rights constituting the Company
Marks and has registered, or filed applications for registration of, the Company
Marks in Japan for use in connection with the business of the Subject Company as
conducted as of the Closing Date and shall renew and maintain the registration
of the Company Marks through the Closing Date unless Purchaser otherwise agrees
with Seller. The Subject Company is the owner or direct licensee of any and all
information regarding its operations, including without limitation, product
master data and data in the POS system.

        2.12 Compliance with Legal Requirements; Permits. (a) Except for
instances of non-compliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, the Subject

                                       6
<PAGE>

Company is currently conducting its businesses in compliance with all applicable
Laws, Judgments and Permits.

        (b) Except for any Permit the failure of which to hold would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Subject Company
holds all Permits necessary to conduct its operations as they are currently
being conducted and all such Permits are in full force and effect.

        2.13 Employment Matters. (a) Schedule 2.13(a)(i) of the Seller
Disclosure Schedule sets forth all work rules and other internal regulations of
the Subject Company relating to employment, including, without limitation, the
Subject Company's "3-6" agreement (the "Employee Work Rules") and all
consulting, employment and severance agreements of the Subject Company with any
present director, officer, employee or consultant, other than agreements
terminable by the Subject Company at will without material expense or liability
to the Subject Company (except for payments required by applicable Laws). Except
for the Employee Work Rules and agreements listed in Schedule 2.13(a)(ii) of the
Seller Disclosure Schedule, none of the rules or agreements disclosed on
Schedule 2.13(a)(i) provides for payments in connection with any change in
control of the Subject Company.

        (b) Except for instances of non-compliance that would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Subject Company has (i)
maintained and administered the Subject Company's pension, retirement, severance
pay, life, health, medical, disability and accident insurance, vacation and
other material employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements (the "Plans")
and (ii) made payments to the Japanese government in respect of social security
insurance (kosei nenkin hoken), in accordance with all applicable Laws.

        (c) Since April 30, 1996, there have not occurred any strikes, slow
downs, work stoppages or other similar labor actions by any group of employees
of the Subject Company. None of the employees of the Subject Company are
represented by any labor union and the Subject Company is not a party to any
collective bargaining agreements.

        2.14 Contracts. Schedule 2.14 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule contains
an accurate and complete list of all Contracts (other than Contracts relating to
Leased Real Property, Leased Personal Property or transactions between the
Subject Company and Seller or an affiliate thereof) to which the Subject Company
is currently a party and (i) which involved in the fiscal year ended April 30,
2001 (A) an obligation by the Subject Company to pay amounts in excess of
300,000,000 Yen or (B) an obligation to the Subject Company to pay amounts in
excess of 9,600,000 Yen or (ii) pursuant to which the Subject Company reasonably
anticipates paying an amount in excess of 300,000,000 Yen or receiving an amount
in excess of 9,600,000 Yen during the fiscal year ending April 30, 2002. The
Subject Company has performed in all material respects the obligations required
to be performed by it to date under such Contracts and, to the best knowledge of
Seller, there is no material default continuing by any other party to such
Contract. Other than the Contracts disclosed above, there are no Contracts to
which the Subject Company is currently a party pursuant to which the Subject
Company is obligated to pay an amount in excess of 300,000,000 Yen during the
fiscal year ending April 30, 2002 or any fiscal year thereafter.

                                       7
<PAGE>

        2.15 Insurance Coverage. Seller has furnished Purchaser with copies or
summaries of all material insurance policies relating to the assets, business,
operations, employees, officers or directors of the Subject Company. The Subject
Company has made, or will have made by virtue of the payments to be made at
Closing, actual reimbursement to Seller for all amounts charged to the Subject
Company by Seller for insurance premiums paid by Seller. Other than insurance
policies that have expired or been replaced in the ordinary course of business,
no insurance policy of the Subject Company has been canceled in the last twelve
months and, to the best knowledge of Seller, no threat has been made to cancel
any such insurance policy during such period.

        2.16 Transactions with Affiliates. Schedule 2.16 of the Seller
Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and correct list of each Contract
between the Subject Company, on the one hand, and Seller or any affiliate of
Seller, on the other hand, involving payments by or to Seller or such affiliate
in excess of 5,000,000 Yen annually. As of the Closing Date, after giving effect
to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Subject Company will not be
required to make any payment to or perform any services for Seller or any
affiliate of Seller except as required pursuant to the Trademark Usage Agreement
(as defined below) and the Software License Agreement (as defined below) or set
forth in (3), (4) and (5) of Schedule 2.16 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule.

        2.17 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the
representations and warranties of Seller expressly contained in this Agreement,
neither Seller, nor the Subject Company nor any other person acting for either
of them makes any other representation or warranty, express or implied, and
Seller hereby disclaims any such representation or warranty, with respect to the
execution, delivery or performance by Seller of this Agreement notwithstanding
the delivery or disclosure to Purchaser or any of its affiliates or any other
person of any documentation or other information by Seller or the Subject
Company or any of their respective representatives or any other person with
respect to any of such matters. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Seller disclaims any representations and warranties that could be
deemed to have been made in respect of any of the information set forth in the
confidential information memorandum dated September, 2001 furnished to Purchaser
by Deutsche Securities Limited, as financial advisor to Seller, and Purchaser
represents and warrants that it is making its investment decision based upon its
own evaluation of the Subject Company and not in reliance on such information
memorandum.

                                   ARTICLE III
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

               Purchaser represents and warrants to Seller that as of the date
hereof, except as set forth in its disclosure schedule attached hereto as
Schedule B (the "Purchaser Disclosure Schedule"):

        3.1 Organization; Authority and Enforceability. Purchaser is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Purchaser has the corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations
hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by

                                       8
<PAGE>

Purchaser and the consummation of the transactions provided for hereby by
Purchaser have been duly authorized by all required corporate action by
Purchaser and no other corporate action on the part of Purchaser is necessary to
authorize the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of any
of the transactions contemplated hereby by Purchaser. This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by Purchaser and, assuming due authorization,
execution and delivery by Seller, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
Purchaser, enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its terms.

        3.2 No Breach. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Purchaser nor the performance by Purchaser of its obligations hereunder nor the
consummation of the transactions provided for hereby by Purchaser does or will:

        (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the certificate of
incorporation, bylaws or any other governing document of Purchaser;

        (b) violate, conflict with or result in the breach or termination of, or
constitute a default, event of default (or an event which with notice, lapse of
time, or both, would constitute a default or event of default), under the terms
of, any Contracts or Permits to which Purchaser is a party or by which Purchaser
or any of its properties or assets are bound; or

        (c) constitute a violation by Purchaser of any Laws or Judgments,

except for any such matters that would not, either individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the ability of Purchaser to perform
its obligations under this Agreement.

        3.3 Consents. No Consent is required to be made or obtained by Purchaser
in connection with the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation of any of the transactions provided for hereby, except for such
consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and
filings the failure of which to be obtained or made would not have a material
adverse effect on the ability of Purchaser to perform its obligations under this
Agreement.

        3.4 Brokers. No person has acted directly or indirectly as a broker,
finder, consultant, intermediary or financial advisor for Purchaser in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and no person is entitled
to any fee or commission or like payment from Purchaser in respect thereof based
in any way on any agreement, arrangement or understanding made by or on behalf
of Purchaser.

        3.5 Litigation. There is no Proceeding pending or, to the best knowledge
of Purchaser, threatened against Purchaser or any of its affiliates that
questions the validity of this Agreement or any action taken or to be taken by
Purchaser in connection with, or which seeks to enjoin or obtain monetary
damages in respect of, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
or which would reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of
Purchaser to effect the Closing.

                                       9
<PAGE>

        3.6 Acquisition of the Shares. Purchaser acknowledges that the Shares
have not been registered under the Japan Securities and Exchange Law (the "SEL")
or the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or under
any state securities laws and represent that the Shares are being acquired by
Purchaser for its own account and not with a view to or in connection with any
disposition thereof in violation of the SEL or the Securities Act or the rules
and regulations thereunder, or any applicable state securities or "blue sky"
laws.

        3.7 No Ownership of Competitors. Neither Purchaser nor Nikko Principal
Investments Japan Ltd. ("NPI") owns a direct equity interest in HMV, Virgin
Records, Best Buy, Circuit City, Borders Books & Music, Amazon.com, Inc. or
Trans World Entertainment.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                               COVENANTS OF SELLER

        4.1 Conduct of Business. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Closing, except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement
or as otherwise consented to in writing in advance by Purchaser, Seller will
cause the Subject Company:

        (a) to carry on its business only in the ordinary course in
substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted;

        (b) not to amend its articles of incorporation;

        (c) not to acquire, by merger, consolidation, purchase of stock or
assets or otherwise, any corporation, partnership, association or other business
organization;

        (d) not to alter its outstanding Capital Stock or declare, set aside,
make or pay any dividend or other distribution in respect of its Capital Stock
(in cash or otherwise), or purchase or redeem any shares of its Capital Stock;

        (e) not to issue or sell (or agree to issue or sell) any of its Capital
Stock or any options, warrants or other rights to purchase any such shares or
any securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares;

        (f) not to incur, other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, any material indebtedness for borrowed money
(including through the issuance of debt securities) or vary in any material
manner the terms of any material existing indebtedness other than the Credit
Agreement;

        (g) not to make any change in its accounting procedures or practices
unless mandated by GAAP;

        (h) not to use any cash or cash equivalent of the Subject Company from
February 28, 2002 to the Closing except in the ordinary course for operating
expenses (including payables to Solomon Properties LLC and interest on
indebtedness including under the Credit Agreement) or otherwise, in
substantially the same manner as heretofore used; provided that in no event
shall

                                       10
<PAGE>

the Subject Company be permitted to use such cash to (i) repay principal under
the Credit Agreement or (ii) redeem the Bonds with Warrants; and

        (i) not to agree to take any of the actions set forth in the foregoing
subparagraphs (b) through (h).

        4.2 Inspections. During the period from the date of this Agreement to
the Closing, Seller shall permit Purchaser and its representatives, attorneys,
accountants and consultants full access to the books, records, facilities,
properties, assets and operations of the Subject Company; provided that such
access shall not interfere with the normal business and operations of the
Subject Company and shall be subject to the confidentiality agreement entered
into between Seller, Purchaser and the Subject Company, dated September 20,
2001. Seller shall arrange for Purchaser and its representatives to discuss with
appropriate officers, employees and representatives of the Subject Company such
matters related to the transactions provided for herein as Purchaser may
reasonably request.

                                    ARTICLE V
                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

        5.1 Further Actions. Subject to the terms and conditions herein
provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use commercially reasonable
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under all applicable Laws to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each of the parties hereto
will, and will cause each of their respective affiliates to, use their best
efforts to (a) obtain all Consents or Permits necessary or advisable to be
obtained by such party to consummate and make effective the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation the Consent
required pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the consent of the counterparties
to the Contracts listed on Schedule 2.4(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule and
(b) cause each of the conditions precedent to their respective obligations
provided for in Article VI to be satisfied; provided that when used in this
Agreement "best efforts" shall not obligate either party to incur other than de
minimus expense or pay consideration other than that which is contractually
required to a third party in exchange for such Consents or Permits or, in
connection with any financing, customary lender fees and expenses. In case at
any time after the Closing any further action is necessary or desirable to carry
out the purposes of this Agreement, the proper officers or directors of Seller
or Purchaser, as the case may be, shall take all such necessary action.

        5.2 Certain Notifications. At all times prior to the Closing Date, each
party shall promptly notify the other in writing of the occurrence of any event
which will or may result in the failure of any of the conditions contained in
Article VI to be satisfied.

        5.3 Tax Indemnity, Contests, Other Tax Matters. (a) Seller's Tax
Indemnity. Seller shall indemnify and hold Purchaser and the Subject Company
(each a "Tax Indemnitee") harmless from any and all Taxes paid by the Subject
Company after the Closing Date in respect of its income, business, property or
operations arising out of a breach by Seller of the representations contained in
Section 2.9 hereof; provided, however, that Seller shall be liable to

                                       11
<PAGE>

make an indemnity payment with respect to a particular Tax under this Section
5.3(a) only to the extent the amount of the indemnity payment for such Tax
exceeds the amount reserved for such Tax on the unaudited balance sheet for the
Subject Company as of January 31, 2002 (a payment made by Seller pursuant to
this Section 5.3(a) being a "Tax Indemnity Payment").

        (b) Refunds. Purchaser shall promptly pay to Seller an amount equal to
any refund or credit (including any interest paid or credited with respect
thereto) received by a Tax Indemnitee attributable to Taxes that gave rise to a
Tax Indemnity Payment.

        (c) Transfer Tax. Seller shall pay directly, or reimburse Purchaser
promptly upon demand and delivery of proof of payment, all excise, sales,
transfer, documentary, filing, recordation and other similar taxes, levies, fees
and charges, if any (including all real estate transfer taxes and conveyance and
recording fees, if any), that may be imposed upon, or payable or collectible or
incurred in connection with, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.

        (d) Adjustment to Purchase Price. Any payment by Purchaser or Seller
under this Section 5.3 shall be treated as an adjustment to the Purchase Price.

        (e) Contests. Purchaser shall promptly notify Seller in writing upon
receipt by Purchaser or the Subject Company of notice of any pending or
threatened audits or assessments which may materially affect the Tax liabilities
of the Subject Company for which Seller would be required to indemnify Purchaser
pursuant to Section 5.3(a). Seller shall be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense of any claim for Taxes that may be the subject of
indemnification by Seller pursuant to Section 5.3(a) and, with the written
consent of Purchaser (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and
at its sole expense, may assume the entire defense of such tax claim. Neither
Purchaser nor the Subject Company may agree to settle any tax claim for the
portion of the year or period ending prior to or on the Closing Date which may
be the subject of indemnification by Seller under Section 5.3(a) without the
prior written consent of Seller, which shall not be unreasonably withheld if the
amount thereof is less than 1,000,000 Japanese Yen; provided, however, that
Purchaser or the Subject Company may agree to settle any tax claim with respect
to which Purchaser and the Subject Company waive in writing any right to claim
indemnification from Seller.

        (f) Cooperation. After the Closing, Purchaser, Subject Company, and
Seller will make available to each other, as reasonably requested, and to any
taxing authority, all information, records or documents relating to Taxes or
potential liability of the Subject Company for Taxes for all periods prior to or
including the Closing Date and will preserve such information, records or
documents until the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations or
extensions thereof.

        (g) Exclusive Remedy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, claims for Taxes will be governed exclusively by this Section 5.3.

        5.4 Employee and Employee Benefit Matters. (a) For the period beginning
at the Closing and ending on the first anniversary of the Closing Date, with
respect to the employees of

                                       12
<PAGE>

the Subject Company (the "Subject Company Employees"), Purchaser shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to maintain terms and conditions of employment
(including but not limited to salary and other compensation and retirement
benefits) that are at least as favorable to the Subject Company Employees as the
terms and conditions of employment required by the Employee Work Rules governing
the Subject Company Employees immediately prior to the Closing.

        (b) For the period beginning at the Closing and ending on the first
anniversary of the Closing Date, Purchaser shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to cause the Subject Company to honor, pay and perform all of its
covenants and obligations under, and in accordance with the existing terms of,
all Employee Work Rules and all employment, severance, termination and similar
agreements, in each case, identified in Schedule 2.13 of the Seller Disclosure
Schedule.

        (c) Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with
Purchaser in Purchaser's efforts to negotiate and execute employment agreements
with the employees identified on Schedule C hereto, including by granting
Purchaser access to such employees prior to the Closing, provided Seller shall
not be permitted to pay, or obligate the Subject Company to pay, consideration
to a third party in connection with such cooperation.

        5.5 Press Releases, Public Announcements. Purchaser and Seller will
consult with each other as to the form, substance and timing of the initial
public disclosure of matters related to this Agreement, or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby, and no public disclosure will be made by one
without the prior written consent of the other, which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that each of Purchaser and Seller may
make such disclosures as are necessary to comply with any requirement of law
after making good faith efforts under the circumstances to consult in advance
with the other.

        5.6 Updated Disclosure. The delivery by Seller to Purchaser of any
corrections or supplements to the Seller Disclosure Schedule prior to Closing
shall constitute an amendment to the Seller Disclosure Schedule, subject to
Purchaser's agreement to each such correction or supplement. Purchaser
acknowledges and agrees that, if the Closing occurs following such amendment to
the Seller Disclosure Schedule, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by
Seller and Purchaser, Seller shall have no liability pursuant to Section 7.1
hereof in respect of any such correction or supplement.

        5.7 Non-competition and Non-solicitation. (a) Without the prior written
consent of Purchaser, Seller shall not, at any time during the three-year period
commencing on the Closing Date, directly or indirectly manage, control or
participate in the strategic or day-to-day management of any business in Japan
substantially similar to the business engaged in by the Subject Company in Japan
on the date hereof; provided, however that nothing herein contained shall
prohibit or limit Seller from holding direct or indirect equity investments in
any business which has as one of its businesses any such business in Japan so
long as such investments are passive and/or portfolio investments. Nothing set
forth in this Agreement shall limit Seller's ability to conduct business via the
Internet or successor global technology to the Internet so long as (i) Seller
does not use any country specific web sites with a country code solely
signifying

                                       13
<PAGE>

Japan and (ii) the banners and text (other than Japanese artist and product
names) of the web sites used by Seller are principally in language(s) other than
Japanese.

        (b) Seller agrees, for the three-year period commencing on the Closing
Date, not to knowingly make, offer, solicit or induce to enter into, any written
or oral arrangement, agreement or understanding regarding employment with any
person who was, on the date hereof, a full-time employee of the Subject Company
in Japan, without the written consent of Purchaser.

        5.8 Credit Agreement. Seller shall use its best efforts to obtain at the
Closing (a) (i) a payoff letter from the lenders under the Credit Agreement
evidencing the payment in full of Facilities A and B of the Credit Agreement or
(ii) a payoff letter from the lenders under the Credit Agreement evidencing the
payment in full of Facility B of the Credit Agreement and an amendment to the
Credit Agreement evidencing the release of the Subject Company from all
obligations under the Credit Agreement and all relevant agreements related
thereto, including the Amended and Restated Guarantee Agreement, the Amended and
Restated Pledge Agreement, the Amended and Restated Japanese Security Agreement
and (b) in all cases, the release from the liens of the creditors under the
Credit Agreement of all collateral of the Subject Company.

        5.9 Settlement of Intercompany Obligations. Seller shall use, and shall
cause its affiliates to use, best efforts to settle at the Closing the credits
and debits owed to or by the Subject Company and listed on Schedule 5.9.

        5.10 Financing Documents. Purchaser shall use its best efforts to
negotiate and execute all bank financing documents, including, without
limitation, a loan agreement (the "Loan Agreement"), required for the purchases
contemplated by this Agreement on or before May 13, 2002 or as soon thereafter
as is reasonably practicable. Purchaser anticipates execution of the Loan
Agreement will occur on or before May 17, 2002.

        5.11 Third Party Software. Seller and Purchaser shall use their
commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate direct licenses between the Subject
Company and the licensors of the software listed on Schedule 5.11 (the "Third
Party Software") on commercially reasonable terms. Seller and Purchaser agree
that all license and other fees and expenses associated with such licenses
("License Fees") shall be borne by Purchaser or, if paid after the Closing, by
the Subject Company.

        5.12 Current and Accrued Royalties. Notwithstanding Section 4.1(h),
Seller and Purchaser agree that, following prior written notice to Purchaser,
the Subject Company may make a payment on account of current or accrued
royalties described item (3) of Schedule 5.9, provided that no such payment may
be made more than 24 hours prior to the Closing if such payment would have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                                       14
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VI
                         CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING

        6.1 Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Purchaser. The obligations of
Purchaser to purchase the Shares at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction
at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions (unless
satisfaction of any such condition is expressly waived by Purchaser):

        (a) The representations and warranties of Seller contained in Article II
shall be accurate and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date as
though made on and as of such date (except in the case of any representation or
warranty that by its terms is made as of a date specified therein, which shall
be accurate in all material respects as of such date), except (i) for changes
expressly contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) to the extent that the
aggregate effect of all inaccuracies in such representations and warranties
would not be or have a Material Adverse Effect;

        (b) Seller shall have performed and complied with, in all material
respects, all agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied
with by it prior to or at the Closing;

        (c) No Proceeding by any Governmental Authority shall be pending which
seeks to prohibit or declare illegal the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and no Law or Judgment shall be in effect having any such result;

        (d) The Consents set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 2.7 shall
have been obtained;

        (e) Seller shall have executed and delivered a trademark transfer
agreement transferring the Company Marks to Purchaser (the "Trademark Transfer
Agreement") and a trademark usage agreement in the form attached as Exhibit 1
hereto (the "Trademark Usage Agreement") with respect to the Company Marks;

        (f) Seller shall have delivered certificates for the Shares and shall
have caused the Subject Company to register in its shareholders' registry the
name of Purchaser as holder of the Shares;

        (g) Purchaser shall have received from Seller a certificate, signed by
an appropriate officer of Seller, as to the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 6.1;

        (h) (i) The Subject Company shall have received a payoff letter from the
lenders under the Credit Agreement setting forth the required repayment amount
in full of Facility B of the Credit Agreement and the Credit Agreement and
related documents, including the Amended and Restated Guarantee Agreement, the
Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement, the Amended and Restated Japanese
Security Agreement, shall be amended as to remove the Subject Company as a
borrower, guarantor or pledgor, as applicable, or the Subject Company shall have
received a payoff letter from the lenders under the Credit Agreement setting
forth the required repayment

                                       15
<PAGE>

amount in full of Facilities A and B of the Credit Agreement and (ii) in all
cases, all collateral of the Subject Company shall have been released from the
liens of the lenders under the Credit Agreement;

        (i) The receivables and payables set forth on Schedule 5.9 of the Seller
Disclosure Schedule shall have been settled at or prior to the Closing and
Seller shall have caused its affiliates to provide Purchaser with a letter
identifying such amounts and indicating payment in full thereof;

        (j) Seller shall have executed and delivered a software license
agreement in the form attached as Exhibit 2 hereto with respect to the
Seller-owned software used by the Subject Company and listed on Schedule 6.1(j)
of the Seller Disclosure Schedule (the "Software License Agreement");

        (k) The bonds that are a part of the Bonds with Warrants shall have been
redeemed by the Subject Company;

        (l) Seller shall have delivered to Purchaser customary legal opinions of
counsel to Seller, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser;

        (m) Purchaser, the Subject Company or another entity designated by
Purchaser shall have executed a loan agreement with their lender; provided that
this condition shall be fulfilled at such time as a lender offers to Purchaser
and/or the Subject Company financing for the purchase of the Shares and the
Company Marks and the payment of the Debt Settlement Amount in a principal
amount of no less than 7,750,000,000 Japanese Yen and otherwise on commercially
reasonable terms for loans of such size and type (a "Commercially Reasonable
Financing");

        (n) No bankruptcy or reorganization procedure or other similar procedure
shall have been filed by or against Seller which is not discharged within sixty
(60) days of such filing, during which 60-day period the Closing will be
delayed; and

        (o) The Subject Company shall have entered into licenses for the Third
Party Software directly with the licensors thereof; provided that,
notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.11, if Seller and Purchaser are
unable to negotiate more favorable terms than those initially offered by such
licensors, then this condition shall be satisfied if the Subject Company enters
into licenses in the forms initially provided to it by the licensors of such
software; and provided further that this condition shall be satisfied if the
Subject Company's failure to enter into such licenses is due to Purchaser's
non-payment of the License Fees.

        6.2 Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Seller. The obligations of
Seller to sell the Shares at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction at or
prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions (unless satisfaction of
any such condition is expressly waived by Seller):

        (a) The representations and warranties of Purchaser contained in Article
III shall be accurate and correct in all material respects as of the Closing
Date as though made on and as of such date (except in the case of any
representation or warranty that by its terms is made as of a date specified
therein, which shall be accurate in all material respects as of such date),
except to

                                       16
<PAGE>

the extent that the aggregate effect of all inaccuracies in such representations
and warranties would not be or have a material adverse effect;

        (b) Purchaser shall have performed and complied with, in all material
respects, all agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied
with by it prior to or at the Closing;

        (c) No Proceeding by any Governmental Authority shall be pending which
seeks to prohibit or declare illegal the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and no Law or Judgment shall be in effect having any such result;

        (d) (i) All Consents the granting of which are required for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including
without limitation the Consent and any amendments necessary or desirable
relating to the Credit Agreement on terms and subject only to conditions
acceptable to Seller in its sole discretion, shall have been obtained and (ii)
Seller shall have executed documents sufficient for the refinancing of the
Credit Agreement, either through an amendment of the Credit Agreement or a
refinancing of Facility A of the Credit Agreement with Chase or another lender,
in each case on terms and conditions acceptable to Seller in its sole
discretion;

        (e) Purchaser shall have delivered the Purchase Price to Seller as
provided in Sections 1.3;

        (f) Seller shall have received from Purchaser a certificate, signed by
an appropriate officer of Purchaser, as to the satisfaction of the conditions
set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 6.2;

        (g) Purchaser shall have prepared and delivered to Seller the executed
documents necessary to register a provisional registration in favor of Seller of
each of the Company Marks; and

        (h) Purchaser shall have executed and delivered the Trademark Usage
Agreement and the Software License Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                       INDEMNIFICATION AND RELATED MATTERS

        7.1 Indemnification by Seller. Subject to the terms and conditions of
Section 5.6 and this Article VII, Seller shall indemnify Purchaser, its
affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, employees and
agents against, and hold them harmless from, any claims, demands, judgments,
actions or causes of action, liabilities, obligations, damages, losses,
deficiencies, assessments, costs, penalties, interest and expenses (including,
without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) (collectively,
"Losses") suffered or incurred by any such party entitled to indemnification
(the "Indemnified Party") to the extent arising from or in connection with, (a)
if the Closing occurs, any breach of any representation or warranty of Seller
contained in this Agreement or in any certificate expressly required to be
delivered pursuant hereto, and (b) any breach of any covenant of Seller
contained in this Agreement; provided,

                                       17
<PAGE>

however, that Seller shall not have any liability under this Section 7.1 for any
individual Loss of less than 10,000,000 Yen and unless the aggregate of all
Losses relating thereto for which Seller would, but for this proviso, be liable
exceeds on a cumulative basis an amount equal to 125,000,000 Yen (and then only
for such amount in excess thereof); and provided further, however, that the
aggregate liability of Seller under this Section 7.1 shall (i) in respect of a
breach of the representations set forth in Sections 2.2 or 2.3(a) of this
Agreement, be limited to the Purchase Price plus reasonable out-of-pocket fees
and expenses of Purchaser actually incurred in connection with this transaction
(indemnification of such fees and expenses to be limited to 100,000,000 Yen) and
(ii) in respect of all other breaches, be limited to 2,250,000,000 Yen.

        7.2 Indemnification by Purchaser. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Article VII, Purchaser shall, and shall cause the Subject Company to,
indemnify Seller and its officers, directors, employees and agents against, and
hold them harmless from, any Losses suffered or incurred by any such Indemnified
Party to the extent arising from or in connection with, (a) if the Closing
occurs, any breach of any representation or warranty of Purchaser contained in
this Agreement or in any certificate expressly required to be delivered pursuant
hereto or (b) any breach of any covenant of Purchaser contained in this
Agreement; provided, however, Purchaser shall not have any liabilities under
this Section 7.2 for any individual Loss of less than 10,000,000 Yen and unless
the aggregate of all Losses relating thereto for which Purchaser would, but for
this provision, be liable exceeds on a cumulative basis an amount equal to
125,000,000 Yen (and then only for such amount in excess thereof); and provided
further, however, that Purchaser's aggregate liability under this Section 7.2
shall (i) in respect of a breach of the representations set forth in Section 3.1
of this Agreement, be limited to the Purchase Price plus the reasonable
out-of-pocket fees and expenses of Seller actually incurred in connection this
transaction (indemnification of such fees and expenses to be limited to
100,000,000 Yen) and (ii) in respect of all other breaches, be limited to
2,250,000,000 Yen.

        7.3 Losses Net of Insurance, etc.

        (a) The amount of any Loss for which indemnification is provided under
this Article VII shall be net of any (i) all amounts actually recovered by the
Indemnified Party from an insurer or any other person with respect to such Loss
(net of expenses of collection) and (ii) all Tax benefits actually realized by
the Indemnified Party in connection therewith. Purchaser shall cause the Subject
Company to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the recoveries and
benefits referred to in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.

        (b) If the Indemnifying Party (as defined in Section 7.4(a) below) makes
any payment under this Article VII in respect of any Losses, the Indemnifying
Party shall be subrogated, to the extent of such payment, to the rights of the
Indemnified Party against any insurer or third party with respect to such
Losses.

        (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this
Agreement, no Indemnifying Party shall, in any event, be liable to any other
party for any incidental or consequential damages, including, but not limited
to, loss of revenue or income, cost of capital, diminution in value or loss of
business reputation or opportunity relating to the breach or alleged breach of
this Agreement.

                                       18
<PAGE>

        (d) The parties hereto agree that the indemnification provisions of this
Article VII are intended to provide the exclusive remedy as to all Losses that
may be incurred, arise from or relate to the transactions contemplated hereby
and each party hereby waives, to the extent it may do so, any other rights or
remedies that may arise under any applicable law.

        7.4 Procedures Relating to Indemnification.

        (a) Whenever a claim shall arise for indemnification under Section 7.1
or 7.2, the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the party from which
indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") of such claim and, when
known, the facts constituting the basis for such claim. Failure to promptly
notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve such Indemnifying Party from any
liability it may have under Section 7.1 or 7.2, as the case may be, except to
the extent such Indemnifying Party shall have been prejudiced by such failure;
provided that any costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of any
consultants, attorneys, accountants or other persons) incurred by such
Indemnified Party prior to the date of such notice shall be solely for the
account of the Indemnified Party and not the Indemnifying Party. In order for an
Indemnified Party to be entitled to any indemnification provided for under this
Agreement in respect of, arising out of or involving a claim made by any person
against the Indemnified Party (a "Third Party Claim"), such Indemnified Party
must notify the Indemnifying Party in writing (the "Indemnification Notice"),
and in reasonable detail, of the Third Party Claim within ten (10) business days
after receipt by such Indemnified Party of notice of the Third Party Claim;
provided, however, that failure to give such notification shall not affect the
indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the Indemnifying Party
shall have been prejudiced by such failure. Thereafter, the Indemnified Party
shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, within ten (10) business days after the
Indemnified Party's receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents
(including court papers) received by the Indemnified Party relating to the Third
Party Claim.

        (b) Upon receipt of an Indemnification Notice, the Indemnifying Party
shall be entitled, at its option and at its cost and expense, to assume the
defense of such Third Party Claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party, selected by the Indemnifying Party; provided that, notice of
the Indemnifying Party's intention to assume such defense shall be delivered by
the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party within fourteen (14) days after
the Indemnified Party gives the Indemnifying Party an Indemnification Notice.
Should the Indemnifying Party so elect to assume the defense of a Third Party
Claim, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to the Indemnified Party for
legal fees and expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in
connection with the defense thereof except as provided below. If the
Indemnifying Party assumes such defense, the Indemnified Party shall have the
right to participate in the defense thereof and to employ counsel, at its own
expense, separate from the counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party, it being
understood that the Indemnifying Party shall control such defense. The
Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such
Third Party Claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
expense of the Indemnified Party unless: (i) the employment of such counsel
shall have been authorized by the Indemnifying Party; (ii) the Indemnifying
Party shall not have promptly retained counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party to take charge of the defense of such Third Party Claim; or
(iii) the Indemnified Party shall have been advised by

                                       19
<PAGE>

counsel of the Indemnifying Party in writing that under applicable standards of
professional conduct its representation of the Indemnified Party would present
such counsel with a conflict of interest, in which event, such reasonable fees
and expenses (including, without limitation, any reasonable fees paid to
witnesses) shall be borne by the Indemnifying Party (but in no event shall the
Indemnifying Party be required to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of more
than one counsel retained by the Indemnified Party with respect to any one suit,
action, claim, proceeding or investigation). If at any time after the
Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, any of the
conditions set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this subsection (b) come
into existence, the Indemnified Party shall have the rights set forth above. The
Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the fees and expenses of counsel employed
by the Indemnified Party for any period during which the Indemnifying Party has
not assumed the defense thereof.

        (c) If the Indemnifying Party chooses to defend or prosecute any Third
Party Claim, all parties hereto shall cooperate in the defense or prosecution
thereof. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the Indemnifying
Party's request) the provision to the Indemnifying Party of records and
information which are reasonably relevant to such Third Party Claim, and making
employees and officers available on a mutually convenient basis to provide
additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder.

        (d) If an Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of any Third
Party Claim for which it is called upon to indemnify an Indemnified Party
pursuant to this Article VII: (i) no compromise or settlement thereof may be
effected by the Indemnifying Party without the Indemnified Party's prior written
consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), if such
compromise or settlement imposes any substantial non-monetary obligation on the
Indemnified Party or includes any admission of guilt on the part of the
Indemnified Party; and (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall have no liability with
respect to any compromise or settlement thereof effected without its consent.

        (e) Whether or not the Indemnifying Party shall have assumed the defense
of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall not admit any liability with
respect to, or settle, compromise or discharge, such Third Party Claim without
the Indemnifying Party's prior written consent (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed).

        7.5 Survival of Representations; Termination of Indemnification. The
representations, warranties and covenants in this Agreement (except as expressly
provided in the second sentence of this Section 7.5) and in any other document
delivered in connection herewith shall survive the Closing for purposes of
Sections 7.1 and 7.2 and shall terminate at the close of business eighteen (18)
months following the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in Sections 2.9,
5.1 and 5.3 and Article VII and Article IX (and no other provisions of this
Agreement) and the obligations to indemnify and hold harmless a party hereto for
any breach of such provisions shall survive the Closing and shall not terminate
until the expiration of any applicable statutes of limitation; provided, however
that the remedies for any breach of Section 2.9 shall be governed exclusively by
Section 5.3. The obligation to indemnify and hold harmless shall not terminate
with respect to any item as to which the party to be indemnified shall have,
before the expiration of the

                                       20
<PAGE>

applicable period, previously made a claim by delivering a written notice
(stating in reasonable detail the basis of such claim) to the Indemnifying
Party.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                   TERMINATION

        8.1 Grounds for Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any
time prior to the Closing Date:

        (a) By the written agreement of each of Purchaser and Seller;

        (b) By Seller if it shall have determined in good faith that one or more
of the conditions set forth in Section 6.2 cannot be fulfilled as a result of an
occurrence or event beyond the control of Seller;

        (c) By Purchaser if it shall have determined in good faith that one or
more of the conditions set forth in Section 6.1 cannot be fulfilled as a result
of an occurrence or event beyond the control of Purchaser;

        (d) By either Purchaser or Seller if any permanent injunction or
Judgment by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enjoining,
denying approval of or otherwise prohibiting consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement becomes final and nonappealable; or

        (e) By either Purchaser or Seller if the Closing shall not have occurred
on or prior to June 30, 2002, provided that such date shall be postponed by no
more than sixty (60) days by an involuntary bankruptcy of Seller that is
subsequently stayed or dismissed (as extended from time to time in accordance
herewith, the "Outside Date"); and provided further that the failure of the
Closing to occur on or before such date is not the result of the breach of the
covenants, agreements, representations or warranties of the party seeking such
termination.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        9.1 Costs and Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement are consummated, each of the parties to this Agreement shall bear
its own expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation,
execution and closing of this Agreement and the transactions provided for
hereby.

        9.2 Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted
by this Agreement shall be effective upon receipt and shall be in writing and
delivered personally or by overnight courier, or sent by facsimile, as follows:

               If to Purchaser, to:

                      Valtona Holding B.V.
                      (1102 BS) Amsterdam-Zuidoost

                                       21
<PAGE>

                      Foppingadreef 22
                      The Netherlands
                      Attn:  Rene van Doom
                      Fax: +31-20-4064611

               with a copy to:

                      Nikko Principal Investments Japan Ltd.
                      Hibiya Dai-Bldg., 15th Floor
                      1-2-2 Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku
                      Tokyo 100-0011 Japan
                      Attn:  Jun Hayase
                      Fax:  +81-(0)3-3500-0108

               and a copy to:

                      Mori Sogo
                      NKK Building
                      1-1-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
                      Tokyo 100-0005 Japan
                      Attn:  Satoshi Kawai
                      Fax:  +81-(0)3-5223-7634

               If to Seller, to:

                      MTS, Incorporated
                      2500 Del Monte Street
                      West Sacramento, California 95691 United States
                      Attn:  Michael Solomon, Chief Executive Officer
                      Fax:  +1-916-373-3006

               with a copy to:

                      Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
                      Shin Kasumigaseki Building, 20th Floor
                      3-3-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku
                      Tokyo 100-0013 Japan
                      Attn:  Steven L. Wilner
                      Fax:  +81-(0)3-3595-3910

or to such other address as hereafter shall be furnished as provided in this
Section 9.2 by any of the parties hereto to the other parties hereto.

        9.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute a single instrument.

                                       22
<PAGE>

        9.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Seller Disclosure
Schedule and the Purchaser Disclosure Schedule) sets forth the entire
understanding and agreement between the parties as to the matters covered herein
and supersedes and replaces any prior understanding, agreement or statement of
intent, in each case, written or oral, of any and every nature with respect
thereto. Purchaser acknowledges hereby that it has conducted its own independent
review and analysis of the Subject Company and its business and that it has been
provided access to the properties, records and personnel of the Subject Company
for this purpose. In entering into this Agreement, Purchaser has relied solely
upon its own investigation and analysis and the representations and warranties
set forth in this Agreement and (a) acknowledges that neither Seller nor any of
its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives or
advisors makes any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to
the accuracy or completeness of (and agrees that none of such persons shall have
any liability or responsibility to it in respect of) any of the information
provided or made available to Purchaser or its agents or representatives, except
as and only to the extent expressly provided for in this Agreement.

        9.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of Japan.

        9.6    Arbitration.

        (a) All disputes, controversies or differences which may arise during
the term of this Agreement or thereafter between the parties hereto out of or in
relation to or in connection with this Agreement, or the breach thereof, will be
finally settled by arbitration pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of
the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association, by which each party hereto is
bound.

        (b) Each party will elect an arbitrator. The two, in turn, will choose a
third and presiding arbitrator. If the parties are unable to agree on any of the
names proposed or if the party-appointed arbitrators are unable to agree upon
the presiding arbitrator, the appointing authority will have the power to make
the appointment from other members of the panel.

        (c) The arbitration, including the rendering of the award, will take
place in Tokyo, Japan. Judgment upon the award of the arbitrators may be entered
in any court having jurisdiction. The cost of such arbitration and the
proceedings will be borne in equal shares by the parties to the arbitration;
provided, however, that each party will be responsible for their respective
counsel fees and other expenses related to such arbitration.

        9.7 No Third Party Rights; Assignment. This Agreement is intended to be
solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and is not intended to confer any
benefits upon, or create any rights in favor of, any person other than the
parties hereto and shall not be assignable without the prior written consent of
the other parties.

        9.8 Waivers and Amendments. No modification of or amendment to this
Agreement shall be valid unless in a writing signed by the parties hereto
referring specifically to this Agreement and stating the parties' intention to
modify or amend the same. Any waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement
must be in a writing signed by the party sought to be

                                       23
<PAGE>

charged with such waiver referring specifically to the term or condition to be
waived, and no such waiver shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any other
breach of the same or of any other term or condition of this Agreement.

        9.9 Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to a
Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section of, or an
Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of
contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words "include," "includes" and "including" are used in
this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."

        9.10 Confidentiality. Seller and Purchaser each agree that it shall keep
confidential, and not disclose, any of the terms of this Agreement to any third
party, other than to (i) advisors and counsel to such party, (ii) prospective
lenders to Purchaser in connection with, the purchase contemplated by this
Agreement, (iii) the lenders under the Credit Agreement or (iv) as otherwise may
be required by law or to carry out the terms of this Agreement, provided that
any person or entity to whom the terms of this Agreement are disclosed similarly
agrees to maintain them in confidence subject to this paragraph. Any
announcement of the execution of this Agreement shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 5.5.

        9.11 Definitions. The following terms shall have the respective meanings
specified in the indicated Sections of this Agreement:

                                       24
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>
Term                                              Agreement Section
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreement                                         Recitals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonds with Warrants                               2.3(b)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Stock                                     Recitals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chase                                             1.3(b)(iii)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing                                           1.3(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Date                                      1.3(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercially Reasonable Financing                 6.1(m)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company Marks                                     Recitals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consent                                           2.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contracts                                         2.4(b)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Agreement                                  2.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt Settlement Amount                            1.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee Work Rules                               2.13(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Statements                              2.6(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAAP                                              2.6(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Governmental Authority                            2.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indemnification Notice                            7.4(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indemnified Party                                 7.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indemnifying Party                                7.4(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Judgments                                         2.4(c)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laws                                              2.4(c)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leased Real Property                              2.10(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       25
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
Liability/Liabilities                             2.6(b)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
License Fees                                      5.11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liens                                             1.1(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Agreement                                    5.10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Losses                                            7.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marks Purchase Price                              1.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material Adverse Effect                           2.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside Date                                      8.1(e)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Permits                                           2.4(b)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plans                                             2.13(b)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proceeding/Proceedings                            2.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchase Price                                    1.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchaser                                         Recitals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchaser Disclosure Schedule                     Article III
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Act                                    3.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEL                                               3.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seller                                            Recitals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seller Bank Account                               1.3(b)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seller Disclosure Schedule                        Article II
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settlement                                        1.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Purchase Price                             1.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares                                            Recitals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software License Agreement                        6.1(j)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject Company                                   Recitals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       26
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject Company Employees                         5.4(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsidiary                                        2.1(b)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxes                                             2.9(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax Indemnitee                                    5.3(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax Indemnity Payment                             5.3(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax Returns                                       2.9(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third Party Claim                                 7.4(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third Party Software                              5.11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trademark Transfer Agreement                      6.1(e)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trademark Usage Agreement                         6.1(e)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

                                       27
<PAGE>

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered as of
the date first written above.

                                     MTS, INCORPORATED

                                     By: /s/ Russell Solomon
                                        --------------------------------------
                                     Name:Russell Solomon
                                     Title:Director

                                     VALTONA HOLDING B.V.

                                     By: /s/ Hirofumi Hirano
                                        --------------------------------------
                                     Name:Hirofumi Hirano
                                     Title:Attorney

                                       28

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