POET HOLDINGS INC
S-8, 2000-05-12
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>   1
      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2000
                                                   Registration No. 333-________
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                             ----------------------

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             ----------------------

                               POET HOLDINGS, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                Delaware                               94-3221778
        ------------------------                 -----------------------
        (State of Incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer
                                                 Identification Number)

                            999 Baker Way, Suite 200
                           San Mateo, California 94404
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                             ----------------------

                      AMENDED AND RESTATED 1995 STOCK PLAN
                        1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                            1999 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN
                            (Full title of the plans)

                             ----------------------

                                  Dirk Bartels
                      President and Chief Executive Officer
                               POET HOLDINGS, INC.
                            999 Baker Way, Suite 200
                           San Mateo, California 94404
                     (Name and address of agent for service)
                                 (650) 286-4640
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                             ----------------------

                                   Copies to:
                             Bruce M. McNamara, Esq.
                              Margo M. Eakin, Esq.
                                 Anand Rao, Esq.
                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI,
                            PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                               650 Page Mill Road
                           Palo Alto, California 94304
                            Telephone: (650) 493-9300

================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
================================================================================

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==============================================================================================================
                                          AMOUNT        PROPOSED MAXIMUM    PROPOSED MAXIMUM       AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF SECURITIES TO                     TO BE         OFFERING PRICE         AGGREGATE         REGISTRATION
BE REGISTERED                          REGISTERED(1)      PER SHARE(2)      OFFERING PRICE(2)         FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>               <C>                 <C>                   <C>
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
  per share:

Issuable under the Amended and
Restated 1995 Stock Plan                  215,880            $56.73           $12,246,872.40       $ 3,233.17

To be issued under the Amended and
Restated 1995 Stock Plan                  745,509            $27.83           $20,747,515.47       $ 5,477.34

Issuable under the 1999 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan                       205,471            $56.73           $11,656,369.83       $ 3,077.28

Issuable under the 1999 Director
Option Plan                               110,000            $56.73           $ 6,240,300.00       $ 1,647.44

To be issued under the 1999
Director Option Plan                       40,000            $12.90           $   516,000.00       $   136.22

     TOTAL:                             1,316,860                             $51,407,057.70       $13,571.46
</TABLE>

- ----------

(1)   Amount of securities to be registered computed in accordance with Rule
      457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as the maximum number of
      the Registrant's Common Stock issuable under the plans covered by this
      registration statement.

(2)   Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act solely for
      the purpose of calculating the registration fee based on the average of
      the high and low prices per share of the Common Stock as reported on the
      Neuer Markt of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on May 10, 2000. The
      registration fee for the shares of Common Stock to be issued under the
      Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan, an employee stock option plan, was
      calculated in accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act upon the
      basis of the weighted average price at which the options may be exercised.

================================================================================

<PAGE>   3
                                     PART II

                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

        The following documents and information heretofore filed by POET
Holdings, Inc. ("Registrant") with the Securities and Exchange Commission are
hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:

        1. The Registrant's Registrant Statement filed on Form S-1 originally
filed September 17, 1999, and subsequently amended, pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") relating to the
Registrant's initial public offering of its Common Stock.

        2. The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the
Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated November 10, 1999, filed pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
description.

        3. The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999, filed pursuant to the Exchange Act March 30, 2000.

        All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

        Not applicable.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

        The validity of the securities being registered by this Registration
Statement will be passed upon for the Company by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich &
Rosati, Professional Corporation. As of the date of this Registration Statement
one current individual member of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
Corporation, and two associated investment partnerships beneficially own an
aggregate of 13,672 shares of the Registrant's common stock.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

        Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a
corporation to include in its charter documents, and in agreements between the
corporation and its directors and officers, provisions expanding the scope of
indemnification beyond that specifically provided by the current law.

        Article NINTH of the Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
provides for the indemnification of directors to the fullest extent permissible
under Delaware law.

        Article VI of the Registrant's bylaws provides for the indemnification
of officers, directors and third parties acting on behalf of the Registrant if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and
not opposed to the best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe
his or her conduct was unlawful.


                                      II-1
<PAGE>   4
        In addition to indemnification provided for in the Registrant's
certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the Registrant has entered into
indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers and intends
to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and executive
officers in the future.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

        Not Applicable.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   EXHIBIT
    NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION
   --------                              -----------
<S>            <C>
     4.1       Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan and form of agreements
               thereunder.

     4.2       1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and form of agreements
               thereunder.

     4.3       1999 Director Option Plan and form of agreements thereunder.

     5.1       Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
               Corporation, counsel to the Registrant.

    23.1       Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Accountants.

    23.2       Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
               Corporation, counsel to the Registrant (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

    24.1       Power of Attorney (see page II-4 and II-5).
</TABLE>

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

        A. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to include any
material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in this Registration Statement.

               (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

               (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

        B. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.


                                      II-2
<PAGE>   5
        C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


                                      II-3
<PAGE>   6
                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto,
duly authorized, in the City of San Mateo, State of California, on May 12, 2000.

                                      POET HOLDINGS, INC.

                                      By: /s/ Dirk Bartels
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Dirk Bartels
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Dirk Bartels and Jerry Wong, and each of
them acting individually, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, each with full power of substitution, to sign and execute on behalf of
the undersigned any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to
this Registration Statement, any registration statement for the same offering
covered by this Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
foregoing, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm
all that such attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or any substitutes,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    SIGNATURE                                        TITLE                          DATE
                    ---------                                        -----                          ----
<S>                                               <C>                                           <C>
/s/               Dirk Bartels                    President, Chief Executive Officer            May 12, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------  and Director
                  Dirk Bartels

/s/               Jochen Witte                    Executive Vice President of European          May 12, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------  Operations and Chief Financial Officer
                  Jochen Witte

/s/                Jerry Wong                     Executive Vice President of U.S.              May 12, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------  Operations and Vice President of Finance
                   Jerry Wong

/s/                Gert Kohler                    Director                                      May 12, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
                   Gert Kohler

/s/              Jerome Lecoeur                   Director                                      May 12, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
                 Jerome Lecoeur
</TABLE>


                                      II-4
<PAGE>   7
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   EXHIBIT
   NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION
   -------                               -----------
<S>            <C>
     4.1       Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan and form of agreements
               thereunder.

     4.2       1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and form of agreements
               thereunder.

     4.3       1999 Director Option Plan and form of agreements thereunder.

     5.1       Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
               Corporation, counsel to the Registrant.

    23.1       Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Accountants.

    23.2       Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
               Corporation, counsel to the Registrant (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

    24.1       Power of Attorney (see page II-4 and II-5).
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1


                               POET HOLDINGS, INC.
                                 1995 STOCK PLAN
                             (AMENDED AND RESTATED)

        1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 1995 Stock Plan are to
attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and
Consultants of the Company and its Parent or Subsidiaries and to promote the
success of the Company's business. Options granted under the Plan may be
Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the
Administrator at the time of grant of an Option and subject to the applicable
provisions of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder. Stock Purchase Rights may also be granted under the Plan.

        2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

               (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees
appointed pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.

               (b) "Applicable Laws" means the legal requirements relating to
the administration of stock option plans under United States state corporate
laws, federal and state securities laws, the Code any stock exchange or
quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the
applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock
Purchase Rights will be granted under the Plan.

               (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

               (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

               (e) "Committee" means a Committee appointed by the Board of
Directors in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

               (f) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

               (g) "Company" means POET Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

               (h) "Consultant" means any person who is engaged by the Company
or any Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

               (i) "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant" means that
the employment or consulting relationship with the Company, any Parent or
Subsidiary is not interrupted or terminated. Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant shall not be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. A
leave of absence approved by the Company shall include sick leave, military
leave, or any other personal leave approved by an authorized representative of
the Company. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed
ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of

<PAGE>   2
such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract, including Company policies. If
reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is
not so guaranteed, on the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave any Incentive
Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive
Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock
Option.

               (j) "Director" means a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company.

               (k) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and
Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
The payment of a Director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient to
constitute "employment" by the Company.

               (l) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

               (m) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:

                          (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established
stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the
Nasdaq National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, its Fair Market Value shall be the
closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were
reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the last market trading day
prior to the time of determination and reported in The Wall Street Journal or
such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

                          (ii) If the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ
System (but not on the Nasdaq National Market thereof) or regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair
Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the
Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination
and reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the
Administrator deems reliable; or

                          (iii) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Administrator.

               (n) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify
as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

               (o) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

               (p) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

               (q) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

               (r) "Option Agreement" means an agreement between the Company and
an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.
The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
               (s) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option
or a Stock Purchase Right.

               (t) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock
Purchase Right granted under the plan.

               (u) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

               (v) "Plan" means this 1995 Stock Plan.

               (w) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to a grant of a Stock Purchase Right under Section 11 below.

               (x) "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written
agreement between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and
restrictions applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right. The
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan and the Notice of Grant.

               (y) "Section 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

               (z) "Share" means a share of the Company's Common Stock, as
adjusted in accordance with Section 12 below.

               (aa) "Stock Purchase Right" means a right to purchase Common
Stock pursuant to Section 11 below.

               (bb) "Sub-Plan" means a Sub-Plan created under and subject to the
terms of this Plan, pursuant to which Options and/or Stock Purchase Rights which
qualify for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws may be granted to
Employees and Consultants of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company.

               (cc) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now
or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

        3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to option
and sold under the Plan is one million two hundred thousand (1,200,000) Shares,
plus an annual increase will be added on the first day of the fiscal year
beginning in 2000, equal to (i) 230,889 shares, (ii) 2% of the outstanding
shares on that date, (iii) or a lesser amount determined by the Board. The
Shares may be authorized but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

        If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable
without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an option
exchange program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become
available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated). However, Shares that have actually been issued under the


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
Plan, upon exercise of either an Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall not be
returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution
under the Plan, except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the
Company at their original purchase price, and the original purchaser of such
Shares did not receive any benefits of ownership of such Shares, such Shares
shall become available for future grant under the Plan. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, voting rights shall not be considered a benefit of Share
ownership.

        4. Administration of the Plan.

               (a) Multiple Administrative Bodies. If permitted by Rule 16b-3,
the Plan may be administered by different bodies with respect to Directors,
Officers and Employees who are neither Directors nor Officers.

               (b) Administration With Respect to Directors and Officers. With
respect to grants of Options and Stock Purchase Rights to Employees who are also
Officers or Directors of the Company, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the
Board if the Board may administer the Plan in compliance with the rules under
Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor thereto ("Rule
16b-3") relating to the disinterested administration of employee benefit plans
under which Section 16(b) exempt discretionary grants and awards of equity
securities are to be made and any other Applicable Laws, or (B) a Committee
designated by the Board to administer the Plan, which Committee shall be
constituted to comply with the rules under Rule 16b-3 relating to the
disinterested administration of employee benefit plans under which Section 16(b)
exempt discretionary grants and awards of equity securities are to be made and
any other Applicable Laws. Once appointed, such Committee shall continue to
serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From
time to time the Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint
additional members thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint
new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove
all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to
the extent permitted by the rules under Rule 16b-3 relating to the disinterested
administration of employee benefit plans under which Section 16(b) exempt
discretionary grants and awards of equity securities are to be made.

               (c) Administration With Respect to Other Employees and
Consultants. With respect to grants of Options and Stock Purchase Rights to
Employees or Consultants who are neither Directors nor Officers of the Company,
the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee designated by
the Board, which committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to satisfy
the Applicable Laws, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the
Company's Common Stock is listed. Once appointed, such Committee shall continue
to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From
time to time the Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint
additional members thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint
new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove
all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to
the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws.

               (d) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan and, in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board
to such Committee, and subject to


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
the approval of any relevant authorities, including the approval, if required,
of any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed, the Administrator
shall have the authority in its discretion:

                          (i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock, in accordance with Section 2(m) of the Plan;

                          (ii) to select the Consultants and Employees to whom
Options and Stock Purchase Rights may from time to time be granted hereunder;

                          (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options
and Stock Purchase Rights or any combination thereof are granted hereunder;

                          (iv) to determine the number of Shares to be covered
by each such Option or Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;

                          (v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the
Plan;

                          (vi) to determine the terms and conditions of any
Option or Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;

                          (vii) to determine whether and under what
circumstances an Option may be settled in cash under subsection 9(f) instead of
Common Stock;

                          (viii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to
the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
covered by such Option has declined since the date the Option was granted;

                          (ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to
Sub-Plans established for the purpose of qualifying Options or Stock Purchase
Rights for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws;

                          (x) to provide for early exercise of Options for the
purchase of unvested Shares, subject to such terms and conditions as the
Administrator may determine; and

                          (xi) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan
and Options or Stock Purchase Rights granted pursuant to the Plan.

               (e) Effect of Administrator's Decision. All decisions,
determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all Optionees and any other holders of any Options or Stock Purchase
Rights.

        5. Eligibility and Limitations.

               (a) Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be
granted to Employees and Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted
only to Employees. An Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option or
Stock Purchase Right may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional Options
or Stock Purchase Rights.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
               (b) Each Option shall be designated in the written option
agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate
Fair Market Value of Shares subject to an Optionee's Incentive Stock Options
granted by the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary, which become exercisable for
the first time during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5(b), Incentive Stock
Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The
Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option
with respect to such Shares is granted.

               (c) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to continuation of his or her
employment or consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall it interfere
in any way with his or her right or the Company's right to terminate his or her
employment or consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.
Options under the Plan are granted in a discretionary fashion, and the grant of
one or more Options and/or Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan shall not give
rise to a right in any Employee or Consultant to receive additional Option
and/or Stock Purchase Right grants in the future. Further, the Board retains the
right, in its sole discretion, to terminate the Plan for any reason, or no
reason, at any time.

               (d) The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options
and Stock Purchase Rights:

                          (i) No Employee or Consultant shall be granted, in any
fiscal year of the Company, Options and Stock Purchase Rights to purchase more
than 200,000 Shares.

                          (ii) The foregoing limitation shall be adjusted
proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as
described in Section 12.

                          (iii) If an Option or Stock Purchase Right is canceled
in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted (other than in
connection with a transaction described in Section 12), the canceled Option or
Stock Purchase Right shall be counted against the limit set forth in Section
5(d)(i). For this purpose, if the exercise price of an Option or Stock Purchase
Right is reduced, such reduction will be treated as a cancellation of the Option
or Stock Purchase Right and the grant of a new Option or Stock Purchase Right.

        6. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board or its approval by the stockholders of the
Company, as described in Section 18 of the Plan. The Plan shall continue in
effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section
14 thereof.

        7. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be the term stated in
the Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten
(10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the
Option Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an
Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock representing more
than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or any


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall be five (5) years from the
date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option
Agreement.

        8. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

               (a) The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Administrator,
but shall be subject to the following:

                          (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                              (1) granted to an Employee who, at the time of
grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary,
the per Share exercise price shall be no less than one hundred ten percent
(110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                              (2) granted to any other Employee, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                          (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option

                              (1) granted to a person who, at the time of grant
of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary,
the per Share exercise price shall be no less than one hundred ten percent
(110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant.

                              (2) granted to any other person, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

               (b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by
the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant). Such consideration may consist of (1) cash,
(2) check, (3) wire transfer, (4) promissory note, (5) other Shares which (x) in
the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the
Optionee for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair
Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of
the Shares as to which such Option shall be exercised, (6) delivery of a
properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as the
Administrator and a broker, if applicable, shall require to effect a 'cashless'
exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds
required to pay the exercise price, or (7) any combination of the foregoing
methods of payment. In making its determination as to the type of consideration
to accept, the Administrator shall consider if acceptance of such consideration
may be reasonably expected to benefit the Company.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
        9. Exercise of Option.

               (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions
as determined by the Administrator, including performance criteria with respect
to the Company and/or the Optionee, and as shall be permissible under the terms
of the Plan, but in no case at a rate of less than twenty percent (20%) per year
over five (5) years from the date the Option is granted. An Option may not be
exercised for a fraction of a Share.

                      An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when
written notice of such exercise (in such form as the Board approves, including
the form attached hereto as Exhibit A) has been given to the Company in
accordance with the terms of the Option by the person entitled to exercise the
Option and full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is
exercised has been received by the Company. Full payment may, as authorized by
the Administrator, consist of any consideration and method of payment allowable
under Section 8(b) hereof. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate
entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the
Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote,
receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect
to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company
shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon
exercise of the Option. No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other
right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is
issued, except as provided in Section 12 hereof.

                      Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a
decrease in the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for
purposes of the Plan and the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the
Option is exercised.

               (b) Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship. In the
event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant (but not in the event of an Optionee's change of status from Employee
to Consultant (in which case an Employee's Incentive Stock Option shall
automatically convert to a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the date three (3)
months and one (1) day following such change of status) or from Consultant to
Employee), such Optionee may, but only within such period of time as is
determined by the Administrator, of at least thirty (30) days, with such
determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option not exceeding three (3)
months after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the
expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement), exercise his or her Option to the extent that the Optionee was
entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that the
Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of such
termination, or if the Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so
entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate and the
Shares converted by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

               (c) Disability of Optionee. In the event of termination of an
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of his or
her disability, the Optionee may, but only within twelve (12) months from the
date of such termination (and in no event later than the expiration date of the
term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise the Option
to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination.
If such


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
disability is not a "disability" as such term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of
the Code, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option such Incentive Stock Option
shall automatically cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall
be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the day three (3)
months and one (1) day following such termination. To the extent that the
Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or
if the Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within
the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by
such Option shall revert to the Plan.

               (d) Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee,
the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the
date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) by the Optionee's estate or by a
person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance,
but only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option on
the date of death. If, at the time of death, the Optionee was not entitled to
exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable
portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If, after the
Optionee's death, the Optionee's estate or a person who acquires the right to
exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance does not exercise the Option
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares
covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

               (e) Rule 16b-3. Options granted to persons subject to Section
16(b) of the Exchange Act must comply with Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such
additional conditions or restrictions as may be required thereunder to qualify
for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to
Plan transactions.

               (f) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on
such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate
to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

        10. Non-Transferability of Stockholder Rights. Options and Stock
Purchase Rights may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred,
or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or
distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by
the Optionee.

        11. Stock Purchase Rights.

               (a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued
either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other Options or Stock Purchase
Rights granted under the Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After
the Administrator determines that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the
Plan, it shall advise the offeree in writing of the terms, conditions and
restrictions related to the offer, including the number of Shares that such
person shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and the time within
which such person must accept such offer, which shall in no event exceed ninety
(90) days from the date upon which the Administrator makes the determination to
grant the Stock Purchase Right. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10
               (b) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a
repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of
the purchaser's employment with the Company for any reason (including death or
disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the
purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser
to the Company. This repurchase option shall lapse at such rate as the
Administrator may determine, but in no case at a rate of less than twenty
percent (20%) per year over five years from the date of purchase.

               (c) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement
shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with
the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. In
addition, the provisions of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements need not be the
same with respect to each purchaser.

               (d) Rights as a Stockholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have rights equivalent to those of a stockholder
and shall be a stockholder when his or her purchase is entered upon the records
of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment shall be
made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the
date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 12 of
the Plan.

        12. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger.

               (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per Share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company. The conversion of any convertible securities of
the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of
consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as
expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any
class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall
affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase
Right.

               (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify the
Optionee at least fifteen (15) days prior to such proposed action. In addition,
the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to
any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation
takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not
been previously exercised, an


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action. To the extent it has not been previously
exercised, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate immediately prior
to the consummation of such proposed action.

               (c) Merger. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into
another corporation, each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right may be
assumed or an equivalent option or right may be substituted by such successor
corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation. If, in such
event, an Option or Stock Purchase Right is not assumed or substituted, the
Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate as of the date of the closing of
the merger. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase
Right shall be considered assumed if, following the merger, the Option or Stock
Purchase Right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of
Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior
to the merger, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or
property) received in the merger by holders of Common Stock for each Share held
on the effective date of the transaction (and if the holders are offered a
choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Shares). If such consideration received in the
merger is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent,
the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide
for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock
Purchase Right, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock
Purchase Right, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its
Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by
holders of Common Stock in the merger.

               (d) Shares Subject to Repurchase Option. Any Shares subject to a
repurchase option of the Company shall be exchanged for the consideration
(whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or
asset sale by the holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective
date of the transaction, as described in the preceding paragraph. If the
Optionee receives shares of stock of the successor corporation or a parent or
subsidiary of such successor corporation in exchange for Shares subject to a
repurchase option, and exchanged shares shall continue to be subject to the
repurchase option as provided in the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement.

        13. Time of Granting Options and Stock Purchase Rights. The date of
grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall, for all purposes, be the date
on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock
Purchase Right, or such other date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice
of the determination shall be given to each Employee or Consultant to whom an
Option or Stock Purchase Right is so granted within a reasonable time after the
date of such grant.

        14. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

               (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, suspension
or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of any Optionee
under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. Such consent must
be in writing and signed by the Optionee. In addition, to the extent necessary
and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or with


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12
Section 422 of the Code (or any other applicable law or regulation, including
the requirements of the NASD or an established stock exchange), the Company
shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to
such a degree as required.

               (b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment or
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options or Stock Purchase Rights
already granted, and such Options and Stock Purchase Rights shall remain in full
force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated, unless
mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator, which
agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.

        15. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the
exercise of such Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of
such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law,
including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the
requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and
shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect
to such compliance.

               As a condition to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase
Right, the Company may require the person exercising such Option or Stock
Purchase Right to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that
the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present
intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for
the Company, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned
relevant provisions of law.

        16. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
shall at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

               The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder,
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.

        17. Agreements. Options and Stock Purchase Rights shall be evidenced by
written agreements in such form as the Administrator shall approve from time to
time.

        18. Stockholder Approval. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is adopted. Such stockholder approval shall be obtained
in the degree and manner required under federal and state securities laws and
the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Company's Common Stock is listed.


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13
                               POET HOLDINGS, INC.

                                 1995 STOCK PLAN

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

        Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I.      NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

[Optionee's Name and Address]

        You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as
follows:

        Grant Number                        _________________________

        Date of Grant                       _________________________

        Vesting Commencement Date           _________________________

        Exercise Price per Share            $________________________

        Total Number of Shares Granted      _________________________

        Total Exercise Price                $________________________

        Type of Option:             --      Incentive Stock Option

                                    --      Nonstatutory Stock Option

        Term/Expiration Date:               _________________________

Vesting Schedule:

        This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with
the following schedule:

        Twelve forty-eighths (12/48) of the Shares subject to the Option shall
vest on the last day of the twelfth month after the Vesting Commencement Date,
and one forty-eighth (1/48) of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest on
the last day of each month thereafter, so that all of the shares subject to the
Option will be fully vested on the date four (4) years from the date of grant;
provided,

<PAGE>   14
however, in each case that the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant has not terminated prior such date of vesting.

        Termination Period:

        This Option may be exercised for three (3) months after termination of
your employment or consulting relationship, or such longer period as may be
applicable upon death or disability of Optionee as provided in the Plan. In the
event of the Optionee's change in status from Employee to Consultant or
Consultant to Employee, this Option Agreement shall remain in effect. In no
event shall this Option be exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date as
provided above.

II.     AGREEMENT

        1. Grant of Option. POET Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant (the
"Optionee"), an option (the "Option") to purchase the total number of shares of
Common Stock (the "Shares") set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise
price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price") subject
to the terms, definitions and provisions of the 1995 Stock Plan as amended and
restated from time to time (the "Plan") adopted by the Company, which is
incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms
defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option
Agreement.

               If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option
("ISO"), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as
defined in Section 422 of the Code. Nevertheless, to the extent that it exceeds
the $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d), this Option shall be treated as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").

        2. Exercise of Option.

               (a) Right to Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable during
its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant
and with the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In the
event of Optionee's death, disability or other termination of the employment or
consulting relationship, this Option shall be exercisable in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

               (b) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by
written notice (in such form as the Board approves, including the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A) which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the
number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, and such
other representations and agreements as to the holder's investment intent with
respect to such shares of Common Stock as may be required by the Company
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such written notice shall be signed by
the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the
Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of
the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by
the Company of such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   15

               No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option
unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions
of law and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then
be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be
considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is
exercised with respect to such Shares.

        3. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

               (a) cash;

               (b) check;

               (c) wire transfer;

               (d) promissory note;

               (e) surrender of other shares of Common Stock of the Company
which (A) in the case of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Company
option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date
of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to
the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or

               (f) consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan.

        4. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised until such
time as the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, or if the
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such Shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("Regulation G") as
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board.

        5. Termination of Relationship. In the event an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates, Optionee may, to the extent
otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the "Termination Date"),
exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of
Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option at
the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

        6. Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6
above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's consulting relationship or
Continuous Status as an Employee as a result of his or her disability, Optionee
may, but only within twelve (12) months from the date of such termination (and
in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set
forth in the Option Agreement), exercise the Option to the extent otherwise
entitled to exercise it at


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   16
the date of such termination; provided, however, that if such disability is not
a "disability" as such term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in the
case of an Incentive Stock Option such Incentive Stock Option shall cease to be
treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option on the day three (3) months and one (1) day following
such termination. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the
Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option
to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

        7. Death of Optionee. In the event of termination of Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of the death of
Optionee, the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months
following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration
of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 10 below), by Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest
or inheritance, but only to the extent the Optionee could exercise the Option at
the date of death.

        8. Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator deter-mines other-wise,
the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase
option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the
purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (including death or
Disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the
purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser
to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the
Administrator.

        9. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of
this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs,
successors and assigns of the Optionee.

        10. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term
set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option. The limitations set out
in Section 7 of the Plan regarding Options designated as Incentive Stock Options
and Options granted to stockholders who hold greater than ten percent (10%) of
the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary shall apply to this Option.

        11. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
of this Option of some of the federal and state tax consequences of exercise of
this Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY
INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. OPTIONEE
SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE
SHARES.

               (a) Exercise of ISO. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there
will be no regular federal income tax liability or state income tax liability
upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   17
will be treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax
purposes and may subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year
of exercise.

               (b) Exercise of ISO Following Disability. If the Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates as a result of
disability that is not total and permanent disability as defined in Section
22(e)(3) of the Code, to the extent permitted on the date of termination, the
Optionee must exercise an ISO within ninety (90) days of such termination for
the ISO to be qualified as an ISO.

        In the event that the Optionee ceases to be an Employee but remains a
Consultant, any Incentive Stock Option of the Optionee that remains unexercised
shall cease to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax
purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the date three (3) months and one (1)
day following such change of status.

               (c) Exercise of Nonstatutory Stock Option. There may be a regular
federal and state income tax liability upon the exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock
Option. The Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income
(taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair
Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If
Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to
withhold from Optionee's compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the
applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this
compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the
exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not
delivered at the time of exercise.

               (d) Disposition of Shares. In the case of an NSO, if Shares are
held for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will
be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income tax purposes.
In the case of an ISO, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for
at least one year after exercise and are disposed of at least two years after
the Date of Grant, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will also be
treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income tax purposes. If
Shares purchased under an ISO are disposed of within such one-year period or
within two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on such disposition
will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the
extent of the difference between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (1) the
Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (2) the sale price
of the Shares.

               (e) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the
Option granted to Optionee herein is an ISO, and if Optionee sells or otherwise
disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the
later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date one
year after the date of exercise, the Optionee shall immediately notify the
Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee may be
subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income
recognized by the Optionee.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   18
        12. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan is incorporated herein by
reference. The Plan, this Option Agreement, the Exercise Notice and, if
applicable, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement constitute the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede
in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and
Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified
adversely to the Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the
Company and Optionee. This agreement is governed by Delaware law except for that
body of law pertaining to conflict of laws.

                                        POET HOLDINGS, INC.
                                        a Delaware corporation

                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------

        OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO
THE OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE
WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS
OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY'S STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH
RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL
IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO
TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT
CAUSE. OPTIONS UNDER THE PLAN ARE GRANTED IN A DISCRETIONARY FASHION, AND THE
GRANT OF ONE OR MORE OPTIONS UNDER THE PLAN SHALL NOT GIVE RISE TO A RIGHT IN
ANY EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL OPTION GRANTS IN THE FUTURE.
FURTHER, THE BOARD RETAINS THE RIGHT, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, TO TERMINATE THE
PLAN FOR ANY REASON, OR NO REASON, AT ANY TIME.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   19
        Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that
he is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this
Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed
the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the
advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all
provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon
any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to
notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

Dated:
       -------------                        ------------------------------------
                                            Optionee

                                            Residence Address:

                                            ------------------------------------

                                            ------------------------------------

                                            ------------------------------------


                                      -7-
<PAGE>   20
                                    EXHIBIT A

                                 1995 STOCK PLAN

                                 EXERCISE NOTICE

POET Holdings, Inc.
999 Baker Way
Suite 200
San Mateo, CA 94404

Attention:  Secretary

        1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ____________________, the
undersigned ("Optionee") hereby elects to exercise Optionee's option to purchase
_________ shares of Common Stock (the "Shares") of POET Holdings, Inc. (the
"Company") under and pursuant to the 1995 Stock Plan, as amended (the "Plan")
and the [ ] Incentive [ ] Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement dated
____________________ (the "Option Agreement"). Optionee herewith delivers to the
Company the full purchase price for the Shares.

        2. Representations of Optionee. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has
received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to
abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

        3. Rights as Stockholder. Until the stock certificate evidencing such
Shares is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote
or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with
respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The
Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly
after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or
other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate
is issued, except as provided in Section 12 of the Plan.

               Optionee shall enjoy rights as a stockholder until such time as
Optionee disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises
the Right of First Refusal or Repurchase Option contained in this Exercise
Notice. Upon such exercise, Optionee shall have no further rights as a holder of
the Shares so purchased except the right to receive payment for the Shares so
purchased in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement, and
Optionee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares so
purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or cancellation.

<PAGE>   21
        4. Tax Consultation. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax
consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.

        5. Entire Agreement. The Plan, Notice of Grant/Option Agreement and
Stock Purchase Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement,
the Plan, the Option Agreement, and, if applicable, the Restricted Stock
Purchase Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior
undertakings and agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the
subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser's
interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Purchaser.

Submitted by:                              Accepted by:

OPTIONEE:                                  POET HOLDINGS, INC.

                                           By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                           Its:
                                                --------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------
               (Signature)

Address:                                   Address:

                                           999 Baker Way
- ----------------------------------------   Suite 200
                                           San Mateo, CA 94404
- ----------------------------------------


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   22
                                CONSENT OF SPOUSE

        I, ___________________________, spouse of ______________________, have
read and approve the foregoing Agreement. In consideration of granting of the
right to my spouse to purchase shares of POET Holdings, Inc., as set forth in
the Agreement, I hereby appoint my spouse as my attorney-in-fact in respect to
the exercise of any rights under the Agreement and agree to be bound by the
provisions of the Agreement insofar as I may have any rights in said Agreement
or any shares issued pursuant thereto under the community property laws or
similar laws relating to marital property in effect in the state of our
residence as of the date of the signing of the foregoing Agreement.

Dated:
      ------------

                                       -----------------------------------------


                                      -3-

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.2

                              POET HOLDINGS, INC.

                            1999 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN

        1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 1999 Director Option Plan
are to attract and retain the best available personnel for service as Outside
Directors (as defined herein) of the Company, to provide additional incentive to
the Outside Directors of the Company to serve as Directors, and to encourage
their continued service on the Board.

                All options granted hereunder shall be nonstatutory stock
options.

        2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

                (a) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

                (b) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                (c) "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.

                (d) "Company" means POET Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

                (e) "Director" means a member of the Board.

                (f) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined
in section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

                (g) "Employee" means any person, including officers and
Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
The payment of a Director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient in and of
itself to constitute "employment" by the Company.

                (h) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

                (i) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:

                        (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established
stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the
Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market,
its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on
the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other
source as the Administrator deems reliable;



<PAGE>   2

                        (ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair
Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination, as
reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems
reliable; or

                        (iii) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Board.

                (j) "Inside Director" means a Director who is an Employee.

                (k) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

                (l) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an
Option.

                (m) "Optionee" means a Director who holds an Option.

                (n) "Outside Director" means a Director who is not an Employee
and who is not the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange
Act) directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than
one percent (1%) of the total voting power represented by the Company's
outstanding voting securities on the date of any grant hereunder.

                (o) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

                (p) "Plan" means this 1999 Director Option Plan.

                (q) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 10 of the Plan.

                (r) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now
or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986.

        3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 10 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 150,000 Shares (the "Pool"). The Shares may be authorized, but
unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

                If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having
been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall
become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan shall not be
returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution
under the Plan.



                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

        4. Administration and Grants of Options under the Plan.

                (a) Procedure for Grants. All grants of Options to Outside
Director under this Plan shall be automatic in accordance with the following
provisions:

                        (i) Each Outside Director shall be automatically granted
an Option to purchase 20,000 Shares (the "First Option") on the later of the
effective date of the Plan or on the date on which such person first becomes an
Outside Director, whether through election by the stockholders of the Company or
appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy; provided, however, that an Inside
Director who ceases to be an Inside Director but who remains a Director shall
not receive a First Option.

                        (ii) Each Outside Director shall be automatically
granted an Option to purchase 5,000 Shares (a "Subsequent Option") on the date
of each of annual meeting of the stockholders held after the effective date of
this Plan, provided he or she is then an Outside Director and if as of such
date, he or she shall have served on the Board for at least the preceding six
(6) months.

                        (iii) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (i)
and (ii) hereof, any exercise of an Option granted before the Company has
obtained stockholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 16 hereof
shall be conditioned upon obtaining such stockholder approval of the Plan in
accordance with Section 16 hereof.

                        (iv) The terms of each First Option granted under this
Section 4 shall be as follows:

                                (A) the term of the First Option shall be ten
(10) years.

                                (B) the First Option shall be exercisable only
while the Outside Director remains a Director of the Company, except as set
forth in Sections 8 and 10 hereof.

                                (C) the exercise price per Share shall be 100%
of the initial public offering price per Share of Common Stock in the offering.

                                (D) subject to Section 10 hereof, the First
Option shall become exercisable as to twenty five percent (25%) of the Shares
subject to the First Option on each monthly anniversary of its date of grant,
provided that the Optionee continues to serve as a Director on such dates.

                                (E) the First Option shall be a nonstatutory
stock option.




                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

                        (v) The terms of a Subsequent Option granted hereunder
shall be as follows:

                                (A) the term of the Subsequent Option shall be
ten (10) years.

                                (B) the Subsequent Option shall be exercisable
only while the Outside Director remains a Director of the Company, except as set
forth in Sections 8 and 10 hereof.

                                (C) the exercise price per Share shall be 100%
of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the Subsequent
Option.

                                (D) subject to Section 10 hereof, the Subsequent
Option shall become exercisable as to 100% of the Shares subject to the
Subsequent Option on the fourth (4) anniversary of its date of grant, provided
that the Optionee continues to serve as a Director on such date,

                                (E) the Subsequent Option shall be a
nonstatutory stock option.

                        (vi) In the event that any Option granted under the Plan
would cause the number of Shares subject to outstanding Options plus the number
of Shares previously purchased under Options to exceed the Pool, then the
remaining Shares available for Option grant shall be granted under Options to
the Outside Directors on a pro rata basis. No further grants shall be made until
such time, if any, as additional Shares become available for grant under the
Plan through action of the Board or the stockholders to increase the number of
Shares which may be issued under the Plan or through cancellation or expiration
of Options previously granted hereunder.

        5. Eligibility. Options may be granted only to Outside Directors. All
Options shall be automatically granted in accordance with the terms set forth in
Section 4 hereof.

                The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with
respect to continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a
Director, nor shall it interfere in any way with any rights which the Director
or the Company may have to terminate the Director's relationship with the
Company at any time.

        6. Term of Plan. The Plan was adopted by the Board in August 1999, and
is subject to stockholder approval as described in Section 16 of the Plan. The
Plan shall become effective immediately upon the effective date of the initial
public offering of the Company's common stock pursuant to a registration
statement filed under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. The Plan shall continue in
effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under Section 11 of
the Plan.

        7. Form of Consideration. The consideration to be paid for the Shares to
be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall
consist of (i) cash, (ii) check, (iii) other shares which (x) in the case of
Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for
more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of
the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised, (iv) consideration
received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the
Company in connection with the Plan, or (v) any combination of the foregoing
methods of payment.

        8. Exercise of Option.

                (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times as are set forth in Section
4 hereof; provided, however, that no Options shall be exercisable until
stockholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 16 hereof has been
obtained.

                        An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a
Share.

                        An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when notice of
such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the
Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the
Company. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment
allowable under Section 7 of the Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
A share certificate for the number of Shares so acquired shall be issued to the
Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. No adjustment
shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior
to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of
the Plan.

                        Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a
decrease in the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for
purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as
to which the Option is exercised.

                (b) Termination of Continuous Status as a Director. Subject to
Section 10 hereof, in the event an Optionee's status as a Director terminates
(other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability), the Optionee may exercise
his or her Option, but only within three (3) months following the date of such
termination, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise
it on the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of
its ten (10) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to
exercise an Option on the date of such termination and to the extent that the
Optionee does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled)
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

                (c) Disability of Optionee. In the event Optionee's status as a
Director terminates as a result of Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or
her Option, but only within twelve (12) months following the date of such
termination, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled



                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

to exercise it on the date of such termination (but in no event later than the
expiration of its ten (10)-year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not
entitled to exercise an Option on the date of termination, or if he or she does
not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

                (d) Death of Optionee. In the event of an Optionee's death, the
Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by
bequest or inheritance may exercise the Option, but only within twelve (12)
months following the date of death, and only to the extent that the Optionee was
entitled to exercise it on the date of death (but in no event later than the
expiration of its ten (10) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not
entitled to exercise an Option on the date of death, and to the extent that the
Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise such Option
does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the
time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

        9. Non-Transferability of Options. The Option may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

        10. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or
Asset Sale.

                (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each
outstanding Option, the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance
under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option, as well
as the price per Share covered by each such outstanding Option, and the number
of Shares issuable pursuant to the automatic grant provisions of Section 4
hereof shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the
number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other
increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Except as expressly provided herein, no
issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment
by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares
subject to an Option.

                (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, to the extent that an Option has not
been previously exercised, it shall terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action.

                (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the
Company with or into another corporation or the sale of substantially all of the
assets of the Company, outstanding Options may be assumed or equivalent options
may be substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary
thereof (the "Successor Corporation"). If an Option is assumed or substituted
for, the



                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

Option or equivalent option shall continue to be exercisable as provided in
Section 4 hereof for so long as the Optionee serves as a Director or a director
of the Successor Corporation. Following such assumption or substitution, if the
Optionee's status as a Director or director of the Successor Corporation, as
applicable, is terminated other than upon a voluntary resignation by the
Optionee, the Option shall become fully exercisable, including as to Shares for
which it would not otherwise be exercisable. Thereafter, the Option or option
shall remain exercisable in accordance with Sections 8(b) through (d) above.

        If the Successor Corporation does not assume an outstanding Option or
substitute for it an equivalent option, the Option shall become fully vested and
exercisable, including as to Shares for which it would not otherwise be
exercisable. In such event the Board shall notify the Optionee that the Option
shall be fully exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of
such notice, and upon the expiration of such period the Option shall terminate.

        For the purposes of this Section 10(c), an Option shall be considered
assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the Option confers the right
to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option
immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether
stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of
assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of
the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type
of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares).
If such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely
common stock of the Successor Corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may,
with the consent of the Successor Corporation, provide for the consideration to
be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the Successor Corporation or
its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by
holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

        11. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

                (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend, or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration,
suspension, or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of
any Optionee under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. In
addition, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable
law, regulation or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder
approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as
required.

                (b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment or
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been
amended or terminated.

        12. Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option shall, for
all purposes, be the date determined in accordance with Section 4 hereof.



                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

        13. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the
issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, state securities laws, and the requirements of any stock exchange
upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the
approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

                As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may
require the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time
of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares, if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.

                Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory
body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to
be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall
relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell
such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

        14. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

        15. Option Agreement. Options shall be evidenced by written option
agreements in such form as the Board shall approve.

        16. Stockholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted. Such stockholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner
required under applicable state and federal law and any stock exchange rules.



                                      -8-

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.3

                              POET HOLDINGS, INC.

                        1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

        1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the
Company with an opportunity to purchase Common Stock of the Company through
accumulated payroll deductions. It is the intention of the Company to have the
Plan qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan" under Section 423 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The provisions of the Plan,
accordingly, shall be construed so as to extend and limit participation in a
manner consistent with the requirements of that section of the Code.

        2. Definitions.

                (a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

                (b) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

                (c) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.

                (d) "Company" shall mean POET Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and any Designated Subsidiary of the Company.

                (e) "Compensation" shall mean all base straight time gross
earnings and commissions, exclusive of payments for overtime, shift premium,
incentive compensation, incentive payments, bonuses and other compensation.

                (f) "Designated Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary that has
been designated by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion as
eligible to participate in the Plan.

                (g) "Employee" shall mean any individual who is an Employee of
the Company for tax purposes whose customary employment with the Company is at
least twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months in any calendar
year. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as
continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or other leave of
absence approved by the Company. Where the period of leave exceeds 90 days and
the individual's right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by
contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the
91st day of such leave.

                (h) "Enrollment Date" shall mean the first day of each Offering
Period.

                (i) "Exercise Date" shall mean the last day of each Offering
Period.



<PAGE>   2

                (j) "Fair Market Value" shall mean, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:

                        (1) If the Common Stock is listed on any established
stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the
Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market,
its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day on the date of such determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable, or;

                        (2) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair
Market Value shall be the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for the
Common Stock on the date of such determination, as reported in The Wall Street
Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable, or;

                        (3) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Board;

                        (4) For purposes of the Enrollment Date of the first
Offering Period under the Plan, the Fair Market Value shall be the initial price
to the public as set forth in the final prospectus included within the
registration statement in Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission for the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock (the
"Registration Statement").

                (k) "Offering Period" shall mean a period of approximately six
(6) months during which an option granted pursuant to the Plan may be exercised,
commencing on the first Trading Day on or after June 1 and terminating on the
last Trading Day in the period ending the following November 30, or commencing
on the first Trading Day on or after December 1 and terminating on the last
Trading Day in the period ending the following May 31; provided, however, that
the first Offering Period under the Plan shall commence with the first Trading
Day on or after the date on which the Securities and Exchange Commission
declares the Company's Registration Statement effective and ending on the last
Trading Day on or before November 30, 2000. The duration of Offering Periods may
be changed pursuant to Section 4 of this Plan.

                (l) "Plan" shall mean this Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

                (m) "Purchase Price" shall mean an amount equal to 85% of the
Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Enrollment Date or on the
Exercise Date, whichever is lower; provided, however, that the Purchase Price
may be adjusted by the Board pursuant to Section 20.

                (n) "Reserves" shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by each option under the Plan which have not yet been exercised and the
number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under
the Plan but not yet placed under option.



                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

                (o) "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation, domestic or foreign,
of which not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Company or a
Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter organized
or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary.

                (p) "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which national stock
exchanges and the Nasdaq System are open for trading.

        3. Eligibility.

                (a) Any Employee who shall be employed by the Company on a given
Enrollment Date shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

                (b) Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding,
no Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan (i) to the extent that,
immediately after the grant, such Employee (or any other person whose stock
would be attributed to such Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code)
would own capital stock of the Company and/or hold outstanding options to
purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined
voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the Company or of
any Subsidiary, or (ii) to the extent that his or her rights to purchase stock
under all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and its subsidiaries
accrues at a rate which exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) worth of
stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such option
is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any
time.

        4. Offering Periods. The Plan shall be implemented by consecutive
Offering Periods with a new Offering Period commencing on the first Trading Day
on or after June 1 and December 1 each year, or on such other date as the Board
shall determine, and continuing thereafter until terminated in accordance with
Section 20 hereof; provided, however, that the first Offering Period under the
Plan shall commence with the first Trading Day on or after the date on which the
Securities and Exchange Commission declares the Company's Registration Statement
effective and ending on the last Trading Day on or before November 30, 2000. The
Board shall have the power to change the duration of Offering Periods (including
the commencement dates thereof) with respect to future offerings without
stockholder approval if such change is announced at least five (5) days prior to
the scheduled beginning of the first Offering Period to be affected thereafter.

        5. Participation.

                (a) An eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan by
completing a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deductions in the form
of Exhibit A to this Plan and filing it with the Company's payroll office prior
to the applicable Enrollment Date.

                (b) Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the
first payroll following the Enrollment Date and shall end on the last payroll in
the Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner
terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

        6. Payroll Deductions.

                (a) At the time a participant files his or her subscription
agreement, he or she shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each pay day
during the Offering Period in an amount not exceeding fifteen percent (15%) of
the Compensation which he or she receives on each pay day during the Offering
Period.

                (b) All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be
credited to his or her account under the Plan and shall be withheld in whole
percentages only. A participant may not make any additional payments into such
account.

                (c) A participant may discontinue his or her participation in
the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, or may increase or decrease the rate
of his or her payroll deductions during the Offering Period by completing or
filing with the Company a new subscription agreement authorizing a change in
payroll deduction rate. The Board may, in its discretion, limit the number of
participation rate changes during any Offering Period. The change in rate shall
be effective with the first full payroll period following five (5) business days
after the Company's receipt of the new subscription agreement unless the Company
elects to process a given change in participation more quickly. A participant's
subscription agreement shall remain in effect for successive Offering Periods
unless terminated as provided in Section 10 hereof.

                (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to
comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(b) hereof, a
participant's payroll deductions may be decreased to zero percent (0%) at any
time during an Offering Period. Payroll deductions shall recommence at the rate
provided in such participant's subscription agreement at the beginning of the
first Offering Period which is scheduled to end in the following calendar year,
unless terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

                (e) At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or
at the time some or all of the Company's Common Stock issued under the Plan is
disposed of, the participant must make adequate provision for the Company's
federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon
the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common Stock. At any time,
the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the participant's
compensation the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding
obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company
any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of
Common Stock by the Employee.

        7. Grant of Option. On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period, each
eligible Employee participating in such Offering Period shall be granted an
option to purchase on the Exercise Date of such Offering Period (at the
applicable Purchase Price) up to a number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock determined by dividing such Employee's payroll deductions accumulated
prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Participant's account as of the
Exercise Date by the applicable Purchase Price; provided that in no event shall
an Employee be permitted to purchase during



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

each Offering Period more than 1,000 shares (subject to any adjustment pursuant
to Section 19), and provided further that such purchase shall be subject to the
limitations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 12 hereof. Exercise of the option
shall occur as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless the participant has
withdrawn pursuant to Section 10 hereof. The Option shall expire on the last day
of the Offering Period.

        8. Exercise of Option. Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as
provided in Section 10 hereof, his or her option for the purchase of shares
shall be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date, and the maximum number of
full shares subject to option shall be purchased for such participant at the
applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his or her
account. No fractional shares shall be purchased; any payroll deductions
accumulated in a participant's account which are not sufficient to purchase a
full share shall be retained in the participant's account for the subsequent
Offering Period, subject to earlier withdrawal by the participant as provided in
Section 10 hereof. Any other monies left over in a participant's account after
the Exercise Date shall be returned to the participant. During a participant's
lifetime, a participant's option to purchase shares hereunder is exercisable
only by him or her.

        9. Delivery. As promptly as practicable after each Exercise Date on
which a purchase of shares occurs, the Company shall arrange the delivery to
each participant, as appropriate, the shares purchased upon exercise of his or
her option.

        10. Withdrawal.

                (a) A participant may withdraw all but not less than all the
payroll deductions credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise
his or her option under the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the
Company in the form of Exhibit B to this Plan. All of the participant's payroll
deductions credited to his or her account shall be paid to such participant
promptly after receipt of notice of withdrawal and such participant's option for
the Offering Period shall be automatically terminated, and no further payroll
deductions for the purchase of shares shall be made for such Offering Period. If
a participant withdraws from an Offering Period, payroll deductions shall not
resume at the beginning of the succeeding Offering Period unless the participant
delivers to the Company a new subscription agreement.

                (b) A participant's withdrawal from an Offering Period shall not
have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan
which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods
which commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the
participant withdraws.

        11. Termination of Employment. Upon a participant's ceasing to be an
Employee for any reason, he or she shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw
from the Plan and the payroll deductions credited to such participant's account
during the Offering Period but not yet used to exercise the option shall be
returned to such participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the person
or persons entitled thereto under Section 15 hereof, and such participant's
option shall be automatically terminated. The preceding sentence
notwithstanding, a participant who receives payment in lieu of notice of
termination



                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

of employment shall be treated as continuing to be an Employee for the
participant's customary number of hours per week of employment during the period
in which the participant is subject to such payment in lieu of notice.

        12. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a
participant in the Plan.

        13. Stock.

                (a) Subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the
Company as provided in Section 19 hereof, the maximum number of shares of the
Company's Common Stock which shall be made available for sale under the Plan
shall be one hundred thousand (100,000) shares, plus an annual increase to be
added on the first day of the Company's fiscal year beginning in 2000 equal to
the lesser of (i) 131,936 shares, (ii) 1% of the outstanding shares on such date
or (iii) a lesser amount determined by the Board. If, on a given Exercise Date,
the number of shares with respect to which options are to be exercised exceeds
the number of shares then available under the Plan, the Company shall make a pro
rata allocation of the shares remaining available for purchase in as uniform a
manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine to be equitable.

                (b) The participant shall have no interest or voting right in
shares covered by his option until such option has been exercised.

                (c) Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan shall
be registered in the name of the participant or in the name of the participant
and his or her spouse.

        14. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a
committee of members of the Board appointed by the Board. The Board or its
committee shall have full and exclusive discretionary authority to construe,
interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility and to
adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan. Every finding, decision and
determination made by the Board or its committee shall, to the full extent
permitted by law, be final and binding upon all parties.

        15. Designation of Beneficiary.

                (a) A participant may file a written designation of a
beneficiary who is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the
participant's account under the Plan in the event of such participant's death
subsequent to an Exercise Date on which the option is exercised but prior to
delivery to such participant of such shares and cash. In addition, a participant
may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from
the participant's account under the Plan in the event of such participant's
death prior to exercise of the option. If a participant is married and the
designated beneficiary is not the spouse, spousal consent shall be required for
such designation to be effective.

                (b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the
participant at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a
participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the
Plan who is living at the time of such participant's death, the Company shall
deliver



                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

such shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate of the
participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the
knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver such
shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives
of the participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the
Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.

        16. Transferability. Neither payroll deductions credited to a
participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or
to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and
distribution or as provided in Section 15 hereof) by the participant. Any such
attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without
effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw
funds from an Offering Period in accordance with Section 10 hereof.

        17. Use of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the Company
under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the
Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.

        18. Reports. Individual accounts shall be maintained for each
participant in the Plan. Statements of account shall be given to participating
Employees at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of
payroll deductions, the Purchase Price, the number of shares purchased and the
remaining cash balance, if any.

        19. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution,
Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.

                (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the stockholders of the Company, the Reserves, the maximum number of shares each
participant may purchase per Offering Period (pursuant to Section 7), as well as
the price per share and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each
option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an option.

                (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period then in progress
shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New Exercise Date"), and
shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed
dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Board. The New
Exercise



                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

Date shall be before the date of the Company's proposed dissolution or
liquidation. The Board shall notify each participant in writing, at least ten
(10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for
the participant's option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the
participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date,
unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period
as provided in Section 10 hereof.

                (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, the Offering Period then in progress shall be
shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New Exercise Date"). The New
Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company's proposed sale or merger.
The Board shall notify each participant in writing, at least ten (10) business
days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the
participant's option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the
participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date,
unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period
as provided in Section 10 hereof.

        20. Amendment or Termination.

                (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time and
for any reason terminate or amend the Plan. Except as provided in Section 19
hereof, no such termination can affect options previously granted, provided that
an Offering Period may be terminated by the Board of Directors on any Exercise
Date if the Board determines that the termination of the Offering Period or the
Plan is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Except as
provided in Section 19 and Section 20 hereof, no amendment may make any change
in any option theretofore granted which adversely affects the rights of any
participant. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code (or
any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule), the Company shall
obtain shareholder approval in such a manner and to such a degree as required.

                (b) Without stockholder consent and without regard to whether
any participant rights may be considered to have been "adversely affected," the
Board (or its committee) shall be entitled to change the Offering Periods, limit
the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering
Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a
currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the
amount designated by a participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in
the Company's processing of properly completed withholding elections, establish
reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting
procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock
for each participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the
participant's Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures
as the Board (or its committee) determines in its sole discretion advisable
which are consistent with the Plan.

                (c) In the event the Board determines that the ongoing operation
of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the
Board may, in its discretion and, to the extent necessary or desirable, modify
or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including,
but not limited to:



                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

                        (1) altering the Purchase Price for any Offering Period
including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Purchase
Price;

                        (2) shortening any Offering Period so that Offering
Period ends on a new Exercise Date, including an Offering Period underway at the
time of the Board action; and

                        (3) allocating shares.

        Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder approval
or the consent of any Plan participants.

        21. Notices. All notices or other communications by a participant to the
Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly
given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by
the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.

        22. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued with
respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and
delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable
provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements
of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed, and shall be
further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

        As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require the
person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time of any such
exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and without any
present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the
aforementioned applicable provisions of law.

        23. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
stockholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10)
years unless sooner terminated under Section 20 hereof.



                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

                                    EXHIBIT A

                               POET HOLDINGS, INC.

                        1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                             SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

_____ Original Application                           Enrollment Date: __________
_____ Change in Payroll Deduction Rate
_____ Change of Beneficiary(ies)

1.      _____________________________________ hereby elects to participate in
        the POET Holdings, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Employee
        Stock Purchase Plan") and subscribes to purchase shares of the Company's
        Common Stock in accordance with this Subscription Agreement and the
        Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

2.      I hereby authorize payroll deductions from each paycheck in the amount
        of ____% of my Compensation on each payday (from 1 to _____%) during the
        Offering Period in accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
        (Please note that no fractional percentages are permitted.)

3.      I understand that said payroll deductions shall be accumulated for the
        purchase of shares of Common Stock at the applicable Purchase Price
        determined in accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. I
        understand that if I do not withdraw from an Offering Period, any
        accumulated payroll deductions will be used to automatically exercise my
        option.

4.      I have received a copy of the complete Employee Stock Purchase Plan. I
        understand that my participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is
        in all respects subject to the terms of the Plan. I understand that my
        ability to exercise the option under this Subscription Agreement is
        subject to stockholder approval of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

5.      Shares purchased for me under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan should be
        issued in the name(s) of (Employee or Employee and Spouse only): .

6.      I understand that if I dispose of any shares received by me pursuant to
        the Plan within 2 years after the Enrollment Date (the first day of the
        Offering Period during which I purchased such shares), I will be treated
        for federal income tax purposes as having received ordinary income at
        the time of such disposition in an amount equal to the excess of the
        fair market value of the shares at the time such shares were purchased
        by me over the price which I paid for the shares. I hereby agree to
        notify the Company in writing within 30 days after the date of any
        disposition



                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
        of shares and I will make adequate provision for Federal, state or other
        tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon the disposition of
        the Common Stock. The Company may, but will not be obligated to,
        withhold from my compensation the amount necessary to meet any
        applicable withholding obligation including any withholding necessary to
        make available to the Company any tax deductions or benefits
        attributable to sale or early disposition of Common Stock by me. If I
        dispose of such shares at any time after the expiration of the 2-year
        holding period, I understand that I will be treated for federal income
        tax purposes as having received income only at the time of such
        disposition, and that such income will be taxed as ordinary income only
        to the extent of an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the excess of the
        fair market value of the shares at the time of such disposition over the
        purchase price which I paid for the shares, or (2) 15% of the fair
        market value of the shares on the first day of the Offering Period. The
        remainder of the gain, if any, recognized on such disposition will be
        taxed as capital gain.

7.      I hereby agree to be bound by the terms of the Employee Stock Purchase
        Plan. The effectiveness of this Subscription Agreement is dependent upon
        my eligibility to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

8.      In the event of my death, I hereby designate the following as my
        beneficiary(ies) to receive all payments and shares due me under the
        Employee Stock Purchase Plan:

        NAME:  (Please print)               ____________________________________
                                            (First)     (Middle)          (Last)

        ____________________________        ____________________________________
           Relationship

                                            ____________________________________
                                            (Address)

           Employee's Social
           Security Number:                 ____________________________________

           Employee's Address:              ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________



                                      -2-
<PAGE>   12

I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGHOUT
SUCCESSIVE OFFERING PERIODS UNLESS TERMINATED BY ME.

Dated: ___________________                  ____________________________________
                                            Signature of Employee

                                            ____________________________________
                                            Spouse's Signature (If beneficiary
                                            other than spouse)



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   13

                                    EXHIBIT B

                               POET HOLDINGS, INC.

                        1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                              NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL

        The undersigned participant in the Offering Period of the POET Holdings,
Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan which began on ___________, ______ (the
"Enrollment Date") hereby notifies the Company that he or she hereby withdraws
from the Offering Period. He or she hereby directs the Company to pay to the
undersigned as promptly as practicable all the payroll deductions credited to
his or her account with respect to such Offering Period. The undersigned
understands and agrees that his or her option for such Offering Period will be
automatically terminated. The undersigned understands further that no further
payroll deductions will be made for the purchase of shares in the current
Offering Period and the undersigned shall be eligible to participate in
succeeding Offering Periods only by delivering to the Company a new Subscription
Agreement.

                                            Name and Address of Participant:

                                            ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________



                                            Signature:

                                            ____________________________________

                                            Date: ______________________________

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                  May 12, 2000


POET Holdings, Inc.
999 Baker Way, Suite 200
San Mateo, California 94404

        RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about May 12, 2000 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of 961,389 shares of your
Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Amended and Restated 1995 Stock
Plan, 205,471 shares of your Common Stock issuable under the 1999 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan and 150,000 shares issuable under the 1999 Director Option
Plan. Such shares of Common Stock are referred to herein as the "Shares" and the
Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan, the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and
the 1999 Director Option Plan are referred to herein as the "Plans." As your
legal counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined the
proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken by
you in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to the
Plans.

        It is our opinion that, upon completion of the proceedings to be taken
prior to issuance of the Shares pursuant to the Prospectus constituting part of
and incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement on Form S-8 and
upon completion of the proceedings being taken in order to permit such
transactions to be carried out in accordance with the securities laws of the
various states where required, the Shares, when issued and sold in the manner
referred to in the Plans and the agreements which accompany the Plans, in
accordance with the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, will be
legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

        We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendments thereto.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                    Professional Corporation

                                    /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Poet Holdings, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated February 11, 2000 appearing
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Poet Holdings, Inc. for the year ended
December 31, 1999.





DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

San Jose, California

May 10, 2000


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