Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.2

           Resignation Agreement dated as of January 26, 2001 between
           Registrant and Murray Hidary

                              RESIGNATION AGREEMENT
                              ---------------------
                  This RESIGNATION AGREEMENT is dated as of January 26, 2001,
and is entered into between EarthWeb, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Murray Hidary (the "Executive").
                  WHEREAS, Executive and the Company are parties to an
employment agreement, dated January 1, 1995 (the "Employment Agreement"), as
amended by that certain intercompany services agreement, dated October 25, 1996
(the "Intercompany Services Agreement");
                  WHEREAS, Executive and the Company have mutually agreed it to
be in the best interests of each party to terminate Executive's employment under
the Employment Agreement;
                  WHEREAS, Executive and the Company have mutually agreed to
embody in this Agreement the terms and conditions applicable to Executive's
termination of employment with the Company.
                  NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree:
          1. Termination Date. Executive's termination of employment with the
Company is effective as of the date hereof (the "Termination Date"). Executive
hereby resigns as Executive Vice President and Treasurer. Executive shall remain
a director of the Company, subject to renomination and reelection in accordance
with the Company's charter and bylaws.

          2. Company Property. Except as otherwise provided herein, Executive
shall immediately return to the Company all Company-owned property in his
possession.

          3. Termination Benefits. (a) Commencing as of the Termination Date, in
full satisfaction of the Company's obligations under the Employment Agreement
and the Intercompany Services Agreement, the Company shall pay to Executive (i)
in accordance with the Company's prevailing payroll practices, severance
payments equal to Executive's current monthly salary, for a period of
twenty-five months (the "Severance Period"), and (ii) the unpaid portion of
Executive's bonus for 2000, based on an aggregate bonus of 25% of Executive's
current annual salary. In addition, to the extent permissible under the
Company's health plans, until the earlier of (A) one-year from the Termination
Date, or (B) the date on which Executive is eligible for coverage under another
group insurance plan, the Executive shall continue to receive any health, dental
and vision benefits provided to him immediately prior to the Termination Date.

                  (b) Notwithstanding any provision of any option plan or
agreement to the contrary, all vested options held by Executive on the
Termination Date shall remain exercisable by Executive for a period of one-year
following the Termination Date and shall thereafter terminate to the extent not
exercised. As of the Termination Date, all unvested shall terminate immediately.

                  (c) The Company shall transfer ownership to Executive of (i)
his Company provided laptop computer, and (ii) the items contained in
Executive's office; provided, however, that Executive shall not retain any
confidential or proprietary information.
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                  (d) The Company shall provide Executive (i) email and
voicemail access for the greater of (x) the period expiring on the first
anniversary of the date hereof, or (y) the period Executive remains a director
of the Company, (ii) forwarding of Executive's mail to an address provided by
Executive for a period not to exceed one-year, and (iii) three-months of
technology transition support.

          4. Benefit Plans. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Agreement or by law or by any employee benefit plan, Executive's participation
in all employee benefit plans and Executive compensation plans and practices of
the Company shall terminate on the Termination Date, and there shall be no other
payments or benefits payable to Executive by the Company, including, but not
limited to, any other salary, bonus, commissions, fees, benefits, or other
payments of any nature whatsoever.

          5. Taxes. The payments due to Executive under this Agreement shall be
subject to reduction to satisfy all applicable Federal, state and local
withholding tax obligations.

          6. Payment Upon Death. Executive's rights and obligations under this
Agreement are not transferable. However, if Executive should die while any
amounts would still be payable to him hereunder, all such amounts shall be
payable to Executive's estate, heirs, executors or beneficiaries in accordance
with the terms hereof.

          7. Restrictive Covenants. The Covenants set forth in Sections 11, 12
and 13 of the Employment Agreement shall continue to apply after the Termination
Date in accordance with their terms.

          8. Release and Waiver of Claims. (a) Effective as of the Termination
Date, subject to Section 9 hereof, in consideration of the payments, benefits,
and other consideration provided to Executive under this Agreement, Executive,
for himself and his family, heirs, executors, administrators, legal
representatives, and their respective successors and assigns, hereby releases
and forever discharges the Company, and all of its subsidiaries, officers,
directors, employees, agents, stockholders, representatives, and their
successors and assigns (collectively, "Company Entities"), from all rights,
claims or demands Executive may have, arising at any time on or before the date
hereof, based on his employment with any Company Entity or the termination of
that employment, including without limitation any claims under the Employment
Agreement. This includes a release of any and all rights, claims or demands
Executive may have, whether known or unknown, under Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in employment based on race,
color, national origin, religion or sex; the Equal Pay Act, which prohibits
paying men and women unequal pay for equal work; or under any other federal,
state or local laws or regulations regarding employment discrimination or
termination of employment. This also includes a release by Executive of any
claims for wrongful discharge under any statute, rule, regulation or under the
common law. Executive hereby agrees never individually or with any person to
file, or commence the filing of, any charges, lawsuits, complaints or
proceedings with any governmental agency, or against any Company Entity, with
respect to any of the matters released by Executive pursuant to this Section 8.

                  (b) Effective as of the Termination Date, the Company hereby
releases and forever discharges Executive, his family, heirs, executors,
administrators, legal representatives, and their respective successors and
assigns, from all rights, claims or demands the Company may have, arising at any
time on or before the date hereof, based on his employment with any
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Company Entity or the termination of that employment. This paragraph shall not
apply to any rights or claims that the Company may have for a breach or
enforcement of this Agreement, or any surviving provision of the Employment
Agreement expressly set forth herein.

          9. Rights Not Released or Waived. Section 8 hereof notwithstanding, by
signing this Agreement, Executive shall not have relinquished his right to (i)
benefits in accordance with the provisions of any Company retirement plans
subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or
(ii) enforce the provisions of this Agreement.

         10. Non-Admission. Each of Executive and the Company expressly
acknowledge that this Agreement does not constitute an admission by the either
party of any violation of any employment law, regulation, ordinance, or
administrative procedure, or any other federal, state, or local law, common law,
regulation or ordinance, liability for which is expressly denied.

         11. Non-Disparagement. Executive agrees that, except as required by
applicable law, or compelled by process of law, at any time following the date
hereof, neither he, nor anyone acting on his behalf, shall hereafter (a) make
any derogatory, disparaging or critical statement about the Company, or any of
the Company's current officers, directors, employees, shareholders or lenders or
any persons who were officers, directors, employees, shareholders or lenders of
the Company; or (b) without the Company's prior consent (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld), communicate, directly or indirectly, with the press or
other media, concerning the present business of the Company or of any Company
Entities; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent Executive from
speaking, giving interviews or otherwise communicating concerning issues common
to co-foounders of a company. The Company agrees that, except as required by
applicable law, or compelled by process of law, neither it, nor anyone acting on
its behalf, shall hereafter (a) make any derogatory, disparaging or critical
statement about Executive; or (b) without Executive's prior written consent,
communicate, directly or indirectly, with the press or other media, concerning
Executive.

         12. Reference. Upon request, each member of the Board of Directors of
the Company shall provide to executive a letter of recommendation.

         13. Confidentiality of Agreement. Executive and the Company hereby
agree to keep the terms of this Agreement confidential. The obligations of
Executive and the Company under this Section 13 shall not apply to disclosures
required by applicable law, regulation or order of a court or governmental
agency, to either parties counsel, or to Executive's immediate family.

         14. Opportunity for Advice. By signing this Agreement, Executive
acknowledges that with the advice of the Company, he has had a reasonable
opportunity to consider advice from his legal counsel. Fully understanding these
terms, Executive is entering into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily.

         15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to Executive's employment and termination thereof.
Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement shall supersede all prior
oral and written agreements, arrangements and understandings relating to the
terms and conditions of Executive's employment relationship, termination of
employment, including, without limitation, the Employment Agreement and the
Intercompany Services Agreement. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE
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WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE
PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE.
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                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date and year first above written.

                                    /s/ Murray Hidary
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Murray Hidary

                                    EARTHWEB, INC.

                                    By:  /s/ Brian P. Campbell
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name: Brian P. Campbell
                                               ------------------
                                         Title:Vice President & General Counsel
                                               ---------------------------------<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.3

      Separation Agreement dated as of January 26, 2001 between Registrant
      and Irene Math

January 26, 2001

Ms. Irene Math
[Address]

         Re:   Separation Arrangement

Dear Irene:

This letter confirms our recent conversations concerning your relinquishing your
duties as Senior Vice President of EarthWeb Inc., and sets forth the agreement
that has been reached between EarthWeb Inc., including its subsidiaries,
divisions, affiliates, predecessors, successors and assigns and its past and
present officers, directors, stockholders, counsel, employees, agents,
administrators, representatives, insurers or fiduciaries in their individual
and/or representative capacities (collectively referred to as the "Company") and
you regarding your separation from the Company, effective as of January 26, 2001
(the "Separation Date").

         1.     (a) Effective on the Separation Date, your employment with the
Company and your Employment Agreement, dated November 4, 1996, as amended by the
letter agreement, effective as of June 15, 1999 (collectively, the "Employment
Agreement") are terminated.

                (b) For the period from the Separation Date through December 31,
2001, you will make yourself available to the Company and its designated
representatives for consultation with respect to the past business and affairs
of the Company by telephone, e-mail or in person at such times as the Company
may reasonably request and as do not unreasonably interfere with your other
business activities or commitments, and the Company shall pay your reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith after receipt of written
documentation with respect thereto. The Company will, for the period commencing
on the Separation Date and ending on the 180th day after the Separation Date,
arrange (i) to forward to an email address designated by you any emails
addressed to you that arrive through the Company's servers and (ii) to set up a
voicemail account accessible by you at your current telephone number at the
Company.

                (c) Promptly after execution hereof, you will return all
equipment, materials and records of the Company which are then in your
possession and repay any advances from the Company that may be then outstanding.
Any expenses for which you are entitled to be reimbursed under the Company's
expense reimbursement policy will be reimbursed in accordance with the Company's
standard policies and procedures.
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         2. Provided that you abide by the terms of this Agreement and in
consideration for the covenants and agreements herein contained, the Company
will:

                (a) on February 12, 2001, pay in cash to you (or to such account
as you may direct in writing to the Company): (i) $212,760.41 (equal to 12
months of your base salary of $215,000 per year less $2,239.59); and (ii)
$37,625 (equal to 17.5% of your base salary), less in each case all applicable
withholding deductions; and you hereby acknowledge that, also in consideration
for the foregoing, the Company paid you $109,739.59 (equal to 6 months of your
base salary of $215,000 per year plus $2,239.59) on January 12, 2001 (with
respect to all but the $2,239.59, which was paid to you on January 31, 2001) and
you are in receipt of the same.

                (b) provide you with dental, vision, health and life insurance
through December 31, 2001 in accordance with the benefits provided to senior
executives as of the Separation Date; from and after the Separation Date, you
shall not be entitled to participate in the Company's Employee Stock Purchase
Plan or 401K plan; and

                (c) transfer ownership of your Company laptop computer to you.

         3. As of the Separation Date, all options that would vest through March
31, 2002 under the Award Agreements (as hereinafter defined) shall immediately
vest and any options that would vest after March 31, 2002 shall be cancelled.
All options granted pursuant to your performance stock option award dated April
17, 2000 shall be fully vested. As used herein, "Award Agreements" means (i)
your Incentive Stock Option Agreement dated February 18, 1997; (ii) your
Incentive Stock Option Agreement dated September 30, 1997; (iii) your Incentive
Stock Option Agreement dated January 30, 1998; (iv) your Nonqualified Stock
Option Award Agreement dated February 22, 1999; (v) your Performance Stock
Option Award Agreement dated June 15, 1999 and notice relating thereto; (vi)
your Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement dated June 15, 1999 and notice
relating thereto ; and (vii) your Performance Stock Option Award Agreement dated
April 17, 2000. These Award Agreements are set forth on Schedule A hereto, which
sets forth the numbers and amounts vested and the period of exercise. Except as
otherwise provided in this agreement, all rights and obligations under the Award
Agreements shall be governed by their respective terms. You may exercise any
vested options at any time in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Award Agreements. All vested options (including options that vest pursuant to
this paragraph 3) shall continue to be exercisable through the stated term of
each such option.

         4. You agree not to sell more than 15,000 shares in any one day;
provided, however, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to any transfer
or deemed transfer by you of your shares in connection with any extraordinary
transaction by the Company in which substantially all the shares of common stock
of the Company are exchanged for securities of another entity and/or cash.

         5. As a key senior executive of the Company, you have been intimately
involved in the management of the business of the Company and in planning and
implementing its business strategies. In the course of your long employment with
the Company, you have developed special skills, knowledge and abilities in the
Internet field which are of a
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uniquely personal nature. You have also acquired detailed knowledge of the
internal operations of the Company and its business and possess highly
confidential information concerning both the U.S. and non-U.S. business
activities of the Company. In addition, you have been afforded the opportunity
to develop special relationships of confidence and trust with the customers,
suppliers, consultants, employees, officers and directors of the Company.

                (a) The parties acknowledge and agree that the Company would be
unfairly and irreparably damaged if you were to take any of such skills,
knowledge, information or relationships, which you have acquired and developed
during the course of your employment with the Company, and use them to the
detriment of the Company, and therefore the provisions of this paragraph 5(a)
are reasonable, appropriate and necessary for the protection of the Company's
properties, investments, business relationships, economic advantages and good
will. Accordingly, you hereby agree that:

                           (i) Through the first anniversary of the Separation
Date, you will not, without the Company's prior written consent, directly or
indirectly hold an ownership interest in, provide financing for, control, manage
or operate, or participate in the ownership, control, management or operation
of, or render services in the capacity of any employee, freelancer, consultant,
agent or a similar capacity to or for the benefit of any business, publication,
product or service that is competitive with (1) any business, product or service
of the Company or (2) any business, product or service which the Company has a
bona fide plan to launch within the next 12 months, which plan or intention you
have actual knowledge of before engaging in any of the above activities.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, you shall not be
deemed to have breached the provisions hereof solely by reason of your ownership
of an equity interest of less than one-half of one percent (0.5%) in the
securities of a publicly traded competitive business or an interest in a mutual
or other investment fund which owns an interest in a competitive business,
provided that you have no influence or control over such fund's investment
decisions.

                           (ii) Through the first anniversary of the Separation
Date, you will not, without the Company's prior written consent, on your own
behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, (1) solicit the service of or
employ any employee of the Company for your own benefit or the benefit of any
person or entity other than the Company; (2) induce or help to induce any such
employee to leave employment with the Company for any reason; or (3) employ or
cause any other person or entity to employ any former employee of the Company
whose voluntary resignation from the Company occurred less than six months prior
to such employment by you or such other person or entity.

                           (iii) Through the first anniversary of the Separation
Date, you will not, without the Company's prior written consent, (1) induce or
attempt to induce any customer, supplier or contractor of the Company to
terminate or materially diminish any agreement or arrangement with the Company;
or (2) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier or contractor, or any
potential customer, supplier or contractor of the Company not to enter into any
agreement or arrangement with the Company.
<PAGE>

                           (iv) You will not at any time, disclose, communicate
or divulge, or use for your benefit or the benefit of any third party, any of
the trade secrets or other confidential or proprietary information and materials
of the Company, including, solely by way of illustration but not of limitation,
its business strategies, business plans, budgets, pricing, financial data,
confidential reports, personnel records, credit and financial data concerning
its suppliers or its present and prospective customers, data about competitors,
new product-development initiatives, customer research and new product or
service ideas. Once your employment has terminated, you will not retain copies
of any confidential information or materials of the Company in any form, whether
print, electronic or otherwise.

                           (v) Neither party to this Agreement will willfully
make any oral or written statement which reflects adversely upon the character,
honesty, credit, efficiency or business practices of the other party to this
Agreement (including, with respect to the Company, any of its former or current
stockholders, directors, officers or employees in their capacities as such).

                           (vi) You will, if requested by the Company from time
to time, provide information, testimony and assistance in connection with the
prosecution of any rights or claims by the Company and the defense of any claims
against the Company arising out of matters of which you acquired knowledge while
an employee of the Company. You agree to make yourself available for such
purpose at such times as the Company may reasonably request and as do not
unreasonably interfere with your other business activities or commitments, and
the Company shall pay your reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection therewith after receipt of written documentation with respect
thereto.

                           (vii) You will keep this letter strictly confidential
and, except as may be required by law, you agree not to disclose it or any of
its terms or conditions to any person other than your legal counsel and
financial advisors and immediate family to whom disclosure is necessary to
effectuate the purposes of your consulting with such advisors, provided that
they are informed of the confidentiality agreement herein and agree to be bound
by it; provided further, that the obligation in this sentence shall expire upon
any filing of this Agreement by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. For purposes of the restrictions in this agreement that relate to
non-competition and non-solicitation, you may provide a summary description or
excepts of those provisions of the agreement to a prospective employer, provided
it is informed of the confidentiality agreement herein and agrees to be bound by
it. In the event that any court or agency of competent jurisdiction shall
require this Agreement to be filed with it, you and the Company shall request
that the Agreement be filed and maintained under seal.

         6. You hereby fully release and discharge the Company and its
successors and assigns from any and all claims, liabilities, obligations,
damages, losses, costs and expenses, known and unknown, suspected or
unsuspected, which you have, have had or may hereafter have arising out of your
employment with the Company, the termination thereof or your compensation in
connection therewith (other than obligations created by, acknowledged in or
arising from this agreement), and you hereby waive any and all rights to assert
against the Company and its successors and assigns, any such claims, including,
<PAGE>

without limitation, claims of discrimination (whether based on race, religion,
national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status,
handicap, physical or mental disability, or any other cause), wrongful
discharge, emotional distress, defamation, breach of contract, breach of
covenant of good faith and fair dealing, claims for wages, bonuses, vacation or
sick pay or other benefits, and violation of any local, state or federal law or
regulation. You specifically waive any and all rights and claims arising under
the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (although such waiver
does not apply to rights or claims that may arise after the date this Agreement
is executed).

         7. You acknowledge and agree that, except as expressly provided herein,
you will be entitled to no further employment with the Company, and, except for
the foregoing, you are not entitled to and will not receive any additional
compensation, payments or benefits of any kind from the Company (other than any
payments or benefits you receive through any benefit plan of the Company during
the term such plan remains in force for you pursuant to this Agreement), and
that no representations or promises to the contrary have been made to you.

         8. This letter sets forth our entire agreement with respect to the
subject matter thereof and supersedes all prior written or oral agreements
between you and any representative of the Company on that subject, other than
the Award Agreements. No provision of this agreement may be modified or waived
except in a writing signed by both parties. If any provision of this agreement
is prohibited or invalid under any law, such provision shall be ineffective to
the extent of any prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder
of such provision or the other provisions of this agreement. This agreement will
bind and benefit both parties and their respective heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns. This agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference
to its rules regarding choice or conflicts of laws.

         9. You acknowledge that you have read and understand this agreement;
that you have signed it voluntarily and without coercion; and that the waivers
you have made in this agreement have been made with full appreciation that you
will be foreclosed from pursuing the rights so waived. The parties hereto agree
that, in connection with any lawsuit involving the parties hereto, if you assert
any claims or rights so waived, the party which does not prevail in such lawsuit
will pay all costs incurred in connection with such claim by the prevailing
party (which in the case of the Company being the prevailing party shall include
the costs of both the Company and its employees), including reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements, in such lawsuit.

         10. The Company agrees to pay your reasonable legal fees and expenses
in an amount not to exceed $5,000 upon receipt of an invoice with respect
thereto.

         Irene, if the above accurately reflects our agreement on this matter,
please sign the attached duplicate of this letter in the space provided below
and return it to me.

         Sincerely,

         EARTHWEB INC.
<PAGE>

         By:  /s/ Brian Campbell
              ------------------
              Brian Campbell
               Vice President

         AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

         /s/ Irene Math
         --------------
         Irene Math

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