SCREAMING MEDIA COM INC
S-1/A, EX-1, 2000-07-17
BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC
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                                5,000,000 SHARES

                              SCREAMING MEDIA INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


                                                                       [ ], 2000


CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
THOMAS WEISEL PARTNERS LLC
  As Representatives of the Several Underwriters,
    c/o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,
         Eleven Madison Avenue,
           New York, N.Y. 10010-3629

Ladies and Gentlemen:


         1. Introductory. Screaming Media Inc., a Delaware corporation
("COMPANY"), proposes to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule A
hereto ("UNDERWRITERS") 5,000,000 shares ("FIRM SECURITIES") of its common
stock, par value $.01 per share ("SECURITIES") and also proposes to issue and
sell to the Underwriters, at the option of the Underwriters, an aggregate of not
more than 750,000 additional shares ("OPTIONAL SECURITIES") of its Securities as
set forth below. The Firm Securities and the Optional Securities are herein
collectively called the "OFFERED SECURITIES". As part of the offering
contemplated by this Agreement, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation (the
"DESIGNATED UNDERWRITER" or "CSFBC") has agreed to reserve out of the Firm
Securities purchased by it under this Agreement, up to [ ] shares, for sale to
the Company's directors, officers, employees and other parties associated with
the Company (collectively, "PARTICIPANTS"), as set forth in the Prospectus (as
defined herein) under the heading "Underwriting" (the "DIRECTED SHARE PROGRAM").
The Firm Securities to be sold by the Designated Underwriter pursuant to the
Directed Share Program (the "DIRECTED SHARES") will be sold by the Designated
Underwriter pursuant to this Agreement at the public offering price. Any
Directed Shares not subscribed for by the end of the business day on which this
Agreement is executed will be offered to the public by the Underwriters as set
forth in the Prospectus. The Company hereby agrees with the several
Underwriters:

         2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the several Underwriters that:

                  (a) A registration statement (No. 333-30548) relating to the
         Offered Securities, including a form of prospectus, has been filed with
         the Securities and Exchange Commission ("COMMISSION") and either (i)
         has been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933 ("ACT")
         and is not proposed to be amended or (ii) is proposed to be amended by
         amendment or post-effective amendment. If such registration statement
         ("INITIAL REGISTRATION STATEMENT") has been declared effective, either
         (i) an additional registration statement ("ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION
         STATEMENT") relating to the Offered Securities may have been filed with
         the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) ("RULE 462(B)") under the Act
         and, if so filed, has become effective upon filing pursuant to such
         Rule and the Offered Securities all have been duly registered under the
         Act
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         pursuant to the initial registration statement and, if applicable, the
         additional registration statement or (ii) such an additional
         registration statement is proposed to be filed with the Commission
         pursuant to Rule 462(b) and will become effective upon filing pursuant
         to such Rule and upon such filing the Offered Securities will all have
         been duly registered under the Act pursuant to the initial registration
         statement and such additional registration statement. If the Company
         does not propose to amend the initial registration statement or if an
         additional registration statement has been filed and the Company does
         not propose to amend it, and if any post-effective amendment to either
         such registration statement has been filed with the Commission prior to
         the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the most recent amendment
         (if any) to each such registration statement has been declared
         effective by the Commission or has become effective upon filing
         pursuant to Rule 462(c) ("RULE 462(c)") under the Act or, in the case
         of the additional registration statement, Rule 462(b). For purposes of
         this Agreement, "EFFECTIVE TIME" with respect to the initial
         registration statement or, if filed prior to the execution and delivery
         of this Agreement, the additional registration statement means (i) if
         the Company has advised the Representatives that it does not propose to
         amend such registration statement, the date and time as of which such
         registration statement, or the most recent post-effective amendment
         thereto (if any) filed prior to the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement, was declared effective by the Commission or has become
         effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(c), or (ii) if the Company
         has advised the Representatives that it proposes to file an amendment
         or post-effective amendment to such registration statement, the date
         and time as of which such registration statement, as amended by such
         amendment or post-effective amendment, as the case may be, is declared
         effective by the Commission. If an additional registration statement
         has not been filed prior to the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement but the Company has advised the Representatives that it
         proposes to file one, "EFFECTIVE TIME" with respect to such additional
         registration statement means the date and time as of which such
         registration statement is filed and becomes effective pursuant to Rule
         462(b). "EFFECTIVE DATE" with respect to the initial registration
         statement or the additional registration statement (if any) means the
         date of the Effective Time thereof. The initial registration statement,
         as amended at its Effective Time, including all information contained
         in the additional registration statement (if any) and deemed to be a
         part of the initial registration statement as of the Effective Time of
         the additional registration statement pursuant to the General
         Instructions of the Form on which it is filed and including all
         information (if any) deemed to be a part of the initial registration
         statement as of its Effective Time pursuant to Rule 430A(b) ("RULE
         430A(B)") under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the "INITIAL
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT". The additional registration statement, as
         amended at its Effective Time, including the contents of the initial
         registration statement incorporated by reference therein and including
         all information (if any) deemed to be a part of the additional
         registration statement as of its Effective Time pursuant to Rule
         430A(b), is hereinafter referred to as the "ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION
         STATEMENT". The Initial Registration Statement and the Additional
         Registration Statement are herein referred to collectively as the
         "REGISTRATION STATEMENTS" and individually as a "REGISTRATION
         STATEMENT". The form of prospectus relating to the Offered Securities,
         as first filed with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance with
         Rule 424(b) ("RULE 424(b)") under the Act or (if no such filing is
         required) as included in a Registration Statement, is hereinafter
         referred to as the "PROSPECTUS". No document has been or will be
         prepared or distributed in reliance on Rule 434 under the Act.

                  (b) If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration
         Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement: (i)
         on the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement, the
         Initial Registration Statement conformed in all material respects to
         the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the
         Commission ("RULES AND REGULATIONS") and did not include any untrue
         statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
         required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
         therein not misleading, (ii) on the Effective Date of the Additional
         Registration Statement (if any), each Registration Statement conformed,
         or will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the
         Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not include, or will not
         include, any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit, or
         will not omit, to state any material fact required to be stated therein
         or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (iii) on
         the date of this Agreement, the Initial Registration


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         Statement and, if the Effective Time of the Additional Registration
         Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
         Additional Registration Statement each conforms, and at the time of
         filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) or (if no such filing
         is required) at the Effective Date of the Additional Registration
         Statement in which the Prospectus is included, each Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to
         the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations, and neither
         of such documents includes, or will include, any untrue statement of a
         material fact or omits, or will omit, to state any material fact
         required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
         therein not misleading. If the Effective Time of the Initial
         Registration Statement is subsequent to the execution and delivery of
         this Agreement: on the Effective Date of the Initial Registration
         Statement, the Initial Registration Statement and the Prospectus will
         conform in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules
         and Regulations, neither of such documents will include any untrue
         statement of a material fact or will omit to state any material fact
         required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
         therein not misleading, and no Additional Registration Statement has
         been or will be filed. The two preceding sentences do not apply to
         statements in or omissions from a Registration Statement or the
         Prospectus based upon written information furnished to the Company by
         any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use
         therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information
         is that described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

                  (c) The Company has been duly incorporated and is an existing
         corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware,
         with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties
         and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus; and the
         Company is duly qualified to conduct its business as a foreign
         corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its
         ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires
         such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify would not
         have a materially adverse effect on the condition (financial or other),
         business, properties or results of operations of the Company and its
         subsidiaries taken as a whole ("MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT").

                  (d) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated
         and is an existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the
         jurisdiction of its incorporation, with power and authority (corporate
         and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described
         in the Prospectus; and each subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified
         to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other
         jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the
         conduct of its business requires such qualification; all of the issued
         and outstanding capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company has
         been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and
         nonassessable; and the capital stock of each subsidiary owned by the
         Company, directly or through subsidiaries, is owned free from liens,
         encumbrances and defects.

                  (e) The Offered Securities and all other outstanding shares of
         capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized; all outstanding
         shares of capital stock of the Company are, and, when the Offered
         Securities have been delivered and paid for in accordance with this
         Agreement on each Closing Date (as defined below), such Offered
         Securities will have been, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
         and will conform to the description thereof contained in the
         Prospectus; and the stockholders of the Company have no preemptive
         rights with respect to the Securities.

                  (f) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings
         between the Company and any person that would give rise to a valid
         claim against the Company or any Underwriter for a brokerage
         commission, finder's fee or other like payment in connection with this
         offering.

                  (g) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no
         contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any
         person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a
         registration statement under the Act with respect to any securities of
         the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to require the
         Company to include such securities in the securities registered
         pursuant to a Registration Statement or in any securities being
         registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the
         Company under the Act.

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                  (h) The Offered Securities have been approved for listing on
         The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market, subject to notice of
         issuance.

                  (i) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of, or
         filing with, any governmental agency or body or any court is required
         for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
         in connection with the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities by
         the Company, except such as have been obtained and made under the Act
         and such as may be required under state securities laws.

                  (j) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement,
         and the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities will not result in
         a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or
         constitute a default under, any statute, rule, regulation or order of
         any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign,
         having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary of the Company
         or any of their properties, or any agreement or instrument to which the
         Company or any such subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or
         any such subsidiary is bound or to which any of the properties of the
         Company or any such subsidiary is subject, except where such breach,
         violation or default would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The
         execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the issuance
         and sale of the Offered Securities will not result in a breach of the
         charter or by-laws of the Company or any subsidiary, and the Company
         has full power and authority to authorize, issue and sell the Offered
         Securities as contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (k) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
         delivered by the Company.

                  (l) The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable
         title to all real properties and all other properties and assets owned
         by them, in each case free from liens, encumbrances and defects that
         would materially affect the value thereof or materially interfere with
         the use made or to be made thereof by them; and except as disclosed in
         the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries hold any leased real
         or personal property under valid and enforceable leases with no
         exceptions that would materially interfere with the use made or to be
         made thereof by them.

                  (m) The Company and its subsidiaries possess adequate
         certificates, authorities or permits issued by appropriate governmental
         agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by
         them and have not received any notice of proceedings relating to the
         revocation or modification of any such certificate, authority or permit
         that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (n) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any
         subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent that
         might have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (o) The Company and its subsidiaries own, possess or can
         acquire on reasonable terms, adequate trademarks, trade names and other
         rights to inventions, know-how, patents, copyrights, confidential
         information and other intellectual property (collectively,
         "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS") necessary to conduct the business now
         operated by them, or presently employed by them, and have not received
         any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of
         others with respect to any intellectual property rights that, if
         determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would
         individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (p) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
         violation of any statute, any rule, regulation, decision or order of
         any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign,
         relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic
         substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the
         environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances
         (collectively, "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"), owns or operates any real
         property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any
         environmental laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or
         contamination pursuant to any environmental laws, or is subject to any
         claim relating to any

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<PAGE>   5
6         environmental laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim
         would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;
         and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might
         lead to such a claim.

                  (q) There are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against
         or affecting the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their
         respective properties that, if determined adversely to the Company or
         any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a
         Material Adverse Effect, or would materially and adversely affect the
         ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement,
         or which are otherwise material in the context of the sale of the
         Offered Securities; and no such actions, suits or proceedings are
         threatened or, to the Company's knowledge, contemplated.

                  (r) The financial statements included in each Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus present fairly the financial position of
         the Company as of the dates shown and their results of operations and
         cash flows for the periods shown, and such financial statements have
         been prepared in conformity with the generally accepted accounting
         principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis; and the
         schedules included in each Registration Statement present fairly the
         information required to be stated therein.

                  (s) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, since the date of
         the latest audited financial statements included in the Prospectus
         there has been no material adverse change, nor any development or event
         involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition
         (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of
         the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and, except as
         disclosed in or contemplated by the Prospectus, there has been no
         dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the
         Company on any class of its capital stock.

                  (t) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the
         offering and sale of the Offered Securities and the application of the
         proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an
         "investment company" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

                  (u) Furthermore, the Company represents and warrants to the
         Underwriters that (i) the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and
         any preliminary prospectus comply, and any further amendments or
         supplements thereto will comply, with any applicable laws or
         regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Prospectus or any
         preliminary prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are
         distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program, and
         that (ii) no authorization, approval, consent, license, order,
         registration or qualification of or with any government, governmental
         instrumentality or court, other than such as have been obtained, is
         necessary under the securities law and regulations of foreign
         jurisdictions in which the Directed Shares are offered outside the
         United States.

                  (v) The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to
         offer, any Offered Securities to any person pursuant to the Directed
         Share Program with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a
         customer or supplier of the Company to alter the customer's or
         supplier's level or type of business with the Company or (ii) a trade
         journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information
         about the Company or its products.

         3. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Offered Securities. On the basis of
the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to
the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to the
Underwriters, and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase
from the Company, at a purchase price of $- per share, the respective numbers of
shares of Firm Securities set forth opposite the names of the Underwriters in
Schedule A hereto.

         The Company will deliver the Firm Securities to the Representatives for
the accounts of the Underwriters, against payment of the purchase price in
Federal (same day) funds by official bank check or checks or wire transfer to an
account at a bank acceptable to CSFBC drawn to the order of Screaming


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Media Inc. at the office of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, at 10:00 A.M., New York
time, on [ ], 2000, or at such other time not later than seven full business
days thereafter as CSFBC and the Company determine, such time being herein
referred to as the "FIRST CLOSING DATE". For purposes of Rule 15c6-1 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the First Closing Date (if later than the
otherwise applicable settlement date) shall be the settlement date for payment
of funds and delivery of securities for all the Offered Securities sold pursuant
to the offering. The certificates for the Firm Securities so to be delivered
will be in definitive form, in such denominations and registered in such names
as CSFBC requests and will be made available for checking and packaging at the
office of Cravath, Swaine & Moore at least 24 hours prior to the First Closing
Date.

         In addition, upon written notice from CSFBC given to the Company from
time to time not more than 30 days subsequent to the date of the Prospectus, the
Underwriters may purchase all or less than all of the Optional Securities at the
purchase price per Security to be paid for the Firm Securities. The Company
agrees to sell to the Underwriters the number of shares of Optional Securities
specified in such notice and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly,
to purchase such Optional Securities. Such Optional Securities shall be
purchased for the account of each Underwriter in the same proportion as the
number of shares of Firm Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter's name
bears to the total number of shares of Firm Securities (subject to adjustment by
CSFBC to eliminate fractions) and may be purchased by the Underwriters only for
the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the
Firm Securities. No Optional Securities shall be sold or delivered unless the
Firm Securities previously have been, or simultaneously are, sold and delivered.
The right to purchase the Optional Securities or any portion thereof may be
exercised from time to time and to the extent not previously exercised may be
surrendered and terminated at any time upon notice by CSFBC to the Company.

         Each time for the delivery of and payment for the Optional Securities,
being herein referred to as an "OPTIONAL CLOSING DATE", which may be the First
Closing Date (the First Closing Date and each Optional Closing Date, if any,
being sometimes referred to as a "CLOSING DATE"), shall be determined by CSFBC
but shall be not later than five full business days after written notice of
election to purchase Optional Securities is given. The Company will deliver the
Optional Securities being purchased on each Optional Closing Date to the
Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters, against payment of
the purchase price therefor in Federal (same day) funds by official bank check
or checks or wire transfer to an account at a bank acceptable to CSFBC drawn to
the order of Screaming Media Inc., at the office of Cravath, Swaine & Moore. The
certificates for the Optional Securities being purchased on each Optional
Closing Date will be in definitive form, in such denominations and registered in
such names as CSFBC requests upon reasonable notice prior to such Optional
Closing Date and will be made available for checking and packaging at the office
of Cravath, Swaine & Moore at a reasonable time in advance of such Optional
Closing Date.

         4. Offering by Underwriters. It is understood that the several
Underwriters propose to offer the Offered Securities for sale to the public as
set forth in the Prospectus.

         5. Certain Agreements of the Company. The Company agrees with the
several Underwriters that:

                  (a) If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration
         Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
         Company will file the Prospectus with the Commission pursuant to and in
         accordance with subparagraph (1) (or, if applicable and if consented to
         by CSFBC, subparagraph (4)) of Rule 424(b) not later than the earlier
         of (A) the second business day following the execution and delivery of
         this Agreement or (B) the fifteenth business day after the Effective
         Date of the Initial Registration Statement.

                  The Company will advise CSFBC promptly of any such filing
         pursuant to Rule 424(b). If the Effective Time of the Initial
         Registration Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement and an additional registration statement is necessary to
         register a portion of the Offered Securities under the Act but the
         Effective Time thereof has not occurred as of such execution and
         delivery, the Company will file the Additional Registration Statement
         or, if filed, will file a post-effective amendment thereto with the
         Commission pursuant to and in accordance

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<PAGE>   7
         with Rule 462(b) on or prior to 10:00 P.M., New York time, on the date
         of this Agreement or, if earlier, on or prior to the time the
         Prospectus is printed and distributed to any Underwriter, or will make
         such filing at such later date as shall have been consented to by
         CSFBC.

                  (b) The Company will advise CSFBC promptly of any proposal to
         amend or supplement the initial or any additional registration
         statement as filed or the related prospectus or the Initial
         Registration Statement, the Additional Registration Statement (if any)
         or the Prospectus and will not effect such amendment or supplementation
         without CSFBC's consent; and the Company will also advise CSFBC
         promptly of the effectiveness of each Registration Statement (if its
         Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement) and of any amendment or supplementation of a Registration
         Statement or the Prospectus and of the institution by the Commission of
         any stop order proceedings in respect of a Registration Statement and
         will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any
         such stop order and to obtain as soon as possible its lifting, if
         issued.

                  (c) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Offered
         Securities is required to be delivered under the Act in connection with
         sales by any Underwriter or dealer, any event occurs as a result of
         which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an
         untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
         necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
         circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is
         necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the Act,
         the Company will promptly notify CSFBC of such event and will promptly
         prepare and file with the Commission, at its own expense, an amendment
         or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or an
         amendment which will effect such compliance. Neither CSFBC's consent
         to, nor the Underwriters' delivery of, any such amendment or supplement
         shall constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in Section
         6.

                  (d) As soon as practicable, but not later than the
         Availability Date (as defined below), the Company will make generally
         available to its securityholders an earnings statement covering a
         period of at least 12 months beginning after the Effective Date of the
         Initial Registration Statement (or, if later, the Effective Date of the
         Additional Registration Statement) which will satisfy the provisions of
         Section 11(a) of the Act. For the purpose of the preceding sentence,
         "AVAILABILITY DATE" means the 45th day after the end of the fourth
         fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter that includes such
         Effective Date, except that, if such fourth fiscal quarter is the last
         quarter of the Company's fiscal year, "AVAILABILITY DATE" means the
         90th day after the end of such fourth fiscal quarter.

                  (e) The Company will furnish to the Representatives copies of
         each Registration Statement (four of which will be signed and will
         include all exhibits), each related preliminary prospectus, and, so
         long as a prospectus relating to the Offered Securities is required to
         be delivered under the Act in connection with sales by any Underwriter
         or dealer, the Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such
         documents, in each case in such quantities as CSFBC requests. The
         Prospectus shall be so furnished on or prior to 3:00 P.M., New York
         time, on the business day following the later of the execution and
         delivery of this Agreement or the Effective Time of the Initial
         Registration Statement. All other documents shall be so furnished as
         soon as available. The Company will pay the expenses of printing and
         distributing to the Underwriters all such documents.

                  (f) The Company will arrange for the qualification of the
         Offered Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as
         CSFBC designates; provided, however, that the Company is not obliged to
         qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not
         so qualified or take any action that would subject it to service of
         process in any jurisdiction in which it is not presently subject. The
         Company will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required
         for the distribution.

                  (g) During the period of five years hereafter, the Company
         will furnish to the Representatives and, upon request, to each of the
         other Underwriters, as soon as practicable after

                                        7

<PAGE>   8
         the end of each fiscal year, a copy of its annual report to
         stockholders for such year; and the Company will furnish to the
         Representatives (i) as soon as available, a copy of each report and any
         definitive proxy statement of the Company filed with the Commission
         under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or mailed to stockholders,
         and (ii) from time to time, such other information concerning the
         Company as CSFBC may reasonably request.

                  (h) The Company will pay all expenses incident to the
         performance of its obligations under this Agreement, for any filing
         fees and other expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel)
         incurred in connection with qualification of the Offered Securities for
         sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as CSFBC designates and the
         printing of memoranda relating thereto, for the filing fee incident to,
         and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the
         Underwriters in connection with, the review by the National Association
         of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") of the Offered Securities, for
         any travel expenses of the Company's officers and employees and any
         other expenses of the Company in connection with attending or hosting
         meetings with prospective purchasers of the Offered Securities and for
         expenses incurred in distributing preliminary prospectuses and the
         Prospectus (including any amendments and supplements thereto) to the
         Underwriters.

                  (i) For a period of 180 days after the date of the initial
         public offering of the Offered Securities, the Company will not offer,
         sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or
         indirectly, or file with the Commission a registration statement under
         the Act relating to, any additional shares of its Securities or
         securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any
         shares of its Securities, or publicly disclose the intention to make
         any such offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, without the prior
         written consent of CSFBC, except for (i) issuances of Securities
         pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options outstanding on the
         date hereof, (ii) grants of employee stock options pursuant to the
         terms of any plan in effect on the date hereof, (iii) employee stock
         purchases pursuant to the terms of any plan in effect on the date
         hereof, (iv) the issuance of shares pursuant to the exercise of any
         warrants outstanding on the date hereof or (v) the issuance of shares
         of common stock on conversion of outstanding preferred stock.

                  (j) In connection with the Directed Share Program, the Company
         will ensure that the Directed Shares will be restricted to the extent
         required by the NASD or the NASD rules from sale, transfer, assignment,
         pledge or hypothecation for a period of three months following the date
         of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The Designated
         Underwriter will notify the Company as to which Participants will need
         to be so restricted. The Company will direct the transfer agent to
         place stop transfer restrictions upon such securities for such period
         of time.

                  (k) The Company will pay all fees and disbursements of counsel
         incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Shares
         Program and stamp duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if
         any, incurred by the underwriters in connection with the Directed Share
         Program.

                  Furthermore, the company covenants with the Underwriters that
         the company will comply with all applicable securities and other
         applicable laws, rules and regulations in each foreign jurisdiction in
         which the Directed Shares are offered in connection with the Directed
         Share
         Program.

         6. Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations
of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Firm Securities on the
First Closing Date and the Optional Securities to be purchased on each Optional
Closing Date will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties on the part of the Company herein, to the accuracy of the statements
of Company officers made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance
by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional
conditions precedent:

                  (a) The Representatives shall have received a letter, dated
         the date of delivery thereof

                                             8
<PAGE>   9
         (which, if the Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is
         prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, shall be on or
         prior to the date of this Agreement or, if the Effective Time of the
         Initial Registration Statement is subsequent to the execution and
         delivery of this Agreement, shall be prior to the filing of the
         amendment or post-effective amendment to the registration statement to
         be filed shortly prior to such Effective Time), of Deloitte & Touche
         LLP confirming that they are independent public accountants within the
         meaning of the Act and the applicable published Rules and Regulations
         thereunder and stating to the effect that:

                  (i) in their opinion the financial statements and schedules
                  examined by them and included in the Registration Statements
                  comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
                  accounting requirements of the Act and the related published
                  Rules and Regulations;

                  (ii) on the basis of a reading of the latest available interim
                  financial statements of the Company, inquiries of officials of
                  the Company who have responsibility for financial and
                  accounting matters and other specified procedures, nothing
                  came to their attention that caused them to believe that:

                                    (A) at the date of the latest available
                           balance sheet read by such accountants, or at a
                           subsequent specified date not more than three
                           business days prior to the date of this Agreement,
                           there was any change in the capital stock or any
                           increase in short-term indebtedness or long-term debt
                           of the Company or, at the date of the latest
                           available balance sheet read by such accountants,
                           there was any decrease in net current assets or net
                           assets, as compared with amounts shown on the latest
                           balance sheet included in the Prospectus; or

                                    (B) for the period from the closing date of
                           the latest income statement included in the
                           Prospectus to the closing date of the latest
                           available income statement read by such accountants
                           there were any decreases, as compared with the
                           corresponding period of the previous year and with
                           the period of corresponding length ended the date of
                           the latest income statement included in the
                           Prospectus, in net sales or net operating income, or
                           in the total or per share amounts of income before
                           extraordinary items or net income.

                  except in all cases set forth in clauses (A) and (B) above for
                  changes, increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses
                  have occurred or may occur or which are described in such
                  letter; and

                  (iii) they have compared specified dollar amounts (or
                  percentages derived from such dollar amounts) and other
                  financial information contained in the Registration Statements
                  (in each case to the extent that such dollar amounts,
                  percentages and other financial information are derived from
                  the general accounting records of the Company and its
                  subsidiaries subject to the internal controls of the Company's
                  accounting system or are derived directly from such records by
                  analysis or computation) with the results obtained from
                  inquiries, a reading of such general accounting records and
                  other procedures specified in such letter and have found such
                  dollar amounts, percentages and other financial information to
                  be in agreement with such results, except as otherwise
                  specified in such letter.

         For purposes of this subsection, (i) if the Effective Time of the
         Initial Registration Statement is subsequent to the execution and
         delivery of this Agreement, "REGISTRATION STATEMENTS" shall mean the
         initial registration statement as proposed to be amended by the
         amendment or post-effective amendment to be filed shortly prior to its
         Effective Time, (ii) if the Effective Time of the Initial Registration
         Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement but
         the Effective Time of the Additional Registration Statement is
         subsequent to such execution and delivery, "REGISTRATION STATEMENTS"
         shall mean the Initial Registration Statement and the

                                        9

<PAGE>   10
         additional registration statement as proposed to be filed or as
         proposed to be amended by the post-effective amendment to be filed
         shortly prior to its Effective Time, and (iii) "PROSPECTUS" shall mean
         the prospectus included in the Registration Statements.

                  (b) If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration
         Statement is not prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
         such Effective Time shall have occurred not later than 10:00 P.M., New
         York time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date as shall
         have been consented to by CSFBC. If the Effective Time of the
         Additional Registration Statement (if any) is not prior to the
         execution and delivery of this Agreement, such Effective Time shall
         have occurred not later than 10:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of
         this Agreement or, if earlier, the time the Prospectus is printed and
         distributed to any Underwriter, or shall have occurred at such later
         date as shall have been consented to by CSFBC. If the Effective Time of
         the Initial Registration Statement is prior to the execution and
         delivery of this Agreement, the Prospectus shall have been filed with
         the Commission in accordance with the Rules and Regulations and Section
         5(a) of this Agreement. Prior to such Closing Date, no stop order
         suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement shall have
         been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been
         instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Representatives,
         shall be contemplated by the Commission.

                  (c) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement, there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any
         development or event involving a prospective change, in the condition
         (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of
         the Company and its subsidiaries taken as one enterprise which, in the
         judgment of a majority in interest of the Underwriters including the
         Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impractical or
         inadvisable to proceed with completion of the public offering or the
         sale of and payment for the Offered Securities; (ii) any downgrading in
         the rating of any debt securities of the Company by any "nationally
         recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined for purposes of
         Rule 436(g) under the Act), or any public announcement that any such
         organization has under surveillance or review its rating of any debt
         securities of the Company (other than an announcement with positive
         implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible
         downgrading, of such rating); (iii) any material suspension or material
         limitation of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock
         Exchange, or any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company
         on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (iv) any banking
         moratorium declared by U.S. Federal or New York authorities; or (v) any
         outbreak or escalation of major hostilities in which the United States
         is involved, any declaration of war by Congress or any other
         substantial national or international calamity or emergency if, in the
         judgment of a majority in interest of the Underwriters including the
         Representatives, the effect of any such outbreak, escalation,
         declaration, calamity or emergency makes it impractical or inadvisable
         to proceed with completion of the public offering or the sale of and
         payment for the Offered Securities.

                  (d) The Representatives shall have received an opinion, dated
         such Closing Date, of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel
         for the Company, to the effect that:

                           (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is an
                  existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the
                  State of Delaware, with corporate power and authority to own
                  its properties and conduct its business as described in the
                  Prospectus; and the Company is duly qualified to do business
                  as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other
                  jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or
                  the conduct of its business requires such qualification;

                           (ii) The Offered Securities delivered on such Closing
                  Date and all other outstanding shares of the Common Stock of
                  the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are
                  fully paid and nonassessable and conform to the description
                  thereof contained in the Prospectus; and the stockholders of
                  the Company have no preemptive rights with respect to the
                  Securities;

                                             10

<PAGE>   11
                           (iii) There are no contracts, agreements or
                  understandings known to such counsel between the Company and
                  any person granting such person the right to require the
                  Company to file a registration statement under the Act with
                  respect to any securities of the Company owned or to be owned
                  by such person or to require the Company to include such
                  securities in the securities registered pursuant to the
                  Registration Statement or in any securities being registered
                  pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the
                  Company under the Act;

                           (iv) The Company is not and, after giving effect to
                  the offering and sale of the Offered Securities and the
                  application of the proceeds thereof as described in the
                  Prospectus, will not be an "investment company" as defined in
                  the Investment Company
                  Act of 1940.

                           (v) No consent, approval, authorization or order of,
                  or filing with, any governmental agency or body or any court
                  is required for the consummation of the transactions
                  contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the issuance
                  or sale of the Offered Securities by the Company, except such
                  as have been obtained and made under the Act and such as may
                  be required under state securities laws;

                           (vi) The execution, delivery and performance of this
                  Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities
                  will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms
                  and provisions of, or constitute a default under, any statute,
                  any rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or
                  body or any court having jurisdiction over the Company or any
                  subsidiary of the Company or any of their properties, or any
                  agreement or instrument to which the Company or any such
                  subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any such
                  subsidiary is bound or to which any of the properties of the
                  Company or any such subsidiary is subject, or the charter or
                  by-laws of the Company or any such subsidiary, and the Company
                  has full power and authority to authorize, issue and sell the
                  Offered Securities as contemplated by this Agreement;

                           (vii) The Initial Registration Statement was declared
                  effective under the Act as of the date and time specified in
                  such opinion, the Additional Registration Statement (if any)
                  was filed and became effective under the Act as of the date
                  and time (if determinable) specified in such opinion, the
                  Prospectus either was filed with the Commission pursuant to
                  the subparagraph of Rule 424(b) specified in such opinion on
                  the date specified therein or was included in the Initial
                  Registration Statement or the Additional Registration
                  Statement (as the case may be), and, to the best of the
                  knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the
                  effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any part thereof
                  has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been
                  instituted or are pending or contemplated under the Act, and
                  each Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and each
                  amendment or supplement thereto, as of their respective
                  effective or issue dates, complied as to form in all material
                  respects with the requirements of the Act and the Rules and
                  Regulations; such counsel have no reason to believe that any
                  part of a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, as
                  of its effective date or as of such Closing Date, contained
                  any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state
                  any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
                  to make the statements therein not misleading or that the
                  Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, as of its
                  issue date or as of such Closing Date, contained any untrue
                  statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material
                  fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
                  light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
                  misleading; the descriptions in the Registration Statements
                  and Prospectus of statutes, legal and governmental proceedings
                  and contracts and other documents are accurate and fairly
                  present the information required to be shown; and such counsel
                  do not know of any legal or governmental proceedings required
                  to be described in a Registration Statement or the Prospectus
                  which are not described as required or of any contracts or
                  documents of a character required to be described in a
                  Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be


                                                  11

<PAGE>   12
                  filed as exhibits to a Registration Statement which are not
                  described and filed as required; it being understood that such
                  counsel need express no opinion as to the financial statements
                  or other financial data contained in the Registration
                  Statements or the Prospectus; and

                           (viii) This Agreement has been duly authorized,
                  executed and delivered by the Company.

                  (e) The Representatives shall have received from Cravath,
         Swaine & Moore, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions,
         dated such Closing Date, with respect to the incorporation of the
         Company, the validity of the Offered Securities delivered on such
         Closing Date, the Registration Statements, the Prospectus and other
         related matters as the Representatives may require, and the Company
         shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for
         the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

                  (f) The Representatives shall have received a certificate,
         dated such Closing Date, of the Chief Executive Officer, President or
         any Vice President and a principal financial or accounting officer of
         the Company in which such officers, to the best of their knowledge
         after reasonable investigation, shall state that: the representations
         and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct;
         the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all
         conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or
         prior to such Closing Date; no stop order suspending the effectiveness
         of any Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for
         that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company's knowledge, are
         contemplated by the Commission; the Additional Registration Statement
         (if any) satisfying the requirements of subparagraphs (1) and (3) of
         Rule 462(b) was filed pursuant to Rule 462(b), including payment of the
         applicable filing fee in accordance with Rule 111(a) or (b) under the
         Act, prior to the time the Prospectus was printed and distributed to
         any Underwriter; and, subsequent to the date of the most recent
         financial statements in the Prospectus, there has been no material
         adverse change, nor any development or event involving a prospective
         material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other),
         business, properties or results of operations of the Company and its
         subsidiaries taken as a whole except as set forth in or contemplated by
         the Prospectus or as described in such certificate.

                  (g) The Representatives shall have received a letter, dated
         such Closing Date, of Deloitte & Touche LLP which meets the
         requirements of subsection (a) of this Section, except that the
         specified date referred to in such subsection will be a date not more
         than three days prior to such Closing Date for the purposes of this
         subsection.

                  (h) On or prior to the date of this Agreement, the
         Representatives shall have received lockup letters substantially in the
         form of Exhibit A attached hereto from each of the executive officers
         and directors of the Company.

The Company will furnish the Representatives with such conformed copies of such
opinions, certificates, letters and documents as the Representatives reasonably
request. CSFBC may in its sole discretion waive on behalf of the Underwriters
compliance with any conditions to the obligations of the Underwriters hereunder,
whether in respect of an Optional Closing Date or otherwise.

         7. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company will indemnify and
hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, directors and officers and each
person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15
of the Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
several, to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement,
the


                                        12
<PAGE>   13
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary
prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon 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, and will reimburse each Underwriter
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the
Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from any of such
documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished
to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for
use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information
furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in
subsection (b) below; and provided, further, that with respect to any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from
any preliminary prospectus the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection
(a) shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person
asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased the Offered
Securities concerned, to the extent that a prospectus relating to such Offered
Securities was required to be delivered by such Underwriter under the Act in
connection with such purchase and any such loss, claim, damage or liability of
such Underwriter results from the fact that there was not sent or given to such
person, at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Offered
Securities to such person, a copy of the Prospectus if the Company had
previously furnished copies thereof to such Underwriter.

         The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Designated
Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls the Designated Underwriter
within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act (the "DESIGNATED ENTITIES"), from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or
investigating any such action or claim) (i) caused by any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared
by or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Participants in
connection with the Directed Share Program or caused by any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (ii) caused by the
failure of any Participant to pay for and accept delivery of Directed Shares
that the Participant agreed to purchase; or (iii) related to, arising out of, or
in connection with the Directed Share Program, other than losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or expenses relating thereto) that are finally
judicially determined to have resulted from the bad faith or gross negligence of
the Designated Entities.

         (b) Each Underwriter will severally and not jointly indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its directors and officers and each person, if any who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, against any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become subject,
under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
any Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use
therein, and will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
the Company in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred, it being understood
and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists
of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each
Underwriter: the concession and reallowance figures appearing in the fourth
paragraph, the information regarding discretionary sales contained in the sixth
paragraph, the over-allotment and stabilization information contained in the
fourteenth paragraph, information relating to Internet distributions contained
in the fifteenth paragraph and the information pertaining to Thomas Weisel
Partners, LLC, contained in the sixteenth paragraph, in each case under the
caption "Underwriting".


                                        13
<PAGE>   14
\         (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
subsection (a) or (b) above, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement
thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve
it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than
under subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any such action is brought against
any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement
thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to
the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly
notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such
indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified
party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the
indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the
defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified
party under this Section for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred
by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to
the contrary, if indemnity may be sought pursuant to the last paragraph in
Section 7 (a) hereof in respect of such action or proceeding, then in addition
to such separate firm for the indemnified parties, the indemnifying party shall
be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one separate
firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Designated Underwriter for the
defense of any losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising out of the
Directed Share Program, and all persons, if any, who control the Designated
Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Act of Section 20 of
the Exchange Act. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent
of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party
and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless
such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party
from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action and
(ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability
or a failure to act by or on behalf of an indemnified party.

         (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable
or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or
(b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the
one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities
or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of
the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with
the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds
from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to
the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters.
The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company or the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
untrue statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first
sentence of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this
subsection (d). Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no
Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount
by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in
this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective
underwriting obligations and not joint.

                                   14

<PAGE>   15
         (e) The obligations of the Company under this Section shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters under this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the
respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms
and conditions, to each director of the Company, to each officer of the Company
who has signed a Registration Statement and to each person, if any, who controls
the Company within the meaning of the Act.

         8. Default of Underwriters. If any Underwriter or Underwriters default
in their obligations to purchase Offered Securities hereunder on either the
First or any Optional Closing Date and the aggregate number of shares of Offered
Securities that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to
purchase does not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of Offered Securities
that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, CSFBC may
make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of such Offered
Securities by other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no such
arrangements are made by such Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters
shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments
hereunder, to purchase the Offered Securities that such defaulting Underwriters
agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date. If any Underwriter or
Underwriters so default and the aggregate number of shares of Offered Securities
with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds 10% of the total
number of shares of Offered Securities that the Underwriters are obligated to
purchase on such Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to CSFBC and the
Company for the purchase of such Offered Securities by other persons are not
made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate without
liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except
as provided in Section 9 (provided that if such default occurs with respect to
Optional Securities after the First Closing Date, this Agreement will not
terminate as to the Firm Securities or any Optional Securities purchased prior
to such termination). As used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" includes
any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section. Nothing herein
will relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

         9. Survival of Certain Representations and Obligations. The respective
indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the
Company or its officers and of the several Underwriters set forth in or made
pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of
any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter, the Company or any of their respective representatives,
officers or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of
and payment for the Offered Securities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to Section 8 or if for any reason the purchase of the Offered Securities by the
Underwriters is not consummated, the Company shall remain responsible for the
expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to Section 5 and the respective
obligations of the Company and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 7 shall
remain in effect, and if any Offered Securities have been purchased hereunder
the representations and warranties in Section 2 and all obligations under
Section 5 shall also remain in effect. If the purchase of the Offered Securities
by the Underwriters is not consummated for any reason other than solely because
of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8 or the occurrence of
any event specified in clause (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 6(c), the Company
will reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees
and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the
offering of the Offered Securities.

         10. Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if
sent to the Underwriters, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed
to the Representatives, c/o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Eleven
Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010-3629, Attention: Investment Banking
Department--Transactions Advisory Group, or, if sent to the Company, will be
mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to it at Screaming Media Inc. ,
601 West 26th Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10001 Attention: William P.
Kelly, General Counsel; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter
pursuant to Section 7 will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to
such Underwriter.

         11. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers
and directors and controlling persons referred to in

                                        15
<PAGE>   16
Section 7, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

         12. Representation of Underwriters. The Representatives will act for
the several Underwriters in connection with this financing, and any action under
this Agreement taken by the Representatives jointly
or by CSFBC will be binding upon all the Underwriters.

         13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

         14. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

         The Company hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in
any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.

                                        16
<PAGE>   17
\         If the foregoing is in accordance with the Representatives'
understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company one of the
counterparts hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement between the
Company and the several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

                                Very truly yours,

                                        SCREAMING MEDIA INC.


                                               By...............................
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:

The foregoing Underwriting Agreement
  is hereby confirmed and accepted as
  of the date first above written.


  CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
  DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
  THOMAS WEISEL PARTNERS LLC.

    Acting on behalf of themselves and as
      the Representatives of the several
      Underwriters

  By CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION


     By..................................
       Name:
       Title:


                                     17

<PAGE>   18
                                   SCHEDULE A


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         NUMBER OF
      UNDERWRITER                                                                     FIRM SECURITIES
      -----------                                                                     ---------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>


Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation......................................


Deutsche Bank Securities Inc................................................

Thomas Weisel Partners LLC..................................................



                                                                                      ---------------
           Total............................................................
                                                                                      ===============
</TABLE>


                                             18


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