ACTIVE SOFTWARE INC
8-K, 2000-02-25
COMPUTER INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DESIGN
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<PAGE>

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549


                                   FORM 8-K


               Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                      The Securities Exchange Act of 1934



     Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  February 11, 2000

                             Active Software, Inc.
            (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


            Delaware                     000-26367               94-3232772
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Commission File Number)    (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)



                              3333 Octavius Drive
                             Santa Clara, CA 95054
              (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


                                (408) 988-0414
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
<PAGE>

Item 2.   Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

     On January 19, 2000, Active Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Active") entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the
"Agreement") by and among Active, Igator Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Active ("Merger Sub"), Alier, Inc.,
a California corporation ("Alier"), and Alex Osborne and Scott Persinger,
Shareholders of Alier. Alier is a provider of enterprise application integration
software. Pursuant to the Agreement, on February 11, 2000 Active acquired Alier
by the merger of Merger Sub with and into Alier. All outstanding shares of Alier
capital stock were exchanged for 390,875 shares of Active Common Stock and two
million dollars in cash, and options to purchase Alier capital stock were
converted into options to purchase 158,277 shares of Active Common Stock. The
number of shares of Active Common Stock as well as the cash consideration were
determined by arms-length negotiations among the parties. The merger will be
accounted for as a purchase transaction.

     The Active Common Stock was issued to Target shareholders as a private
placement pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and has not been registered. On February 17, 2000, Active filed a registration
statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect
to the issuance of shares upon exercise of options assumed in the merger.

     Under the terms of the Agreement, a total of 38,685 shares of Active Common
Stock issued in the merger will be held in escrow for the purpose of
indemnifying Active, Merger Sub, and their respective officers, directors and
stockholders against certain liabilities of Target. Such escrow will expire on
February 11, 2001.

<PAGE>

Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (a)  Financial Statements of Business Acquired.
          -----------------------------------------

          It is currently impracticable for Active Software, Inc. to provide the
required financial statements.  In accordance with Item 7(a)(4) of the
Instructions to Form 8-K, the Company will file such financial statements as
soon as they are available, and in no event later than 60 days from the date of
this 8-K.

     (b)  Pro Forma Financial Information.
          -------------------------------

          It is currently impracticable for Active Software, Inc. to provide the
required financial statements.  In accordance with Items 7(a)(4) and 7(b)(2) of
the Instructions to Form 8-K, the Company will file such financial statements as
soon as they are available, and in no event later than 60 days from the date of
this 8-K.

     (c)  Exhibits.
          --------

          2.1  Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of January 19,
               2000, by and among Active Software, Inc., Igator Acquisitions
               Corp., Alier, Inc., and Alex Osborne and Scott Persinger,
               Shareholders of Alier, Inc.

          2.2  Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 11, 2000, by
               and among Active Software, Inc. and Alex Osborne, Scott
               Persinger, David Lemberger and Carron Schmick.
<PAGE>

                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                          Active Software


Date:  February 25, 2000                 By:   /s/ Jon A. Bode
                                                -------------------------------
                                                Jon A. Bode
                                                Chief Financial Officer

<PAGE>

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number    Description
- ------    -----------

2.1       Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of January 19, 2000, by
          and among Active Software, Inc., Igator Acquisitions Corp., Alier,
          Inc., and Alex Osborne and Scott Persinger, Shareholders of Alier,
          Inc.

2.2       Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 11, 2000, by and
          among Active Software, Inc. and Alex Osborne, Scott Persinger, David
          Lemberger and Carron Schmick.

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.1



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

                     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

                                  dated as of

                               January 19, 2000

                                 by and among

                            Active Software, Inc.,

                          Igator Acquisitions Corp.,

                                 Alier, Inc.,

                                      and

                       Alex Osborne and Scott Persinger,
                          Shareholders of Alier, Inc.

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

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Page
                                                                             ----
<S>                                                                          <C>
1.    Merger..............................................................      6
1.1   The Merger..........................................................      6
1.2   Closing Date; Effective Time of the Merger..........................      6
1.3   Effect of the Merger................................................      7
1.4   Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws...................................      7
1.5   Directors and Officers..............................................      7
1.6   Actions at the Closing..............................................      7
1.7   Tax Consequences....................................................      8
2.    Effect on Capital Stock.............................................      8
2.1   Capital Stock of Sub................................................      8
2.2   Cancellation of Alier Common Stock..................................      8
2.3   Conversion of Alier Common Stock....................................      8
2.4   Adjustment of Exchange Ratio........................................      9
2.5   Fractional Shares...................................................      9
2.6   Exchange of Certificates............................................      9
2.7   Alier Stock Plan....................................................     10
3.    Representations and Warranties of Alier and the Alier Shareholders..     11
3.1   Existence; Good Standing............................................     11
3.2   Power, Authorization and Validity...................................     11
3.3   Capitalization......................................................     12
3.4   Title to Alier Common Stock.........................................     12
3.5   No Violation........................................................     13
3.6   Litigation..........................................................     13
3.7   Financial Statements; Indebtedness..................................     13
3.8   Taxes...............................................................     14
3.9   No Breach or Default................................................     16
3.10  Absence of Certain Changes..........................................     16
3.11  Agreements and Commitments..........................................     17
3.12  Intellectual Property...............................................     18
3.13  Transactions with Affiliates........................................     20
3.14  Compliance with Laws; Governmental Authorizations...................     20
3.15  Employees and Contractors...........................................     20
3.16  No Brokers..........................................................     22
3.17  Full Disclosure.....................................................     22
3.18  No Reliance on Representations Regarding Forecasts..................     23
3.19  Books and Records...................................................     23
3.20  Insurance...........................................................     23
3.21  Customers...........................................................     23
3.22  Accounts Receivable.................................................     23
3.23  Title to Properties.................................................     23
3.24  Condition of Personal Property......................................     24
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                            <C>
3.25  Environmental Matters...............................................     24
3.26  Minute Books........................................................     25
3.27  Complete Copies of All Materials....................................     25
4.    Representations and Warranties of Alier Shareholders................     25
4.1   Restricted Securities; Legend.......................................     25
4.2   Resale Restrictions.................................................     25
4.3   Share Purchase......................................................     26
5.    Representations and Warranties of Active and Sub....................     27
5.1   Existence; Good Standing............................................     27
5.2   Authority of Active and Sub.........................................     27
5.3   SEC Documents; Active Financial Statements..........................     27
5.4   No Full Disclosure..................................................     28
5.5   Investment..........................................................     28
5.6   No Brokers..........................................................     28
5.7   Valid Issuance......................................................     28
5.8   Litigation..........................................................     28
5.9   No Material Adverse Change..........................................     28
5.10  No Violation........................................................     29
6.    Covenants of Alier..................................................     29
6.1   Interim Operations..................................................     29
6.2   Breach of Representations and Warranties............................     31
6.3   Consents............................................................     31
6.4   Best Efforts........................................................     31
6.5   Tax Returns.........................................................     32
7.    Covenants of Active.................................................     32
7.1   Breach of Representations and Warranties............................     32
7.2   Consents............................................................     32
7.3   Best Efforts........................................................     32
8.    Additional Agreements...............................................     32
8.1   Access to Information...............................................     32
8.2   Legal Conditions to the Merger......................................     32
8.3   Employee Stock Options..............................................     33
8.4   Alier Employee Benefits.............................................     33
8.5   Expenses............................................................     33
8.6   Additional Agreements...............................................     33
8.7   Public Announcements................................................     33
8.8   Confidentiality.....................................................     35
8.9   FIRPTA Compliance...................................................     35
8.10  NASD and SEC Filings................................................     36
9.    Conditions Precedent................................................     36
9.1   Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger..........     36
9.2   Conditions of Obligations of Active and Sub.........................     37
9.3   Conditions of Obligation of Alier...................................     38
10.   Termination, Amendment and Waiver...................................     39
10.1  Termination.........................................................     39
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>
10.2   Effect of Termination...............................................     39
10.3   Amendment...........................................................     39
10.4   Extension; Waiver...................................................     40
11.    Indemnification; Liability..........................................     40
11.1   Survival of Representations and Warranties..........................     40
11.2   Indemnification by and Liability of the Alier Shareholders..........     40
11.3   Limitations and Expiration..........................................     40
11.4   Indemnification Procedures..........................................     41
12.    Further Acts........................................................     42
13.    Miscellaneous.......................................................     43
13.1   Assignment..........................................................     43
13.2   Governing Law.......................................................     43
13.3   Notices.............................................................     43
13.4   Expenses............................................................     44
13.5   Attorney's Fees.....................................................     44
13.6   Dispute Resolution..................................................     44
13.7   Successors and Assigns..............................................     44
13.8   Counterparts........................................................     44
13.9   Captions and Headings...............................................     44
13.10  Entire Agreement....................................................     44
13.11  Amendments..........................................................     45
13.12  Waivers.............................................................     45
13.13  Severability........................................................     45
</TABLE>

EXHIBITS

A    Form of Agreement of Merger
B    Form of Registration Rights Agreement
C    Form of Voting Agreements
D    Form of Employment Agreements
E    Form of Gray Cary Ware & Friedenrich Legal Opinion
F    Form of Venture Law Group Legal Opinion

SCHEDULES

1         Shareholders of Alier
2.7       Optionholders of Alier
3.7       Financial Statements
3.11      Agreements
3.12(a)   Intellectual Property
3.12(c)   Employee and Others
3.14      Compliance with Laws; Governmental Authorizations
3.15(a)   Employees and Contractors
3.15(e)   Employee Benefit Plans
<PAGE>

3.19      Books and Records
3.20      Insurance
3.22      Accounts Receivable
3.23      Title to Properties
3.24      Condition of Personal Property
9.2(c)    Schedule of Debts
<PAGE>

                     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

     THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION ("Agreement") is made and entered
into as of January 19, 2000 by and among, Alier, Inc., a California corporation
("Alier"), those Shareholders of Alier listed on Schedule 1 hereto (the "Alier
Shareholders"), Active Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Active"), and
Igator Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of
Active ("Sub").

                                   RECITALS
                                   --------

     A.   The Boards of Directors of each of Alier, Active and Sub believe it is
in the best interests of each company and their respective shareholders that
Alier and Sub merge into a single company through the merger of Sub with and
into Alier (the "Merger").

     B.   Pursuant to such Merger, among other things, all of the issued and
outstanding shares of Alier Common Stock (the "Alier Common Stock"), shall be
converted into shares of Active Common Stock ("Active Common Stock") and the
right to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined in Section 2.3), and all
outstanding options to purchase Alier Common Stock shall be assumed by Active in
the manner and on the terms set forth herein.

     C.   The parties intend, by executing this Agreement, to adopt a plan of
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code").

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, agreements,
warranties and provisions contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

     1.   Merger.
          ------

          1.1  The Merger.  At the Effective Time of the Merger (as defined in
               ----------
Section 1.2), subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
an Agreement of Merger in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Merger
                                                      ---------
Agreement") between Alier and Sub, Alier shall be acquired by Active through a
merger (the "Merger") of Sub with and into Alier in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the corporate laws of the State of Delaware and the
State of California.  The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, the
mode of effecting the Merger and the manner and basis of converting each issued
and outstanding share of Alier Common Stock.  The Merger Agreement shall be
executed by Alier, the Alier Shareholders, Active and Sub concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement.

          1.2  Closing Date; Effective Time of the Merger. Unless this Agreement
               ------------------------------------------
shall have been terminated pursuant to Section 10 hereof, the closing of the
Merger (the "Closing") shall be held at the offices of Venture Law Group, 2800
Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, on February 11, 2000 at 4:00 p.m.,
or at such other time and place as agreed in writing by the parties hereto. The
date of Closing is referred to herein as the "Closing Date." Upon
<PAGE>

delivery of all closing deliverables, the parties shall cause the Merger to be
consummated by causing the Merger Agreement to be filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware in accordance with Delaware law and with the
Secretary of State of the State of California in accordance with California law.
The Merger shall become effective as of the date that such filings are completed
in accordance with applicable statutory requirements (the "Effective Time of the
Merger").

          1.3  Effect of the Merger.  At the Effective Time of the Merger, the
               --------------------
effect of the Merger shall be as provided pursuant to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the applicable provisions of
Delaware law and California law.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing and subject thereto, at the Effective Time of the Merger, (i) Sub
shall be merged with and into Alier, the separate corporate existence of Sub
shall cease and (ii) the Merger shall have all the effects provided by Delaware
law, California law, this Agreement and the Merger Agreement.  Alier shall be
the surviving corporation in the Merger (and after the Merger is sometimes
referred to herein as the "Surviving Corporation") and the separate corporate
existence of Alier, with all its purposes, objects, rights, privileges, powers,
immunities and franchises, shall continue unaffected and unimpaired by the
Merger.

          1.4  Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws.
               ---------------------------------

               (a)  The Articles of Incorporation of Alier in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall be the Articles of Incorporation
of the Surviving Corporation unless and until amended as provided by law and by
such Articles of Incorporation.

               (b)  The Bylaws of Alier in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation
unless and until amended or repealed as provided by applicable law, the Articles
of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and such Bylaws.

          1.5  Directors and Officers.  The sole director of the Surviving
               ----------------------
Corporation shall be R. James Green, and the officers of Sub immediately prior
to the Effective Time of the Merger shall be the officers of the Surviving
Corporation, in each case until their successors shall have been elected and
qualified or until otherwise provided by law.

          1.6  Actions at the Closing.  At the Closing, Alier, Sub and Active
               ----------------------
shall take such reasonable actions and execute and deliver such agreements and
other instruments and documents as necessary or appropriate to effect the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with its terms,
including without limitation the following:

               (a)  The Alier Shareholders will deliver to Active certificates
representing all issued and outstanding shares of the Alier Common Stock, duly
endorsed for transfer to Active, and Alier and the Alier Shareholders shall
execute and deliver all other documents required herein, including without
limitation (for the Alier Shareholders) the Registration Rights Agreement
attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Registration Rights Agreement"); and
                   ---------

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

               (b)  Active will execute and deliver Employment Agreements with
each of the Alier Shareholders and Harold Lea in substantially the form attached
hereto as Exhibit D (the "Employment Agreements") (the Merger Agreement,
          ---------
Registration Rights Agreement and Employment Agreements sometimes collectively
referred to as the "Ancillary Agreements").

          1.7  Tax Consequences. It is intended by the parties hereto that the
               ----------------
Merger shall constitute a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section
368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and that this Agreement
shall constitute a "plan of reorganization" within the meaning of the
regulations thereunder.

     2.   Effect on Capital Stock.  As of the Effective Time of the Merger, by
          -----------------------
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Active, Sub, Alier or
the holder of any shares of Alier Common Stock:

          2.1  Capital Stock of Sub.  All issued and outstanding shares of
               --------------------
capital stock of Sub shall continue to be issued and shall be converted into
1,000 shares of Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation.  Each stock
certificate of Sub evidencing ownership of any such shares shall continue to
evidence ownership of such shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation.

          2.2  Cancellation of Alier Common Stock.  All shares of Alier Common
               ----------------------------------
Stock that are owned directly or indirectly by Alier and any shares of Alier
Common Stock that are owned by Active, Sub or any other Subsidiary of Active
shall be canceled, and no stock of Active or other consideration shall be
delivered in exchange therefor.  In this Agreement, a "Subsidiary" of a
corporation or other entity means a corporation or other entity, the voting
securities of which are sufficient to elect at least a majority of the Board of
Directors or other managers of such corporation or other entity and which are
owned or otherwise controlled directly or indirectly by such parent corporation
or other entity.

          2.3  Conversion of Alier Common Stock.  Each issued and outstanding
               --------------------------------
share of Alier Common Stock (other than shares to be canceled pursuant to
Section 2.2 hereof) shall be converted, without any action on the part of the
holders thereof, into the right to receive the following:

               (a)  an amount of cash, without interest thereon, equal to
$2,000,000 divided by the aggregate number of shares of Alier Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger
(the "Merger Consideration"), and

               (b)  the right to receive a fraction of a share of Active Common
Stock (such fraction hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Ratio") to be
calculated as follows:

               (i)  the numerator shall equal 390,875, and

               (ii) the denominator shall equal the aggregate number of shares
of Alier Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time of the

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

Merger, excluding shares of Alier Common Stock issuable upon exercise or
conversion of all Alier Options (as defined below), warrants or other securities
exercisable for or convertible into shares of Alier Common Stock.

          2.4  Adjustment of Exchange Ratio.  If, between the date of this
               ----------------------------
Agreement and the Effective Time of the Merger, the outstanding shares of Active
Common Stock or Alier Common Stock shall have been changed into a different
number of shares or a different class by reason of any reclassification,
reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, reverse split, stock dividend,
combination, exchange of shares or other readjustment, the Exchange Ratio shall
be correspondingly adjusted.

          2.5  Fractional Shares.  No fractional shares of Active Common Stock
               -----------------
will be issued, but in lieu thereof, each holder of shares of Alier Common Stock
who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Active Common Stock
(after aggregating all fractional shares of Active Common Stock to be received
by such holder) shall be entitled to receive from Active an amount of cash
(rounded to the nearest whole cent) equal to the product of (i) such fraction,
multiplied by (ii) the average closing price of a share of Active Common Stock
for the thirty calendar days ending on the trading day immediately prior to the
date of this Agreement, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market (the "Active
Closing Price").  The parties agree that the Active Closing Price is equal to
$83.7656.

          2.6  Exchange of Certificates.
               ------------------------

               (a)  Alier Certificates Delivered at the Closing. At the Closing,
                    -------------------------------------------
the Alier Shareholders shall deliver the certificates representing their shares
of Alier Common Stock to be exchanged for the shares of Active Common Stock in
the Merger.

               (b)  Active to Provide Common Stock and Merger Consideration.
                    -------------------------------------------------------
Within ten days following the Closing, Active shall deliver to the Alier
Shareholders the certificates representing the shares of Active Common Stock
issuable, and the Merger Consideration payable, pursuant to Section 2 of this
Agreement and the Merger Agreement in exchange for the shares of Alier Common
Stock surrendered pursuant to Section 2.6(a), and cash in an amount sufficient
for payment in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof.

               (c)  Distributions With Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No
                    ------------------------------------------------
dividends or other distribution on the Active Common Stock shall be paid to the
holder of any unsurrendered certificate until the holder of record of such
certificate shall surrender such certificate subject to the effect, if any, of
applicable escheat and other laws. Following surrender of any such certificate,
there shall be delivered to the person entitled thereto, without interest, the
amount of dividends or other distributions theretofore paid with respect to the
Active Common Stock so withheld as of any date subsequent to the Effective Time
of the Merger and prior to such date of delivery.

               (d)  No Further Ownership Rights in Alier Common Stock. All
                    -------------------------------------------------
shares of Active Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of shares
of Alier Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof (including any cash
paid in respect of fractional shares

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

thereof) shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to such shares of Alier Common Stock. There shall be no further
registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving
Corporation of the shares of Alier Common Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger. If, after the Effective
Time of the Merger, certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for
any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Section 2.

          2.7  Alier Stock Plan.
               ----------------

               (a)  All options to purchase Alier Common Stock (the "Alier
Options") issued and outstanding under the Alier Stock Plan (as defined below)
(whether or not exercisable, whether or not vested) under the Alier 1996 and
1997 Stock Plans, as amended (collectively, the "Alier Stock Plan"), shall
remain outstanding and shall be assumed by Active following the Effective Time
of the Merger. Schedule 2.7 lists as of the date of this Agreement, all holders
of outstanding options under the Alier Stock Plan, including the number of
shares of Alier capital stock subject to each such option, the exercise or
vesting schedule, the exercise price per share and the term of each such option.
On the Closing Date, Alier shall deliver to Active an updated Schedule 2.7
hereto current as of such date.

               (b)  At the Effective Time of the Merger, the Alier Options
shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the part of the
Company or the holder thereof, be assumed by Active in accordance with this
Section 2.7. Each such Alier Option so assumed by Active under this Agreement
shall continue to have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions as were
applicable to such Alier Stock Plan and/or as provided in the respective
agreements governing such Alier Option immediately prior to the Effective Time
of the Merger, except that (i) such Alier Option will be exercisable for that
number of whole shares of Active Common Stock equal to the product of the number
of shares of Alier Common Stock that were issuable upon exercise of such Alier
Option immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger multiplied by the
Option Exchange Ratio (as defined below) and rounded down to the nearest whole
number of shares of Active Common Stock, and (ii) the per share exercise price
for the shares of Active Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such assumed
Alier Option will be equal to the quotient determined by dividing the exercise
price per share of Alier Common Stock at which such Alier Option was exercisable
immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger by the Option Exchange
Ratio, rounded up to the nearest whole cent.

The "Option Exchange Ratio" shall be equal to that fraction obtained by dividing
(A) 158,277 by (B) the aggregate number of shares of Alier Common Stock issuable
upon exercise or conversion of all issued and outstanding Alier Options (as
defined below).

               (c)  Alier has not taken, and shall not take, any action that
would result in the accelerated vesting, exercisability or payment of Alier
Options as a consequence of the execution of, or consummation of the
transactions contemplated by, this Agreement.

               (d)  As soon as practicable after the Effective Time of the
Merger, Active will issue to each person who, immediately prior to the Effective
Time of the Merger was

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

a holder of a Alier Option under the Alier Stock Plan, a written document
evidencing the foregoing assumption of such option by Active.

     3.   Representations and Warranties of Alier and the Alier Shareholders.
          ------------------------------------------------------------------
When used in this Section 3, the term "Material Adverse Effect" means any change
or effect that is or is reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the
business, assets (including intangible assets), financial condition or results
of operations of Alier, if any, taken as a whole (with respect to references to
Alier), and of Active, if any, taken as a whole (with respect to references to
Active).

Except as described or disclosed in the disclosure schedules (the "Disclosure
Schedules") delivered to Active and Sub and dated the date hereof, Alier and
each Alier Shareholder severally represents and warrants to Active and Sub as
follows.

          3.1  Existence; Good Standing.  Alier is a corporation duly
               ------------------------
incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of California.  Alier does not own or lease real or personal property, maintain
offices or have any employees, contractors or consultants in any jurisdiction
outside of California or is otherwise qualified to do business in such other
jurisdiction(s), except where the failure to qualify would not have a Material
Adverse Effect..  Alier neither has any Subsidiaries nor owns voting securities
of any corporation, partnership or other entity.  Alier has all requisite
corporate power and authority to own its properties and carry on its business as
now conducted. Alier has delivered a true and complete copy of its Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws (or similar governing instruments), each as amended to
date, to Active or its counsel.

          3.2  Power, Authorization and Validity.  Alier and the Alier
               ---------------------------------
Shareholders have all requisite legal and corporate power and authority to enter
into and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements, and, subject to the approval of Alier Shareholders, to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly
and validly approved and authorized by all necessary action (corporate or other)
on the part of Alier.

This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements have been duly or will be executed
and delivered by Alier and, subject to such approval by the Alier Shareholders,
constitute valid and binding obligations of Alier, enforceable in accordance
with their respective terms subject to the effect, if any, of applicable
bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and other laws affecting
creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general equitable
principles.

No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with, any court, administrative agency or commission or other
governmental authority or instrumentality (a "Governmental Entity"), is required
by or with respect to Alier in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby except for (i) the filing of the
Merger Agreement with the Secretary of State of the States of Delaware and
California, (ii) such consents, waivers, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

applicable federal and state securities laws and (iii) such other consents,
waivers, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which are set
forth on Schedule 3.2.

          3.3  Capitalization.
               --------------

               (a)  The authorized capital stock of Alier consists of 25,000,000
shares of Common Stock, no par value, of which 15,015,000 are issued and
outstanding, and no shares of Preferred Stock. All issued and outstanding shares
of Common Stock of Alier have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully
paid and nonassessable and are not subject to preemptive rights or rights of
first refusal created by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
Alier or any agreement to which Alier is a party or by which Alier is bound. All
outstanding shares of Common Stock of Alier have been issued in compliance with
all federal, state and foreign securities laws.

               (b)  As of the date of this Agreement, an aggregate of 6,283,500
shares of Alier Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the
Alier Options under the Alier Stock Plan (2,283,500 shares under the 1996 Stock
Option Plan and 4,000,000 shares under the 1997 Stock Option Plan). Immediately
prior to the date hereof, there are (a) 2,283,500 shares subject to options
outstanding under the 1996 Stock Option Plan and no shares available for future
grant under such plan, and (b) 135,000 shares issued upon exercise of options
granted under the 1997 Stock Option Plan, 3,446,500 shares subject to
outstanding options under such plan and 418,500 shares available for future
grant under such plan. Alier has provided Active with a list of all outstanding
Alier Options and the vesting schedules and exercise prices for such options.
All outstanding options and shares of Common Stock issued under the Alier Stock
Plan have been duly authorized and have been validly issued in compliance with
all federal, state and foreign securities laws.

               (c)  Except for the shares and Alier Options listed above, there
are no options, warrants, calls, conversion rights, convertible debentures,
commitments or agreements of any kind that obligate Alier to issue, deliver or
sell, or cause to be issued delivered or sold, additional shares of capital
stock of Alier or that obligate Alier to grant, extend or enter into any such
option, warrant, call, conversion right, commitment or agreement.

          3.4  Title to Alier Common Stock.  Each Alier Shareholder has good,
               ---------------------------
valid and marketable title to the Alier Common Stock to be sold by such Alier
Shareholder hereunder, free and clear of all claims, liens, charges,
encumbrances, equities, claims and security interests.  Each Alier Shareholder
has full right, power and authority to sell, transfer and deliver the stock to
be sold by such Alier Shareholder hereunder to Active, and, upon delivery of the
certificate or certificates therefor duly endorsed for transfer to Active and
Active's payment for and acceptance thereof, will transfer to Active good, valid
and marketable title thereto free and clear of any claim, lien, charge,
encumbrance, equity, claim or security interest.

          3.5  No Violation.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
               ------------
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not conflict with or result in a
violation of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws (or similar instruments) of
Alier, or conflict with, or (with or without

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

notice or lapse of time, or both) result in a termination, breach, impairment or
violation of, give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration
of any obligation or loss of any benefit under, or constitute a default or
result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any
of the assets or properties of Alier or any Alier Shareholder under, (i) any
instrument, indenture, lease, mortgage or other agreement or contract to which
Alier is a party or by which Alier or any of its assets or properties may be
subject or (ii) any federal, state, local or foreign judgment, writ, decree,
order, ordinance, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Alier or its assets
or properties. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements will not require the consent of any third
person with respect to the rights, licenses, franchises, leases or agreements of
Alier, and will not have a Material Adverse Effect upon any such rights,
licenses, franchises, leases or agreements.

          3.6  Litigation. There are no suits, actions or legal, administrative,
               ----------
arbitration or other proceedings or governmental investigations or any other
claims, pending or threatened in writing against Alier or any Alier Shareholder,
any of their assets or properties or any of Alier's officers or directors. No
reasonable basis for a suit, action, proceeding, investigation or claim exists,
and there are no orders, judgments, injunctions or decrees of any Governmental
Entity with respect to which Alier or any Alier Shareholder has been named or is
a party which apply, in whole or in part, to the business of Alier or any Alier
Shareholder, any of their respective properties or any of Alier's officers or
directors, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
There have been no and are currently no suits, actions or proceedings initiated
by Alier or any Alier Shareholder.

          3.7  Financial Statements; Indebtedness. Attached as Schedule 3.7 of
               ----------------------------------
the Disclosure Schedules are true and complete copies of Alier's unaudited
financial statements for the period from inception (January 26, 1995) to
December 31, 1999 (the "Financial Statements"; and December 31, 1999 is
hereinafter referred to as the "Date of the Financial Statements"). The
Financial Statements fairly present the financial condition of Alier at the
respective dates therein indicated and the results of operations for the
respective periods therein specified. Alier has no debt, liability or obligation
of any nature, whether absolute, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to
become due, that is not disclosed in the Financial Statements, except for those
that may have been incurred after the Date of the Financial Statements in the
ordinary course of its business, and consistent with past practice.

          3.8  Taxes.
               -----

               (a)  Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following
                    -----------
definitions shall apply:

                    (i)  The term "Taxes" shall mean all taxes, however
denominated, including any interest, penalties or other additions to tax that
may become payable in respect thereof, (A) imposed by any federal, territorial,
state, local or foreign government or any agency or political subdivision of any
such government, which taxes shall include, without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, all income or profits taxes (including but not limited to,
federal income taxes and state income taxes), payroll and employee withholding
taxes,

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

unemployment insurance, social security taxes, sales and use taxes, ad valorem
taxes, excise taxes, franchise taxes, gross receipts taxes, business license
taxes, occupation taxes, real and personal property taxes, stamp taxes,
environmental taxes, transfer taxes, workers' compensation, Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation premiums and other governmental charges, and other
obligations of the same or of a similar nature to any of the foregoing, which
are required to be paid, withheld or collected, (B) any liability for the
payment of amounts referred to in (A) as a result of being a member of any
affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, or (C) any liability for
amounts referred to in (A) or (B) as a result of any obligations to indemnify
another person.

                    (ii)  The term "Returns" shall mean all reports, estimates,
declarations of estimated tax, information statements and returns relating to,
or required to be filed in connection with, any Taxes, including information
returns or reports with respect to backup withholding and other payments to
third parties.

                    (iii) The term "Code" shall have the meaning set out in
Recital C hereof.

               (b)  Returns; Taxes Paid. Alier has filed all Returns required to
                    -------------------
be filed. Alier has withheld and paid over all Taxes required to have been
withheld and paid over, and complied with all information reporting and backup
withholding requirements, including maintenance of required records with respect
thereto, in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor,
independent contractor, or other third party.  There are no liens on any of the
assets of Alier with respect to Taxes, other than liens for Taxes not yet due
and payable.  Alier has not been at any time a member of any partnership or
joint venture for a period for which the statue of limitations for any Tax
potentially applicable as a result of such membership has not expired.

               (c)  Tax Reserves. The amount of Alier's liability for unpaid
                    ------------
Taxes (whether actual or contingent) for all periods through the date hereof and
the Closing Date does not and will not, in the aggregate, exceed the amount of
the current liability accruals for Taxes (excluding reserves for deferred Taxes)
solely with respect to Alier reflected on the Financial Statements. No material
liability for Taxes has been incurred since the date hereof (or will be incurred
prior to Closing) other than in the ordinary course of business.

               (d)  Tax Filings. Alier has never been a member of an affiliated
                    -----------
group of corporations filing consolidated returns or a unitary group of
corporations filing combined returns. Alier is not (nor has it ever been) a
party to any tax sharing agreement. Alier does not do business in or derive
income from any state other than states for which Returns have been duly filed
and furnished to Active.

               (e)  Tax Deficiencies; Audits; Statutes of Limitations. Alier has
                    -------------------------------------------------
never been audited by a government or taxing authority, nor is any such audit in
process, or pending or threatened in a writing delivered to Alier, its agents,
the Alier Shareholders, employees or contractors. No deficiencies exist or have
been asserted (either in writing or verbally, formally or informally) or are
expected to be asserted with respect to Taxes of Alier, and neither Alier nor

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

any Alier Shareholder has received notice (either in writing or verbally,
formally or informally) nor expects to receive notice that it has not filed a
Return or paid Taxes required to be filed or paid. Alier is neither a party to
any action or proceeding for assessment or collection of Taxes, nor has such
event been asserted or threatened (either in writing or verbally, formally or
informally) against Alier or any of its assets.  No waiver or extension of any
statute of limitations is in effect with respect to Taxes or Returns of Alier.
Alier has disclosed on its state income and franchise tax returns all positions
taken therein that could give rise to a substantial understatement penalty
within the meaning of Code Section 6662 or comparable provisions of applicable
state tax laws.

               (f)  Tax Elections and Special Tax Status. Alier is not, nor has
                    ------------------------------------
it been, a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of
Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section
897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, and Active is not required to withhold tax on the
purchase of the Alier Common Stock by reason of Section 1445 of the Code.  Alier
is not a "consenting corporation" under Section 341(f) of the Code.  Alier has
not entered into any compensatory agreements with respect to the performance of
services which payment thereunder would result in a nondeductible expense to
Alier pursuant to Section 280G of the Code or an excise tax to the recipient of
such payment pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code.  Alier has not agreed to, nor
is it required to make any adjustment under Code Section 481(a) by reason of, a
change in accounting method, and Alier does not otherwise have any material
income reportable for a period ending after the Closing Date attributable to a
transaction or other event (e.g., an installment sale) occurring prior to the
Closing Date.  Alier is not, nor has it been, a "reporting corporation" subject
to the information reporting and record maintenance requirements of Section
6038A and the regulations thereunder.  Alier is in compliance with the terms and
conditions of any applicable tax exemptions, agreements or orders of any foreign
government to which it may be subject or which it may have claimed, and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not have any adverse effect on
such compliance.

               (g)  Alier has provided to Active accurate and complete
information regarding Alier's net operating losses for federal and each state
tax purposes as of the completion of its most recent taxable year. Alier's net
operating losses or other tax attributes are not currently subject to limitation
under Code Sections 382, 383 or 384.

          3.9  No Breach or Default.  Alier has not breached, or received any
               --------------------
claim or threat that it has breached, any of the terms or conditions of any
agreement, contract or commitment.  Each such agreement, contract or commitment
is in full force and effect and is a legal, binding and enforceable obligation
for or against Alier and, except as otherwise disclosed and except for defaults
fully remedied or resolved, is not subject to any material default thereunder of
which Alier has knowledge by any party obligated to Alier pursuant thereto.  To
the Alier Shareholders' knowledge, the parties to such agreements, contracts or
commitments will fulfill their respective obligations under such agreements,
contracts or commitments and are not threatened with insolvency.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

          3.10 Absence of Certain Changes.  Since the Date of the Financial
               --------------------------
Statements, there has not been any, with respect to Alier:

               (a)  amendment or change in the Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Alier;

               (b)  capital expenditure by Alier exceeding $10,000, individually
or in the aggregate;

               (c)  destruction, damage to, or loss of any assets of Alier
(whether or not covered by insurance), either individually or in the aggregate
exceeding $10,000;

               (d)  change in accounting methods or practices (including any
change in depreciation or amortization policies or rates) by Alier;

               (e)  write-up or write-down by Alier of any of its assets that
exceeds $10,000 individually or in the aggregate or that would have a Material
Adverse Effect;

               (f)  declaration, setting aside or payment of a dividend or other
distribution with respect to the shares of capital stock of Alier, or any direct
or indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition by Alier of any of its
shares of capital stock, or any such other change in the equity structure of
Alier;

               (g)  increase in the salary or other compensation payable or to
become payable by Alier to any of its officers, directors, employees or
contractors or the declaration, payment or commitment or any obligation of any
kind for the payment by Alier of a material bonus or other additional salary or
compensation to any such person other than those payable in accordance with
existing compensation arrangements or agreements;

               (h)  waiver or release of any right or claim of Alier, including
any write-off or other compromise of any account receivable of Alier, in excess
of $10,000, individually or in the aggregate;

               (i)  any Material Adverse Effect;

               (j)  any transaction, contract or commitment which provides for a
period of performance by Alier which extends beyond twelve months from the date
hereof or involves payment or receipt after the date hereof of amounts in excess
of $10,000 outside the ordinary course of business, except this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby; or

               (k)  negotiation or agreement by Alier or any Alier Shareholder
to do any of the things described in the preceding clauses (a) through (j),
other than negotiations with Active regarding the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

          3.11 Agreements and Commitments. Alier is not a party to any oral or
               --------------------------
written agreement, obligation or commitment of a type which is described below,
except as disclosed on Schedule 3.11:

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

               (a)  any contract, commitment, letter contract, quotation,
purchase order, bid or proposal providing for payments by or to Alier in an
amount in excess of $10,000 per year;

               (b)  any license agreement as licensor or licensee (other than
forms of standard non-exclusive software licenses granted to end-user customers
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice);

               (c)  any agreement by Alier to encumber, transfer, grant rights
to use or sell rights in or with respect to any Intellectual Property (as
defined in Section 3.12 hereof) (except for non-exclusive software licenses
granted to end-user customers in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice, the form of which has been provided to Active or its
counsel);

               (d)  any agreement for the sale or lease of real or personal
property involving more than $10,000 per year;

               (e)  any dealer, distributor, sales representative, original
equipment manufacturer, value added remarketer or other agreement for the
reasonably anticipated distribution of more than $10,000 of Alier's products
during the term of such agreement;

               (f)  any joint venture contract or arrangement or any other
agreement that involves a sharing of profits with other persons;

               (g)  any contract for goods or services involving more than
$10,000 per year;

               (h)  any agreement or other document relating to noncompetition
covenants by Alier, the Alier Shareholders, or Alier's employees or contractors;

               (i)  any instrument evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money by
way of direct loan, sale of debt securities, purchase money obligation,
conditional sale, guarantee or otherwise, except for trade indebtedness and
advances to employees and contractors incurred in the ordinary course of
business, consistent with past practice;

               (j)  any collective bargaining agreement;

               (k)  any agreements that contain any unpaid severance liabilities
or obligations;

               (l)  any bonus, deferred compensation, incentive compensation,
pension, profit-sharing or retirement plans, or any other employee benefit plans
or arrangements;

               (m)  any employment or consulting agreement, contract or
commitment with an employee, contractor or individual consultant or salesperson
or consulting or sales or distribution agreement, contract or commitment with a
firm or other organization not terminable by Alier on thirty (30) days' notice
without liability;

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

               (n)  any agreement or plan, including, without limitation, any
stock option plan, stock appreciation right plan or stock purchase plan, any of
the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of benefits of which
will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or the value of any of the benefits of which will be
calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement;

               (o)  any fidelity or surety bond or completion bond;

               (p)  any agreement of indemnification or guaranty, including,
without limitation, agreements with officers, directors, consultants, advisors
and suppliers;

               (q)  any agreement, contract or commitment relating to the
disposition or acquisition of assets not in the ordinary course of business or
any ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
business enterprise;

               (r)  any mortgages, indentures, loans or credit agreements,
security agreements or other agreements or instruments relating to the borrowing
of money or extension of credit; or

               (s)  any other agreement, contract or commitment that involves
amounts in excess of $10,000 or is not cancelable without penalty within 30
days.

          3.12 Intellectual Property.
               ---------------------

               (a)  Alier owns, or is licensed or otherwise possesses legally
enforceable rights to use all copyrights and any applications therefor,
technology, know-how and tangible and intangible proprietary information or
material, and to the best of Alier's knowledge owns, or is licensed or otherwise
possesses legally enforceable rights to use all patents, trademarks, trade
names, service marks, that are used or currently proposed to be used in the
business of Alier as currently conducted or as currently proposed to be
conducted that are material to such business or where the failure to have such
right would result or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect (the "Intellectual Property").  Schedule 3.12(a) of the
Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true and complete list of all patents and
patent applications, registered and unregistered trademarks and service marks,
registered copyrights, trade names and service marks and any applications
therefor, included in the Intellectual Property, and specifies the jurisdictions
in which each such Intellectual Property has been issued or registered or in
which an application for such issuance and registration has been filed,
including the respective registration or application numbers and the names of
all registered owners.

               (b)  Alier is not in violation of, and the execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the performance by the Alier Shareholders of their
obligations hereunder will not impair Alier's rights (or alter the rights or
obligations of any third person that is a party to any agreement, license or
sublicense with Alier) under or violate, any license, sublicense or other
agreement. No claims with respect to the Intellectual Property, any trade secret
of Alier or any patents, trademarks, tradenames, service marks, copyrights or
any applications therefor,

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

technology, know-how, trade secrets or tangible or intangible proprietary
information or material of any third party ("Third Party Intellectual Property
Rights") (to the extent arising out of any use, reproduction or distribution of
such Third Party Intellectual Property Rights by or through Alier), have been
asserted or are threatened by any person or entity against Alier or the Alier
Shareholders, nor does Alier or any Alier Shareholder know of any valid grounds
for any claims (i) to the effect that the manufacture, sale, licensing or use of
any product as now used, sold or licensed by Alier infringes on any patent,
trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright or trade secret; (ii) against the
use by Alier of any patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights,
technology or trade secret used in Alier's business as currently conducted or as
currently proposed to be conducted; (iii) challenging the ownership, validity,
enforceability or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property or any trade secret
of Alier or (iv) challenging Alier's license or legally enforceable right to use
any Third Party Intellectual Property Rights.

               (c)  Neither Alier nor any Alier Shareholder has any knowledge,
after due inquiry, of any material unauthorized use, infringement or
misappropriation of any Intellectual Property by any third party, including any
employee, contractor, former employee or former contractor of Alier. Schedule
3.12(c) of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true and complete list of all
employees, contractors, former employees and former contractors who have been
involved in the development of all patents, registered and unregistered
trademarks and service marks, registered copyrights, trade names and service
marks and any applications therefor, included in the Intellectual Property.

               (d)  Neither Alier nor any Alier Shareholder, after due inquiry,
has any knowledge that any Intellectual Property, trade secret of Alier or Third
Party Intellectual Property Right is subject to any outstanding order, judgment,
decree, stipulation or agreement restricting in any manner the licensing thereof
by Alier. Alier has not entered into any agreement to indemnify any other person
against any charge of infringement of any Intellectual Property, any trade
secret of Alier or any Third Party Intellectual Property Right other than
pursuant to licenses to customers in the ordinary course of business.

          3.13 Transactions with Affiliates. No current director or officer of
               ----------------------------
Alier or a member of his or her immediate family has or has had, directly or
indirectly, (i) an interest in any entity which furnished or sold, or furnishes
or sells, services or products which Alier furnishes or sells, or proposes to
furnish or sell, or (ii) any interest in any entity which purchases from or
sells or furnishes to Alier, any goods or services, or (iii) a beneficial
interest in any contract or agreement listed or identified or required to be
listed or identified in the Disclosure Schedules (under any section or
subsection thereof); provided, that ownership of no more than 5% of the
outstanding voting stock of a publicly traded corporation shall not be deemed an
"interest in any entity" for purposes of this Section 3.13.

          3.14 Compliance with Laws; Governmental Authorizations.  Alier has
               -------------------------------------------------
complied, and will be on the Closing Date in full compliance, in all material
respects with all applicable, laws, ordinances, regulations and rules, and all
orders, writs, injunctions, awards, judgments and decrees, known to be
applicable to Alier (after due inquiry or consultation with Alier's legal
counsel) or to the assets, properties and business of Alier.  Alier has made all

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

material filings with third parties, including government agencies and
authorities, that are necessary in connection with its present business.  The
Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true and complete list of each material
federal, state, county, local or foreign governmental consent, license, permit,
grant, or other authorization issued to Alier (i) pursuant to which Alier
currently operates or holds any interest in any of its properties or (ii) which
is required for the operation of its business or the holding of any such
interest (herein collectively referred to as "Alier Authorizations").  The Alier
Authorizations are in full force and effect and constitute all authorizations
required to permit Alier to operate or conduct its business or hold any interest
in its properties.

          3.15 Employees and Contractors.
               -------------------------

               (a)  Set forth on Schedule 3.15(a) of the Disclosure Schedules is
a true and complete list of all current employees and contractors of Alier,
including current date of hire, position, accrued vacation, wage or salary and
bonus status. In addition, Alier has provided to Active or its legal counsel
true and complete copies of all written, and to Alier's knowledge a description
of the terms of all oral, employment contracts, development contracts and
consulting contracts of Alier. All such contracts are valid and are in full
force and effect in all material respects, and neither Alier, nor to the
knowledge of Alier or the Alier Shareholders, any other party, is in breach or
default of any such contract. Alier has no written or oral agreement or
commitment to pay any person anything of value upon or in connection with the
termination of such person's employment or engagement by Alier.

               (b)  All past and present directors, officers, employees,
contractors and consultants of Alier who have had and who have access to the
Intellectual Property or other proprietary information of Alier, have executed
and delivered to Alier agreements regarding the confidentiality and non-
disclosure of such Intellectual Property and proprietary information and the
assignment of all intellectual property rights to Alier. Alier has provided to
Active or its legal counsel true and complete copies of the form of all such
agreements. With respect to Alier, and to Alier's and each Alier Shareholders'
knowledge with respect to the other party, all such agreements are valid and
remain in full force and effect, and neither Alier, nor to Alier's or the Alier
Shareholders' knowledge, any other party is in breach or default of any such
agreement.

               (c)  Neither Alier nor the Alier Shareholders has any knowledge
of any employee or contractor of Alier who intends to leave Alier's employ and,
to the Alier Shareholders' knowledge, all such employees and contractors are
capable of freely contracting with Active for full time employment upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

               (d)  To Alier's and the Alier Shareholders' knowledge, no
employee or contractor of Alier is in material violation of any contract or
agreement, or any restrictive covenant, relating to the right of any such
employee or contractor to be employed by Alier or with respect to security
clearance, trade secrets or proprietary information of others, and the

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

employment of any employee or contractor of Alier does not subject Alier to any
liability to any third party.

               (e)  Set forth on Schedule 3.15(e) of the Disclosure Schedules is
a true and complete list of all employee benefit plans (as defined in Section
3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA")) and all bonus, stock option, stock purchase, incentive, deferred
compensation, supplemental retirement, severance and other similar fringe or
employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements, and any current employment or
executive compensation or severance agreements, written or otherwise, for the
benefit of, or relating to, any current or former employee of Alier or with
respect to any such plans which are subject to Code Section 401(a) any trade or
business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member or which is under
common control with Alier (an "ERISA Affiliate") within the meaning of Section
414 of the Code, or any Subsidiary of Alier (together, the "Employee Plans").

               (f)  None of the Employee Plans promises or provides retiree
medical or other retiree welfare benefits to any person except as required by
applicable law, including but not limited to COBRA.

               (g)  All Employee Plans are in compliance in all material
respects with the requirements prescribed by any and all applicable statutes
(including ERISA and the Code), orders or governmental rules and regulations
currently in effect with respect thereto (including all applicable requirements
for establishment of a plan and trust, reporting and disclosure, claims
procedures, fulfillment of fiduciary duties and notification to participants or
beneficiaries or the Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS")
or Secretary of the Treasury), and Alier has performed all obligations required
to be performed by it under, is not in default under or violation of, and the
Alier Shareholders have no knowledge of any default or violation by any other
party to, any of the Employee Plans, except as would not have a Material Adverse
Effect. There is no suit, administrative proceeding, action or other litigation
pending or, to the knowledge of Alier, threatened against Alier with respect to
any such Employee Plan (other than routine claims for benefits).

               (h)  Each Employee Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a)
of the Code and each trust intended to qualify under Section 501(a) of the Code
either has received a favorable determination letter with respect to each such
Employee Plan from the IRS, has pending before the IRS an application for such
determination letter for each such Employee Plan or still has a remaining period
of time under applicable Treasury Regulations or IRS pronouncements in which to
apply for such a determination letter and to make any amendments necessary to
obtain a favorable determination.

               (i)  No Employee Plan is or has been subject to, and Alier has
not incurred or does not expect to incur any liability under, Title IV of ERISA
or Section 412 of the Code.

               (j)  Subject to the limitations of applicable law, each Employee
Plan may be terminated or consolidated, at Active's option, after the Closing.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

               (k)  Each Employee Plan has been maintained in substantial
compliance with its terms, and all contributions, premiums or other payments due
from Alier to (or under) any such Employee Plan have been fully paid or
adequately provided for on the Financial Statements. All accruals thereon
(including, where appropriate) proportional accruals for partial periods) have
been made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied on a reasonable basis. There has been no amendment, written
interpretation or announcement (whether or not written) by Alier with respect
to, or change in employee participation or coverage under, any Employee Plan
that would increase materially the expense of maintaining such plans or
arrangements, individually or in the aggregate, above the level of expense
incurred with respect thereto for the most recent fiscal year included in the
Financial Statements.

               (l)  Alier has furnished to Active or its counsel complete,
accurate and current copies of all Employee Plans and all amendments, documents,
correspondence and filings relating thereto, including but not limited to any
statements, filings, reports or returns filed with any governmental agency with
respect to the Employee Plans at any time within the two year period ending on
the date hereof.

          3.16 No Brokers.  Neither Alier nor either of the Alier Shareholders
               ----------
is obligated for the payment of fees or expenses of any investment banker,
broker or finder in connection with the origin, negotiation or execution of this
Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          3.17 Full Disclosure.  None of the representations or warranties made
               ---------------
by Alier or the Alier Shareholders (as modified by the information set forth in
the Disclosure Schedules), nor any statement made in any Schedule or certificate
furnished by Alier to Active pursuant to this Agreement, contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements of facts contained herein and therein, in light of
the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.

          3.18 No Reliance on Representations Regarding Forecasts.  In the
               --------------------------------------------------
negotiation and consideration of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement,
neither Alier nor the Alier Shareholders have relied upon any information or
documents concerning Active and its business condition except (i) information
and documents that are publicly available, and (ii) representations and
warranties made by Active in this Agreement.

          3.19 Books and Records.  Set forth on Schedule 3.19 of the Disclosure
               -----------------
Schedules is a true and complete list and description of all banks or other
financial institutions (including brokerage firms and money market mutual funds)
in which Alier keeps accounts, deposits, or cash balances or safety deposit
boxes, including addresses, account and identification numbers, and the names of
all persons who have the authority to draw on such deposits, accounts or
balances or who have access to such boxes.

          3.20 Insurance.  Set forth in Schedule 3.20 of the Disclosure
               ---------
Schedules is a true and complete list of all insurance policies covering the
assets, business, equipment, properties, operations, employees, contractors,
officers and directors of Alier and all claims, including

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

claims existing but not yet made, under any such insurance policy since the date
of Alier's inception. There is no claim by Alier pending under any of such
policies as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the
underwriters of such policies. All premiums payable under all such policies and
bonds have been paid and Alier is otherwise in compliance with the terms of such
policies and bonds (or other policies and bonds providing substantially similar
insurance coverage). Neither Alier nor any of the Alier Shareholders has any
knowledge of any threatened termination of, or material premium increase with
respect to, any of such policies.

          3.21  Customers.  To Alier's and the Alier Shareholders' knowledge,
                ---------
no material customer of Alier has indicated that such customer intends or has
under consideration a proposal to cease doing business with or to materially
alter the amount of business done with Alier in the normal course of business or
as a result of the transaction contemplated herein.

          3.22  Accounts Receivable.  Set forth in Schedule 3.22 of the
                -------------------
Disclosure Schedules is a complete list of the accounts and notes receivable of
Alier as of the Date of the Financial Statements, aged by customer or debtor, as
the case may be.  All receivables of Alier arose in the ordinary course of
business at the aggregate amounts thereof, and are carried at values determined
in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.  To the Alier Shareholders'
knowledge, none of the receivables of Alier is subject to any claim of offset,
recoupment, set-off or counterclaim and there are no facts or circumstances
(whether asserted or unasserted) that would give rise to any such claim.  No
receivables are contingent upon the performance by Alier of any obligation or
contract.  No person has any lien, charge, pledge, security interest or other
encumbrance on any of such receivables and no agreement for deduction or
discount has been made with respect to any of such receivables.

          3.23  Title to Properties.
                -------------------

                (a) Schedule 3.23 of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true
and complete list of all real property owned or leased by Alier, and, in the
case of leased real property, the name of the lessor, the aggregate monthly
rental or other fee payable under any such lease and any cancellation provisions
set forth in such lease. All such leases are in full force and effect and Alier
has not breached, or received any claim or threat that it has breached, any of
the terms or conditions of any such lease.

                (b) Alier has good and marketable title to or in the case of
leased properties and assets, valid leasehold interests in, all of its assets
free and clear of all liens, charges or encumbrances. All leases of real or
personal property to which Alier is a party are fully effective and afford Alier
peaceful and undisturbed possession of the subject matter of the lease.

          3.24  Condition of Personal Property.  Schedule 3.24 of the Disclosure
                ------------------------------
Schedules sets forth a true and complete list of all of Alier's tangible
personal property, equipment and fixtures used in its business. All such
property, equipment and fixtures are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear
excluded, or in reasonably repairable condition, are valued at their historical
cost less applicable depreciation.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

          3.25 Environmental Matters.
               ---------------------

               (a)  No underground storage tanks and no amount of any substance
that has been designated by any state or federal Governmental Entity or by
applicable state law to be radioactive, toxic, hazardous or otherwise a danger
to health or the environment, including, without limitation, PCBs, asbestos,
petroleum, urea-formaldehyde and all substances listed as hazardous substances
pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended, or defined as a hazardous waste pursuant to
the United States Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended,
and the regulations promulgated pursuant to such laws, but excluding office and
janitorial supplies properly and safely maintained (a "Hazardous Material"), is
present, as a result of the actions of Alier, or, to Alier's and the Alier
Shareholders' knowledge, as of result of any actions of any third party or
otherwise, in, on or under any property, including the land and the
improvements, ground water and surface water thereof, that Alier has at any time
owned, operated, occupied or leased.

               (b)  At no time prior to Closing Date has Alier transported,
stored, used, manufactured, disposed of, released or exposed its employees,
contractors or others to Hazardous Materials in violation of any law in effect
on or before the Closing Date, nor has Alier disposed of, transported, sold or
manufactured any product containing a Hazardous Material (collectively
"Hazardous Materials Activities") in violation of any rule, regulation, treaty
or statute promulgated by any state or federal Governmental Entity to prohibit,
regulate or control Hazardous Materials or any Hazardous Materials Activities.

               (c)  Alier currently holds all environmental approvals, permits,
licenses, clearances and consents (the "Environmental Permits") necessary for
the conduct of Alier's Hazardous Material Activities and other business
activities of Alier that are material to such activities or where the failure to
have such Environmental Permits would result or reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect.

               (d)  No action, proceeding, revocation proceeding, amendment
procedure, writ, injunction or claim is pending or, to the knowledge of Alier or
any Alier Shareholder, threatened, concerning or relating to Alier, any
Environmental Permit or any Hazardous Materials Activity of Alier. Neither Alier
nor any Alier Shareholder is aware of any fact or circumstance that could
involve Alier in any environmental litigation or impose upon Alier any
environmental liability that would have a Material Adverse Effect.

          3.26 Minute Books. The minute books of Alier made available to counsel
               ------------
for Active contain true and complete minutes of all meetings of directors (and
any committee thereof) and shareholders or actions by written consent since the
time of incorporation of Alier.

          3.27 Complete Copies of All Materials.  Alier and the Alier
               --------------------------------
Shareholders have delivered or made available true and complete copies of each
document (or summaries of same that are true and complete in all material
respects) which has been requested by Active or its counsel.

     4.   Investment Representations of the Alier Shareholders.
          ----------------------------------------------------

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

          4.1  Restricted Securities; Legend.  Each of the Alier Shareholders
               -----------------------------
hereby acknowledges that the Active Common Stock is "restricted securities"
within the meaning of Rule 144 promulgated by the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), and is subject to certain restrictions on transfer under
the federal securities laws of the United States of America. Each of the Alier
Shareholders understands and acknowledges that the stock certificates
representing the Active Common Stock, and any securities issued in respect
thereof or exchange therefor, may bear the following legend:

          "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
          UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR
          INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR
          DISTRIBUTION THEREOF.  NO SUCH SALE OR DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED
          WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN
          OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH
          REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933."

          4.2  Resale Restrictions.  Each Alier Shareholder hereby agrees to
               -------------------
observe and comply with the Securities Act and the General Rules and Regulations
thereunder, as now in effect and as from time to time amended and including
those hereafter enacted or promulgated, in connection with any offer, sale,
pledge, transfer or other disposition of the Active Common Stock or any part
thereof.

          4.3  Share Purchase.  Each Alier Shareholder hereby severally
               --------------
represents and warrants to Active that:

               (a)  This Agreement is made with such Alier Shareholder in
reliance upon such Alier Shareholder's representation to Active, which by such
Alier Shareholder's execution of this Agreement such Alier Shareholder hereby
confirms, that the Active Common Stock to be acquired by such Alier Shareholder
will be acquired for investment for such Alier Shareholder's own account, not as
a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any
part thereof, and that such Alier Shareholder has no present intention of
selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By
executing this Agreement, such Alier Shareholder further represents that such
Alier Shareholder does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement
or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such
person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Active Common Stock.
Such Alier Shareholder understands that the issuance of the Active Common Stock
under this Agreement has not been, registered under the Securities Act by reason
of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act
which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of such Alier
Shareholder's investment intent and the accuracy of such Alier Shareholder's
representations as expressed herein.

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

               (b)  Such Alier Shareholder believes it has received all the
information it considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to
acquire the Active Common Stock.  Such Alier Shareholder further represents that
it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from Active
regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Active Common Stock.
Such Alier Shareholder is aware of Active's business affairs and financial
condition and has acquired sufficient information about Active to reach as
informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Active Common Stock.

               (c)  Such Alier Shareholder, by reason of his or her business or
financial experience or the business or financial experience of his or her
professional advisors who are unaffiliated with Active, directly or indirectly,
has the capacity to protect his or her own interests in connection with the
purchase of the Active Common Stock hereunder.

               (d)  Such Alier Shareholder hereby represents that he or she has
satisfied himself or herself as to the income tax and other tax consequences, if
any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, sale or transfer of the
Active Common Stock, and such Alier Shareholder hereby agrees and acknowledges
that Active is not in any way responsible for any tax consequences to such Alier
Shareholder arising out of or related to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

     5.   Representations and Warranties of Active and Sub.  Active and Sub
          ------------------------------------------------
hereby represent and warrant to the Alier Shareholders as follows:

          5.1  Existence; Good Standing. Active is a corporation duly
               ------------------------
incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of Delaware.  Sub is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of Delaware.  Each of Active and Sub is duly
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under
the laws of any jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned or
leased by Active or Sub therein or in which the transaction of its business
makes such qualification necessary, except for jurisdictions in which the
failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not have a Material
Adverse Effect (as such term is defined at the beginning of this Section 3,
except that it shall refer to Active, Sub and Active's other Subsidiaries) on
Active.  Each of Active and Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority
to own its properties and carry on its business as now conducted.

          5.2  Power, Authorization and Validityof Active and Sub.  Each of
               --------------------------------------------------
Active and Sub has all requisite legal and corporate power and authority to
enter into and perform its respective obligations under this Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby have been duly and validly approved and authorized by all
necessary action (corporate or other) on the part of Active and Sub.

This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements have been duly or will be executed
and delivered by Active and Sub and constitute valid and binding obligations of
Active and Sub, enforceable in

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

accordance with their respective terms subject to the effect, if any, of
applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and other laws
affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general
equitable principles.

No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with, any Governmental Entity is required by or with respect to Active or
Sub in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any
Ancillary Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby except for (i) the filing of the Merger Agreement with the Secretary
of State of the States of Delaware and California, and (ii) such consents,
waivers, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and
filings as may be required under applicable federal and state securities laws.

          5.3  SEC Documents; Active Financial Statements.  Active has
               ------------------------------------------
furnished or made available to Alier complete copies of all reports or
registration statements filed by it with the SEC under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") for all periods subsequent to January 1, 1999,
all in the form so filed (all of the foregoing being collectively referred to as
the "SEC Documents").  As of their respective filing dates, the SEC Documents
complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, and
none of the SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances in which they
were made, not misleading, except to the extent corrected by a subsequently
filed documents with the SEC.  Active currently complies, and it shall use its
diligent efforts to continue to comply with, the requirements for use of a Form
S-3 Registration Statement.  The financial statements of Active, including the
notes thereto, included in the SEC Documents (the "Active Financial Statements")
comply as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting
requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied (except as may be indicated in the
notes thereto) and present fairly the consolidated financial position of Active
at the dates thereof and of its operations and cash flows for the periods then
ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal audit adjustments
and the inclusion of footnotes).  There has been no change in Active accounting
policies except as described in the notes to the Active Financial Statements.

          5.4  Full Disclosure.  No representation or warranty by Active or
               ---------------
Sub in this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements or facts contained
therein in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading.

          5.5  Investment.  Active is acquiring the Alier Common Stock for its
               ----------
own account for investment, and not with a view to, or for resale in connection
with, the distribution thereof in violation of federal or state securities laws
and with no present intention of distributing or reselling any part thereof.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

          5.6  No Brokers.  Neither Active nor Sub is obligated for the payment
               ----------
of fees or expenses of any investment banker, broker or finder in connection
with the origin, negotiating or execution of this Agreement or in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          5.7  Valid Issuance.  The Active Common Stock will, when issued in
               --------------
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, be validly issued fully paid,
nonassessable and issued in compliance with all applicable federal and
California securities laws binding on Active.

          5.8  Litigation.  There is no action, suit, proceeding, claim,
               ----------
arbitration or, to Active's knowledge, investigation, pending, or as to which
Active has received any notice of assertion against Active which in any manner
challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

          5.9  No Material Adverse Change.  Since the date of the balance sheet
               --------------------------
included in Active's most recently filed report on Form 10-Q, there has not
occurred: (a) any transaction which would result in a Material Adverse Effect
with respect to Active; (b) any amendment or change in the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Active; or (c) any damage to, destruction or loss of
any assets of Active, whether or not covered by insurance, that would result in
a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Active.

          5.10 No Violation.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
               ------------
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not conflict with or result in a
violation of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (or similar instruments)
of Active or Sub or any judgment, order or decree of any court or government
authority binding upon Active or Sub, or, to Active's and Sub's knowledge, any
material conflict with or breach or default under any material agreement to
which Active or Sub is a party.

     6.   Covenants of Alier.
          ------------------

          6.1  Interim Operations.
               ------------------

               (a)  During the period from the date of this Agreement and
continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the
Effective Time of the Merger, except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule,
and unless Active has consented in writing thereto, Alier:

                    (i)  Shall conduct its operations according to its usual,
regular and ordinary course in substantially the same manner as heretofore
conducted;

                    (ii) To the extent consistent with its business, shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business organization and
goodwill, keep available the services of its officers, employees and contractors
and maintain satisfactory relationships with those persons having business
relationships with it;

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

                    (iii)  Shall promptly notify Active of any Material Adverse
Effect, any material litigation or material governmental complaints,
investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that the same may be
contemplated), or the material breach of any representation or warranty
contained herein;

                    (iv)   Shall not (A) issue any shares of its capital stock,
effect any stock split or otherwise change its capitalization as it existed on
the date hereof; (B) grant, confer or award any option, warrant, conversion
right or other right not existing on the date hereof to acquire any shares of
its capital stock; (C) increase any compensation, make payment of cash bonuses
to, or enter into or amend any employment agreement with any of its present or
future officers, directors, employees or contractors except for normal increases
consistent with past practice; (D) grant any severance or termination package to
any employee, contractor or consultant; or (E) adopt any new employee benefit
plan (including any stock option, stock benefit or stock purchase plan) or amend
any existing employee benefit plan in any material respect, except to the extent
required by applicable law or under the terms of this Agreement;

                    (v)    Shall not enter into any agreement or transaction, or
agree to enter into any agreement or transaction, outside the ordinary course of
business, including, without limitation, any transaction involving a merger,
consolidation, joint venture, license agreement partial or complete liquidation
or dissolution, reorganization, recapitalization, restructuring or a purchase,
sale, lease or other disposition of a material portion of assets or capital
stock;

                    (vi)   With the exception of licenses entered into in the
ordinary course of business, shall not transfer to any person or entity any
rights to the Intellectual Property Rights;

                    (vii)  Except in the ordinary course of business, with prior
notice to Active, shall not violate, amend, or otherwise change the terms of any
of the contracts set forth in the Disclosure Schedules;

                    (viii) Shall not commence a lawsuit other than for: the
routine collection of bills (other than against customers or vendors of Active
and its Subsidiaries of which Active or its counsel have received notice); or
for injunctive relief on the grounds that Alier has suffered immediate and
irreparable harm not compensable in money damages provided Alier has obtained
the prior written consent of Active, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld; or for breach of this Agreement;

                    (ix)   Shall not take any other action which could
reasonably be expected to cause a major customer or supplier or key employee or
contractor to terminate its relationship with Alier;

               (b)  Dividends; Changes in Alier Common Stock. Alier shall not
                    ----------------------------------------
and shall not propose (i) to declare or pay any dividends on or make any other
distributions (whether

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

in cash, stock or property) in respect to any of its capital stock, (ii) to
split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the
issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution
for shares of capital stock of Alier; or (iii) to repurchase or otherwise
acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock.

               (c)  Governing Documents.  Alier shall not amend its Articles of
                    -------------------
Incorporation or Bylaws.

               (d)  Exclusivity; Acquisition Proposals. Until the earlier of the
                    ----------------------------------
Effective Time of the Merger or the date this Agreement shall have been
terminated by either party pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof, Alier shall not (nor
will it permit any of its officers, directors, agents, representatives or
affiliates to) directly or indirectly, take any of the following actions with
any party other than Active and its designees:  (i) solicit, encourage, initiate
or participate in any negotiations, inquiries or discussions with respect to,
any offer or proposal to acquire all or substantially all of its business and
properties or capital stock whether by merger, purchase of assets, tender offer
or otherwise, (ii) enter into or execute any agreement or plan of
reorganization, merger agreement, or other agreement relating to the sale of all
or substantially all of its business and properties whether by merger, purchase
of assets, tender offer or otherwise, or (iii) otherwise materially assist or
cooperate with any person to make any proposal to purchase all or any part of
the capital stock or assets of Alier or any of its Subsidiaries, other than
inventory in the ordinary course of business, provided, however, that nothing
contained herein shall prohibit Alier from making any disclosure or otherwise
taking any action required by law or required for the Alier Board of Directors
to comply with their fiduciary duties.  In the event Alier shall receive any
bona fide offer, proposal or request, directly or indirectly, of the types
referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, it shall immediately, and prior
to taking any action in response thereto, inform Active as to all material facts
concerning any such offer or proposal and, except as otherwise required by law,
including fiduciary duties required by law, will thereafter cooperate with
Active by continuing to furnish to Active any additional information it may at
any time request.

               (e)  No Acquisitions.  Alier shall not acquire or agree to
                    ---------------
acquire, by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial
portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any
corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division
thereof or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets, except in the
ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice.

               (f)  No Dispositions.  Alier shall not sell, lease, license or
                    ---------------
otherwise dispose of any of their assets, except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with prior practice.

               (g)  Indebtedness.  Alier shall not incur any indebtedness for
                    ------------
borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness or issue or sell any debt
securities of Alier or guarantee any debt securities of others, in each case
other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

          6.2  Breach of Representations and Warranties.  Neither Alier nor the
               ----------------------------------------
Alier Shareholders shall take any action that would breach or cause to be
inaccurate any of the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3 and
4.  Promptly after becoming aware of the occurrence of or the pending or
threatened occurrence of any event that could cause or constitute such a breach
or inaccuracy, each of Alier and the Alier Shareholders shall give detailed
notice thereof to Active and shall use its diligent efforts to prevent or remedy
such breach or inaccuracy promptly.

          6.3  Consents.  After execution of this Agreement, Alier shall
               --------
promptly apply for or otherwise seek, and use its diligent efforts to obtain,
all consents and approvals required for the constitution of the Merger including
the unanimous written consent of the Alier Shareholders to the Merger
contemplated by this Agreement.

          6.4  Best Efforts.  Alier and the Alier Shareholders shall each use
               ------------
their best efforts to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby and to
fulfill and cause to be fulfilled the conditions to Closing under this
Agreement, except to the extent necessary for the Alier Board of Directors to
comply with their fiduciary duties.

          6.5  Tax Returns.  Alier shall timely file or cause to be filed all
               -----------
tax returns, reports and information statements required to be filed by it.

     7.   Covenants of Active.    During the period from the date of this
          ---------------------
Agreement and continuing until the Effective Time of the Merger, Active agrees
(except to the extent that Alier shall otherwise consent in writing) that:

          7.1  Breach of Representations and Warranties.  Active shall not take
               ----------------------------------------
any action that would breach or cause to be inaccurate any of the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 5. Promptly after becoming
aware of the occurrence of or the pending or threatened occurrence of any event
that would cause or constitute such a breach or inaccuracy, Active shall give
detailed notice thereof to Alier and shall use its best efforts to prevent or
promptly remedy such breach or inaccuracy.

          7.2  Consents.  After execution of this Agreement, Active shall
               --------
promptly apply for or otherwise seek, and use its best efforts to obtain, all
consents and approvals required or that Alier may reasonably request for the
consummation of the Merger.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall
Active or any of its affiliates have any obligation to divest, or agree to
divest, any assets as a condition to obtaining any consent or approval necessary
to consummate the Merger.

          7.3  Best Efforts.  Active shall use its best efforts to effectuate
               ------------
the transactions contemplated hereby and to fulfill and cause to be fulfilled
the conditions to Closing under this Agreement.

     8.   Additional Agreements.  In addition to the foregoing, Active and Alier
          ---------------------
each agree to take the following actions after the execution of this Agreement;

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

          8.1  Access to Information.  Alier and Active shall each afford the
               ---------------------
other and their respective accountants, counsel and other representatives,
reasonable access during normal business hours during the period prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger to (a) all of their respective books, contracts,
commitments and records, and (b) all other information concerning the business,
properties and personnel of Alier and Active as the other party may reasonably
request, provided that access to information concerning Active shall be limited
to inquiry concerning information that has otherwise been publicly disclosed.
No information or knowledge obtained in any investigation pursuant to this
Section 8.1 shall affect or be deemed to modify any representation or warranty
contained herein or the conditions to the obligations of the parties to
consummate the Merger.

          8.2  Legal Conditions to the Merger.  Each of the parties shall take
               ------------------------------
all reasonable actions necessary to comply promptly with all legal requirements
that may be imposed on such parties with respect to the Merger and will promptly
cooperate with and furnish information to such other parties in connection with
any such requirements imposed upon such other parties in connection with the
Merger.  Each of the parties shall take all reasonable actions to obtain (and to
cooperate with such other parties in obtaining) any consent, authorization,
order or approval of, or any exemption by, any Governmental Entity, or other
third party, required to be obtained or made by the parties in connection with
the Merger or the taking of any action contemplated thereby or by this Agreement
or the Merger Agreement.

          8.3  Employee Stock Options.  Active will file a Form S-8 Registration
               ----------------------
Statement covering the shares of Active Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
of Alier Options and cause such shares to be registered under the Securities Act
no later than February 15, 2000 and will maintain such registration in effect
until the exercise or termination of all of the Alier Options.

          8.4  Alier Employee Benefits.  Active shall take such actions as it
               -----------------------
deems appropriate to make available as promptly as is reasonably practicable to
Alier employees and contractors such benefits (including vacation, medical,
dental, life and disability insurance, and participation in other company-wide
plans) as are generally made available to employees of Active, or benefits that
taken as a whole are reasonably equivalent thereto, provided that this Section
8.4 shall not obligate Active to maintain or continue any specific benefits in
effect for any period of time, it being the intent of the parties solely to
provide that the benefits to employees and contractors of Alier be reasonably
equivalent to the benefits to Active employees as in effect from time to time.
Active shall give each employee of Alier who continues employment with Active
full credit for services performed for Alier for purposes of eligibility,
vesting, benefit accrual and determination of the level of benefits under
Active's employee benefit plans and arrangements.

          8.5  Expenses.  Whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs
               --------
and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Merger Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, together with other
business expenses, shall be paid by the party incurring such expense.  The costs
and expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of Alier's legal
counsel and accounting firm, incurred by Alier in connection with this

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby shall not exceed $200,000 in the aggregate.

          8.6  Additional Agreements.  In case at any time after the Effective
               ---------------------
Time of the Merger any further action is reasonable and necessary or desirable
to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest the Surviving Corporation
with full title to all properties, assets, rights, approvals, immunities and
franchises of either Active or Alier, the proper officers and directors of each
corporation which is a party to this Agreement shall take all such reasonable
and necessary action.

          8.7  Public Announcements.  Active and Alier shall cooperate with
               --------------------
each other in releasing information concerning this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated herein.  Where practicable each of the parties shall
furnish to the other drafts of all releases prior to publication.  Nothing
contained herein shall prevent either party at any time from furnishing any
information to any governmental agency or prevent Active from issuing any
release when it believes it is legally required to do so.

          8.8  Confidentiality.  Each party hereto shall treat, and shall cause
               ---------------
its accountants, counsel and other representatives to treat, as confidential all
confidential documents and information concerning the other party and its
Subsidiaries furnished by the other party to such party in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except to the extent that such
information or documents (i) at the time of its disclosure to the receiving
party by or on behalf of the disclosing party is already known or available to
the receiving party or its Subsidiaries, provided that the receiving party or
its Subsidiaries are not subject to similar restrictions of confidentiality as
set forth herein with a third party with respect to such information (ii) is or
becomes known or available to the public other than as a result of an
unauthorized disclosure by the receiving party or its directors, officers,
employees, contractors, agents, representatives or advisors (iii) becomes known
or available to the receiving party or its Subsidiaries without similar
restrictions of confidentiality as set forth herein from a source other than the
disclosing party, provided that such source is not known by the receiving party,
after reasonable inquiry, to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or
without obligation of secrecy to, the disclosing party which would prohibit such
disclosures to the receiving party by such other party (iv) is independently
generated by the receiving party or its Subsidiaries and not derived from
confidential information or (v) is required to be disclosed by the receiving
party or its Subsidiaries by law, regulation, court order or other legal
process, using the same standard of care to protect such confidential documents
or information as is used by the receiving party to protect its own confidential
data or information. Subject to the foregoing, each party hereto will not
release or disclose such information or documents to any person other than its
representatives in connection with this Agreement. In the event that any party
or any of its representatives is requested or required to disclose any of the
confidential information referred to above, such party will provide the other
party with prompt notice of any such request or requirement so that the other
party may seek a protective order or waive such party's compliance with this
Section 8.8. If, failing the entry of a protective order or the receipt of a
waiver hereunder, such party is, in the opinion of its counsel (which may be
internal counsel), compelled to disclose such confidential documents or
information, such party may, subject to prior notification thereof, disclose
that

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

portion of such confidential documents or information which its counsel advises
that such party is compelled to disclose. In any event, any party hereto will
not oppose action by, and such party will cooperate with, the other party to
obtain an appropriate protective order or other reliable assurance that
confidential treatment will be accorded such confidential information. In the
event of the termination of this Agreement, each party, and shall cause its
representatives to, deliver to the other party the originals of all documents
obtained by such party or on behalf of such party from the other party in
connection with this Agreement, whether so obtained before or after the
execution hereof, and such party shall, and shall cause its representatives to,
destroy all copies thereof; provided, that counsel to each party shall be
                            --------
entitled to keep one copy of each such document for use in the event of
litigation or arbitration.  The obligations contained in this Section 8.8 shall
terminate four years after the date hereof.

          8.9  FIRPTA Compliance.  Alier agrees to deliver to Active, on or
               -----------------
prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, a statement executed on its behalf by
its chief executive officer or president in such form as reasonably requested by
counsel for Active conforming to the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section
1.897-2(h)(l)(i) and further agrees to provide the notification, if any, to the
Internal Revenue Service required pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.897-
2(h)(2).

          8.10 NASD and SEC Filings.  Active shall use diligent efforts to
               --------------------
remain in compliance with the reporting obligations of all applicable
governmental acts, rules and regulations of any Governmental Entity, including
without limitation the Exchange Act and to remain listed on The Nasdaq National
Market or other comparable exchange, to the extent necessary to permit Active
Common Stock to be traded under Rule 144.  In addition, Active shall use
diligent efforts to continue to qualify for the use of a Form S-3 registration
statement and to file with the Nasdaq National Market a Notification for the
Listing of Additional Shares.

          8.11 Tax-Free Reorganization. Active shall treat the Merger as a
               -----------------------
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and shall
comply with all reporting requirements related thereto and shall not take any
action not otherwise contemplated by this Agreement and the exhibits hereto that
would reasonably be expected to cause the Merger to fail to qualify as a
reorganization.

     9.   Conditions Precedent.
          --------------------

          9.1  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger. The
               ----------------------------------------------------------
respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to the
satisfaction prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

               (a)  Legal Action.  No temporary restraining order, preliminary
                    ------------
injunction or permanent injunction or other order preventing or prohibiting the
consummation of the Merger shall have been issued by any Federal or state court
of competent jurisdiction and remain in effect, and no litigation seeking the
issuance of such an order or injunction, or seeking the imposition against
Alier, the Alier Shareholders, the Surviving Corporation or Active of
substantial damages if the Merger is consummated, shall be pending that, in the
good faith judgment of Alier's or Active's Board of Directors (acting upon the
written opinion of their

                                      -34-
<PAGE>

respective outside counsel) has a reasonable probability of resulting in such
order, injunction or damages. In the event any such order or injunction shall
have been issued, each party agrees to use its reasonable efforts to have any
such injunction lifted.

               (b)  Statutes. No legal or regulatory action shall have been
                    --------
taken, and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted,
promulgated or issued applicable to the Merger by any Governmental Entity that
would (i) make the consummation of the Merger illegal, (ii) prohibit Active's or
Alier's ownership or operation of any portion of the business or assets of Alier
or Active and its Subsidiaries, or compel Active, Sub or Alier to dispose of or
hold separate any portion of the business or assets of Alier or Active and its
Subsidiaries, as a result of the Merger, or (iii) render Active, Sub or Alier
unable to constitute the Merger, except for any waiting period provisions.

          9.2  Conditions of Obligations of Active and Sub.  The obligations
               -------------------------------------------
of Active and Sub to effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, unless waived by Active and Sub:

               (a)  Shareholder Approval.  This Agreement and each of the
                    --------------------
Ancillary Agreements shall have been approved and adopted by the unanimous
consent of the Alier Shareholders pursuant to Chapter 11 of the California
General Corporate Law.

               (b)  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
                    ------------------------------
warranties of Alier and the Alier Shareholders set forth in this Agreement shall
be true and correct in all material respects (except for such representations
and warranties which are qualified by their terms by a reference to materiality,
which representations and warranties as so qualified shall be true in all
respects) as of the date of this Agreement, and as of the Closing Date, as
though made on and as of such date, except as otherwise contemplated by this
Agreement, and Active shall have received a certificate signed by the president
of Alier and each Alier Shareholder to such effect on the Closing Date.

               (c)  [intentionally omitted]
                    -----------------------

               (d)  [intentionally omitted]
                    -----------------------

               (e)  Registration Rights Agreement. The Alier Shareholders shall
                    -----------------------------
have executed and delivered the Registration Rights Agreement.

               (f)  Employment Agreements. The Alier Shareholders and Harold Lea
                    ---------------------
shall have executed their respective Employment Agreements. In addition, Active
shall have offered employment to each current employee of Alier at a salary no
less than such employee's current salary and with benefits equivalent to those
generally available to Active's employees of equal position and experience.

               (g)  Performance of Obligations of Alier. Alier shall have
                    -----------------------------------
performed in all material respects all obligations and covenants required to be
performed by it under this

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

Agreement and the Merger Agreement prior to the Closing Date, and Active shall
have received a certificate signed by the president of Alier and each Alier
Shareholder to such effect.

               (h)  Opinion of Alier's Counsel. Active shall have received an
                    --------------------------
opinion dated the Closing Date of Gray Cary Ware & Friedenrich LLP, counsel to
Alier, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.
                                                    ---------

               (i)  Material Adverse Change.  There shall not have occurred any
                    -----------------------
material adverse change in the business condition or results of operations of
Alier between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date.

               (k)  Third-Party Approvals. All consents or approvals required
                    ---------------------
from third parties relating to contracts, licenses, leases and other instruments
material to the business condition of Alier shall have been obtained.

               (j)  Dissenters Rights. No shares of outstanding Alier Common
                    -----------------
Stock shall be held by persons entitled to elect dissenters' rights as to such
shares.

               (k)  Shareholder Questionnaires. All holders of Alier Common
                    --------------------------
Stock shall have returned to Active completed shareholder questionnaires in a
form previously provided to Alier. Each such questionnaire shall have been
completed in a manner satisfactory to Active to establish the availability of
exemptions from registration and/or qualification requirements under federal and
state securities laws.

          9.3  Conditions of Obligations of Alier.  The obligation of Alier to
               ----------------------------------
effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions
unless waived by Alier:

               (a)  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
                    ------------------------------
warranties of Active and Sub set forth in this Agreement and the Merger
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (except for such
representations and warranties which are qualified by their terms by a reference
to materiality, which representations and warranties as so qualified shall be
true in all respects) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing
Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except as otherwise
contemplated by this Agreement, and Alier shall have received a certificate
signed by the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of Active to
such effect on the Closing Date.

               (b)  [intentionally omitted]
                    -----------------------

               (c)  Registration Rights Agreement.  Active shall have executed
                    -----------------------------
and delivered the Registration Rights Agreement.

               (d)  Employment Agreements.  Active shall have executed and
                    ---------------------
delivered the Employment Agreements.

               (e)  Performance of Obligations of Active and Sub. Active and Sub
shall have performed in all material respects all obligations and covenants
required to be

                                      -36-
<PAGE>

performed by them under this Agreement prior to the Closing Date, and Alier
shall have received a certificate signed by the chief executive officer or chief
financial officer of Active to such effect.

               (f)  Opinion of Active's Counsel. Alier shall have received an
                    ---------------------------
opinion dated the Closing Date of Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation,
counsel to Active, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F.
                                                                ---------

               (g)  Material Adverse Change.  There shall not have occurred any
                    -----------------------
material adverse change in the business condition or results of operations of
Active between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date.

     10.  Termination, Amendment and Waiver.
          ---------------------------------

          10.1 Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
               -----------
to the Effective Time of the Merger, whether before or after approval of matters
presented in connection with the Merger by the Alier Shareholders:

               (a)  by mutual written consent of the Chief Executive Officers of
Active and Alier;

               (b)  by either Active or Alier if such party is not in breach of
its obligations under this Agreement and there has been a material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement on
the part of the other party set forth in this Agreement and such breach of a
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement has not been promptly cured
within five business days after written notice thereof (provided that no cure
period shall be required for a breach which by its nature cannot be cured);

               (c)  by either Active or Alier if (i) the Merger shall not have
been consummated before March 31, 2000 (provided that the right to terminate
this Agreement under this Section 10.1(c) shall not be available to any party
whose willful failure to fulfill any obligation hereunder has been the cause of,
or resulted in, the failure of the Effective Time of the Merger to occur on or
before such date); (ii) there shall be a final nonappealable order of a Federal
or state court of competent jurisdiction in effect preventing or prohibiting the
consummation of the Merger; or (iii) there shall be any statute, rule,
regulation or order enacted, promulgated or issued applicable to the Merger by
any Governmental Entity that would make consummation of the Merger illegal; or

               (d)  by Active if any required approval of the Alier Shareholders
shall not have been obtained. If action is taken to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 10.1, it shall be sufficient for such action to be
authorized by the Board of Directors of the party taking such action.

          10.2 Effect of Termination.  In the event of termination of this
               ---------------------
Agreement by either Alier or Active as provided in Section 10.1, this Agreement
and the Merger Agreement shall immediately become void and there shall be no
liability or obligation on the part of Active,

                                      -37-
<PAGE>

Sub, Alier or the Alier Shareholders or their respective officers, directors,
shareholders, employees, contractors, agents or other representatives, except as
set forth in Sections 8.5, 8.8, 10 and 13 of this Agreement which shall remain
in full force and effect and survive any termination of this Agreement, and
except to the extent that such termination results from the willful breach by a
party hereto of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
set forth in this Agreement.

          10.3 Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended by Active and Alier,
               ---------
by action taken by their respective Board of Directors, at any time before or
after approval of matters presented in connection with the Merger by the Alier
Shareholders but after any such shareholder approval, no amendment shall be made
which by law requires the further approval of shareholders without obtaining
such further approval.  This Agreement may not be amended except by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of Active and Alier.

          10.4 Extension; Waiver.  At any time prior to the Effective Time of
               -----------------
the Merger, Active or Alier, by action taken by its Board of Directors may, to
the extent legally allowed,  (i) extend the time for the performance of any of
the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to such party contained
herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, and (iii) waive compliance
with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained
herein.  Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of such party.

     11.  Survival of Representations and Warranties; Indemnification;
          ------------------------------------------------------------
Liability.

          11.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties.  All of the
               ------------------------------------------
representations and warranties made by Alier, the Alier Shareholders, Active and
Sub in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement
(as modified by the Disclosure Schedules of Alier) shall survive the Merger and
continue until 5:00 p.m., California time, on the date which is twelve months
following the Closing Date (except for the representations regarding Taxes,
which shall not expire until the expiration of the applicable statute of
limitations, and except for the representations contained in Section 3.12 which
shall not expire until three years following the Closing Date) (in each of the
above cases, the "Expiration Date").

          11.2 Indemnification by and Liability of the Alier Shareholders. The
               ----------------------------------------------------------
Alier Shareholders agree, severally, to indemnify, defend and hold harmless
Active, Sub and their respective officers, directors and shareholders (the
"Indemnified Parties") against all claims, losses, liabilities, damages,
deficiencies, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys, accountants
and expert witness' and the costs and expenses of enforcing this indemnification
(hereafter individually a "Loss" and collectively "Losses"), including without
limitation, Losses resulting from the defense, settlement or compromise of a
claim or demand or assessment incurred by such Indemnified Parties as a result
of or with respect to a breach or inaccuracy of the representations or
warranties of Alier or the Alier Shareholders set forth in this Agreement or in
the Disclosure Schedules, exhibits or other documents delivered pursuant hereto
by Alier or the Alier Shareholders or any failure by Alier or the Alier
Shareholders to perform or comply

                                      -38-
<PAGE>

with any covenant contained herein or in any schedules, exhibits or other
documents delivered pursuant hereto.

          11.3 Limitations and Expiration.  Notwithstanding the above,
               --------------------------

               (a)  there shall be no liability for indemnification under this
Section 11 unless and until the aggregate amount of all Losses exceeds $100,000
(at which point the Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to be indemnified up
to the total of all Losses, including the initial $100,000),

               (b)  there shall be no liability for indemnification under this
Section 11 for any Losses which, in the aggregate, exceed the value of ten
percent (10%) of the aggregate value of the Active Common Stock received by such
Alier Shareholders (where the aggregate value shall be equal to the Active
Common Stock issued hereunder multiplied by the Active Closing Price) ("Escrow
Amount"), except as provided in Section 11.3(c) below; provided, however, that
(i) except for stock dividends (which will be added to the Escrow Amount), any
dividends will be delivered to the Alier Shareholders in accordance with the
number of shares of Active Common Stock held in escrow on behalf of the such
holder, and (ii) the Alier Shareholders will have voting rights with respect to
the Escrow Amount while held in escrow and will retain and will be able to
exercise all other incidents of ownership of the shares held in escrow which are
not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement,

               (c)  an amount equal to the Escrow Amount shall be withheld from
the Merger Consideration paid by Active to such Alier Shareholders and shall be
held in escrow for a period of twelve months from the Closing Date (the "Escrow
Fund"), and the Escrow Fund shall be Active's sole and exclusive remedy for any
Losses,

               (d)  all claims for Losses paid to the Indemnified Parties shall
be paid only from the Escrow Fund and any moneys remaining in the Escrow Fund at
the expiration of the twelve month period following the Closing Date shall be
transferred to the Alier Shareholders in proportionate interests therein,

               (e)  nothing in this Agreement shall limit, in any manner
(whether by time, amount, procedure or otherwise), any remedy at law or in
equity to which Active may be entitled as a result of actual fraud by any Alier
Shareholder, and

               (f)  the indemnification obligations under this Section 11 shall
terminate on the later of (i) the Expiration Date, (ii) the final resolution of
any and all claims under this Agreement pending as of the Expiration Date and
(iii) with respect to representations, warranties and covenants regarding Taxes,
the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.

          11.4 Indemnification Procedures.  Upon obtaining knowledge of the
               --------------------------
institution of any action, proceeding, or other event which could give rise to a
claim of indemnity pursuant to this Section 11, the Indemnified Party shall
promptly give written notice to the Alier Shareholders.  The notice shall
describe the facts or alleged facts and the potential Loss or range of Loss if
the Loss can be estimated.  Except to the extent set forth below in this Section
11.4, if

                                      -39-
<PAGE>

such claim or demand relates to a claim or demand asserted by a third party, the
Alier Shareholders shall have the right at their expense to employ counsel to
defend such claim or demand and the Indemnified Party shall have the obligation
to assist in the defense of any such claim or demand; provided, however, that,
                                                      --------  -------
notwithstanding the foregoing, Active shall have the right to control the
defense and settlement of claims asserted by any tax authority, provided that
                                                                --------
any such settlement shall be subject to the approval of the Alier Shareholders,
which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; and provided
                                                                 --------
further, however, that in the event that the Alier Shareholders have employed
- -------  -------
counsel to defend a claim or demand, and despite the absence of a conflict of
interest between the Alier Shareholders and the Indemnified Party, the
Indemnified Party elects to engage it own counsel to assist in the defense, the
Indemnified Party shall pay all costs and expenses of its own counsel. If in
fact there exists a conflict of interest relating to any third party action
between the Alier Shareholders and the Indemnified Party, then the Alier
Shareholders shall be responsible for reasonable costs of counsel to the
Indemnified Party. So long as the Alier Shareholders are defending such claim or
demand in good faith, the Indemnified Party will not settle such claim or demand
without the Alier Shareholders' prior written consent. The Indemnified Party
shall make available to the Alier Shareholders all records and other materials
reasonably required by it in contesting a claim or demand asserted by a third
party against the Indemnified Party and shall cooperate in the defense thereof.

     In the event that an Indemnified Party provides notice to the Alier
Shareholders of a claim for a Loss pursuant to this Section 11.4, the Company
shall, not fewer than twenty (20) business days but within thirty (30) business
days following delivery of such notice, distribute to the Indemnified Party in
accordance with Section 11.3(c) that number of shares of Active Common Stock in
the Escrow Fund having an aggregate cash value (based on the closing price of
the Active Common Stock on the date of such notice) equal to the amount of the
claim for the Loss (subject to the limitations of Section 11.3).

     If any Alier Shareholder shall, in good faith, notify the Company in
writing of his objection to a claim of indemnification within twenty (20)
business days following receipt of notice of a claim pursuant to this Section
11.4 hereof, the Company shall instead hold the Active Common Stock in the
Escrow Fund in escrow until the Alier Shareholder and Active have agreed upon
the rights of the Indemnified Party and the Alier Shareholders with respect
thereto or until such rights are finally determined by binding arbitration in
Santa Clara County, California by an arbitrator mutually acceptable to Active
and the Alier Shareholder and otherwise pursuant to the procedures established
by the American Arbitration Association. If the parties are unable, within
twenty (20) business days of such notification of objection, to agree upon an
arbitrator, an arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the procedures of the
American Arbitration Association in Santa Clara County, California. The Company
may rely on the order or other determination of any such arbitrator. If any such
arbitrator shall determine that any or all of the Active Common Stock held in
the Escrow Fund is to be delivered to the Indemnified Party, the Company shall,
within twenty (20) business days following receipt of a copy of such
determination, deliver to the Indemnified Party that number of shares of Active
Common Stock in the Escrow Fund having an aggregate cash value (based on the
closing price of the Active Common Stock on the date of such notice) equal to
the amount of the claim to be satisfied, as determined by the arbitrator. All
costs of such arbitration shall be borne equally by Active and the Alier
Shareholders. The

                                      -40-
<PAGE>

portion of such costs borne by the Alier Shareholders shall be allocated among
and paid by the Alier Shareholders in proportion to their respective
proportionate interests in the Escrow Fund.

     12.  Further Acts.  If, at any time after the Closing, any further action
          ------------
is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest
the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets,
properties, rights, privileges, approvals, immunities, powers and franchises of
Alier and Sub, the parties hereto, and the officers and directors thereof (as
applicable), are fully authorized in the name of their respective corporations
or otherwise to take, and they agree to take, all such necessary action.

     13.  Miscellaneous.
          -------------

          13.1  Assignment.  The rights hereunder shall not be assignable and
                ----------
the duties and obligations hereunder shall not be delegable by any party without
the prior written consent of the parties.  Nothing contained in or implied from
this Agreement is intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any person or
entity, other than the parties hereto and their successors in interest and
permitted assignees, unless expressly stated herein to the contrary.

          13.2  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
                -------------
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, regardless of
the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of
laws thereof.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that process may be served upon
them in any manner authorized by the laws of the State of California for such
persons and waives and covenants not to assert or plead any objection which they
might otherwise have to such jurisdiction and such process.

          13.3  Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other
                -------
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if personally delivered, couriered via overnight courier, or, if
mailed, when mailed by United States certified or registered mail, prepaid, or
sent via facsimile to the parties or their assignees at the following addresses
(or at such other address as shall be given in writing by any party to the
other):

          Active or Sub:                    Active Software, Inc.
                                            3333 Octavius Dr.
                                            Santa Clara, CA 95054
                                            Attn: Chief Financial Officer
                                            Facsimile No.: (408) 988-6607

          with a copy to:                   Venture Law Group
                                            2800 Sand Hill Road
                                            Menlo Park, CA 94025
                                            Attn: Mark A. Medearis
                                            Facsimile No.: (650) 233-8386

          Alier or the Alier Shareholders:  Alex Osborne, Harold Lea and

                                      -41-
<PAGE>

                                    Scott Persinger
                                    Alier, Inc.
                                    2550 Ninth Street, Suite 201
                                    Berkeley, CA 94710
                                    Facsimile No.: (510) 549-9475

                  with a copy to:   Gray Cary Ware & Friedenrich
                                    400 Hamilton Ave.
                                    Palo Alto, CA 94301
                                    Attn: Thomas W. Furlong
                                    Facsimile No.: (650) 327-3699

          13.4  Expenses.  Except as set forth in Section 8.5, all expenses
                --------
incurred by either party in connection with the execution and performance of
this Agreement shall be the obligation of and shall be paid by such party.

          13.5  Attorney's Fees.  In any litigation or arbitration relating to
                ---------------
this Agreement, including litigation or arbitration with respect to any
instrument, document or agreement made under or in connection with this
Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its costs and
reasonable attorney's fees.

          13.6  Dispute Resolution. The parties will negotiate in good faith to
                ------------------
resolve any dispute between them regarding the Agreement. If such negotiations
do not resolve the dispute to the satisfaction of both parties, then an officer
of Active and Alex Osborne shall meet in person and alone (except for one other
assistant allowed for each party) and shall attempt in good faith to resolve the
dispute within twenty (20) days of a request for such meeting. This meeting
shall be a required prerequisite before either party may seek judicial or
governmental resolution of the dispute. In the event no agreement can be reached
on such dispute within thirty (30) days after the meeting of the senior
executives between the two parties, either party may institute legal action.

          13.7  Successors and Assigns.  All covenants, representations,
                ----------------------
warranties and agreements of the parties contained herein shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties, their respective heirs, personal
representatives, and permitted successors and assigns.

          13.8  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
                ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          13.9  Captions and Headings.  Captions and headings used herein are
                ---------------------
for convenience only and are not a part of this Agreement and shall not be used
in construing it.

          13.10 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the exhibits
                ----------------
and schedules to this Agreement and the other documents contemplated hereby,
constitute the final written expression of the agreement among the parties, and
is a complete and exclusive statement of those terms, subject to any amendments
prepared and executed in accordance with Section

                                      -42-
<PAGE>

13.11 hereof. It supersedes all prior understandings and negotiations concerning
the matters specified herein and therein. Any representations, promises,
warranties or statements made by any party that differ in any way from the terms
of this written Agreement and the exhibits and schedules to this Agreement and
other documents contemplated hereby, shall be given no force or effect. The
parties specifically represent, each to the others, that there are no additional
or supplemental agreements between them related in any way to the matters
contained in this Agreement unless specifically included or referred to in this
Agreement.

          13.11 Amendments.  This Agreement, including the schedules and
                ----------
exhibits referred to herein, may be amended only by a written instrument
executed by Active, Alier, Sub and the Alier Shareholders or their respective
successors or assignees.

          13.12 Waivers.  Any party hereto may by written notice to the other
                -------
parties, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other actions of the other parties under this Agreement; (ii) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations or warranties of the other parties contained
in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement; (iii)
waive compliance with any of the conditions or covenants of the other parties
contained in this Agreement; or (iv) waive performance of any of the obligations
of the other parties under this Agreement. Except as provided in the preceding
sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including, without
limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to
constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this
Agreement. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision hereunder
shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach
of the same or any other provision hereunder.

     13.13 Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to
           ------------
be illegal, void or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction under
applicable law, portions of such provisions, or such provisions in their
entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Agreement, and the
balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.


                 [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

                                      -43-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.

                                        ACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.


                                        By: /s/ R. James Green
                                            ------------------
                                            Name:  R. James Green
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                        ALIER, INC.


                                        By: /s/ Alex Osborne
                                            ----------------
                                            Name:  Alex Osborne
                                            Title: President

                                        IGATOR ACQUISITIONS CORP.

                                        By: /s/ Jon A. Bode
                                            ---------------
                                            Name:  Jon A. Bode
                                            Title: President


                                        ALIER SHAREHOLDERS


                                        /s/ Alex Osborne
                                        ----------------
                                        Alex Osborne


                                        /s/ Scott Persinger
                                        -------------------
                                        Scott Persinger

                                      -44-

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.2

                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
                         -----------------------------


     This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of
                                              ---------
February 11, 2000 by and among Active Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and those holders of the Company's Common Stock whose names are
      -------
set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively, the "Stockholders").
             ---------                                     ------------

                                   RECITALS
                                   --------

     The Company, Alier, Inc., a California corporation ("Target"), Igator
                                                          ------
Acquisitions Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company ("Sub"), and the Stockholders have entered into an Agreement and Plan of
          ---
Merger dated as of February 11, 2000 (the "Merger Agreement"), which provides
                                           ----------------
for the acquisition of Target by the Company through a merger (the "Merger") of
                                                                    ------
Sub with and into Target and the issuance by the Company to the Stockholders of
shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Company Shares") and the right to
                                           --------------
receive the Merger Consideration (as defined in the Merger Agreement) in
consideration of the shares of Target (the "Target Shares") exchanged by the
                                            -------------
Stockholders in the Merger.  As a condition to the closing of the Merger, the
Stockholders desire to obtain and the Company has agreed to grant certain
registration rights to the Stockholders with respect to the Company Shares.

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

     The parties hereby agree as follows:

     1.   Registration Rights.
          -------------------

          1.1  Definitions.  For purposes of this Section 1:
               -----------

               (a) The terms "register," "registered," and "registration" refer
                              --------    ----------        ------------
to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or
similar document in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and the subsequent declaration or ordering of the
 --------------
effectiveness of such registration statement or document.

               (b) The term "Registrable Securities" means:
                             ----------------------

                   (i)  the Company Shares; and

                   (ii) any other shares of Common Stock of the Company issued
as (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or other
security which is issued as) a dividend or other distribution with respect to,
or in exchange for or in replacement of, the Company Shares, excluding in all
cases, however, any Registrable Securities sold by a person in a transaction in
which his or her rights under this Agreement are not assigned; provided,
however, that Common Stock or other
<PAGE>

securities shall only be treated as Registrable Securities if and so long as
they have not been (A) sold to or through a broker or dealer or underwriter in a
public distribution or a public securities transaction, or (B) sold in a
transaction exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act under Section 4(1) thereof so that all transfer restrictions,
and restrictive legends with respect thereto, if any, are removed upon the
consummation of such sale.

          (c)  The number of shares of "Registrable Securities then outstanding"
                                        ---------------------------------------
shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding which are, and the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the then exercisable or
convertible securities which are, Registrable Securities;

          (d)  The term "Holder" means any holder of outstanding Registrable
                         ------
Securities who, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 1.7 below,
acquired such Registrable Securities in a transaction or series of transactions
not involving any registered public offering;

          (e)  The term "Form S-3" means such form under the Securities Act as
                         --------
in effect on the date hereof or any successor form under the Securities Act; and

          (f)  The term "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
                         ---

          1.2  Form S-3 Registration.  In case the Company shall receive from
               ---------------------
any Holder or Holders of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable
Securities then outstanding a written request or requests that the Company
effect a registration on Form S-3 and any related qualification or compliance
with respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder
or Holders, the Company will:

               (a) promptly give written notice of the proposed registration,
and any related qualification or compliance, to all other Holders;

               (b) as soon as practicable, effect such registration and all such
qualifications and compliances as may be so requested and as would permit or
facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such portion of such Holder's or
Holders' Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with
all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders
joining in such request as are specified in a written request given within 20
days after receipt of such written notice from the Company; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration,
qualification or compliance, pursuant to this Section 1.2:

                   (i)  if Form S-3 is not available for such offering by the
Holders;

                   (ii) if the Holders, together with the Holders of any other
securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to
sell

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) at an aggregate price
to the public (net of any underwriters' discounts or commissions) of less than
$500,000;

                    (iii) if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a
certificate signed by the President of the Company stating that in the good
faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be seriously
detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such Form S-3 Registration
to be effected at such time, in which event the Company shall have the right to
defer the filing of the Form S-3 registration statement for a period of not more
than 90 days after receipt of the request of the Holder or Holders under this
Section 1.2; provided, however, that the Company shall not utilize this right
more than twice in any twelve month period;

                    (iv)  if the Company has already effected a registration on
Form S-3 for the Holders; or

                    (v)   in any particular jurisdiction in which the Company
would be required to qualify to do business or to execute a general consent to
service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance
unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except
as may be required by the Securities Act.

               (c)  Subject to the foregoing, the Company shall file a
registration statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities and other
securities so requested to be registered promptly after receipt of the request
or requests of the Holders. All expenses incurred in connection with a
registration requested pursuant to Section 1.2, including (without limitation)
all registration, filing, qualification, printer and accounting fees shall be
borne by the Company. The Company shall not be required to pay any underwriters'
or brokers' fees, discounts or commissions relating to the Registrable
Securities, or the fees or expenses of separate counsel to the selling Holders.

          1.3  Obligations of the Company.  Whenever required under this Section
               --------------------------
1 to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall,
as expeditiously as reasonably possible:

               (a)  Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with
respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective, and, upon the request of the Holders
of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, keep such
registration statement effective for up to 45 days or such shorter period during
which the Holders complete the distribution described in the registration
statement relating thereto, whichever first occurs.

               (b)  Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the
provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered
by such registration statement for up to 45 days;

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

               (c) Cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant
hereunder to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities
issued by the Company are then listed;

               (d) Furnish to the Holders participating in the registration such
reasonable number of copies of the registration statement, preliminary
prospectus, final prospectus and such other documents as such Holders may
reasonably request;

               (e) Use its reasonable best efforts to register and qualify the
securities covered by such registration statement under such securities or Blue
Sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders,
provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a
condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to
service of process in any such states or jurisdictions; and

               (f) Notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such
registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is
required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event
as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as
then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then
existing, and at the request of any such Holder, prepare and furnish to such
Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such
prospectuses as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of such shares, such prospectuses shall not include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein no misleading in
light of the circumstances then existing.

          1.4  Furnish Information.  It shall be a condition precedent to the
               -------------------
obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Section 1 with
respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling Holder that such Holder
shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities
as shall be required to effect the registration of such Holder's Registrable
Securities.  The Company shall have no obligation with respect to any
registration requested pursuant to Section 1.2 of this Agreement if, as a result
of the application of the preceding sentence, the anticipated aggregate offering
price of the Registrable Securities to be included in the registration does not
equal or exceed the number of shares or the anticipated aggregate offering price
required to originally trigger the Company's obligation to initiate such
registration as specified in subsection 1.2(b)(ii).

          1.5  Indemnification.  In the event any Registrable Securities are
               ---------------
included in a registration statement under this Section 1:

               (a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify
and hold harmless each Holder and each person, if any, who controls such

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934,as amended (the "Exchange Act"), against any losses, claims, damages, or
                         ------------
liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become subject, under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise
out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or
violations (collectively a "Violation"): (i) any untrue statement or alleged
                            ---------
untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement,
including any final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or
supplements thereto, (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the
Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law or any
rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any
state securities law; and the Company will pay, as incurred, any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action; provided, however,
that the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 1.5(a) shall not apply
to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or
action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, nor shall the Company be liable in
any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action to the
extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished expressly for
use in connection with such registration by such Holder or controlling person.

               (b) To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder will
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its
officers who has signed the registration statement, each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, any other Holder selling securities in such registration statement and any
controlling person of any such other Holder, against any losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which any of the foregoing persons
may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal
or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in
each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by such
Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration; and each such
Holder will pay, as incurred, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
any person intended to be indemnified pursuant to this subsection 1.5(b), in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability, or action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained
in this subsection 1.5(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected
without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld; provided that in no event shall any indemnity under this subsection
1.5(b) exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder, unless
such liability arises out of or is based on the willful conduct of such Holder.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

               (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Section 1.5 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any
governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof
is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 1.5, deliver to
the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually
satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party shall
have the right to retain its own counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid
by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the
counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual
or potential differing interests between such indemnified party and any other
party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The failure to deliver
written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the
commencement of any such action, if prejudicial to its ability to defend such
action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
indemnified party under this Section 1.5, but the omission so to deliver written
notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it
may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 1.5.

               (d) If the indemnification provided in this Section 1.5 is held
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party
with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense referred to
therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified
party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the
indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the
indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.

               (e) The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section
1.5 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a
registration statement under this Section 1, and otherwise.

          1.6  Reports Under Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  With a view to
               ---------------------------------------------
making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time
permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without
registration, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to:

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

               (a) make and keep public information available, as those terms
are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144, at all times;

               (b) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act;
and

               (c) furnish to any Holder, so long as the Holder owns any
Registrable Securities, forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the
Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of SEC Rule 144,
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual
or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed
by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested
in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the SEC which permits the
selling of any such securities without registration.

          1.7  Assignment of Registration Rights.  The rights to cause the
               ---------------------------------
Company to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 1 may be
assigned by a Holder to a transferee or assignee of all of such Holder's
Registrable Securities, provided the Company is, within a reasonable time after
such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such
transferee or assignee and the securities with respect to which such
registration rights are being assigned; and provided, further, that such
assignment shall be effective only if immediately following such transfer the
further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is
restricted under the Securities Act.  The foregoing share limitation shall not
apply, however, to transfers by a Holder to any wholly-owned subsidiary or
constituent Stockholders (if a corporation), partner of the Stockholder (if a
partnership), or any spouse, son or daughter of the Stockholder (if an
individual), or to trustees of a trust the beneficiaries of which include the
Stockholder and any spouse, son or daughter of the Stockholder, provided that
all such transferees or assignees agree in writing to appoint a single
representative as their attorney in fact for the purpose of receiving any
notices and exercising their rights under this Section 1.

          1.8  Termination of Registration Rights.  The rights granted under
               ----------------------------------
this Section 1 shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) two years following the
date of this Agreement, or (b) with respect to any Holder, at such time as such
Holder may sell all of such Holder's Registrable Securities in any single three
month period pursuant to Rule 144 (or such successor rule as may be adopted).

     2.   Miscellaneous.
          -------------

          2.1  Amendments and Waivers.  Any term of this Agreement may be
               ----------------------
amended or waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at
least a majority of the outstanding Registrable Securities.  Any amendment or
waiver effected in accordance with this Section 2.1 shall be binding upon the
parties and their respective successors and assigns.  In addition, the Company
may waive performance of any obligation owing to it, as to some or all of the
Holders of Registrable Securities, or agree

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

to accept alternatives to such performance, without obtaining the consent of any
Holder of Registrable Securities. Each Holder acknowledges that by the operation
of Section 2.1 hereof, the Holders of a majority of the outstanding Registrable
Securities, acting in conjunction with the Company, will have the right and
power to diminish or eliminate all rights pursuant to this Agreement.

          2.2  Successors and Assigns.  Subject to the provisions of Section
               ----------------------
1.7, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties.
Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any
party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns
any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

          2.3  Governing Law.  This Agreement and all acts and transactions
               -------------
pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be
governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of
California, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

          2.4  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
               ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
together shall constitute one instrument.

          2.5  Titles and Subtitles.  The titles and subtitles used in this
               --------------------
Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in
construing or interpreting this Agreement.

          2.6  Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall
               -------
be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient upon receipt, when delivered
personally or by courier, overnight delivery service or confirmed facsimile, or
48 hours after being deposited in the regular mail as certified or registered
mail (airmail if sent internationally) with postage prepaid, if such notice is
addressed to the party to be notified at such party's address or facsimile
number as set forth below (or as subsequently modified by written notice):

               (a)  if to the Company:

                    Active Software, Inc.
                    3333 Octavius Drive
                    Santa Clara, CA 95954
                    Fax: (408) 988-6607
                    Main: (408) 988-0414
                    Attention: Chief Financial Officer

                    with a copy to:

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                    Venture Law Group
                    A Professional Corporation
                    2800 Sand Hill Road
                    Menlo Park, CA 94025
                    Fax: (650) 233-8386
                    Main: (650) 854-4488
                    Attention: Mark A. Medearis

               (b)  if to Stockholder:

                    At such Stockholder's address as set forth on the signature
                    page hereto.

          2.7  Severability.  If one or more provisions of this Agreement are
               ------------
held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate
such provision in good faith, in order to maintain the economic position enjoyed
by each party as close as possible to that under the provision rendered
unenforceable.  In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable
and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be
excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of the Agreement shall be
interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the
Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

          2.8  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement is the product of all of the
               ----------------
parties hereto, and constitutes the entire agreement between such parties
pertaining to the subject matter hereof, and merges all prior negotiations and
drafts of the parties with regard to the transactions contemplated herein.  Any
and all other written or oral agreements existing between the parties hereto
regarding such transactions are expressly canceled.

          2.9  Advice of Legal Counsel.  Each party acknowledges and represents
               -----------------------
that, in executing this Agreement, it has had the opportunity to seek advice as
to its legal rights from legal counsel and that the person signing on its behalf
has read and understood all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement.  This
Agreement shall not be construed against any party by reason of the drafting or
preparation thereof.

          2.10 Rights of Holders.  Each Holder of Registrable Securities shall
               -----------------
have the absolute right to exercise or refrain from exercising any right or
rights that such Holder may have by reason of this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the right to consent to the waiver or modification of any obligation
under this Agreement, and such Holder shall not incur any liability to any other
Holder of any securities of the Company as a result of exercising or refraining
from exercising any such right or rights.

          2.11 Delays or Omissions.  No delay or omission to exercise any
               -------------------
right, power or remedy accruing to any party to this Agreement, upon any breach
or default of the other party, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of
such non-breaching party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such
breach or default, or an acquiescence

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor
shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other
breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit,
consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any
breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party
of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be made in writing and
shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.
All remedies, either under this Agreement, or by law or otherwise afforded to
any Holder, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

          2.12  Secondary Public Offering.  In the event that the Company
                -------------------------
undertakes a secondary public offering in which shares of the Company are
offered by parties other than the Company, the Company will use its best efforts
to seek the consent of existing holders of registration rights as necessary to
permit the sale and distribution of a portion of Holder's or Holders'
Registrable Securities, provided that if any Holder shall participate in such
registration, all provisions of Sections 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 2.6 of this
Agreement shall be in effect with regard to such registration and the Holder's
participation therein.  Nothing in this paragraph shall affect the Company's
right to withdraw any such registration at any time.

          2.13  Third Parties.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied,
                -------------
is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto, and their
respective successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided
herein.

                           [Signature Page Follows]

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

     The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.


                                    COMPANY:

                                    ACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Jon A. Bode
                                        ---------------------------

                                    Title:  Chief Financial Officer
                                            -----------------------

                                    Address: 3333 Octavius Drive
                                             Santa Clara, CA 95054


                                    STOCKHOLDER:


                                    _______________________________
                                    Name:

                                    Address:_______________________

                                            _______________________
<PAGE>

     The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.


                                    COMPANY:

                                    ACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.


                                    By:_______________________

                                    Title:____________________

                                    Address:__________________

                                            __________________

                                    STOCKHOLDER:


                                    /s/ Alex Osborne
                                    --------------------------
                                    Name:  Alex Osborne

                                    Address: 1236 Bonita Ave.
                                             Berkeley, CA 94709
<PAGE>

     The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.


                                    COMPANY:

                                    ACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.


                                    By:_________________________

                                    Title:______________________

                                    Address:____________________

                                            ____________________

                                    STOCKHOLDER:


                                    /s/ Scott Persinger
                                    ----------------------------
                                    Name:  Scott Persinger

                                    Address: 1841 San Pedro Ave.
                                             Berkeley, CA 94707

<PAGE>

     The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.


                                    COMPANY:

                                    ACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.


                                    By:_____________________

                                    Title:__________________

                                    Address:________________

                                            ________________


                                    STOCKHOLDER:


                                    /s/ Carron Schmick
                                    ------------------------
                                    Name:  Carron Schmick

                                    Address: 6236 Gibson Court
                                             Pleasanton, CA 94588

<PAGE>

     The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.


                                    COMPANY:

                                    ACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.


                                    By:______________________

                                    Title:___________________

                                    Address:_________________

                                            _________________


                                    STOCKHOLDER:


                                    /s/ David Lemberger
                                    -------------------------
                                    Name:  David Lemberger

                                    Address: 1812 Delaware St. #304
                                             Berkeley, CA 94703

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                                 Stockholders
                                 ------------

NAME
- ----
Alex Osborone
Scott Persinger
Carron Schmick
David Lemberger


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