INFOSEEK CORP /DE/
S-8, 1998-11-18
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>
 
       As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 1998
                                                   Registration No.  333-_______
================================================================================
 
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                  FORM S-8
                           REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                    UNDER
                         THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                            INFOSEEK CORPORATION
           (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
 
       DELAWARE                                           77-0494507
      ----------                                         ------------
(STATE OF INCORPORATION)                    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
 

                            1399 MOFFETT PARK DRIVE
                          SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA 94089
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
 
                  1998 EMPLOYEE AND ACQUISITION NONQUALIFIED
                               STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
                            (FULL TITLE OF THE PLANS)
 
 
                                HARRY M. MOTRO
                     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                             INFOSEEK CORPORATION
                            1399 MOFFETT PARK DRIVE
                          SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA 94089
                                (408) 543-6000
(NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                   COPY TO:
                             Aaron J. Alter, Esq.
                         Bradley L. Finkelstein, Esq.
                       WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                           Professional Corporation
                              650 Page Mill Road
                           Palo Alto, CA 94304-1050
                                (650) 493-9300

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

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================

                                                                 PROPOSED            PROPOSED       
                                             AMOUNT              MAXIMUM             MAXIMUM             AMOUNT OF
    TITLE OF SECURITIES TO                   TO BE           OFFERING PRICE         AGGREGATE          REGISTRATION
       BE REGISTERED                      REGISTERED(1)       PER SHARE (2)      OFFERING PRICE (2)        FEE (2) 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                     <C>                     <C>                <C>                 <C>
Common Stock of the Company to be           1,000,000            $33.7812           $33,781,200           $9,391.17
issued upon exercise of options
granted under the 1998 Employee 
and Acquisition Nonqualified Stock 
Option Plan, $0.001 par value
====================================================================================================================================

</TABLE>


(1)  This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of
     Common Stock which become issuable under the Plan being registered pursuant
     to this Registration Statement by reason of any stock dividend, stock
     split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without
     the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of
     the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(2)  Computed in accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933,
     as amended (the "Act") solely for the purpose of calculating the
     registration fee. Because the price at which options to be granted in the
     future may be exercised is not currently determined, this computation is
     pursuant to Rule 457(c) such that the per share price is the average
     between the ask and bid price reported in the Nasdaq National Market on
     November 16, 1998, which average was $ 33.7812. 
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT


ITEM 3.        INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.
               ------------------------------------- 

     There are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement
the following documents and information heretofore filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by Infoseek Corporation (the
"Registrant"):

     1.   The Registrant's Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained in the
          Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Commission File No. 333-65635),
          declared effective October 14, 1998 (the "S-4 Registration
          Statement"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
          "Securities Act").

     2.   The description of Registrant's Common Stock contained in the
          Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated November 17,
          1998 filed pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of
          1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") which was declared effective on
          November 17, 1998, including any amendment or report filed for the
          purpose of updating such description.

     All documents filed by Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the effective date of the S-4 Registration
Statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
that all securities offered hereunder 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.
               -------------------------------------- 

     Not applicable.


ITEM 6.        INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
               ------------------------------------------

     Delaware Law authorizes corporations to eliminate the personal liability
of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for
breach or alleged breach of the directors' "duty of care."  While the relevant
statute does not change directors' duty of care, it enables corporations to
limit available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission.
The statute has no effect on directors' duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not
in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law,
illegal payment of dividends and approval of any transactions from which a
director derives an improper personal benefit.

                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
     The Registrant has adopted provisions in its Certificate of Incorporation
which eliminate the personal liability of its directors to the Registrant and
its stockholders for monetary damages for breach or alleged breach of their duty
of care.  The Bylaws of the Registrant provide for indemnification of its
directors, officers, employees and agents to the full extent permitted by the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Registrant's state of
incorporation, including those circumstances in which indemnification would
otherwise be discretionary under Delaware Law.  Section 145 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides for indemnification in terms
sufficiently broad to indemnify such individuals, under certain circumstances,
for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     The Registrant has entered into agreements with each of its directors and
executive officers to indemnify such persons against expenses, judgments, fines,
settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred (including
expenses of a derivative action) in connection with any proceeding, whether
actual or threatened, to which any such person may be made a party because such
person is or was a director or officer of the Registrant or any of its
affiliated enterprises, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner
such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Registrant and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable
cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.  The indemnification
agreements also set forth certain procedures that will apply in the event of a
claim for indemnification thereunder.

ITEM 7.        EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
               ----------------------------------- 

     Not applicable.
 

ITEM 8.    EXHIBITS.
           ---------

  NUMBER                            DOCUMENT
 --------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   4.1     1998 Employee and Acquisition Nonqualified Stock Option Plan.

   5.1     Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
           Corporation, with respect to the legality of the securities being
           registered.

  23.1     Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

  23.2     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.

  24.1     Power of Attorney (See page II-6).


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 the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement.

          (2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each 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.

<PAGE>
 
     (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.

     (c)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 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 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-4
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant, Infoseek Corporation, 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 Sunnyvale, State of
California, on November 18, 1998.


                                    INFOSEEK CORPORATION


                                    By:  /s/ Remo Canessa
                                         -----------------------------------
                                          Remo Canessa, Vice President
                                          and Chief Financial Officer




                                    II-5
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Harry M. Motro and Remo Canessa and each
of them, acting individually, as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution, for him and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
amendments to this Registration Statement on this Form S-8 (including post-
effective amendments or any abbreviated registrations statement and any
amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) increasing the number of
securities for which registration is sought) and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Signature                         Title                          Date
- ----------------------------  -----------------------------------     -------------------
<S>                           <C>                                      <C>
 
/s/ Harry M. Motro            President, Chief Executive Officer       November 18, 1998
- ----------------------------  (Principal Executive Officer) and
Harry M. Motro                Director
 
 
 /s/ Remo Canessa             Vice President and Chief Financial       November 18, 1998
- ----------------------------  Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
Remo Canessa

/s/ Steven T. Kirsch
- ----------------------------  Chairman of the Board of Directors       November 18, 1998
Steven T. Kirsch
 

/s/ Matthew J. Stover
- ----------------------------  Director                                 November 18, 1998
Matthew J. Stover
 

/s/ John E. Zeisler
- ----------------------------  Director                                 November 18, 1998
John E. Zeisler
 

/s/ L. William Krause
- ----------------------------  Director                                 November 18, 1998
L. William Krause
</TABLE>

                                    II-6

<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                               -----------------
 
  Exhibit                                
   Number                       Description
- -----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------
    4.1      1998 Employee and Acquisition Nonqualified Stock Option Plan.

    5.1      Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
             Corporation, with respect to the legality of the securities being
             registered.

   23.1      Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

   23.2      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.

   24.1      Power of Attorney (See page II-6).

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1
 
                             INFOSEEK CORPORATION

         1998 EMPLOYEE AND ACQUISITION NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN


     1.   Purposes of the Plan.  The purposes of this 1998 Employee and
          --------------------                                         
Acquisition Nonqualified Stock Option Plan are:

          .   to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions
              of substantial responsibility,

          .   to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants, and

          .   to promote the success of the Company's business.

          Options granted under the Plan will be Nonstatutory Stock Options.

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

          (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as shall 
               -------------                                         
be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

          (b) "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the
               ---------------                                        
administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
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 are, or 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 of Directors appointed by the Board
               ---------                                                        
in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

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

          (g) "Company" means Infoseek, a Delaware corporation.
               -------                                         

          (h) "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, engaged by 
               ----------                                                   
the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

          (i) "Director" means a member of the Board.
               --------                              

          (j) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined in
               ----------                                                    
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
          (k) "Employee" means any person, excluding Officers and Directors,
               --------                                                     
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  A Service
Provider shall not cease to be an Employee 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.
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company
shall 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 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 prior to the time of determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;

              (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 last market trading day prior to the day of
determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Administrator deems reliable;

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

          (n) "Notice of Grant" means a written or electronic notice evidencing
               ---------------                                                 
certain terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.  The Notice of Grant
is part of the Option Agreement.

          (o) "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.

          (p) "Option" means a nonstatutory stock option granted pursuant to the
               ------                                                           
Plan, that is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

          (q) "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.

          (r) "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby outstanding
               -----------------------                                     
options are surrendered in exchange for options with a lower exercise price.

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

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          (t) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option 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 1998 Employee and Acquisition Nonqualified Stock
               ----                                                             
Option Plan.

          (w) "Service Provider" means an Employee, excluding an Officer or
               ----------------                                            
Director.

          (x) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in 
               -----                                                  
accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.

          (y) "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 optioned and sold
under the Plan is 1,000,000 (one million) Shares.  The Shares may be authorized,
but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

          If an Option 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).

     4.   Administration of the Plan.
          -------------------------- 

          (a) Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by (i) the Board 
              --------------                                               
or (ii) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable
Laws.

          (b) Powers of the Administrator.  Subject to the provisions of the 
              ---------------------------                                  
Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated
by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in
its discretion:

              (i)   to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock;

              (ii)  to select the Service Providers to whom Options may be
granted hereunder;

              (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options are granted
hereunder;

              (iv)  to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each Option granted hereunder;

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

              (vi)  to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with
the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder.  Such terms and
conditions include, but are not limited to, the 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
exercise price, the time or times when Options may be exercised (which may be
based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture
restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or the
shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as
the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;

              (vii)  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 shall have declined since the date the Option was granted;

              (viii) to institute an Option Exchange Program;

              (ix)   to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan;

              (x)    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 for preferred tax treatment under
foreign tax laws;

              (xi)   to modify or amend each Option (subject to Section 14(b) of
the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination
exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise provided for in the
Plan;

              (xii)  to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company
any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option previously granted by
the Administrator;

              (xiii) to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to
Options;

              (xiv)  to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations
by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to
the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be
withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld
is to be determined. All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld for
this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the
Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; and

              (xv)   to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for administering the Plan.

          (c) Effect of Administrator's Decision.  The Administrator's 
              ----------------------------------                             
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options.

     5.   Eligibility.  Options may be granted to Service Providers; provided,
          -----------                                                         
however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan,
Options may not be granted to Officers and Directors.

     6.   Limitation.  Neither the Plan nor any Option shall confer upon an
          ----------                                                       
Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's relationship as a
Service Provider with the Company, nor 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
shall they interfere in any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right
to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause.

     7.   Term of Plan.  The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by 
          ------------                                                   
the Board. It shall continue in effect for ten (10) years, unless sooner
terminated under Section 14 of the Plan.

     8.   Term of Option.  The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option
          --------------                                                        
Agreement.

     9.   Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
          --------------------------------------- 

          (a) Exercise Price.  The per share exercise price for the Shares to be
              --------------                                                    
issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator.

          (b) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates.  At the time an Option is
              ---------------------------------                           
granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be
exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the
Option may be exercised.

          (c) Form of Consideration.  The Administrator shall determine the
              ---------------------                                        
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method
of payment.  Such consideration may consist entirely of:

              (i)    cash;

              (ii)   check;

              (iii)  promissory note;

              (iv)   other Shares which (A) 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 (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said
Option shall be exercised;

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

              (vi)   a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the
Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's participation
in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;

              (vii)  such other consideration and method of payment for the
issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or

              (viii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

     10.  Exercise of Option.
          ------------------ 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option 
              -----------------------------------------------         
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set
forth in the Option Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of
a Share.

          An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i)
written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised.  Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan.  Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the Shares are 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 shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares 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 Shares are issued, except as
provided in Section 12 of the Plan.

          Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares
thereafter 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 Relationship as a Service Provider.  If an Optionee
              -------------------------------------------------                 
ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Optionee's death or
Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option, but only within such
period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement, and only to the extent
that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than
the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement).
In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall
remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Optionee's termination.
If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her
entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall
revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his
or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (c) Disability of Optionee.  If an Optionee ceases to be a Service
              ----------------------                                        
Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option
Agreement, to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in
no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in
the Option Agreement).  In the absence of a specified time in the Option
Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following
the Optionee's termination.  If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not
vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested
portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the
Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein,
the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert
to the Plan.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          (d) Death of Optionee.  If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider,
              -----------------                                                
the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the
Option Agreement (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 acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance,
but only to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death.  In the
absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain
exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's termination.  If, at
the time of death, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option,
the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately
revert to the Plan.  The Option may be exercised by the executor or
administrator of the Optionee's estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to
exercise the Option under the Optionee's will or the laws of descent or
distribution.  If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.

          (e) 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.

     11.  Non-Transferability of Options .  Unless determined otherwise by the
          -------------------------------                                     
Administrator, an 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.  If the Administrator makes an Option
transferable, such Option shall contain such additional terms and conditions as
the Administrator deems appropriate.

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

          (a) Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required action by the
              -------------------------                                        
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of Common Stock 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 of Common Stock covered
by each such outstanding Option, 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; 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 Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction.  The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days prior to such
transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as
to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable.  In addition, the
Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
option applicable to any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option 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 Option will 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, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option
or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of
the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses
to assume or substitute for the Option, the Optionee shall fully vest in and
have the right to exercise the Option as to all of the Optioned Stock, including
Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option
becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in
the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the
Optionee in writing or electronically that the Option shall be fully vested and
exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and
the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes
of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed if, following the
merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to purchase or
receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock, 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); provided, however, that 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 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.

     13.  Date of Grant.  The date of grant of an Option shall be, for all
          -------------                                                   
purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting
such Option, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator.
Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Optionee 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 terminate the Plan.

          (b) Effect of Amendment or Termination.  No amendment, alteration,
              ----------------------------------                            
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise
the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to options granted under the
Plan prior to the date of such termination.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     15.  Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
          ---------------------------------- 

          (a) Legal Compliance.  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 shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

          (b) Investment Representations.  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.

     16.  Inability to Obtain Authority.  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.  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.

                                       9

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
                                                                     -----------



                              November 18, 1998


Infoseek Corporation
1399 Moffett Park Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94089

          RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
               ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") to be filed by Infoseek Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Registrant" or "you"), with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on or about November 18, 1998 in connection with the registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), an aggregate of
1,000,000 shares of your Common Stock (the "Shares") reserved for issuance
pursuant to the 1998 Employee and Acquisition Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan"). As your legal counsel, we reviewed the actions taken and
proposed to be taken by you in connection with the proposed sale and issuance
of the Shares by the Registrant under the Plan.

     It is our opinion that, upon completion of the actions being taken, or
contemplated by us as your counsel to be taken by you prior to the issuance of
the Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Plan, and upon completion
of the actions 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 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 any Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendments thereto.  This opinion may be incorporated by reference in
any abbreviated registration statement filed pursuant to Item E under the
general instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect
to the Registration Statement.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                   Professional Corporation

                                   /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
                                                                    ------------



             CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8) of Infoseek Corporation pertaining to the 1998 Employee
and Acquisition Nonqualified Stock Option Plan of our report dated January 16,
1998, except for Note 14, as to which the date is February 12, 1998 and Note
2, as to which the date is April 17, 1998, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedule of Infoseek Corporation incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-65635) and related
Proxy Statement/Prospectus of Infoseek Corporation, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.



                                               /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                               --------------------------------
                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP


San Jose, California
November 17, 1998


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