STARSIGHT TELECAST INC
SC 13D, 1997-01-02
RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE: COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                                 (RULE 13d-101)

                    UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                          (AMENDMENT NO. _________)(1)


                            STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)


                           COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)


                                    85568E104
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                Larry W. Wangberg
                Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
                            StarSight Telecast, Inc.
                              39650 Liberty Street
                            Fremont, California 94538

                                 (510) 657-5022
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
                Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)


                                DECEMBER 23, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

        If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this schedule because of Rule 13d-l(b)(3) or (4), check the following box / /.

        NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be
filed with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies
are to be sent.


                         (Continued on following pages)
- --------
(1) The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
<PAGE>   2
- ------------------------------          ----------------------------------------
CUSIP NO. G3788V106              13D      Page 2 of 136 Pages
- ------------------------------          ----------------------------------------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1     NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
         S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
                 GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP LIMITED, N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                     (a) / /        (b) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3     SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4     SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                 WC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   5     CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED
         PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)                                     / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   6     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          NUMBER                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
            OF                                  -0-
          SHARES            ----------------------------------------------------
       BENEFICIALLY              8      SHARED VOTING POWER                     
         OWNED BY                               22,137,590(2)
         REPORTING          ----------------------------------------------------
          PERSON                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER                  
           WITH                                 -0-                             
                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER                
                                                5,276,034                       
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
         PERSON
                 22,137,590
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN
         SHARES*                                                           / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
                 71.8%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
                 HC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

- ---------------------
        (2) As to 16,861,556 shares of Common Stock which are the subject of 
the Company Significant Shareholder Agreement described in Item 6, the 
Reporting Person shares voting power solely with respect to those matters 
described in such Item.
<PAGE>   3
                                                                   Page 3 of 136


ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER.

        This statement on Schedule 13D relates to shares of common stock, no par
value ("Common Stock"), of StarSight Telecast, Inc., a California corporation
(the "Issuer"). The principal executive offices of the Issuer are located at
39650 Liberty Street, Fremont, California 94538.

ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.

        This statement is being filed by Gemstar International Group Limited, a
British Virgin Islands corporation ("Gemstar"). Gemstar's principal business
involves the development, marketing and licensing of proprietary technologies
and systems that simplify and enhance the viewing and recording of video and
television programming. The address of its principal executive office in the
United States is 135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 800, Pasadena, California
91101.

        The directors and executive officers of Gemstar are set forth on
Schedule A attached hereto. Schedule A sets forth the following information with
respect to each such person:

        (a)    Name;

        (b)    Residence or business address;

        (c)    Present principal occupation or employment and the name,
principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which
such employment is conducted; and

        (d)    Citizenship.

        During the last five years, neither Gemstar, nor any person named in
Schedule A attached hereto, has been (a) convicted in a criminal proceeding
(excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (b) a party to a civil
proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as
a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final
order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities
subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with
respect to such laws.

ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.

        On December 23, 1996, Gemstar, through its wholly owned subsidiary G/S
Acquisition Subsidiary, a California corporation ("Sub"), agreed to acquire the
Issuer by means of a merger (the "Merger") pursuant to the terms of the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 23, 1996, by and between
Gemstar, Sub and the Issuer (the "Merger Agreement"). Concurrently with the
execution of the Merger Agreement, Gemstar and the Issuer also entered into a
Company Option Agreement, dated as of December 23, 1996 (the "Company Option
Agreement"), which agreement is described in more detail in Item 6 below,
pursuant to which Gemstar has been granted an option by the Issuer to purchase
up to 5,276,034 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $10.46 per share
(the "Stock Option"). The Stock Option is, however, exercisable only upon the
occurrence of those events relating to the Merger specifically set forth in the
Merger Agreement and the Company Option Agreement, none of which has occurred as
of the date upon which this Statement on Schedule 13D is being filed. If the
Stock Option should ever become exercisable, it is anticipated that Gemstar
would use working capital to effect the exercise thereof. The terms of the Stock
Option are more fully described in the Company Option Agreement and the Merger
Agreement. The Company Option Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 1. The 
Merger Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 2. Each of such documents is 
incorporated herein by this reference.

        No capital is expected to be expended by Gemstar in connection with the
exercise of its rights with respect to the 16,861,556 shares of Common Stock
covered by the Company Significant Shareholder Agreement described in Item 6
below.
<PAGE>   4
                                                                   Page 4 of 136



ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.

        See Items 3 and 6.

ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

        As a result of the Stock Option being granted to Gemstar, Gemstar may be
deemed to be the beneficial owner of 5,276,034 shares of Common Stock (assuming
exercise of the Stock Option). As a result of the Company Significant
Shareholder Agreement described in Item 6 below, Gemstar may also be deemed to
be the beneficial owner of an additional 16,861,556 shares of Common Stock. In
aggregate, such shares (representing a total of 22,137,590 shares of Common
Stock) would represent approximately 71.8% of the shares of Common Stock
outstanding after giving effect to the exercise of the Stock Option.

        Except as described herein, neither Gemstar, nor any person named in
Schedule A attached hereto, has acquired or disposed of any shares of Common
Stock during the past sixty days.

ITEM 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS TO SECURITIES
        OF THE ISSUER.

        This Statement on Schedule 13D relates to (i) the Stock Option granted
to Gemstar by the Issuer pursuant to the Company Option Agreement and (ii) the
Company Significant Shareholder Agreement, dated as of December 23, 1996 (the
"Shareholder Agreement"), by and between Gemstar and certain shareholders of the
Issuer listed on the signature pages thereof (collectively, the "Shareholders").
The Stock Option was granted by the Issuer, and the Shareholder Agreement
entered into by the Shareholders, as an inducement to Gemstar to enter into the
Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Sub will, upon the
satisfaction of certain conditions, merge with and into the Issuer, with each
share of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the effective time of the
Merger, other than shares to be cancelled in accordance with the Merger
Agreement and any Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), being
converted, as provided in the Merger Agreement, into .6062 shares of Gemstar
ordinary shares, $.01 par value per share. The Shareholder Agreement is attached
hereto as Exhibit 3 and is incorporated herein by this reference.

        If the Merger is consummated as planned, the Common Stock will be
deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") and cease to be listed on the NASDAQ National Market System.

        Upon consummation of the Merger, the directors of the Issuer immediately
prior to the Merger will be deemed to have resigned at such time and the
directors of Sub prior to the Merger will be the directors of the Issuer, until
the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors
are duly elected and qualified. The officers of the Issuer immediately prior to
the Merger will become the officers of the Issuer, until the earlier of their
resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and
qualified.

        Upon any termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(h),
(j) or (l) of the Merger Agreement or upon the failure of any of the
Shareholders to vote in favor of the Merger at a duly held meeting of the
Issuer's shareholders or at any adjournment or postponement thereof and, in
connection with such vote, the Merger is not approved by the shareholders of the
Issuer, the Issuer, upon written notice from Gemstar at any time of Gemstar's
election to receive a termination fee equal to $15 million (the "Company
Termination Fee") in lieu of Gemstar exercising the Stock Option (the "Company
Termination Fee Notice"), must immediately pay to Gemstar the Company
Termination Fee. Following any termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1(h), (j) or (l) of the Merger Agreement, the Issuer must give Gemstar
at least 30 days' (and not more than 45 days') prior written notice of the
closing date of any Company Takeover Proposal (as such term is defined in the
Merger Agreement), and Gemstar, if it elects to receive the Company Termination
Fee upon such closing, shall give written notice to the Issuer (the "Company
Payment Notice") at least five days' prior to such closing (which notice shall
be effective only upon such closing), and the Issuer must pay
<PAGE>   5
                                                                   Page 5 of 136


the Company Termination Fee upon such closing. If Gemstar has not delivered the
Company Payment Notice within such time frame, then upon (and only upon) the
closing of a Company Takeover Proposal, Gemstar's right to receive the Company
Termination Fee will terminate.

        The Stock Option is exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time and
from time to time following the occurrence of a Purchase Event (as defined
below) and prior to termination of the Company Option Agreement. A "Purchase
Event" means any termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(h),
(j) or (l) thereof. The Stock Option will terminate and be of no further force
and effect upon the earliest to occur of (i) the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) the later to occur of
(a) 18 months from the date hereof, and (b) the closing date of any Company
Takeover Proposal (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) plus 30
days, or (iii) the payment by the Issuer and the receipt by Gemstar of the
Company Termination Fee. If a Purchase Event occurs, Sub will have the right,
upon five business days' prior written notice to the Issuer (or any successor in
interest to the Issuer by merger, sale of all or substantially all of the
assets, or otherwise) (the "Put Notice"), to cause the Issuer (or any successor
in interest to the Issuer by merger, sale of all or substantially all of the
assets, or otherwise) to have a Closing (as such term is defined in the Company
Option Agreement) and to pay at such Closing (and the Issuer and such successor,
jointly and severally, will be obligated to pay to Sub in consideration for the
cancellation of the Stock Option) an aggregate cancellation price (the
"Cancellation Price") equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Common
Stock as to which the Stock Option remains exercisable multiplied by (y) the
excess of (i) the average per share closing price of shares of Common Stock as
quoted on NASDAQ National Market System (or if not then quoted thereon, on such
other quotation system or exchange on which the Common Stock is quoted) for the
period of five trading days ending on the trading day immediately prior to the
occurrence of the Put Notice over (ii) the Purchase Price (as such term is
defined in the Company Option Agreement).

        Under the terms of the Shareholder Agreement, the Shareholders have
agreed to vote or cause to be voted all shares of Common Stock of the Issuer
owned of record or beneficially owned or held in any capacity by any of them or
under any of their control (the "Shares") in favor of the Merger and other
transactions provided for in or contemplated by the Merger Agreement and against
any inconsistent proposals or transactions. Further, during the period from the
date of the Merger Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination
of the Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms or the effective time of the
Merger, the Shareholders have agreed to not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise
dispose of any of the Shares or any interest therein or agree to sell, transfer,
pledge or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares or any interest therein,
without Gemstar's express written consent.

        Other than as described above, Gemstar has no plans or proposals which
relate to, or may result in, any of the matters listed in Items 4(a)-(j) of
Schedule 13D (although Gemstar reserves the right to do so).

        The descriptions herein of the Merger Agreement, the Company Option
Agreement and the Shareholder Agreement are qualified in their entirety by
reference to such agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits.
<PAGE>   6
                                                                   Page 6 of 136




ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

        1.     Company Option Agreement.

        2.     Agreement and Plan of Merger.

        3.     Company Significant Shareholder Agreement.
<PAGE>   7
                                                                   Page 7 of 136


                                   SCHEDULE A

                   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF GEMSTAR


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Name and Address of
                                                                                Corporation or Other
                                                    Principal Occupation or     Organization in Which
Name                 Business or Residence Address        Employment                  Employed                Citizenship
- ----------------     -----------------------------  -----------------------   ------------------------    -------------------

<S>                  <C>                            <C>                       <C>                         <C>
Thomas L. H. Lau     c/o Gemstar Asia Limited       Chairman of the Board     c/o Gemstar Asia Limited          Canada
                     G./F., Gemstar Tower           of Directors              G./F., Gemstar Tower
                     23 Man Lok Street                                        23 Man Lok Street
                     Hung Hom Kowloon                                         Hung Hom Kowloon
                     Hong Kong                                                Hong Kong

Henry C. Yuen        Gemstar International          Chief Executive Officer   Gemstar International              U.S.
                     Group Limited                                            Group Limited
                     135 North Los Robles Ave.                                135 North Los Robles Ave.
                     Suite 800                                                Suite 800
                     Pasadena, CA 91101                                       Pasadena, CA 91101

Daniel S.W. Kwoh     Gemstar International          Senior Vice President -   Gemstar International              U.S.
                     Group Limited                  Technology                Group Limited
                     135 North Los Robles Ave.                                135 North Los Robles Ave.
                     Suite 800                                                Suite 800
                     Pasadena, CA 91101                                       Pasadena, CA 91101

Wilson K. C. Cho     c/o Gemstar Asia Limited       Senior Vice President -   c/o Gemstar Asia Limited           U.K.
                     G./F., Gemstar Tower           Engineering and           G./F., Gemstar Tower
                     23 Man Lok Street              Operations                23 Man Lok Street
                     Hung Hom Kowloon                                         Hung Hom Kowloon
                     Hong Kong                                                Hong Kong

Elsie Ma Leung       Gemstar International          Chief Financial Officer   Gemstar International              U.S.
                     Group Limited                                            Group Limited
                     135 North Los Robles Ave.                                135 North Los Robles Ave.
                     Suite 800                                                Suite 800
                     Pasadena, CA 91101                                       Pasadena, CA 91101

Roy J. Mankovitz     Gemstar International          Assistant Secretary,      Gemstar International              U.S.
                     Group Limited                  Corporate Counsel -       Group Limited
                     135 North Los Robles Ave.      Intellectual Property     135 North Los Robles Ave.
                     Suite 800                                                Suite 800
                     Pasadena, CA 91101                                       Pasadena, CA 91101

Larry Goldberg       Gemstar International          Secretary and Corporate   Gemstar International              U.S.
                     Group Limited                  Counsel                   Group Limited
                     135 North Los Robles Ave.                                135 North Los Robles Ave.
                     Suite 800                                                Suite 800
                     Pasadena, CA 91101                                       Pasadena, CA 91101

George F. Carrier    Harvard University             Professor of Engineering  Harvard University                 U.S.
Director             Pierce Hall                                              Pierce Hall
                     29 Oxford Street                                         29 Oxford Street
                     Cambridge, MA 02138                                      Cambridge, MA 02138
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   8
                                                                   Page 8 of 136
<TABLE>
<S>                  <C>                            <C>              <C>                       <C>                  
Teruyuki Toyama      Oversea Courier Service Co.,   President        Oversea Courier Service     Japan
Director             Ltd.                                              Co., Ltd.
                     9, Shibavra, 2-Chome                            9, Shibavra, 2-Chome
                     Minato-ku, Tokyo                                Minato-ku, Tokyo
                     Japan 108                                       Japan 108
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   9
                                                                   Page 9 of 136


                                    SIGNATURE


        After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.



January 2, 1997                   GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP LIMITED



                                  By: /s/ LARRY GOLDBERG
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Larry Goldberg
                                         Title: Corporate Counsel and Secretary
<PAGE>   10
                                                                  Page 10 of 136

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


1.      Company Option Agreement.

2.      Agreement and Plan of Merger.

3.      Company Significant Shareholder Agreement.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 1


                            COMPANY OPTION AGREEMENT


            This COMPANY OPTION AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is entered into as
of December 23, 1996, by and between StarSight Telecast, Inc., a California
corporation ("ISSUER"), and Gemstar International Group Limited, a British
Virgin Islands corporation
("GRANTEE").

                                  BACKGROUND

            A. Issuer, Grantee and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Grantee (the
"PURCHASER"), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger of even date
herewith (the "MERGER AGREEMENT") providing for, among other things, the merger
of Purchaser with and into Issuer.

            B. To induce Grantee and Purchaser to enter into the Merger
Agreement, Issuer has agreed to grant this Option to Grantee.

                                    AGREEMENT

            In consideration of the foregoing, and of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, Issuer and Grantee hereby
agree as follows:

            1. GRANT OF OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an irrevocable option (the "OPTION") to
purchase 5,276,034 shares (the "OPTION SHARES") of Common Stock, no par value,
of Issuer ("ISSUER COMMON STOCK") in the manner set forth below at a purchase
price of $10.46 per Option Share (the "PURCHASE PRICE").

            2. EXERCISE OF OPTION.

            2.1 Grantee may exercise the Option, in whole or in part, at any
time and from time to time following the occurrence of a Purchase Event (as
defined below) and prior to termination as set forth in SECTION 10.11.

            2.2 As used herein, a "PURCHASE EVENT" means any termination of the
Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(h), (j) or (l) thereof.

            2.3 If Grantee wishes to exercise the Option at such time as the
Option is exercisable, it shall send to Issuer a written notice (the date of
which being herein referred to as the "NOTICE DATE") specifying (i) the total
number of Option Shares it intends to purchase pursuant to such exercise and
(ii) a place and date not earlier than three business days nor later than 15
business days from the Notice Date for the closing of such purchase (the
"CLOSING DATE"); provided that if the closing of
<PAGE>   2
the purchase and sale pursuant to the Option (the "CLOSING") cannot be
consummated by reason of any applicable judgment, decree, order, law or
regulation, the period of time that otherwise would run pursuant to this
sentence shall run instead from the date on which such restriction on
consummation has expired or been terminated; and provided further, without
limiting the foregoing, that if prior notification to or approval of any
regulatory authority or shareholders of the Issuer is required in connection
with such purchase, Grantee shall promptly file the required notice or
application for approval and shall expeditiously process the same (and Issuer
shall cooperate with Grantee in the filing of any such notice or application and
the obtaining of any such approval), and the period of time that otherwise would
run pursuant to this sentence shall run instead from the date on which, as the
case may be, (A) any required notification period has expired or been terminated
or (B) such approval has been obtained, and in either event, any requisite
waiting period has passed.

            2.4 Notwithstanding SUBSECTION 2.3, in no event shall any Closing
Date be more than six months after the related Notice Date, and if the Closing
Date shall not have occurred within six months after the related Notice Date due
to the failure to obtain any such required approval, the exercise of the Option
effected on the Notice Date shall be deemed to have expired. In the event (i)
Grantee receives official notice that an approval of any regulatory authority
required for the purchase of Option Shares would not be issued or granted or
(ii) a Closing Date shall not have occurred within six months after the related
Notice Date due to the failure to obtain any such required approval, Grantee
shall nevertheless be entitled to exercise its right as set forth in SECTION 7
or to exercise the Option in connection with the resale of Issuer Common Stock
or other securities pursuant to a registration statement as provided in SECTION
8. The provisions of this SECTION 2 and SECTION 3 shall apply with appropriate
adjustments to any such exercise.

            3. PAYMENT AND DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES.

            3.1 On each Closing Date, Grantee shall pay to Issuer in immediately
available funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Issuer an
amount equal to the Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Option Shares to
be purchased on such Closing Date.

            3.2 At each Closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds as provided in SUBSECTION 3.1, Issuer shall deliver to Grantee a
certificate or certificates representing the Option Shares to be purchased at
such Closing, which Option Shares shall be free and clear of all liens, claims,
charges and encumbrances of any kind whatsoever, and Grantee shall deliver to
Issuer a letter making the representations set forth in Section 5.2 hereinbelow
and agreeing that Grantee shall


                                        2
<PAGE>   3
not offer to sell or otherwise dispose of such Option Shares in violation of
applicable law and shall represent and warrant that it and/or its advisors have
sufficient knowledge and experience in business and financial matters to
evaluate the Issuer, to evaluate the risk of an investment in the Option Shares,
to make an informed investment decision with respect thereto, and to protect its
interests in connection with its investment in the Option Shares without need
for the additional information which would be required to be included in a more
complete registration statement effective under the Securities Act. The Grantee
shall further acknowledge and agree that it and/or its advisors have had an
opportunity to ask questions of and to receive answers from officers and other
representatives of the Issuer and to obtain additional information in writing to
the extent that the Issuer possesses such information or could acquire it
without unreasonable effort or expense; (i) relative to the Issuer and the
Option Shares; and (ii) necessary to verify the accuracy of any information,
documents, projections, and books and records furnished.

            3.3 Certificates for the Option Shares delivered at each Closing
shall be endorsed with a restrictive legend which shall read substantially as
follows:

      "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
      EITHER (I) THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT") OR (II) ANY
      APPLICABLE STATE LAW GOVERNING THE OFFER AND SALE OF SECURITIES. NO
      TRANSFER OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THESE SHARES, OR OF ANY INTEREST THEREIN,
      MAY BE MADE EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
      THE ACT AND SUCH OTHER STATE LAWS OR PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS FROM
      REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT, SUCH OTHER STATE LAWS, AND THE RULES AND
      REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER."

It is understood and agreed that the above legend shall be removed by delivery
of substitute certificate(s) without such legend if Grantee shall have delivered
to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff of the SEC, or an opinion of counsel
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Issuer and its counsel, to the
effect that such legend is not required for purposes of the Securities Act.

            4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ISSUER. Except as set forth in
the Company Disclosure Letter (as defined in the Merger Agreement), Issuer
hereby represents and warrants to Grantee as follows:

            4.1 DUE AUTHORIZATION. Issuer has all requisite corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
by all


                                        3
<PAGE>   4
necessary corporate action on the part of Issuer. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Issuer and constitutes a valid and binding obligation
of Issuer, enforceable against Issuer in accordance with its terms.

            4.2 AUTHORIZED STOCK. Issuer has taken all necessary corporate and
other action to authorize and reserve for issuance, upon exercise of the Option,
shares of Issuer Common Stock necessary for Grantee to exercise the Option, and
Issuer will take all necessary corporate action to authorize and reserve for
issuance all additional shares of Issuer Common Stock or other securities which
may be issued pursuant to SECTION 6 upon exercise of the Option. The shares of
Issuer Common Stock to be issued upon due exercise of the Option, including all
additional shares of Issuer Common Stock or other securities which may be
issuable pursuant to SECTION 6 upon issuance pursuant hereto, shall be duly and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and shall be delivered free and
clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances of any kind or nature
whatsoever, including any preemptive rights of any shareholder of Issuer.

            4.3 NO CONFLICTS. The execution and delivery of this Agreement does
not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not,
conflict with or violate any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or
By-laws of Issuer or any material agreement or obligation of Issuer.

            5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GRANTEE. Grantee hereby
represents and warrants to Issuer that:

            5.1 DUE AUTHORIZATION. Grantee has all requisite corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
by all necessary corporate action on the part of Grantee. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by Grantee and constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of Grantee, enforceable against Grantee in accordance with its terms.

            5.2 PURCHASE NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION. Any Option Shares or other
securities acquired by Grantee upon exercise of the Option will be acquired for
investment and not with a view to the public distribution thereof and will not
be transferred or otherwise disposed of except in a transaction registered or
exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

            6. ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, ETC.

            6.1 In the event of any change in Issuer Common Stock by reason of a
stock dividend, split-up, recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares or
similar transaction, the type and number of shares or securities subject to the
Option shall be


                                     4
<PAGE>   5
adjusted appropriately, and proper provision shall be made in the agreements
governing such transaction, so that Grantee shall receive upon exercise of the
Option and payment of the aggregate Purchase Price hereunder the number and
class of shares or other securities or property that Grantee would have received
in respect of Issuer Common Stock if the Option had been exercised in full
immediately prior to such event, or the record date therefor, as applicable.
Whenever the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock purchasable upon exercise
of the Option is adjusted as provided in this SECTION 6, the Purchase Price
shall be adjusted by multiplying the Purchase Price by a fraction, the numerator
of which shall be equal to the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock
purchasable prior to the adjustment and the denominator of which shall be equal
to the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock purchasable after the adjustment.

            6.2 (a) In the event that Issuer shall enter into an agreement
(other than the Merger Agreement) (a) to consolidate with or merge into any
person, other than Purchaser or one of its subsidiaries, and shall not be the
continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, (b) to
permit any person other than Purchaser or one of its subsidiaries, to merge into
Issuer and Issuer shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, but, in
connection with such merger, the then outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock
shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of Issuer or
any other person or cash or any other property or then outstanding shares of
Issuer Common Stock shall after such merger represent less than 50% of the
outstanding shares and share equivalents of the surviving corporation or (c) to
sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any person,
other than Purchaser or one of its subsidiaries, then, and in each such case,
proper provision shall be made in the agreements governing such transaction so
that Purchaser shall receive upon exercise of the Option the number and class of
shares or other securities or property that Purchaser would have received in
respect of Issuer Common Stock if the Option had been exercised immediately
prior to such transaction, or the record date thereof, as applicable, and
elected, to the fullest extent it would have been permitted to elect, to receive
such securities, cash or other property.

            (b) The provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation,
Sections 7 and 8, shall apply with appropriate adjustments to any securities for
which the Option becomes exercisable pursuant to Section 6.2(a).

            7. REPURCHASE.

            7.1 If a Purchase Event shall have occurred, Purchaser shall have
the right, upon five business days' prior written notice to Issuer (or any
successor in interest to Issuer by merger, sale of all or substantially all of
the assets, or otherwise) (the "Put Notice"), to cause Issuer (or any successor


                                        5
<PAGE>   6
in interest to Issuer by merger, sale of all or substantially all of the assets,
or otherwise) to have a Closing and to pay at such closing (and Issuer and such
successor, jointly and severally, shall be obligated to pay to Purchaser in
consideration for the cancellation of the Option) an aggregate cancellation
price (the "Cancellation Price") equal to the product of (x) the number of
shares of Issuer Common Stock as to which the Option remains exercisable
multiplied by (y) the excess of (i) the average per share closing price of
shares of Issuer Common Stock as quoted on NASDAQ (NMS) (or if not then quoted
thereon, on such other quotation system or exchange on which Issuer Common Stock
is quoted) for the period of five trading days ending on the trading day
immediately prior to the occurrence of the Put Notice over (ii) the Purchase
Price.

            7.2 At any closing contemplated by the Put Notice, Issuer shall pay
to Purchaser the Cancellation Price for the number of shares of Issuer Common
Stock as to which the Option is to be cancelled by delivering to Purchaser a
certified or bank check payable to or on the order of Purchaser in an amount
equal to the Cancellation Price.

            8. REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Issuer shall, if requested by Grantee at any
time and from time to time within three years of the first exercise of the
Option, use its reasonable best efforts to, as expeditiously as possible,
prepare and file up to two registration statements under the Securities Act if
such registration is necessary in order to permit the sale or other disposition
of any or all shares of Issuer Common Stock or other securities that have been
acquired by or are issuable to Grantee upon exercise of the Option in accordance
with the intended method of sale or other disposition stated by Grantee,
including a "shelf" registration statement under Rule 415 under the Securities
Act or any successor provision, and Issuer shall use its best efforts to qualify
such shares or other securities under any applicable state securities laws. Such
request shall be for a minimum of 1% of Issuer's outstanding Common Stock.
Grantee agrees to use all reasonable efforts to cause, and to cause any
underwriters of any sale or other disposition to cause, any sale or other
disposition pursuant to such registration statement to be effected on a widely
distributed basis so that upon consummation thereof no purchaser or transferee
shall own beneficially more than 2% of the then outstanding voting power of
Issuer. Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to cause each such registration
statement to become effective, to obtain all consents or waivers of other
parties which are required therefor and to keep such registration statement
effective for such period not in excess of 180 days from the day such
registration statement first becomes effective as may be reasonably necessary to
effect such sale or other disposition. In the event that Grantee requests Issuer
to file a registration statement following the failure to obtain a required
approval for an exercise of the Option as described in SUBSECTION 2.4, the


                                     6
<PAGE>   7
closing of the sale or other disposition of Issuer Common Stock or other
securities pursuant to such registration statement shall occur substantially
simultaneously with the exercise of the Option. Any registration statement
prepared and filed under this SECTION 8, and any sale covered thereby, shall be
at Issuer's expense except for underwriting discounts or commissions, brokers'
fees and the fees and disbursements of Grantee's counsel related thereto.
Grantee shall provide all information concerning itself and the proposed sale or
distribution as shall reasonably be required in order to ensure compliance with
the requirements of the Securities Act as reasonably requested by Issuer for
inclusion in any registration statement to be filed hereunder. If during the
time periods referred to in the first sentence of this SECTION 8 Issuer effects
a registration under the Securities Act of Issuer Common Stock for its own
account or for any other shareholders of Issuer (other than on Form S-4 or Form
S-8, or any successor form), it shall allow Grantee the right to participate in
such registration, and such participation shall not affect the obligation of
Issuer to effect two registration statements for Grantee under this SECTION 8;
provided that, if the managing underwriters of such offering advise Issuer in
writing that in their opinion the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock
requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be
sold in such offering Grantee shall reduce the number of shares included therein
down to 20% of the number of shares intended to be included therein, if
necessary, and thereafter Issuer shall reduce the number of shares included
therein by any further amount deemed necessary by the managing underwriters, if
any. In connection with any registration pursuant to this SECTION 8, Issuer and
Grantee shall provide each other and any underwriter of the offering with
customary representations, warranties, covenants, indemnification and
contribution and holdback agreements in connection with such registration.

            9. LISTING. If Issuer Common Stock or any other securities to be
acquired upon exercise of the Option are then listed on any national securities
exchange or national market system, Issuer will promptly file an application to
list the shares of Issuer Common Stock or other securities to be acquired upon
exercise of the Option on such exchange or system and will use its reasonable
best efforts to obtain approval of such listing as soon as practicable.

            10. MISCELLANEOUS.

            10.1 EXPENSES. Except as otherwise provided in SECTION 8, each of
the parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or
on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder,
including fees and expenses of its own financial consultants, investment
bankers, accountants and counsel.


                                        7
<PAGE>   8
            10.2 WAIVER AND AMENDMENT. Any provision of this Agreement may be
waived at any time by the party that is entitled to the benefits of such
provision. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented
except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto.

            10.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY; SEVERABILITY,
ETC. Except as otherwise set forth in the Merger Agreement, this Agreement
(including the Merger Agreement and the other documents and instruments referred
to herein) (i) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and (ii) is not intended to confer upon any
person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder. If any
term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of
competent jurisdiction or a Federal or state regulatory agency to be invalid,
void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall
in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. If for any reason such court or
regulatory agency determines that the Option does not permit Grantee to acquire,
or does not require Issuer to repurchase, the full number of shares of Issuer
Common Stock as provided in SECTIONS 2 and 7 (as adjusted pursuant to SECTION
6), it is the express intention of Issuer to allow Grantee to acquire or to
require Issuer to repurchase such lesser number of shares as may be permissible
without any amendment or modification hereof.

            10.4 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to any
applicable conflicts of law rules.

            10.5 DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings contained herein
are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

            10.6 NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied
(with confirmation) or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested) to the parties at the addresses set forth in the Merger Agreement (or
at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice).

            10.7 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be
executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement and shall become effective when both counterparts have been signed by
each of the


                                     8
<PAGE>   9
parties and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties
need not sign the same counterpart.

            10.8 ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations hereunder or under the Option shall be assigned by
Issuer (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written
consent of Grantee. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be
binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and
their respective successors and assigns.

            10.9 FURTHER ASSURANCES. In the event of any exercise of the Option
by Grantee, Issuer and Grantee shall execute and deliver all other documents and
instruments and take all other action that may be reasonably necessary in order
to consummate the transactions provided for by such exercise.

            10.10 SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The parties hereto agree that this
Agreement may be enforced by either party through specific performance,
injunctive relief and other equitable relief. Both parties further agree to
waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with
the obtaining of any such equitable relief and that this provision is without
prejudice to any other rights that the parties hereto may have for any failure
to perform this Agreement.

            10.11 TERMINATION. The Option shall terminate and be of no further
force and effect upon the earliest to occur of (i) the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) the later to occur of
(a) 18 months from the date hereof, and (b) the closing date of any Company
Takeover Proposal plus 30 days, or (iii) the payment by the Company and the
receipt by Parent of the Company Termination Fee. The rights set forth in
SECTIONS 7 and 8 shall not terminate when the right to exercise the Option
terminates as set forth herein, but shall extend to such time as is provided in
SECTIONS 7 and 8, respectively. Notwithstanding the termination of the Option,
Grantee shall be entitled to purchase those Option Shares with respect to which
it has exercised the Option in accordance with the terms hereof prior to the
termination of the Option.

            10.12 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms used and not defined
herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.


                                        9
<PAGE>   10
            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Issuer and Grantee have caused this Agreement to
be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the
day and year first written above.

                                    "ISSUER"

                                    StarSight Telecast, Inc.



                                    By: /s/ LARRY W. WANGBERG
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Larry W. Wangberg
                                    Title: Chief Executive Officer



                                    "GRANTEE"

                                    Gemstar International Group Limited


                                     By: /s/ HENRY YUEN
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name: H. Yuen
                                           -------------------------------------
                                     Title: CEO
                                            ------------------------------------







                          [Company Option Agreement]


                                     10

<PAGE>   1
                                                                       Exhibit 2









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






                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



                          Dated as of December 23, 1996



                                  By and Among


                      GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP LIMITED,



                           G/S ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY



                                       And



                            STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.






- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
ARTICLE I         THE MERGER...............................................  3
     SECTION 1.1       The Merger..........................................  3
     SECTION 1.2       Closing.............................................  3
     SECTION 1.3       Effective Time......................................  3
     SECTION 1.4       Effects of the Merger...............................  3
     SECTION 1.5       Articles of Incorporation and By-laws...............  3
     SECTION 1.6       Directors...........................................  4
     SECTION 1.7       Officers............................................  4
     SECTION 1.8       Alternative Structure...............................  4
     SECTION 1.9       Additional Actions..................................  4

ARTICLE II        EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL
                  STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT
                  CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF
                  CERTIFICATES.............................................  5
     SECTION 2.1       Effect on Capital Stock.............................  5
     SECTION 2.2       Exchange of Certificates............................  6

ARTICLE III       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................... 11
     SECTION 3.1       Representations and Warranties of the
                       Company............................................. 11
     SECTION 3.2       Representations and Warranties of
                       Parent and Sub...................................... 26

ARTICLE IV        COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF
                  BUSINESS................................................. 41
     SECTION 4.1       Conduct of Business................................. 41
     SECTION 4.2       No Inconsistent Company Activities.................. 46
     SECTION 4.3       No Inconsistent Parent Activities................... 48

ARTICLE V         ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.................................... 50
     SECTION 5.1       Preparation of Form F-4 and the Proxy
                       Statement; Shareholders' Meetings................... 50
     SECTION 5.2       Access to Information;
                       Confidentiality..................................... 52
     SECTION 5.3       Reasonable Efforts; Notification.................... 53
     SECTION 5.4       Stock Option Plans.................................. 54
     SECTION 5.5       Conveyance Taxes.................................... 55
     SECTION 5.6       Indemnification and Insurance....................... 55
     SECTION 5.7       Letters of Accountants.............................. 56
     SECTION 5.8       Fees and Expenses................................... 56
     SECTION 5.9       Public Announcements................................ 57
     SECTION 5.10      Affiliates; Accounting and Tax
                       Treatment........................................... 57
     SECTION 5.11      Repayment of Affiliate Receivables.................. 58
     SECTION 5.12      Benefit Plans Generally............................. 58
     SECTION 5.13      Takeover Statutes................................... 58
     SECTION 5.14      Nasdaq National Marketing Listing................... 58
</TABLE>


                                        i
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
     SECTION 5.15      Board of Directors of Parent........................ 59
     SECTION 5.16      Tax Matters......................................... 59
     SECTION 5.17      Certificates and Other Deliveries................... 59
     SECTION 5.18      Pending Litigation.................................. 60

ARTICLE VI        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT..................................... 61
     SECTION 6.1       Conditions to Each Party's Obligations
                       to Effect the Merger................................ 61
     SECTION 6.2       Additional Conditions to Obligations
                       of Parent and Sub................................... 62
     SECTION 6.3       Additional Conditions to Obligations
                       of the Company...................................... 63

ARTICLE VII       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER........................ 64
     SECTION 7.1       Termination......................................... 64
     SECTION 7.2       Effect of Termination............................... 67
     SECTION 7.3       Amendment........................................... 67
     SECTION 7.4       Extension; Waiver................................... 67
     SECTION 7.5       Termination Fee..................................... 67
     SECTION 7.6       Procedure for Termination, Amendment,
                       Extension or Waiver................................. 68

ARTICLE VIII      GENERAL PROVISIONS....................................... 69
     SECTION 8.1       Nonsurvival of Representations,
                       Warranties and Agreements........................... 69
     SECTION 8.2       Notices............................................. 69
     SECTION 8.3       Definitions......................................... 70
     SECTION 8.4       Interpretation...................................... 70
     SECTION 8.5       Counterparts........................................ 70
     SECTION 8.6       Entire Agreement; No Third-Party
                       Beneficiaries....................................... 71
     SECTION 8.7       Governing Law....................................... 71
     SECTION 8.8       Assignment.......................................... 71
     SECTION 8.9       Enforcement......................................... 71
     SECTION 8.10      Severability........................................ 72
</TABLE>


                                       ii
<PAGE>   4
EXHIBITS

     EXHIBIT 1.1              - Merger Agreement
     EXHIBIT 5.9              - Initial Press Release
     EXHIBIT 5.10(A)          - Form of the Company Affiliate Letter
     EXHIBIT 5.10(B)          - Form of Parent Affiliate Letter
     EXHIBIT 5.10(C)-1        - Form of Company Significant
                                Shareholder Agreement
     EXHIBIT 5.10(C)-2        - Form of Parent Significant
                                Shareholder Agreement




                                       iii
<PAGE>   5
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


            THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "AGREEMENT") is dated as of
December 23, 1996 by and among Gemstar International Group Limited, a British
Virgin Islands corporation ("PARENT"), G/S Acquisition Subsidiary, a California
corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("SUB"), and
StarSight Telecast, Inc., a California corporation (the "COMPANY").


                                   BACKGROUND

            A. The respective Boards of Directors of Parent, Sub and the Company
have approved the merger of Sub with and into the Company (the "MERGER"), upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in
accordance with the Corporations Code of California (the "CCC"), whereby each
issued and outstanding share of common stock of the Company, no par value per
share (the "COMPANY COMMON STOCK"), other than shares to be cancelled in
accordance with Section 2.1(b), will be converted into the right to receive a
certain number of ordinary shares, $.01 par value per share, of Parent ("PARENT
COMMON STOCK"), such number to be determined as provided herein.

            B. The Merger requires the approval of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock (the "COMPANY SHAREHOLDER
APPROVAL").

            C. The rules of the NASDAQ National Market require that the members
of Parent ("PARENT SHAREHOLDERS") approve the issuance of the Parent Common
Stock pursuant to this Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the shares of Parent Common Stock voted at a meeting of Parent's
Shareholders in person or by proxy (the "PARENT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL" and
together with the Company Shareholder Approval, the "SHAREHOLDER APPROVALS").

            D. Parent, Sub and the Company desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger.

            E. For federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger
will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and
(a)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "CODE").

            F. For accounting purposes, it is intended that the Merger will be
accounted for as a "pooling-of-interests."

            G. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and as an
inducement to Parent to enter into this Agreement, PVI
<PAGE>   6
Transmission, Inc., THOMSON multimedia S.A., Cox Communications, Inc., Spelling
Entertainment, Inc., Tribune Company and Providence Journal Company,
shareholders of the Company (the "COMPANY SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS"), have
entered into an agreement with Parent (the "COMPANY SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER
AGREEMENT") pursuant to which the Company Significant Shareholders have, among
other things, agreed (i) to vote their shares of the Company Common Stock in
favor of the Merger, (ii) to sign and deliver to Parent affiliate letters
substantially in the form contemplated by this Agreement and (iii) to take
certain other actions as provided therein.

            H. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and as an
inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, Dynamic Core Holdings
Limited, Henry Yuen and Creative Assets Limited, shareholders of Parent (the
"PARENT SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS"), have entered into an agreement with the
Company (the "PARENT SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT") pursuant to which the
Parent Significant Shareholders have, among other things, agreed (i) to vote
their shares of Parent Common Stock in favor of the issuance of the Parent
Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (ii) to sign and deliver to the
Company an affiliate letter substantially in the form contemplated by this
Agreement and (iii) to take certain other actions as provided therein.

            I. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and as an
inducement to Parent to enter into this Agreement, the Company and Parent have
entered into a Company Option Agreement (the "COMPANY OPTION AGREEMENT")
pursuant to which the Company shall grant to Parent an option to purchase shares
of Company Common Stock as set forth in the Company Option Agreement.

            J. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and as an
inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, the Company and Parent
have entered into a Parent Option Agreement (the "PARENT OPTION AGREEMENT")
pursuant to which Parent shall grant to the Company an option to purchase shares
of Parent Common Stock as set forth in the Parent Option Agreement.


                                    AGREEMENT

            In consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:


                                        2
<PAGE>   7
                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

            SECTION 1.1 THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement and the agreement of merger, in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1 (the "MERGER AGREEMENT"), and in accordance
with the CCC, Sub shall be merged with and into the Company at the Effective
Time (as defined in Section 1.3). Following the Merger, the separate corporate
existence of Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving
corporation (the "SURVIVING CORPORATION") and shall succeed to and assume all
the rights and obligations of the Company and of Sub in accordance with the CCC.

            SECTION 1.2 CLOSING. Unless this Agreement shall have been
terminated pursuant to Section 7.1, the closing of the Merger will take place at
10:00 a.m. on a date to be specified by the parties, which shall be no later
than the second business day after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set
forth in Article VI (the "CLOSING DATE"), at the offices of O'Melveny & Myers
LLP, 610 Newport Center Drive, 17th Floor, Newport Beach, California, unless
another time, date or place is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.

            SECTION 1.3 EFFECTIVE TIME. Subject to the provisions of this
Agreement and the Merger Agreement, as soon as practicable on or after the
Closing Date, an officer's certificate of each of the Company and Sub shall be
executed in accordance with Section 1103 of the CCC, and a duly executed Merger
Agreement with such officers' certificates attached and, if applicable, a
certificate of satisfaction by the California Franchise Tax Board with respect
to Sub shall be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of California, as
provided in the CCC. The Merger shall become effective at such time as the
Merger Agreement is duly filed with the California Secretary of State, or at
such other time as Sub and the Company shall agree should be specified in the
Merger Agreement (the date and time of such filing, or such later date or time
as may be set forth therein, being the "EFFECTIVE TIME").

            SECTION 1.4 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. The Merger shall have the effects
set forth in this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and Section 1107 of the CCC
and all other effects specified in the applicable provisions of the CCC.

            SECTION 1.5 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS.

            (a) The Articles of Incorporation of the Sub in effect at the
Effective Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and the CCC;
provided, however, that at the Effective Time the Articles of Incorporation of
the Surviving


                                     3
<PAGE>   8
Corporation shall be amended so that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall
be "StarSight Telecast, Inc."

            (b) The Bylaws of Sub in effect at the Effective Time shall be the
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance with the
terms thereof and the CCC.

            SECTION 1.6 DIRECTORS. At the Effective Time, the directors of the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to have resigned
at such time and the directors of Sub prior to the Effective Time shall be the
directors of the Surviving Corporation, until the earlier of their resignation
or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

            SECTION 1.7 OFFICERS. The officers of the Company immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall become the officers of the Surviving Corporation,
until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified.

            SECTION 1.8 ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURE. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, the parties to this Agreement may, by mutual written consent,
elect, in lieu of merging Sub into the Company as hereinabove provided, to merge
the Company into Sub. In such event, the parties agree to execute an appropriate
amendment to this Agreement in order to reflect the foregoing change.

            SECTION 1.9 ADDITIONAL ACTIONS. If, at any time after the Effective
Time, the Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any deeds,
bills of sale, assignments, assurances or any other actions or things are
necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the
Surviving Corporation its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the
rights, properties or assets of Sub or the Company or otherwise to carry out
this Agreement, the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be
authorized, so long as such action is not in conflict with this Agreement, to
execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of Sub or the Company, all such
deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and to take and do, in the name
and on behalf Sub or the Company, all such other actions and things as may be
necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm any and all right, title and
interest in, to and under such rights, properties or assets in the Surviving
Corporation or otherwise to carry out this Agreement.


                                     4
<PAGE>   9
                                   ARTICLE II

               EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE
              CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

            SECTION 2.1 EFFECT ON CAPITAL STOCK. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, Sub, the
Company, or the holders of any shares of the Company Common Stock or any shares
of capital stock of Sub:

            (a) CAPITAL STOCK OF SUB. Each share of the capital stock of Sub
      issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
      converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and
      nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

            (b) CANCELLATION OF TREASURY STOCK AND PARENT OWNED STOCK. Each
      share of the Company Common Stock that is owned by the Company or by any
      subsidiary of the Company and each share of the Company Common Stock that
      is owned by Parent, Sub or any other subsidiary of Parent immediately
      prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be cancelled and retired
      without any conversion thereof and no consideration shall be delivered
      with respect thereto.

            (c) CONVERSION OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK. Each share of Company Common
      Stock issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time, other than shares
      to be cancelled in accordance with Section 2.1(b) and any Dissenting
      Shares (as defined and to the extent provided in Section 2.2(h) below),
      shall be converted, subject to Section 2.1(f) and 2.2(e), into .6062
      shares (the "EXCHANGE RATIO") of Parent Common Stock.

            (d) STOCK OPTIONS: COMPANY EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. At the
      Effective Time, all options to purchase the Company Common Stock (each, a
      "COMPANY STOCK OPTION") then outstanding under the Company's 1989 Stock
      Incentive Program (the "STOCK OPTION PLAN") shall be assumed by Parent in
      accordance with Section 5.4 hereof. At the Effective Time, the Company
      shall terminate the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "COMPANY
      PURCHASE PLAN") in accordance with Section 5.4 hereof.

            (e) CONVERSION OF WARRANTS. Each stock purchase warrant issued by
      the Company to purchase shares of Company Common Stock (collectively, the
      "WARRANTS"), shall, in accordance with its terms, be adjusted (an
      "ADJUSTED WARRANT") to become exercisable for, or exchangeable for a new
      warrant (on substantially the same terms) that would be exercisable for,
      the number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the Warrant
      Conversion Number (as defined below).


                                     5
<PAGE>   10
      The exercise price of any Adjusted Warrant (the "ADJUSTED EXERCISE PRICE")
      shall be an amount equal to the exercise price of the Warrant related to
      such Adjusted Warrant as of the date of this Agreement divided by the
      Exchange Ratio. The "WARRANT CONVERSION NUMBER" for any Adjusted Warrant
      shall be equal to the number of shares purchasable pursuant to the Warrant
      related to such Adjusted Warrant as of the date of this Agreement
      multiplied by the Exchange Ratio.

            As of the Effective Time, all such shares of the Company Common
      Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled
      and retired and shall cease to exist, and the holders of certificates or
      instruments previously evidencing such shares of the Company Common Stock
      outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have
      any rights with respect thereto except as otherwise provided herein or by
      law. Each certificate previously representing the Company Common Stock
      shall thereafter represent the right to receive a certificate representing
      the shares of Parent Common Stock into which the Company Common Stock was
      converted in the Merger. Such certificates previously representing shares
      of the Company Common Stock shall be exchanged for certificates
      representing whole shares of Parent Common Stock issued in consideration
      therefor upon the surrender of such certificates in accordance with the
      provisions of Section 2.2, without interest. No fractional shares of
      Parent Common Stock shall be issued, and, in lieu thereof, a cash payment
      shall be made pursuant to Section 2.2(e).

            (f) ADJUSTMENT TO EXCHANGE RATIO. If between the date of this
      Agreement and the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Parent Common
      Stock or the Company Common Stock shall have been changed into a different
      number of shares or a different class by reason of any reclassification,
      recapitalization, split-up, stock dividend, stock combination, exchange of
      shares, readjustment or otherwise, then the Exchange Ratio shall be
      correspondingly adjusted; provided, however, that any such changes shall
      be subject to Section 4.1 below.

            SECTION 2.2 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.

            (a) EXCHANGE AGENT. Parent shall deposit, or shall cause to be
      deposited, with ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as exchange
      agent for Parent Common Stock (the "EXCHANGE AGENT") as of the Effective
      Time (or otherwise when requested by the Exchange Agent from time to time
      in order to effect any exchange pursuant to this Section 2.2), for the
      benefit of the holders of shares of the Company Common Stock for exchange
      in accordance with this Article II and the Merger Agreement through the
      Exchange Agent, certificates representing the shares of


                                     6
<PAGE>   11
      Parent Common Stock issuable pursuant to Section 2.1 in exchange for
      outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock (such certificates
      representing shares of Parent Common Stock together with any dividends or
      distributions with respect thereto, being collectively referred to as the
      "EXCHANGE FUND"), and cash in an amount sufficient for payment in lieu of
      fractional shares pursuant to Section 2.2 (e). The Exchange Agent shall,
      pursuant to irrevocable instructions, deliver the Parent Common Stock
      contemplated to be issued pursuant to Section 2.1 out of the Exchange
      Fund. Except as contemplated by Section 2.2(e), the Exchange Fund shall
      not be used for any other purpose.

            (b) EXCHANGE PROCEDURE. As soon as reasonably practicable after the
      Effective Time, Parent shall instruct the Exchange Agent to mail to each
      holder of a certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the
      Effective Time represented outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock
      (including holders of record pursuant to purchases made under the Company
      Purchase Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time pursuant to Section
      5.4) (for convenience of reference, the certificates of the Company Common
      Stock are referred to as the "CERTIFICATES"), (i) a letter of transmittal
      (which shall be in customary form and shall specify that delivery shall be
      effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only
      upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent) and (ii)
      instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in
      exchange for certificates representing shares of Parent Common Stock. Upon
      surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent,
      together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, and such other
      documents as may reasonably be required by the Exchange Agent, and the
      holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange
      therefor a certificate evidencing that number of whole shares of Parent
      Common Stock which such holder has the right to receive in respect of the
      shares of the Company Common Stock formerly evidenced by such Certificate
      (after taking into account the provisions of this Agreement and all shares
      of the Company Common Stock then held of record by such holder, cash in
      lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock to which such holder is
      entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(e) and any dividends or other
      distributions to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(c),
      and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. In the
      event of a transfer of ownership of the Company Common Stock which is not
      registered in the transfer records of the Company, a certificate
      representing the proper number of shares of Parent Common Stock may be
      issued to a person other than the person in whose name the Certificate so
      surrendered is registered, if such Certificate, accompanied by all
      documents required to evidence and effect such transfer,


                                     7
<PAGE>   12
      shall be properly endorsed with signature guarantee or otherwise be in
      proper form for transfer and the person requesting such payment shall pay
      any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of shares
      of Parent Common Stock to a person other than the registered holder of
      such Certificate or establish to the satisfaction of Parent that such tax
      has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by
      this Section 2.2, each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the
      Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender
      the certificate evidencing whole shares of Parent Common Stock, cash in
      lieu of any fractional shares of Parent Common Stock to which such holder
      is entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(e) and any dividends or other
      distributions to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(c).
      No interest will be paid or will accrue on any cash payable pursuant to
      Section 2.2(c) or 2.2(e).

            (c) DISTRIBUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO UNEXCHANGED SHARES. No dividends
      or other distributions declared or made after the Effective Time with
      respect to Parent Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time
      shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect
      to the shares of Parent Common Stock represented thereby, and no cash
      payment in lieu of fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder
      pursuant to Section 2.2(e), in each case until the surrender of such
      Certificate in accordance with this Article II. Subject to the effect of
      applicable escheat laws, following surrender of such Certificate, there
      shall be paid to the holder of the certificate representing whole shares
      of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i)
      at the time of such surrender, the amount of any such cash payable in lieu
      of a fractional share of Parent Common Stock to which such holder is
      entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(e) and the amount of dividends or other
      distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid
      with respect to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock, and (ii) at the
      appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions
      with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender
      and with a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect
      to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock.

            (d) NO FURTHER OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN THE COMPANY COMMON STOCK. All
      shares of Parent Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of
      Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article II (including
      any cash paid pursuant to Section 2.2(c) or 2.2(e)) shall be deemed to
      have been issued (and paid) in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining
      to the shares of the Company Common Stock theretofore represented by such
      Certificates, subject, however, to the Surviving Corporation's obligation
      to pay


                                     8
<PAGE>   13
      any dividends or make any other distributions with a record date prior to
      the Effective Time which may have been declared or made by the Company on
      such shares of the Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms of
      this Agreement or prior to the date of this Agreement and which remain
      unpaid at the Effective Time and have not been paid prior to surrender. At
      the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be
      closed, and there shall be no further registrations of transfers of shares
      of the Company Common Stock, or transfer or exercise of the Warrants or
      Stock Options thereafter on the records of the Company. If, after the
      Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation,
      Parent or the Exchange Agent for any reason, they shall be cancelled and
      exchanged as provided in this Article II.

            (e) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES.

                  (i) No Certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of
            Parent Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange
            of Certificates, and such fractional share interests will not
            entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a shareholder
            of Parent.

                (ii) Each holder of a Certificate issued and outstanding at the
            Effective Time who would otherwise be entitled to receive a
            fractional share of Parent Common Stock upon surrender of such
            Certificate for exchange pursuant to this Article II (after taking
            into account all Warrants, Stock Options and shares of Company
            Common Stock then held by such holder) shall receive, in lieu
            thereof, cash in an amount equal to the value of such fractional
            share, which shall be equal to the fraction of a share of Parent
            Common Stock that would otherwise be issued multiplied by the
            average closing price for a share of Parent Common Stock on the
            Nasdaq National Market (as reported in The Wall Street Journal)
            during the 20 consecutive trading days ending on the third trading
            day prior to the Effective Time.

                (iii) As soon as practicable after the determination of the
            amount of cash, if any, to be paid to holders of Certificates with
            respect to any fractional share interests, the Exchange Agent shall
            promptly pay such amounts to such holders of Certificates subject to
            and in accordance with the terms of Section 2.2(c).

                (f) TERMINATION OF EXCHANGE FUND. Any portion of the Exchange
            Fund that remains undistributed to the holders of Certificates for
            twelve months after the Effective Time


                                     9
<PAGE>   14
      shall be delivered to Parent, upon demand, and any holders of Certificates
      who have not theretofore complied with this Article II shall thereafter
      look as a general creditor only to Parent for payment of the shares of
      Parent Common Stock, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent
      Common Stock and any dividends or distributions with respect to Parent
      Common Stock to which they are entitled.

            (g) NO LIABILITY. None of Parent, Sub, the Company or the Exchange
      Agent shall be liable to any holder of shares of the Company Common Stock,
      the Warrants or Stock Options for any shares of Parent Common Stock (or
      dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or cash from the Exchange
      Fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned
      property, escheat or similar law.

            (h) COMPANY DISSENTING SHARES.

                  (i) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
            contrary, any shares of the Company Common Stock held by a holder
            who has exercised dissenters' rights for such shares in accordance
            with the CCC and who, as of the Effective Time, has not effectively
            withdrawn or lost such dissenters' rights ("DISSENTING SHARES"),
            shall not be converted into or represent a right to receive Parent
            Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.1(c), but the holder thereof
            shall only be entitled to such rights as are granted by the CCC.

                  (ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (i), if any
            holder of Dissenting Shares shall effectively withdraw or lose
            (through failure to perfect or otherwise) his or her dissenters'
            rights, then, as of the later of the Effective Time or the
            occurrence of such event, such holder's shares shall automatically
            be converted into and represent only the right to receive Parent
            Common Stock, cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Parent Common
            Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(e)
            and any dividends or other distributions to which such holder is
            entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(c), without interest thereon, upon
            surrender of the certificate(s) representing such shares.

                  (iii) The Company shall give Parent (i) prompt notice of any
            written demand received by the Company to require the Company to
            purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock pursuant to the
            applicable provisions of the CCC and (ii) the opportunity to
            participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such
            demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior written
            consent of Parent, voluntarily make any payment


                                     10
<PAGE>   15
            with respect to any such demands or offer to settle or
            settle any such demands.

            (i) INVESTMENT OF EXCHANGE FUND. The Exchange Agent shall invest any
      cash included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by Parent, on a daily
      basis. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall
      be paid to Parent.

            (j) LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. In the event any
      Certificates shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent
      shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates,
      upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, such
      shares of Parent Common Stock, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent
      Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(e)
      and any dividends or other distributions to which such holder is entitled
      pursuant to Section 2.2(c).


                                   ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

            SECTION 3.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. Except as
set forth in the Company SEC Documents (as defined in Section 3.1(e)) or on the
disclosure schedule (provided that an item on such disclosure schedule shall be
deemed to qualify only the particular subsection or subsections of this Section
3.1 specified for such item) delivered by the Company to Parent prior to the
execution of this Agreement (the "COMPANY DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE"), the Company
represents and warrants to Parent and Sub as follows:

            (a) ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND CORPORATE POWER. The Company and each
      of its subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
      in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is
      organized and has the requisite corporate power and authority to carry on
      its business as now being conducted. The Company and each of its
      subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good
      standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
      ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or
      licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to
      be so qualified or licensed (individually or in the aggregate) would not
      have a "material adverse effect" (as defined in Section 8.3) on the
      Company. The Company has delivered to Parent complete and correct copies
      of its articles of incorporation and by-laws and has delivered or shall
      deliver prior to closing the articles of incorporation and by-laws or
      other organizational documents of its other


                                     11
<PAGE>   16
      subsidiaries, in each case as amended to the date of this Agreement.

            (b) SUBSIDIARIES. The Company does not own, directly or indirectly,
      any capital stock or other ownership interest in any corporation,
      partnership, joint venture or other entity.

            (c) CAPITAL STRUCTURE. The authorized capital stock of the Company
      consists of 50,000,000 shares of the Company Common Stock, no par value,
      and 5,000,000 shares of the Company's Preferred Stock, no par value. At
      the close of business on December 20, 1996, (i) 25,541,311 shares of the
      Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) no shares of the
      Company Common Stock were held by the Company in its treasury, (iii)
      2,356,216 shares of the Company Common Stock were reserved for issuance
      upon exercise of the Stock Options, (iv) 994,908 shares of the Company
      Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise of Company Stock
      Options available for grant under the Stock Option Plan, (v) 38,122 shares
      of the Company Common Stock were reserved for issuance under the Company
      Purchase Plan, and (vi) 3,000,000 shares of the Company Common Stock were
      reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants. As of December 20,
      1996, there are no shares of the Company's Preferred Stock issued or
      outstanding. Except as set forth above, at the close of business on
      December 20, 1996, no shares of capital stock or other voting securities
      of the Company were issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All
      options to purchase shares of Company Common Stock were granted under the
      Stock Option Plan. There are no outstanding stock appreciation rights of
      the Company and no outstanding limited stock appreciation rights or other
      rights to redeem for cash options or warrants of the Company. All
      outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are, and all shares
      which may be issued upon the exercise of Stock Options and Warrants will
      be, when issued, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
      nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights. There are no bonds,
      debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company having the right to
      vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the
      right to vote) on any matters on which shareholders of the Company may
      vote. Except as set forth above, as of the date of this Agreement, there
      are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights,
      commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which
      the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them
      is bound obligating the Company or any of its subsidiaries to issue,
      deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional
      shares of capital stock or other voting securities of the Company or of
      any of its subsidiaries or obligating the Company or any of its
      subsidiaries to issue,


                                     12
<PAGE>   17
      grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call,
      right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking. There are no
      outstanding contractual obligations of the Company or any of its
      subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of
      capital stock (or options to acquire any such shares) of the Company or
      any of its subsidiaries. There are no agreements, arrangements or
      commitments of any character (contingent or otherwise) pursuant to which
      any person is or may be entitled to receive any payment based on the
      revenues, earnings or financial performance of the Company or any of its
      subsidiaries or assets or calculated in accordance therewith (other than
      ordinary course payments or commissions to sales representatives of the
      Company based upon revenues generated by them without augmentation as a
      result of the transactions contemplated hereby) or to cause the Company or
      any of its subsidiaries to file a registration statement under the
      Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), or which
      otherwise relate to the registration of any securities of the Company.

            (d) AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION. The Company has the requisite
      corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to
      the Company Shareholder Approval, to consummate the transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this
      Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the
      transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by
      all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, subject to the
      Company Shareholder Approval of this Agreement. This Agreement has been
      duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and
      binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
      accordance with its terms, subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
      reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating to
      creditors rights generally and (ii) the availability of injunctive relief
      and other equitable remedies. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
      does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
      Agreement and compliance with the provisions of this Agreement will not,
      conflict with, or result in any violation of or default (with or without
      notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of
      termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or to loss of
      a material benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any
      of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
      under, (i) the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or the
      comparable charter or organizational documents of any of its subsidiaries,
      (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease
      or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or license
      applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their respective


                                     13
<PAGE>   18
      properties or assets or (iii) subject to the governmental filings and
      other matters referred to in the following sentence, any judgment, order,
      decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries or their respective properties or
      assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) or (iii), any such
      conflicts, violations, defaults, rights or Liens that individually or in
      the aggregate would not (x) have a material adverse effect on the Company,
      (y) impair in any material respect the ability of the Company to perform
      its obligations under this Agreement or (z) prevent or materially delay
      the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
      Agreement. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
      registration, declaration or filing with, any federal, state or local
      government or any court, administrative or regulatory agency or commission
      or other governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign (a
      "GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY"), is required by the Company or any of its
      subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement by the Company or the consummation by the Company of the
      transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (i) the filing
      with the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the
      Department of Justice (the "SPECIFIED AGENCIES") of a premerger
      notification and report form by the Company under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
      Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR ACT"), (ii) the filing with
      the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of (x) the Proxy
      Statement (as defined in Section 5.1) and (y) such reports under Section
      13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE
      ACT"), as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the
      transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) the filing of the
      Merger Agreement with the California Secretary of State and appropriate
      documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which the
      Company is qualified to do business and (iv) such other consents,
      approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and
      filings, including under (x) the laws of any foreign country in which the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries conducts any business or owns any
      property or assets or (y) the "takeover" or "blue sky" laws of various
      states, the failure of which to be obtained or made would not,
      individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the
      Company or prevent or materially delay the consummation of any of the
      transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            (e) SEC DOCUMENTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Company has filed with
      the SEC all required reports and forms and other documents (the "COMPANY
      SEC DOCUMENTS"). As of their respective dates, the Company SEC Documents
      complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities
      Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules


                                     14
<PAGE>   19
      and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such
      Company SEC Documents and none of the Company SEC Documents contained any
      untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
      required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
      therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
      misleading. Except to the extent that information contained in any Company
      SEC Document has been revised or superseded by a later-filed Company SEC
      Document filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement,
      none of the Company SEC Documents contains any untrue statement of a
      material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated
      therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
      the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
      financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents
      comply as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting
      requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
      respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
      accounting principles (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as
      permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during
      the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and
      fairly present the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
      consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated
      results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended
      (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit
      adjustments consisting of normal, recurring accruals that are not
      material). Except as set forth in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to
      the date of this Agreement, and except for liabilities and obligations
      incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
      since the date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet included in
      the Company SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
      has any liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether accrued,
      absolute, contingent or otherwise) required by generally accepted
      accounting principles to be set forth on a consolidated balance sheet of
      the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries or in the notes thereto
      which are, individually or in the aggregate, material to the business,
      results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

            (f) INFORMATION SUPPLIED. None of the information supplied or to be
      supplied by the Company specifically for inclusion or incorporation by
      reference in (i) the Form F-4 (as defined in Section 5.1) will, at the
      time the Form F-4 is filed with the SEC, at any time it is amended or
      supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act,
      contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
      material fact required to be


                                     15
<PAGE>   20
      stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
      the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading or (ii) the
      Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company's
      shareholders or the Parent's shareholders or at the time of the Company
      Shareholders' Meeting or the Parent Shareholders' Meeting (as defined in
      Section 5.1(d)), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
      to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
      order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
      which they are made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply as to
      form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act
      and the rules and regulations thereunder, except that no representation or
      warranty is made by the Company with respect to statements made or
      incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by Parent
      or Sub specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
      Proxy Statement.

            (g) ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as disclosed in the
      SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, since December
      31, 1995, the Company has conducted its business only in the ordinary
      course consistent with prior practice, and there has not been (i) any
      material adverse change in the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii)
      any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other
      distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with respect to any of
      the Company's capital stock, (iii) any split, combination or
      reclassification of any of its capital stock or any issuance or the
      authorization of any issuance of any other securities in respect of, in
      lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock, (iv) any
      granting by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to any officer or
      employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any increase in
      compensation, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with
      prior practice or as was required under employment agreements in effect as
      of the date of the most recent audited financial statements included in
      the SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement (a list of all
      such employment agreements being set forth in Section 3.1(g) of the
      Company Disclosure Schedule), (v) any granting by the Company or any of
      its subsidiaries to any such officer or employee of any increase in
      severance or termination pay, except as was required under employment,
      severance or termination agreements in effect as of the date of the most
      recent audited financial statements included in the SEC Documents filed
      prior to the date of this Agreement, (vi) any entry into, or renewal or
      modification of, by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any
      employment, consulting, severance or termination agreement with any such
      officer or employee, (vii) any damage, destruction or loss,


                                     16
<PAGE>   21
      whether or not covered by insurance, that has or could have a material
      adverse effect on the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (viii) any
      change in accounting methods, principles or practices by the Company
      materially affecting its assets, liabilities or business, except insofar
      as may have been required by a change in generally accepted accounting
      principles.

            (h) LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents filed prior
      to the date of this Agreement, there is no suit, action, investigation,
      audit or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
      threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries that,
      individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to (i) have
      a material adverse effect on the Company, (ii) impair in any material
      respect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this
      Agreement or (iii) prevent the consummation of any of the transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement, nor is there any judgment, decree,
      injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator
      outstanding against the Company or any of its subsidiaries having, or
      which is reasonably likely to have, any effect referred to in the
      foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii).

            (i) ABSENCE OF CHANGES IN BENEFIT PLANS. Except (i) as disclosed in
      the SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, (ii) as would
      not have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company, or
      (iii) as required by applicable law, since January 1, 1996, there has not
      been any adoption or amendment by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
      of any collective bargaining agreement or any bonus, pension, profit
      sharing, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock ownership,
      stock purchase, stock option, phantom stock, retirement, vacation,
      severance, disability, death benefit, hospitalization, medical or other
      plan, arrangement or understanding (collectively, "BENEFIT PLANS")
      providing benefits to any current or former employee, officer or director
      of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in the SEC
      Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, there exist no
      employment, consulting, severance, termination or indemnification
      agreements, arrangements or understandings between the Company or any of
      its subsidiaries and any current or former officer or director of the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries as to which unsatisfied or potential
      obligations of the Company of greater than $50,000 exist. Except as
      disclosed in the SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement
      and except as would not have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect
      on the Company, since January 1, 1996, neither the Company nor any of its
      subsidiaries has taken any action to accelerate any rights or benefits
      under any


                                     17
<PAGE>   22
      collective bargaining, bonus, profit sharing, thrift, compensation, stock
      option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, deferred compensation,
      employment, termination, severance or other plan, agreement, trust, fund,
      policy or arrangement for the benefit of any director or officer or for
      the benefit of employees generally.

            (j)   ERISA COMPLIANCE.

                  (i) the Company has delivered to Parent true, complete and
            correct copies of all "employee pension benefit plans" (as defined
            in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
            1974, as amended ("ERISA")) (sometimes referred to herein as
            "PENSION PLANS"), "employee welfare benefit plans" (as defined in
            Section 3(1) of ERISA) and all other Benefit Plans currently
            maintained, or contributed to, or required to be maintained or
            contributed to, by the Company or any other person or entity that,
            together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under
            Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (each a "COMMONLY
            CONTROLLED ENTITY"), including all employment, termination,
            severance or other contracts for the benefit of any current or
            former employees, officers or directors of the Company or any of its
            subsidiaries as to which unsatisfied or potential obligations of the
            Company of greater than $50,000 exist. The Company has delivered to
            Parent true, complete and correct copies of (v) the most recent
            annual report on Form 5500 filed with the Internal Revenue Service
            with respect to each of its Benefit Plans (if any such report was
            required), (w) the most recently prepared actuarial report for each
            such Benefit Plan (if any such report was required), (x) the most
            recent summary plan description for each such Benefit Plan for which
            such summary plan description is required, (y) the most recently
            received Internal Revenue Service determination letter for each such
            Benefit Plan and (z) each trust agreement and group annuity contract
            relating to any such Benefit Plan.

                (ii) Except as would not have, in the aggregate, a material
            adverse effect on the Company, each of the Company's and its
            subsidiaries' Benefit Plans has been administered in accordance with
            its terms. Except as would not have, in the aggregate, a material
            adverse effect on the Company, the Company, each of its subsidiaries
            and all such Benefit Plans are in compliance with applicable
            provisions of ERISA and the Code.

               (iii)    All of the Company's and its subsidiaries'
            Pension Plans intended to be qualified under Section


                                     18
<PAGE>   23
            401(a) of the Code have been the subject of determination letters
            from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that such Pension
            Plans are qualified and exempt from federal income taxes under
            Section 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, of the Code and, to the
            knowledge of the Company, no such determination letter has been
            revoked nor has revocation of such determination letter been
            threatened, nor has any such Pension Plan been amended since the
            date of its most recent determination letter or application therefor
            in any respect that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect
            its qualification or materially increase its costs.

                (iv) No Pension Plan that the Company or any of its subsidiaries
            maintains is subject to Title IV of ERISA.

                  (v) To the knowledge of the Company, none of the Company, any
            of its subsidiaries, any officer of the Company or any of its
            subsidiaries or any of the Company's or its subsidiaries' Benefit
            Plans which are subject to ERISA, including, without limitation, its
            Pension Plans, any trusts created thereunder or any trustee or
            administrator thereof, has engaged in a non-exempt "prohibited
            transaction" (as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or
            Section 4975 of the Code) or any other breach of fiduciary
            responsibility that could reasonably be expected to subject the
            Company, or any of its subsidiaries or any officer of the Company or
            any of its subsidiaries, to tax or penalty under ERISA, the Code or
            other applicable law that, except as would not have, in the
            aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company, has not been
            corrected. Neither any of such Benefit Plans nor any of such trusts
            has been terminated, nor has there been any "reportable event" (as
            that term is defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect thereto,
            during the last five years.

                (vi) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
            Agreement will not result in an increase in the amount of
            compensation or benefits or accelerate the vesting or timing of
            payment of any benefits payable to or in respect of any employee or
            former employee of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or
            the beneficiary or dependent of any such employee or former
            employee.

               (vii) With respect to any of the Company's or any of its
            subsidiaries' Benefit Plans that is an employee welfare benefit
            plan, (x) no such Benefit Plan is funded through a "welfare benefit
            fund," as such term


                                     19
<PAGE>   24
            is defined in Section 419(e) of the Code, (y) each such Benefit Plan
            that is a "group health plan," as such term is defined in Section
            5000(b)(1) of the Code, complies in all material respects with the
            applicable requirements of Section 4980B(f) of the Code and (z) each
            such Benefit Plan (including any such Benefit Plan covering retirees
            or other former employees) may be amended or terminated without a
            material adverse effect on the Company.

              (viii) Except as would not have, in the aggregate, a material
            adverse effect on the Company, no Commonly Controlled Entity has
            incurred any material liability to a Pension Plan of the Company or
            any of its subsidiaries (other than for contributions not yet due).

            (k)   TAXES.

                  (i) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has timely filed
            all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns and reports
            required to be filed by it through the date hereof and shall timely
            file all such returns and reports required to be filed on or before
            the Effective Time. All such returns and reports are and will be
            true, complete and correct in all material respects. The Company and
            each of its subsidiaries has paid and discharged (or the Company has
            paid and discharged on such subsidiary's behalf) all taxes due from
            them, other than such taxes as are being or will be contested in
            good faith by appropriate proceedings and are, in the judgment of
            the management of the Company, adequately reserved for on the most
            recent financial statements contained in the SEC Documents filed
            prior to the date of this Agreement. The most recent financial
            statements contained in the SEC Documents filed prior to the date of
            this Agreement properly reflect in accordance with generally
            accepted accounting principles all taxes payable by the Company and
            its subsidiaries for all taxable periods and portions thereof
            through the date of such financial statements.

                (ii) No claim or deficiency for any taxes has been proposed,
            threatened, asserted or assessed by the Internal Revenue Service
            (the "IRS") or any other taxing authority or agency against the
            Company, or any of its subsidiaries which, if resolved against the
            Company or any of its subsidiaries, would, individually or in the
            aggregate, have a material adverse effect upon the Company. Neither
            the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has waived any statute of
            limitations in respect of any taxes or agreed to any extension of
            time


                                     20
<PAGE>   25
            with respect to a tax assessment or deficiency. The federal income
            tax returns of the Company and each of its subsidiaries consolidated
            in such returns have been examined by and settled with the IRS for
            all years through the year ended December 31, 1992.

               (iii) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has taken
            or agreed to take any action or has any knowledge of any fact or
            circumstance that is reasonably likely to prevent the Merger from
            qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
            368(a)(1)(A) and (a)(2)(E) of the Code.

              (iv) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has filed a
            consent under Code Section 341(f) concerning collapsible
            corporations. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
            been a United States real property holding corporation within the
            meaning of Code Section 897(c)(2). Each of the Company and its
            subsidiaries has disclosed on its federal income tax returns all
            positions taken therein that could give rise to a substantial
            understatement of federal income tax within the meaning of Code
            Section 6662. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a
            party to any tax allocation or tax sharing agreement. Neither the
            Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any liability for the taxes
            of any person (other than any of the Company and its subsidiaries)
            under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision
            of state, local, or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by
            contract, or otherwise.

                  (v) As used in this Agreement, "taxes" shall include all
            federal, state, local and foreign income, property, sales, excise
            and other taxes, of any nature whatsoever (whether payable directly
            or by withholding), together with any interest and penalties,
            additions to tax or additional amounts imposed with respect thereto.
            Notwithstanding the definition of "subsidiary" set forth in Section
            8.3 of this Agreement, for the purposes of this Section 3.1(k),
            references to the Company and each of its subsidiaries shall include
            former subsidiaries of the Company for the periods during which any
            such corporations were included in the consolidated federal income
            tax return of the Company.

            (l) NO EXCESS PARACHUTE PAYMENTS. Any amount that could be received
      (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) as a result of
      any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by any employee,
      officer or director of the Company or any of its affiliates who is a


                                     21
<PAGE>   26
      "disqualified individual" (as such term is defined in proposed Treasury
      Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any employment, severance or
      termination agreement, other compensation arrangement or Benefit Plan
      currently in effect would not be characterized as an "excess parachute
      payment" (as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).

            (m) COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

                  (i) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has in effect all
            federal, state, local and foreign governmental approvals,
            authorizations, certificates, filings, franchises, licenses,
            notices, permits and rights ("PERMITS") necessary for it to own,
            lease or operate its properties and assets and to carry on its
            business as now conducted, and there has occurred no default under
            any such Permit, except for the lack of Permits and for defaults
            under Permits which lack or default individually or in the aggregate
            would not have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company
            does not have any reason to believe any Governmental Entity is
            considering limiting, suspending or revoking any of the Company's or
            its subsidiaries' Permits. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents
            filed prior to the date of this Agreement, the Company and its
            subsidiaries are in compliance with (and have not violated) all
            applicable statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, orders and regulations
            (including, without limitation, those relating to safety, hiring,
            promotion or pay of employees) of any Governmental Entity, except
            for noncompliance which individually or in the aggregate would not
            have a material adverse effect on the Company.

                (ii) To the knowledge of the Company, the Company and each of
            its subsidiaries is, and has been, and each of the Company's former
            subsidiaries, while subsidiaries of the Company, was, in compliance
            in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws,
            except for noncompliance which individually or in the aggregate
            would not have a material adverse effect on the Company. The term
            "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any federal, state, local or foreign
            statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, policy, guideline,
            permit, consent, approval, license, judgment, order, writ, decree,
            injunction or other authorization, including the requirement to
            register underground storage tanks, relating to: (A) emissions,
            discharges, releases or threatened releases of Hazardous Material
            (as defined below) into the environment, including, without
            limitation, into ambient air, soil, sediments, land surface or
            subsurface, buildings or facilities, surface water, groundwater,
            publicly owned treatment works,


                                     22
<PAGE>   27
            septic systems or land; or (B) the generation, treatment, storage,
            disposal, use, handling, manufacturing, transportation or shipment
            of Hazardous Material.

               (iii) During the period of ownership or operation by the Company
            and its subsidiaries of any of their respective current or
            previously owned or leased properties, there have been no releases
            of Hazardous Material in, on, under or affecting such properties or,
            to the knowledge of the Company, any surrounding site, except in
            each case for those which individually or in the aggregate are not
            reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
            Prior to the period of ownership or operation by the Company and its
            subsidiaries of any of their respective current or previously owned
            or leased properties, to the knowledge of the Company, no Hazardous
            Material was generated, treated, stored, disposed of, used, handled
            or manufactured at, or transported, shipped or disposed of from,
            such current or previously owned or leased properties, and there
            were no releases of Hazardous Material in, on, under or affecting
            any such property or any surrounding site, except in each case for
            those which individually or in the aggregate are not reasonably
            likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The term
            "HAZARDOUS MATERIAL" means (A) hazardous materials, contaminants,
            constituents, medical wastes, hazardous or infectious wastes and
            hazardous substances as those terms are defined in the following
            statutes and their implementing regulations: the Hazardous Materials
            Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 1801 et seq., the Resource
            Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq., the
            Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
            Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act,
            42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq., the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.
            Section 1251 et seq. and the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401
            et seq., (B) petroleum, including crude oil and any fractions
            thereof, (C) natural gas, synthetic gas and any mixtures thereof,
            (D) asbestos and/or asbestos-containing material and (E)
            polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs") or materials or fluids containing
            PCBs in excess of 50 ppm.

            (n) BROKERS. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or
      other person, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by the Company,
      is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other
      similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated
      by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the
      Company.



                                     23
<PAGE>   28
            (o) OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The Company has received the
      opinion of Smith Barney Inc., dated the date of this Agreement, to the
      effect that, as of such date, the Exchange Ratio is fair to the Company's
      shareholders from a financial point of view, and a signed copy of such
      opinion has been delivered to Parent.

            (p) CONTRACTS; DEBT INSTRUMENTS. Other than those agreements set
      forth on Schedule 3.1(p)(1), which agreements are confidential and will
      not be made available, Schedule 3.1(p)(2) sets forth, as of the date of
      this Agreement, a true and complete list of each material agreement,
      lease, contract, note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other
      obligation (collectively, "COMPANY AGREEMENTS") of the Company or any of
      its subsidiaries (a) which would be required by Rule 601 of SEC Regulation
      S-K to be filed as an exhibit to an Annual Report on Form 10-K (including
      any Benefit Plan) or is a Company Agreement (i) with respect to the
      acquisition or disposition of a material amount of the Company's assets
      (whether or not such Company Agreement has been fully performed), (ii)
      contains a covenant not to compete with the Company or covenant by the
      Company not to compete with others (iii) with an Affiliate (as such term
      is defined in Rule 12B-2 under the Exchange Act) of the Company (whether
      such Company Agreement is oral or written), (b) with respect to
      indebtedness for money borrowed (other than trade payables in the ordinary
      and usual course of business), (c) pursuant to which the Company or any of
      its subsidiaries is licensing its technology or intellectual property
      rights or pursuant to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a
      licensee of technology or intellectual property rights of others, (d)
      which constitutes an employment or consulting agreement of the Company or
      any of its subsidiaries and provides for severance payments, termination
      payments, change-in-control payments or other similar payments, or (e)
      which constitutes any other liability (including, without limitation, any
      guarantee, surety contract, indemnity agreement or arrangement or similar
      instrument), obligation or transaction and, in the case of any item
      referred to in this clause (e), is material to the Company and its
      subsidiaries or their businesses taken as a whole (the items referred to
      in clauses (a) through (e) of this sentence being referred to herein as
      "COMPANY MATERIAL CONTRACTS"). Except as hereinabove provided, a true and
      complete copy of each Company Material Contract has been made available to
      Parent or its representative. Each Company Material Contract is a valid
      and legally binding obligation of the Company or its subsidiaries,
      whichever is applicable, is in full force and effect, all material
      obligations required to be performed thereunder as of the date hereof by
      the Company or its subsidiaries, whichever is applicable, have been
      performed to date, and to the knowledge of the Company, no other party


                                     24
<PAGE>   29
      to any such Company Material Contract is in default in any material
      respect under the terms thereof except for such failures to perform or
      defaults which individually and in the aggregate would not have a material
      adverse effect on the Company.

            (q) TITLE TO PROPERTIES.

                  (i) The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable
            title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all their material
            properties and assets except for such as are no longer used or
            useful in the conduct of their businesses or as have been disposed
            of in the ordinary course of business and except for defects in
            title, easements, restrictive covenants and similar encumbrances or
            impediments that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
            material adverse effect on the Company. All such material properties
            and assets, other than properties and assets in which the Company or
            any of its subsidiaries has leasehold interests, are free and clear
            of all Liens, except for taxes not yet due and Liens that,
            individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse
            effect on the Company.

                (ii) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has complied with
            the terms of all material leases to which it is a party and under
            which it is in occupancy, and all such leases are in full force and
            effect, except for such failures to comply or to be in full force
            and effect which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
            material adverse effect on the Company. Each of the Company and its
            subsidiaries enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all
            such material leases, except where failures to have so would not,
            individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on
            the Company.

            (r) ACCOUNTING MATTERS. Neither the Company nor, to its best
      knowledge, any of its affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action or
      is aware of any condition that would prevent Parent from accounting for
      the business combination to be effected by the Merger as a
      pooling-of-interests.

            (s) VOTING REQUIREMENTS. The Company Shareholder Approval is the
      only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Company's
      securities necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement.

            (t) NONCOMPETITION. The Company and its subsidiaries are not, and
      after the Effective Time neither the Surviving


                                     25
<PAGE>   30
      Corporation nor Parent will be (by reason of any agreement to which the
      Company is a party) subject to any non-competition or similar restriction
      on their respective businesses.

            (u) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Company and each of its subsidiaries
      owns or possesses adequate and enforceable licenses or other rights to use
      all patents, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, inventions and
      processes used in and material to the business of the Company or such
      subsidiary as currently conducted, and such licenses and rights will not
      be affected by the consummation of the Merger. Except as disclosed in the
      Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, neither
      the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of
      conflict or infringement which asserts the rights of others with respect
      to such licenses and rights. The Company owns or rightfully possesses (i)
      the source code, recorded on computer magnetic media and in written form,
      for its information systems programs, including both the information
      systems programs themselves and the product related infrastructure (the
      "COMPANY SOFTWARE"), and (ii) all commentary, explanations,
      specifications, documentation, proprietary information, test programs and
      program specifications, compiler and assembler descriptions of proprietary
      or third party system utilities, and descriptions of system/program
      generation and programs not owned by the Company but required for use or
      support, relating to the Company Software that are reasonably necessary
      for the Surviving Corporation to maintain and enhance the Company
      Software, and to provide a commercially standard level of service and
      support to users of the Company Software without the aid of any other
      party and without use of any other material.

            (v) The Company Significant Shareholders beneficially own and have
      the right to vote, in the aggregate, approximately 52% of the total issued
      and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock.

            (w) On December 23, 1996, the Company received a wire transfer in
      the amount of $20 million from Microsoft Corporation.

            SECTION 3.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND SUB. Except
as set forth in the Parent SEC Documents (as defined in Section 3.2(e)) or on
the disclosure schedule (provided that an item on such disclosure schedule shall
be deemed to qualify only the particular subsection or subsections of this
Section 3.2 specified for such item) delivered by Parent to the Company prior to
the execution of this Agreement (the "PARENT DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE"), Parent and
Sub represent and warrant to the Company as follows:


                                     26
<PAGE>   31
            (a) ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND CORPORATE POWER. Parent and each of
      its subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
      good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is
      incorporated and has the requisite corporate power and authority to carry
      on its business as now being conducted. Parent and each of its
      subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good
      standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
      ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or
      licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to
      be so qualified or licensed (individually or in the aggregate) would not
      have a material adverse effect on Parent. Parent has delivered to the
      Company complete and correct copies of its memorandum of association and
      articles of association and the articles of incorporation and by-laws of
      Sub, in each case as amended to the date of this Agreement.

            (b) SUBSIDIARIES. The Parent Disclosure Schedule lists each
      subsidiary of the Parent and its jurisdiction of incorporation or
      organization. All the outstanding shares of capital stock of each such
      subsidiary have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable
      and are owned by the Parent, by another subsidiary of the Parent or by the
      Parent and another such subsidiary, free and clear of all Liens. Except
      for the capital stock of its subsidiaries, and as disclosed in the Parent
      Disclosure Schedule, the Parent does not own, directly or indirectly, any
      capital stock or other ownership interest in any corporation, partnership,
      joint venture or other entity.

            (c) CAPITAL STRUCTURE. The authorized capital stock of Parent
      consists of 500,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, par value $.01 per
      share, and 50,000,000 preference shares, par value $.01 per share ("PARENT
      PREFERENCE SHARES"). At the close of business on December 20, 1996, (i)
      31,281,505 shares of Parent Common Stock and no shares of Parent
      Preference Shares were issued and outstanding, (ii) no shares of Parent
      Common Stock were held by Parent in its treasury and (iii) 5,600,000
      shares of Parent Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise of
      outstanding employee stock options to purchase shares of Parent Common
      Stock. Except as set forth above, at the close of business on December 20,
      1996, no shares of capital stock or other voting securities of the Parent
      were issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All options to purchase
      shares of Parent Common Stock were granted under Parent's 1994 Stock
      Incentive Plan (the "STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN"). There are no outstanding
      stock appreciation rights of Parent and no outstanding limited stock
      appreciation rights or other rights to redeem for cash options or warrants
      of Parent. All outstanding shares of capital stock of Parent are, and all
      shares which may be issued upon the


                                     27
<PAGE>   32
      exercise of stock options will be, and all shares which may be issued
      pursuant to this Agreement will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly
      issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights.
      There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Parent
      having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for,
      securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which shareholders
      of Parent may vote. Except as set forth above, as of the date of this
      Agreement, there are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls,
      rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind
      to which Parent or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of
      them is bound obligating Parent or any of its subsidiaries to issue,
      deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional
      shares of capital stock or other voting securities of Parent or of any of
      its subsidiaries or obligating Parent or any of its subsidiaries to issue,
      grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call,
      right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking. There are no
      outstanding contractual obligations of Parent or any of its subsidiaries
      to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock (or
      options to acquire any such shares) of Parent or its subsidiaries. Except
      as described in the Parent SEC Documents (as defined in Section 3.2(e)
      below), there are no agreements, arrangements or commitments of any
      character (contingent or otherwise) pursuant to which any person is or may
      be entitled to receive any payment based on the revenues, earnings or
      financial performance of Parent or any of its subsidiaries or assets or
      calculated in accordance therewith (other than ordinary course payments or
      commissions to sales representatives of Parent based upon revenues
      generated by them without augmentation as a result of the transactions
      contemplated hereby) or to cause Parent or any of its subsidiaries to file
      a registration statement under the Securities Act, or which otherwise
      relate to the registration of any securities of Parent. As of the date of
      this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of Sub consists of 1,000
      shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of which 100 shares have
      been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by
      Parent free and clear of any Liens.

            (d) AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION. Parent and Sub have the requisite
      corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to
      the Parent Shareholder Approval, to consummate the transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this
      Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
      Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
      the part of Parent and Sub, subject to the Parent Shareholder Approval of
      this


                                     28
<PAGE>   33
      Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent
      and Sub and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each such party,
      enforceable against each such party in accordance with its terms, subject
      to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar
      laws affecting or relating to creditors rights generally and (ii) the
      availability of injunctive relief and other equitable remedies. The
      execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of
      the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and compliance with the
      provisions of this Agreement will not, conflict with, or result in any
      violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or
      both) under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or
      acceleration of any obligation or to loss of a material benefit under, or
      result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of
      Parent or any of its subsidiaries under, (i) Parent's memorandum of
      association or articles of association or Sub's articles of incorporation
      or by-laws or the comparable charter or organizational documents of any
      other subsidiary of Parent, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond,
      mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, instrument, permit,
      concession, franchise or license applicable to Parent or any of its
      subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets or (iii) subject to
      the governmental filings and other matters referred to in the following
      sentence, any judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
      regulation applicable to Parent or any of its subsidiaries or their
      respective properties or assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii)
      or (iii), any such conflicts violations, defaults, rights or Liens that
      individually or in the aggregate would not (x) have a material adverse
      effect on Parent, (y) impair in any material respect the ability of Parent
      and Sub to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement or
      (z) prevent or materially delay the consummation of any of the
      transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No consent, approval, order
      or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with any
      Governmental Entity is required by Parent or any of its subsidiaries in
      connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
      consummation by Parent or Sub, as the case may be, of any of the
      transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (i) the filing
      with the Specified Agencies of a premerger notification and report form
      under the HSR Act, (ii) the filing with the SEC of (x) the Form F-4 and
      (y) such reports under Sections 13(a), 13(d) and 16(a) of the Exchange Act
      as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) the filing of the Merger Agreement
      with the California Secretary of State and appropriate documents with the
      relevant authorities of other states in which the Company is qualified to
      do business and (iv) such other


                                     29
<PAGE>   34
      consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations
      and filings, including under (x) the laws of any foreign country in which
      the Company or any of its subsidiaries conducts any business or owns any
      property or assets or (y) the "takeover" or "blue sky" laws of various
      states, the failure of which to be obtained or made would not,
      individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Parent
      or prevent or materially delay the consummation of any of the transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement.

            (e) SEC DOCUMENTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Parent has filed with the
      SEC all required reports and forms and other documents (the "PARENT SEC
      DOCUMENTS"). As of their respective dates, the Parent SEC Documents
      complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities
      Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations
      of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such Parent SEC Documents,
      and none of the Parent SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a
      material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
      therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
      the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Except to
      the extent that information contained in any Parent SEC Document has been
      revised or superseded by a later-filed Parent SEC Document filed and
      publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement, none of the Parent
      SEC Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
      state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
      order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
      which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of Parent
      included in the Parent SEC Documents comply as to form in all material
      respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules
      and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in
      accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (except, in the
      case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 6-K of the SEC) applied
      on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be
      indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present the consolidated
      financial position of Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the
      dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash
      flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited
      statements, to normal year-end adjustments). Except as set forth in the
      Parent SEC Documents, and except for liabilities and obligations incurred
      in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the
      date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet included in the Parent
      SEC Documents, neither Parent nor any of its subsidiaries has any material
      liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute,
      contingent or


                                     30
<PAGE>   35
      otherwise) required by generally accepted accounting principles to be
      recognized or disclosed on a consolidated balance sheet of Parent and its
      consolidated subsidiaries or in the notes thereto which are, individually
      or in the aggregate, material to the business, results of operations or
      financial condition of the Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries taken
      as a whole.

            (f) INFORMATION SUPPLIED. None of the information supplied or to be
      supplied by Parent or Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference in
      (i) the Form F-4 will, at the time the Form F-4 is filed with the SEC, at
      any time it is amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective
      under the Securities Act, contain 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, in light of the circumstances
      under which they are made, not misleading or (ii) the Proxy Statement
      will, at the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company's
      Shareholders or the Parent's shareholders or at the time of the Company
      Shareholders' Meeting or the Parent Shareholders' Meeting, contain any
      untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
      required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
      therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
      misleading. The Form F-4 will comply as to form in all material respects
      with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
      promulgated thereunder, except that no representation or warranty is made
      by Parent or Sub with respect to statements made or incorporated by
      reference in either the Form F-4 or the Proxy Statement based on
      information supplied by the Company specifically for inclusion or
      incorporation by reference therein.

            (g) ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as disclosed in the
      Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, since
      December 31, 1995, Parent has conducted its business only in the ordinary
      course consistent with prior practice, and there has not been (i) any
      material adverse change in Parent or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any
      declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other
      distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with respect to any of
      Parent's capital stock, (iii) any split, combination or reclassification
      of any of its capital stock or any issuance or the authorization of any
      issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
      substitution for shares of its capital stock, (iv) any granting by Parent
      or any of its subsidiaries to any officer or employee of Parent or any of
      its subsidiaries of any increase in compensation in excess of $300,000 per
      annum, not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate, except in the ordinary
      course of business


                                     31
<PAGE>   36
      consistent with prior practice or as was required under employment
      agreements in effect as of the date of the most recent audited financial
      statements included in the SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this
      Agreement (a list of all such employment agreements being set forth in
      Section 3.2(g) of Parent Disclosure Schedule), (v) any granting by Parent
      or any of its subsidiaries to any such officer or employee of any increase
      in severance or termination pay, except as was required under employment,
      severance or termination agreements in effect as of the date of the most
      recent audited financial statements included in the SEC Documents filed
      prior to the date of this Agreement, (vi) any entry into, or renewal or
      modification of, by Parent or any of its subsidiaries of any employment,
      consulting, severance or termination agreement with any such officer or
      employee, (vii) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by
      insurance, that has or could have a material adverse effect on Parent or
      any of its subsidiaries or (viii) any change in accounting methods,
      principles or practices by Parent materially affecting its assets,
      liabilities or business, except insofar as may have been required by a
      change in generally accepted accounting principles.

            (h) LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents
      filed prior to the date of this Agreement, there is no suit, action or
      proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against
      Parent or any of its subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate,
      could reasonably be expected to (i) have a material adverse effect on
      Parent, (ii) impair in any material respect the ability of Parent to
      perform its obligations under this Agreement or (iii) prevent the
      consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
      nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any
      Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding against Parent or any of its
      subsidiaries having, or which is reasonably likely to have any effect
      referred to in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii).

            (i) ABSENCE OF CHANGES IN BENEFIT PLANS. Except (i) as disclosed in
      the SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement (ii) as would
      not have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on Parent or any of
      its subsidiaries, or (iii) as required by applicable law, since January 1,
      1996, there has not been any adoption or amendment by Parent or any of its
      subsidiaries of any collective bargaining agreement or any Benefit Plans
      providing benefits to any current or former employee, officer or director
      of Parent or any of its subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in the SEC
      Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, there exist no
      employment, consulting, severance, termination or indemnification


                                     32
<PAGE>   37
      agreements, arrangements or understandings between Parent or any of its
      subsidiaries and any current or former officer or director of Parent or
      any of its subsidiaries as to which unsatisfied or potential obligations
      of Parent of greater than $100,000 exist. Except as disclosed in the SEC
      Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement and except as would
      not have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on Parent or any of
      its subsidiaries, since January 1, 1996, neither Parent nor any of its
      subsidiaries has taken any action to accelerate any rights or benefits
      under any collective bargaining, bonus, profit sharing, thrift,
      compensation, stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement,
      deferred compensation, employment, termination, severance or other plan,
      agreement, trust, fund, policy or arrangement for the benefit of any
      director or officer or for the benefit of employees generally.

            (j)   ERISA COMPLIANCE.

                  (i) Parent has delivered to the Company true, complete and
            correct copies of all "employment pension benefit plans" (as defined
            in Section 3(2) of ERISA, "employee welfare benefit plans" (as
            defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) and all other Benefit Plans
            currently maintained, or contributed to, or required to be
            maintained or controlled to, by Parent or any other person or entity
            that, together with Parent, is treated as a Commonly Controlled
            Entity, including all employment, termination, severance or other
            contracts for the benefit of any current or former employees,
            officers or directors of Parent or any of its subsidiaries as to
            which unsatisfied or potential obligations of Parent of greater than
            $100,000 exist. Parent has delivered to the Company true, complete
            and correct copies of (v) the most recent annual report on Form 5500
            filed with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each of its
            Benefit Plans (if any such report was required), (w) the most
            recently prepared actuarial report for each such Benefit Plan (if
            any such report was required), (x) the most recent summary plan
            description for each such Benefit Plan for which such summary plan
            description is required, (y) the most recently received Internal
            Revenue Service determination letter for each such Benefit Plan and
            (z) each trust agreement and group annuity contract relating to any
            such Benefit Plan.

                (ii) Except as would not have, in the aggregate, a material
            adverse effect on Parent, each of Parent's and its subsidiaries'
            Benefit Plans has been administered in accordance with its terms.
            Except as would not have, in the aggregate, a material adverse
            effect on Parent or any of its subsidiaries; Parent, each of its


                                     33
<PAGE>   38
            subsidiaries and all such Benefit Plans are in compliance with
            applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code.

               (iii) As of the date of this Agreement, none of Parent's and its
            subsidiaries' Pension Plans intended to be qualified under Section
            401(a) of the Code have been the subject of determination letters
            from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that such Pension
            Plans are qualified and exempt from federal income taxes under
            Section 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, of the Code and, to the
            knowledge of Parent and Sub, no such determination letter has been
            revoked nor has revocation of such determination letter been
            threatened, nor has any such Pension Plan been amended since the
            date of its most recent determination letter or application therefor
            in any respect that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect
            its qualification or materially increase its costs.

                (iv) No Pension Plan that Parent or any of its subsidiaries
            maintains is subject to Title IV of ERISA.

                  (v) To the knowledge of Parent, none of Parent, any of its
            subsidiaries, any officer of Parent or any of its subsidiaries or
            any of Parent's or its subsidiaries' Benefit Plans which are subject
            to ERISA, including, without limitation, its Pension Plans, any
            trusts created thereunder or any trustee or administrator thereof,
            has engaged in a non-exempt "prohibited transaction" (as such term
            is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or
            any other breach of fiduciary responsibility that could reasonably
            be expected to subject Parent, or any of its subsidiaries or any
            officer of Parent or any of its subsidiaries, to tax or penalty
            under ERISA, the Code or other applicable law that, except as would
            not have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on Parent or
            any of its subsidiaries, has not been corrected. Neither any of such
            Benefit Plans nor any of such trusts has been terminated, nor has
            there been any "reportable event" (as that term is defined in
            Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect thereto, during the last five
            years.

                (vi) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
            Agreement will not result in an increase in the amount of
            compensation or benefits or accelerate the vesting or timing of
            payment of any benefits payable to or in respect of any employee or
            former employee of Parent or any subsidiary of Parent or the
            beneficiary or dependent of any such employee or former employee.


                                     34
<PAGE>   39
               (vii) With respect to any of Parent's or any of its subsidiaries'
            Benefit Plans that is an employee welfare benefit plan, (x) no such
            Benefit Plan is funded through a "welfare benefit fund," as such
            term is defined in Section 419(e) of the Code, (y) each such Benefit
            Plan that is a "group health plan," as such term is defined in
            Section 5000(b)(1) of the Code, complies in all material respects
            with the applicable requirements of Section 4980B(f) of the Code and
            (z) each such Benefit Plan (including any such Benefit Plan covering
            retirees or other former employees) may be amended or terminated
            without a material adverse effect on Parent.

              (viii) Except as would not have, in the aggregate, a material
            adverse effect on Parent or any of its subsidiaries, no Commonly
            Controlled Entity has incurred any material liability to a Pension
            Plan of Parent or any of its subsidiaries (other than for
            contributions not yet due).

            (k) TAXES.

                  (i) Each of Parent and its subsidiaries has timely filed all
            federal, state, local and foreign tax returns and reports required
            to be filed by it through the date hereof and shall timely file all
            such returns and reports required to be filed on or before the
            Effective Time. All such returns and reports are and will be true,
            complete and correct in all material respects. Parent and each of
            its subsidiaries has paid and discharged (or Parent has paid and
            discharged on such subsidiary's behalf) all taxes due from them,
            other than such taxes as are being or will be contested in good
            faith by appropriate proceedings and are, in the judgment of the
            management of Parent, adequately reserved for on the most recent
            financial statements contained in the Parent SEC Documents filed
            prior to the date of this Agreement. The most recent financial
            statements contained in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the
            date of this Agreement reflect an adequate reserve in accordance
            with generally accepted accounting principles for all taxes payable
            by Parent and its subsidiaries for all taxable periods and portions
            thereof through the date of such financial statements.

                (ii) No claim or deficiency for any taxes has been proposed,
            threatened, asserted or assessed by the IRS or any other taxing
            authority or agency against Parent or any of its subsidiaries which,
            if resolved against Parent or any of its subsidiaries, would,
            individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on


                                     35
<PAGE>   40
            Parent. Except in connection with the tax audit disclosed in SEC
            Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, neither the
            Parent nor any of its subsidiaries has waived any statute of
            limitations in respect of any taxes or agreed to any extension of
            time with respect to a tax assessment or deficiency. The federal
            income tax returns of Parent and each of its subsidiaries
            consolidated in such returns have been examined by and settled with
            the IRS for all years through the fiscal year ended March 31, 1990.

               (iii) Neither Parent nor any of its subsidiaries has taken or
            agreed to take any action or has any knowledge of any fact or
            circumstance that is reasonably likely to prevent the Merger from
            qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
            368(a)(1)(A) and (a)(2)(E) of the Code.

                (iv) Neither Parent nor any of its subsidiaries has filed a
            consent under Code Section 341(f) concerning collapsible
            corporations. Neither Parent nor any of its subsidiaries has been a
            United States real property holding corporation within the meaning
            of Code Section 897(c)(2). Each of Parent and its subsidiaries has
            disclosed on its federal income tax returns all positions taken
            therein that could give rise to a substantial understatement of
            federal income tax within the meaning of Code Section 6662. Neither
            Parent nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any tax allocation
            or tax sharing agreement. Neither Parent nor any of its subsidiaries
            has any liability for the taxes of any person (other than any of
            Parent and its subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section
            1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign law),
            as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.

                  (v) Parent or an affiliate of Parent has been engaged in the
            active conduct of a trade or business, within the meaning of
            Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(a)- 2T(b)(2) and (3), that is
            substantial in comparison to the trade or business of the Company,
            for the entire 36-month period immediately preceding the Closing.

            (l) COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

                  (i) Each of Parent and its subsidiaries has in effect all
            Permits necessary for it to own, lease or operate its properties and
            assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and there has
            occurred no default under any such Permit, except for the lack of
            Permits and for defaults under Permits which lack or


                                     36
<PAGE>   41
            default individually or in the aggregate would not have a material
            adverse effect on Parent. The Parent does not have any reason to
            believe any Governmental Entity is considering limiting, suspending
            or revoking any of the Parent's or its subsidiaries' Permits. Except
            as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date of
            this Agreement, Parent and its subsidiaries are in compliance with
            all applicable statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, orders and
            regulations (including, without limitation, those relating to
            safety, hiring, promotion or pay of employees) of any Governmental
            Entity, except for noncompliance which individually or in the
            aggregate would not have a material adverse effect on Parent.

                (ii) To the knowledge of Parent, Parent and each of its
            subsidiaries is, and has been, and each of Parent's former
            subsidiaries, while subsidiaries of Parent, was, in compliance in
            all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, except
            for noncompliance which individually or in the aggregate would not
            have a material adverse effect on Parent.

               (iii) During the period of ownership or operation by Parent and
            its subsidiaries of any of their respective current or previously
            owned or leased properties, there have been no releases of Hazardous
            Material in, on, under or affecting such properties or, to the
            knowledge of Parent, any surrounding site, except in each case for
            those which individually or in the aggregate are not reasonably
            likely to have a material adverse effect on Parent. Prior to the
            period of ownership or operation by Parent and its subsidiaries of
            any of their respective current or previously owned or leased
            properties, to the knowledge of Parent, no Hazardous Material was
            generated, treated, stored, disposed of, used, handled or
            manufactured at, or transported, shipped or disposed of from, such
            current or previously owned or leased properties, and there were no
            releases of Hazardous Material in, on, under or affecting any such
            property or any surrounding site, except in each case for those
            which individually or in the aggregate are not reasonably likely to
            have a material adverse effect on Parent.

            (m) BROKERS. Except for Hambrecht & Quist, LLC and Alex Brown & Sons
      Incorporated, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
      person, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by Parent, is entitled
      to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or
      commission in connection with the transactions


                                     37
<PAGE>   42
      contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on
      behalf of Parent or Sub.

            (n) OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. Parent has received the opinion of
      Hambrecht & Quist LLC, dated the date of this Agreement, to the effect
      that, as of such date, the consideration to be received in the Merger is
      fair to Parent and the shareholders of Parent from a financial point of
      view, and a signed copy of such opinion has been delivered to the Company.

            (o) CONTRACTS; DEBT INSTRUMENTS. Other than those agreements set
      forth on Schedule 3.2(o)(1), which agreements are confidential and will
      not be made available, Schedule 3.2(o)(2) sets forth, as of the date of
      this Agreement, a true and complete list of each material agreement,
      lease, contract, note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other
      obligation (collectively, "PARENT AGREEMENTS") of Parent or any of its
      subsidiaries (a) which would be required by Rule 601 of SEC Regulation S-K
      to be filed as an exhibit to an Annual Report on Form 10-K (including any
      Benefit Plan) or is a Parent Agreement (i) with respect to the acquisition
      or disposition of a material amount of Parent's assets (whether or not
      such Parent Agreement has been fully performed), (ii) other than in
      connection with employment by Parent or any of its subsidiaries, contains
      a covenant not to compete with Parent or covenant by Parent not to compete
      with others, (iii) with an Affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule
      12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of Parent (whether such Parent Agreement is
      oral or written), (b) with respect to indebtedness for money borrowed
      (other than trade payables in the ordinary and usual course of business),
      (c) pursuant to which Parent or any of its subsidiaries is licensing its
      technology or intellectual property rights or pursuant to which Parent or
      any of its subsidiaries is a licensee of technology or intellectual
      property rights of others, (d) which constitutes an employment or
      consulting agreement of Parent or any of its subsidiaries and provides for
      severance payments, termination payments, change-in-control payments or
      other similar payments, or (e) which constitutes any other liability
      (including, without limitation, any guarantee, surety contract or similar
      instrument), obligation or transaction and, in the case of any item
      referred to in this clause (e), is material to Parent and its subsidiaries
      or their businesses taken as a whole (the items referred to in clauses (a)
      through (e) of this sentence being referred to herein as "PARENT MATERIAL
      CONTRACTS"). Except as hereinabove provided, a true and complete copy of
      each Parent Material Contract has been made available to the Company or
      its representative. Each Parent Material Contract is a valid and legally
      binding obligation of Parent or its subsidiaries, whichever is applicable,
      is in full force and effect, all material obligations required


                                     38
<PAGE>   43
      to be performed thereunder as of the date hereof by Parent or its
      subsidiaries, whichever is applicable, have been performed to date, and to
      the knowledge of Parent, no other party to any such Parent Material
      Contract is in default in any material respect under the terms thereof
      except for such failures to perform or defaults which individually and in
      the aggregate would not have a material adverse effect on the Parent.

            (p) TITLE TO PROPERTIES.

                  (i) Parent and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title
            to, or valid leasehold interests in, all their material properties
            and assets except for such as are no longer used or useful in the
            conduct of their businesses or as have been disposed of in the
            ordinary course of business and except for defects in title,
            easements, restrictive covenants and similar encumbrances or
            impediments that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
            material adverse effect on Parent. All such material properties and
            assets, other than properties and assets in which Parent or any of
            its subsidiaries has leasehold interests, are free and clear of all
            Liens, except for taxes not yet due and Liens that, individually or
            in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on
            Parent.

                (ii) Each of Parent and its subsidiaries has complied with the
            terms of all material leases to which it is a party and under which
            it is in occupancy, and all such leases are in full force and
            effect, except for such failures to comply or to be in full force
            and effect which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
            material adverse effect on Parent. Each of Parent and its
            subsidiaries enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all
            such material leases, except for the failures to have so which would
            not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse
            effect on Parent.

            (q) ACCOUNTING MATTERS. Neither Parent nor, to its best knowledge,
      any of its affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action or is aware
      of any condition that would prevent Parent from accounting for the
      business combination to be effected by the Merger as a
      pooling-of-interests.

            (r)   VOTING REQUIREMENTS.  Parent Shareholder Approval
      is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of
      Parent's securities necessary to approve this Agreement and
      the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.



                                     39
<PAGE>   44
            (s) NONCOMPETITION. Parent and its subsidiaries are not subject to
      any non-competition or similar restriction on their respective businesses.

            (t) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Parent and each of its subsidiaries owns
      or possesses adequate and enforceable licenses or other rights to use all
      patents, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, inventions and processes
      used in and material to the business of Parent or such subsidiary as
      currently conducted, and such licenses and rights will not be affected by
      the consummation of the Merger. Except as disclosed in the Parent SEC
      Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, neither Parent nor
      any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of conflict or
      infringement which asserts the rights of others with respect to such
      licenses and rights. Parent owns or rightfully possesses (i) the source
      code, recorded on computer magnetic media and in written form, for its
      information systems programs, including both the information systems
      programs themselves and the product related infrastructure (the "PARENT
      SOFTWARE") and (ii) all commentary, explanations, specifications,
      documentation, proprietary information, test programs and program
      specifications, compiler and assembler descriptions of proprietary or
      third party system utilities, and descriptions of system/program
      generation and programs not owned by Parent but required for use or
      support, relating to the Parent Software that are reasonably necessary for
      the Surviving Corporation to maintain and enhance the Parent Software, and
      to provide a commercially standard level of service and support to users
      of the Parent Software without the aid of any other party and without use
      of any other material.

            (u) The Parent Significant Shareholders beneficially own and have
      the right to vote, in the aggregate, approximately 53% of the total issued
      and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock.

            (v) INTERIM OPERATIONS OF SUB.

                  (i) Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the
            transactions contemplated hereby, has engaged in no other business
            activities and has conducted its operations only as contemplated
            hereby.

                (ii) As of the date hereof and the Effective Time, except for
            obligations or liabilities incurred in connection with its
            incorporation or organization and the transactions contemplated by
            this Agreement, Sub has not and will not have incurred, directly or
            indirectly, through any subsidiary, any obligations or liabilities
            or engaged in any business activities of


                                     40
<PAGE>   45
            any type or kind whatsoever or entered into any agreements or
            arrangements with any person.



                                   ARTICLE IV

                   COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

            SECTION 4.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.

            (a) CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE COMPANY. During the period from the
date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of
this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Effective Time, the Company shall,
and shall cause its subsidiaries to, carry on their respective businesses in the
ordinary course and use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their current
business organizations, keep available the services of their current officers
and employees and preserve their relationships with customers, suppliers and
others having business dealings with them. In furtherance of the foregoing and
subject to applicable law, the Company agrees to confer with Parent, as promptly
as practicable, prior to the Company taking any material actions or making any
material management decisions with respect to the conduct of the Company's
business. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, between the date of
this Agreement and the Effective Time or until the earlier termination of this
Agreement pursuant to its terms, except (1) as contemplated by this Agreement,
(2) as set forth in Section 4.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or (3)
with the prior written consent of Parent (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld), the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
subsidiaries to:

            (i) (A) declare, set aside or pay (whether in cash, stock, property
      or otherwise) any dividends on, or make any other distributions in respect
      of, any of its capital stock, other than dividends and distributions by
      any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to its
      parent, (B) 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 its capital stock or (C) purchase,
      redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the Company or
      any of its subsidiaries or any other securities thereof or any rights,
      warrants or options to acquire any such shares or other securities;

          (ii) other than the issuance of the Company Common Stock upon the
      exercise of Stock Options and warrants outstanding on the date of this
      Agreement in accordance with their present terms or in accordance with the
      present terms of any employment agreements existing on the date of this


                                     41
<PAGE>   46
      Agreement and described in Section 4.1(a) of the Company Disclosure
      Schedule or the issuance of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Company
      Purchase Plan in accordance with its present terms, (A) issue, deliver,
      sell, award, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber or authorize or
      propose the issuance, delivery, grant, sale, award, pledge or other
      encumbrance (including limitations in voting rights) or authorization of,
      any shares of its capital stock, any voting securities or any securities
      convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such
      shares, voting securities or convertible securities, (B) amend or
      otherwise modify the terms of any such rights, warrants or options (except
      as expressly contemplated by this Agreement) or (C) accelerate the vesting
      of any of the Stock Options;

         (iii) amend its articles of incorporation, by-laws or other comparable
      charter or organizational documents;

          (iv) acquire or agree to acquire (for cash or shares of stock or
      otherwise) 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, joint venture, association or other
      business organization or division thereof;

            (v) mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject to any Lien, or sell,
      lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of, its properties or assets,
      except for sales of its properties or assets in the ordinary course of
      business consistent with past practice;

          (vi) (A) increase the rate or terms of compensation payable or to
      become payable generally to any of the Company's or any of its
      subsidiaries' directors, executive officers, or employees other than usual
      and customary salary increases to non-management employees, (B) pay or
      agree to pay any pension, retirement allowance or other employee benefit
      not provided for by any existing Pension Plan, Benefit Plan or employment
      agreement described in the SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this
      Agreement, (C) commit itself to any additional pension, profit sharing,
      bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, stock purchase, stock option,
      stock appreciation right, group insurance, severance pay, continuation
      pay, termination pay, retirement or other employee benefit plan, agreement
      or arrangement, or increase the rate or terms of any employee plan or
      benefit arrangement, (D) enter into any employment agreement with or for
      the benefit of any person or (E) increase the rate of compensation under
      or otherwise change the terms of or renew any existing employment
      agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this clause (vi) shall
      preclude payments under the terms of the existing incentive compensation
      plans of the Company in accordance with past practice;


                                     42
<PAGE>   47
         (vii)    change its fiscal year;

        (viii) (A) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any
      such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt securities or
      warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of the Company or
      any of its subsidiaries, guarantee any debt securities of another person,
      enter into any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial
      statement condition of another person or enter into any arrangement having
      the economic effect of any of the foregoing, except for the incurrence of
      indebtedness which, in the aggregate, does not exceed $250,000, or (B)
      other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
      practice, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
      investments in, any other person, other than to the Company or any direct
      or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;

          (ix) make or agree to make any new capital expenditures which
      individually exceed $50,000 or which in the aggregate exceed $500,000;

           (x) make or rescind any express or deemed election relating to
      taxes, settle or compromise any claim, action, suit, litigation,
      proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy relating to
      taxes, or change any of its methods of reporting income or deductions for
      federal income tax purposes from those employed in the preparation of its
      federal income tax return for the taxable year ended December 31, 1995,
      except as may be required by applicable law;

         (xi) pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations
      (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise),
      other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction, in the ordinary course
      of business consistent with past practice or in accordance with their
      terms, of liabilities reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated
      by, the most recent consolidated financial statements (or the notes
      thereto) of the Company included in the SEC Documents or incurred in the
      ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

        (xii) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
      practice, modify, amend, renew, fail to renew or terminate any material
      contract or agreement to which the Company or any subsidiary is a party or
      waive, release or assign any material rights or claims; or

       (xiii)  authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of, the 
      foregoing actions.



                                     43
<PAGE>   48
            (b) CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY PARENT. During the period from the date
of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this
Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Effective Time, Parent shall, and shall
cause its subsidiaries to, carry on their respective businesses in the ordinary
course and use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their current business
organizations, keep available the services of their current officers and
employees and preserve their relationships with customers, suppliers and others
having business dealings with them. Prior to the release of any material press
release, Parent shall give the Company reasonable advance notice. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, between the date of this Agreement and
the Effective Time or until the earlier termination of this Agreement pursuant
to its terms, except (1) as contemplated by this Agreement, (2) as set forth in
Section 4.1(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, or (3) with the prior written
consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld),
Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to:

            (i) (A) declare, set aside or pay (whether in cash, stock, property
      or otherwise) any dividends on, or make any other distributions in respect
      of, any of its capital stock, other than dividends and distributions by
      any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent to its parent,
      (B) 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 its capital stock or (C) purchase, redeem
      or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of Parent or any of its
      subsidiaries or any other securities thereof or any rights, warrants or
      options to acquire any such shares or other securities;

          (ii) other than the issuance of Parent Common Stock in connection with
      the merger of VideoGuide, Inc. or, upon the exercise of stock options
      outstanding under the Stock Incentive Plan outstanding on the date of this
      Agreement in accordance with their present terms or in accordance with the
      present terms of any employment agreements existing on the date of this
      Agreement and described in Section 4.1(b) of the Parent Disclosure
      Schedule or, the granting of stock options to purchase up to an aggregate
      of two million shares of Parent Common Stock (at an exercise price equal
      to the fair market value of the Parent Common Stock on the date of grant)
      pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan as in effect on the date of this
      Agreement and the issuance of Parent Common Stock upon the exercise
      thereof, (A) issue, deliver, sell, award, pledge, dispose of or otherwise
      encumber or authorize or propose the issuance, delivery, grant, sale,
      award, pledge or other encumbrance (including limitations in voting
      rights) or authorization of, any shares of its capital stock, any voting
      securities or any securities convertible


                                     44
<PAGE>   49
      into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such shares,
      voting securities or convertible securities, (B) amend or otherwise modify
      the terms of any such rights, warrants or options (except as expressly
      contemplated by this Agreement) or (C) accelerate the vesting of any of
      the stock options outstanding under the Stock Incentive Plan;

        (iii) amend its articles of incorporation, by-laws or other comparable
      charter or organizational documents;

         (iv) acquire or agree to acquire (for cash or shares of stock or
      otherwise) 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, joint venture, association or other
      business organization or division thereof, which, in the aggregate, have a
      value in excess of $10,000,000;

          (v) mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject to any Lien, or sell,
      lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of, its properties or assets,
      except for sales of its properties or assets in the ordinary course of
      business consistent with past practice;

         (vi) change its fiscal year;

        (vii) (A) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any
      such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt securities or
      warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of Parent or any
      of its subsidiaries, guarantee any debt securities of another person,
      enter into any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial
      statement condition of another person or enter into any arrangement having
      the economic effect of any of the foregoing, except for the incurrence of
      indebtedness which, in the aggregate, does not exceed $1,000,000, or (B)
      other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
      practice, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
      investments in, any other person, other than to Parent or any direct or
      indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent;

        (viii) pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations
      (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise),
      other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction, in the ordinary course
      of business consistent with past practice or in accordance with their
      terms, of liabilities reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated
      by, the most recent consolidated financial statements (or the notes
      thereto) of Parent included in the Parent SEC Documents or incurred in the
      ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; or



                                     45
<PAGE>   50
           (ix) authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of, the
      foregoing actions.

            (c) OTHER ACTIONS. The Company and Parent shall not, and shall not
permit any of their respect subsidiaries to, take any action that would result
in (i) any of the representations or warranties of such party set forth in this
Agreement that are qualified as to materiality becoming untrue or (ii) any of
such representations or warranties that are not so qualified becoming untrue in
any material respect.

            SECTION 4.2 NO INCONSISTENT COMPANY ACTIVITIES.

            (a) In light of the consideration given by the Board of Directors of
the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement to, among other things, the
transactions contemplated hereby and by the Company Significant Shareholder
Agreement, and to various alternatives to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and in light of the Company's representations contained in Section
3.1(o), from and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the
Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its
terms, the Company agrees that it shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, nor shall it authorize or permit any officer, director or
employee of, or any investment banker, attorney or other advisor, representative
or agent of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,
solicit or initiate, or knowingly encourage the submission of, any Company
Takeover Proposal (as defined below), or participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any information with respect
to, or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any
proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Company
Takeover Proposal. For purposes of this Agreement, "COMPANY TAKEOVER PROPOSAL"
means any proposal (whether or not in writing and whether or not delivered to
the Company's shareholders generally) regarding (i) a merger, consolidation,
purchase of assets (other than purchases of assets or inventory in the ordinary
course of business), tender offer, share exchange or other business combination
or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii)
any proposal or offer to acquire in any manner, directly or indirectly, any
equity interest in or any voting securities of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries which constitutes 10% or more of the total of such equity interests
or voting securities, or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, (iii) the acquisition by any person of beneficial
ownership or a right to acquire beneficial ownership of, or the formation of any
"group" (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder) which beneficially owns, or has the right to acquire
beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the then outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Company or (iv) any public announcement of a proposal, plan or
intention to do any of the


                                     46
<PAGE>   51
foregoing or any agreement to engage in any of the foregoing. Neither the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, release any
third party from any confidentiality agreement. Nothing contained herein shall
prohibit the Company from disclosing to its shareholders the statement required
by Rule 14e-2(a) under the Exchange Act with respect to a Company Takeover
Proposal by means of a tender offer.

            (b) The restrictions set forth in Section 4.2(a) shall not prevent
the Board of Directors of the Company, in the exercise of and as required by its
fiduciary duties as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good
faith (after consultation with the Company's outside legal counsel) from
engaging in discussions or negotiations with, and furnishing information
concerning the Company and its business, properties and assets (but not directly
or indirectly soliciting or initiating such discussions or negotiations or
directly or indirectly encouraging inquiries or the making of any Company
Takeover Proposal) to a third party who makes a written, unsolicited, bona fide
Company Takeover Proposal that is (based on objective criteria and not on the
subjective intent of the acquiror) likely to be consummated and is financially
superior to the Merger (a "COMPANY SUPERIOR PROPOSAL"), as determined in each
case in good faith by the Company's Board of Directors after consultation with,
and the receipt of an opinion from, the Company's financial advisors, which
shall be of national reputation, provided that Parent shall have been notified
in writing of such Company Superior Proposal and given a copy of such Company
Superior Proposal in advance of the taking of any such actions by the Company.

            Upon compliance with the foregoing and, following receipt of the
Company Termination Fee Notice (as defined in Section 7.5(a)), payment in full
by the Company to Parent of the Company Termination Fee (as defined in Section
7.5(a)), (i) the Company's Board of Directors shall be entitled, subject to the
rights of Parent under this Agreement, to withdraw, modify or refrain from
making its recommendation referred to in Section 5.1(d) following receipt of a
Company Superior Proposal, and approve and recommend to the shareholders of the
Company such Company Superior Proposal and (ii) the Company may enter into an
agreement with such third party concerning a Company Superior Proposal.

            (c) The Company shall promptly advise Parent orally and in writing
of any request for information or of any Company Takeover Proposal, or any
inquiry with respect to or which could lead to any Company Takeover Proposal,
the material terms and conditions of such request, Company Takeover Proposal or
inquiry, and the identity of the person making any such Company Takeover
Proposal or inquiry. The Company shall keep Parent informed of the status and
details of any such request, Company Takeover Proposal or inquiry.


                                     47
<PAGE>   52
            (d) Notwithstanding Section 4.2(b), the Company shall not provide
any non-public information to a third party unless the Company provides such
non-public information pursuant to a non-disclosure agreement with terms
regarding the protection of confidential information at least as restrictive as
such terms in the Confidentiality Agreements previously entered into between
Parent and the Company. The Company shall be entitled to provide copies of this
Section 4.2 to third parties who, on an unsolicited basis after the date of this
Agreement, contact the Company regarding a Company Takeover Proposal, provided
that Parent shall concurrently be notified of such contact and delivery of such
copy.

            (e) The Company shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated
any existing discussions or negotiations with any parties (other than Parent and
Sub) conducted prior to the date of this Agreement with respect to any of the
foregoing.

            SECTION 4.3 NO INCONSISTENT PARENT ACTIVITIES.

            (a) In light of the consideration given by the Board of Directors of
Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement to, among other things, the
transactions contemplated hereby and by the Parent Significant Shareholder
Agreement, and to various alternatives to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and in light of the Company's representations contained in Section
3.2(n), from and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the
Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its
terms, Parent agrees that it shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, nor shall it authorize or permit any officer, director or
employee of, or any investment banker, attorney or other advisor, representative
or agent of, Parent or any of its subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,
solicit or initiate, or knowingly encourage the submission of, any Parent
Takeover Proposal (as defined below), or participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any information with respect
to, or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any
proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Parent
Takeover Proposal. For purposes of this Agreement, "PARENT TAKEOVER PROPOSAL"
means any proposal (whether or not in writing and whether or not delivered to
the Parent's shareholders generally) regarding (i) a merger, consolidation,
purchase of assets (other than purchases of assets or inventory in the ordinary
course of business), tender offer, share exchange or other business combination
or similar transaction involving Parent or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any
proposal or offer to acquire in any manner, directly or indirectly, any equity
interest in or any voting securities of Parent or any of its subsidiaries which
constitutes 10% or more of the total of such equity interests or voting
securities, or a substantial portion of the assets of Parent or any of its
subsidiaries, (iii) the acquisition by any person of beneficial


                                     48
<PAGE>   53
ownership or a right to acquire beneficial ownership of, or the formation of any
"group" (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder) which beneficially owns, or has the right to acquire
beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the then outstanding shares of capital
stock of Parent, or (iv) any public announcement of a proposal, plan or
intention to do any of the foregoing of any agreement to engage in any of the
foregoing. Neither Parent nor any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or
indirectly, release any third party from any confidentiality agreement. Nothing
contained herein shall prohibit Parent from disclosing to its shareholders the
statement required by Rule 14e-2(a) under the Exchange Act with respect to a
Parent Takeover Proposal by means of a tender offer.

            (b) The restrictions set forth in Section 4.3(a) shall not prevent
the Board of Directors of Parent, in the exercise of and as required by its
fiduciary duties as determined by the Board of Directors of Parent in good faith
(after consultation with Parent's outside legal counsel) from engaging in
discussions or negotiations with, and furnishing information concerning Parent
and its business, properties and assets (but not directly or indirectly
soliciting or initiating such discussions or negotiations or directly or
indirectly encouraging inquiries or the making of any Parent Takeover Proposal)
to a third party who makes a written, unsolicited, bona fide Parent Takeover
Proposal that is likely to be consummated and is financially superior to the
Merger (a "PARENT SUPERIOR PROPOSAL"), as determined in each case in good faith
by the Parent's Board of Directors after consultation with, and the receipt of
an opinion from, the Parent's financial advisors, which shall be of national
reputation, provided that the Company shall have been notified in writing of
such Parent Superior Proposal and given a copy of such Parent Superior Proposal
in advance of the taking of any such actions by Parent.

            Upon compliance with the foregoing and, following receipt of the
Parent Termination Fee Notice (as defined in Section 7.5(b)), payment in full by
Parent to the Company of the Parent Termination Fee (as defined in Section
7.5(b)), (i) Parent' Board of Directors shall be entitled, subject to the rights
of the Company under this Agreement, to withdraw, modify or refrain from making
its recommendation referred to in Section 5.1(d) following receipt of a Parent
Superior Proposal, and approve and recommend to the shareholders of Parent such
Parent Superior Proposal and (ii) Parent may enter into an agreement with such
third party concerning a Parent Superior Proposal.

            (c) Parent shall promptly advise the Company orally and in writing
of any request for information or of any Parent Takeover Proposal, or any
inquiry with respect to or which could lead to any Parent Takeover Proposal, the
material terms and


                                     49
<PAGE>   54
conditions of such request, Parent Takeover Proposal or inquiry, and the
identity of the person making any such Parent Takeover Proposal or inquiry.
Parent shall keep the Company informed of the status and details of any such
request, Parent Takeover Proposal or inquiry.

            (d) Notwithstanding Section 4.3(b), Parent shall not provide any
non-public information to a third party unless Parent provides such non-public
information pursuant to a non-disclosure agreement with terms regarding the
protection of confidential information at least as restrictive as such terms in
the Confidentiality Agreements previously entered into between Parent and the
Company. Parent shall be entitled to provide copies of this Section 4.3 to third
parties who, on an unsolicited basis after the date of this Agreement, contact
Parent regarding a Parent Takeover Proposal, provided that the Company shall
concurrently be notified of such contact and delivery of such copy.

            (e) Parent shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any
existing discussion or negotiations with any parties (other than the Company)
conducted prior to the date of this Agreement with respect to any of the
foregoing.


                                    ARTICLE V

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

            SECTION 5.1 PREPARATION OF FORM F-4 AND THE PROXY
STATEMENT; SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS.

            (a) As promptly as reasonably practicable after the execution of
this Agreement, (i) the Company and Parent shall prepare and file with the SEC a
preliminary joint proxy statement in form and substance satisfactory to each of
the Company and Parent, relating to the meeting of the Company's shareholders to
be held to obtain the Company Shareholder Approval and the meeting of the
Parent's Shareholders to obtain the Parent Shareholder Approval (together with
any amendments thereof or supplements thereto, the "PROXY STATEMENT") and (ii)
Parent shall prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4
(together with all amendments thereto, the "FORM F-4") in which the Proxy
Statement shall be included as a prospectus, in connection with the registration
under the Securities Act of the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued to
the shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Merger. As promptly as
reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, Parent and the Company
shall prepare and file any other filings required under the Exchange Act, the
Securities Act or any other Federal or Blue Sky Laws relating to the Merger and
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement,
including, without limitation, under the HSR Act and state takeover laws (the
"OTHER


                                     50
<PAGE>   55
FILINGS"). Each of Parent and the Company will notify the other promptly of the
receipt of any comments from the SEC or its staff and of any request by the SEC
or its staff or any other government officials for amendments or supplements to
the Form F-4, the Proxy Statement or any Other Filing or for additional
information and will supply the other with copies of all correspondence between
such company or any of its representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC, or its
staff or any other government officials, on the other hand, with respect to the
Form F-4, the Proxy Statement, the Merger or any Other Filing. The Proxy
Statement, the Form F-4 and the Other Filings shall comply in all material
respects with all applicable requirements of law. Each of Parent and the Company
shall use all reasonable efforts to cause the Form F-4 to become effective as
promptly as reasonably practicable, and shall take all or any action required
under any applicable federal or state securities laws in connection with the
issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the Merger. Except as set
forth in Sections 3.1(p) and 3.2(o), each of Parent and the Company shall
furnish all information concerning itself to the other as the other may
reasonably request in connection with such actions and the preparation of the
Form F-4 and Proxy Statement. The Company authorizes Parent to utilize in the
Form F-4 and in all such state filed materials, the information concerning the
Company and its subsidiaries provided to Parent in connection with, or contained
in, the Proxy Statement. Parent promptly will advise the Company when the Form
F-4 has become effective and of any supplements or amendments thereto, and the
Company shall not distribute any written material that would constitute, as
advised by counsel to the Company, a "prospectus" relating to the Merger or the
Parent Common Stock within the meaning of the Securities Act or any applicable
state securities law without the prior written consent of Parent. As promptly as
reasonably practicable after the Form F-4 shall have become effective, each of
the Company and Parent shall mail the Proxy Statement to its respective
shareholders.

            (b) Parent agrees promptly to advise the Company if at any time
prior to the meeting of the Parent's Shareholders or the meeting of the
Company's shareholders any information provided by it in the Proxy Statement is
or becomes incorrect or incomplete in any material respect and to provide the
Company with the information needed to correct such inaccuracy or omission.
Parent will furnish the Company with such supplemental information as may be
necessary in order to cause the Proxy Statement, insofar as it relates to Parent
and its subsidiaries, to comply with applicable law after the mailing thereof to
the Parent's Shareholders or the Company's shareholders.

            (c) The Company agrees promptly to advise Parent if at any time
prior to the meeting of the Parent's Shareholders or the meeting of the
Company's shareholders any information provided by it in the Proxy Statement is
or becomes incorrect or incomplete


                                     51
<PAGE>   56
in any material respect and to provide Parent with the information needed to
correct such inaccuracy or omission. The Company will furnish Parent with such
supplemental information as may be necessary in order to cause the Proxy
Statement, insofar as it relates to the Company and its subsidiaries, to comply
with applicable law after the mailing thereof to the Parent's Shareholders or
the Company's shareholders.

            (d) As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, the
Company shall call and hold a meeting of its shareholders (the "COMPANY
SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING") and the Parent shall call and hold a meeting of the
Parent's Shareholders (the "PARENT SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING"). The purpose of such
meetings shall be to obtain the Company Shareholder Approval and the Parent
Shareholder Approval, respectively. Each of the Company and Parent shall
coordinate and cooperate with respect to the timing of the Company Shareholders'
Meeting and Parent Shareholders' Meeting and shall use reasonable efforts to
hold such meetings on the same day. Each of the Company and Parent shall use its
best efforts to solicit from its shareholders proxies, and shall take all other
action necessary or advisable to secure the vote or consent of shareholders
required by applicable law or otherwise to obtain the Company Shareholder
Approval and the Parent Shareholder Approval, respectively, and through its
respective Board of Directors, shall recommend to its respective shareholders
the obtaining of the Company Shareholder Approval and the Parent Shareholder
Approval, respectively; provided that (i) the recommendation of the Board of
Directors of the Company may not be included or may be withdrawn or modified if
previously included if, following receipt of the Company Termination Fee Notice
(as defined in Section 7.5(a)), the Company has paid the Company Termination Fee
and the Company has accepted a Company Superior Proposal in accordance with the
terms of Section 4.2 and (ii) the recommendation of the Board of Directors of
Parent may not be included or may be withdrawn or modified if previously
included if, following receipt of the Parent Termination Fee Notice (as defined
in Section 7.5(b)), Parent has paid the Parent Termination Fee and Parent has
accepted a Parent Superior Proposal in accordance with the terms of Section 4.3.

            SECTION 5.2 ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY. Other than those
agreements set forth on Schedule 3.1(p)(1) and Schedule 3.2(o)(1), which
agreements are confidential and will not be made available, each of the Company
and Parent shall, and shall cause each of its respective subsidiaries to, afford
to the other party, and to the officers, employees, accountants, counsel,
financial advisors and other representatives of such other party, reasonable
access during normal business hours during the period prior to the Effective
Time to all their respective properties, books, contracts, commitments,
personnel and records and, during such period, each of the Company and Parent
shall, and shall cause each of its respective subsidiaries


                                     52
<PAGE>   57
to, furnish promptly to the other party, (a) a copy of each report, schedule,
registration statement and other document filed by it during such period
pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities laws and (b) all
other information concerning its business, properties and personnel as such
other party may reasonably request. Each of the Company and Parent will hold,
and will cause its respective officers, employees, accountants, counsel,
financial advisers and other representatives and affiliates to hold, any
confidential information in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreements dated
September 11, 1996, between Parent and the Company (the "CONFIDENTIALITY
AGREEMENTS"). No information or knowledge obtained in any investigation pursuant
to this Section 5.2 shall affect or otherwise obviate or diminish any
representations and warranties of any party or conditions to the obligations of
any party.

            SECTION 5.3 REASONABLE EFFORTS; NOTIFICATION.

            (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, each of the parties agrees to use reasonable best efforts to take, or
cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist
and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner
practicable, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, subject to the appropriate approval of the shareholders of the
Company and Parent, including (i) the making of all necessary registrations and
filings (including filings with Governmental Entities, if any), (ii) the
obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from Governmental
Entities and other third parties, (iii) the execution and delivery of any
additional instruments necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by,
and to fully carry out the purposes of, this Agreement, (iv) the using of all
reasonable best efforts necessary to lift, rescind or mitigate the effect of any
injunction or restraining order or other order adversely affecting the ability
of any party hereto to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (v) the
using of all reasonable best efforts to fulfill all conditions applicable to
Parent, Sub or the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and (vi) the using of all
reasonable best efforts to prevent, with respect to a threatened or pending
temporary, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling
or statute, rule, regulation or executive order, the entry, enactment or
promulgation thereof, as the case may be.

            (b) The Company shall give prompt written notice to Parent, and
Parent shall give prompt written notice to the Company, of (i) any
representation or warranty made by it contained in this Agreement that is
qualified as to materiality becoming untrue or any such representation or
warranty that is not so qualified becoming untrue in any material respect or
(ii) the material failure by it to comply with or satisfy any


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<PAGE>   58
covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under
this Agreement; provided, however, that no such notification shall (i) affect
the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the parties or the
conditions to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement or (ii) limit
or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to the party receiving such
notice.

            SECTION 5.4 STOCK OPTION PLANS.

            (a) At the Effective Time, each outstanding Company Stock Option,
whether vested or unvested, shall be assumed by Parent. Accordingly, each
Company Stock Option shall be deemed to constitute an option to acquire, on
substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such
Company Stock Option, the number, rounded down to the nearest whole integer, of
full shares of Parent Common Stock the holder of such Company Stock Option would
have been entitled to receive pursuant to the Merger had such holder exercised
such Company Stock Option in full, including as to unvested shares, immediately
prior to the Effective Time, at a price per share equal to (y) the exercise
price per share for the shares of Company Common Stock otherwise purchasable
pursuant to such Company Stock Option divided by (z) the Exchange Ratio, with
such exercise price per share rounded up to the nearest whole cent.

            (b) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall
deliver to each holder of a Company Stock Option a document evidencing the
foregoing assumption of such Company Stock Option by Parent.

            (c) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall
file a registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form), or another
appropriate form with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock subject to
such Company Stock Options and shall use its reasonable efforts to maintain the
effectiveness of such registration statement (and maintain the current status of
the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as such Company
Stock Options remain outstanding. With respect to those individuals who
subsequent to the Merger will be subject to the reporting requirements under
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, where applicable, Parent shall administer the
Company Stock Option Plans assumed pursuant to this Section 5.4 in a manner that
complies with Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act.

            (d) The Company agrees that it shall terminate the Company Purchase
Plan by having its Board of Directors amend the Company Purchase Plan as
necessary (i) to provide that the shares of the Company Common Stock to be
purchased under the Company Purchase Plan shall be purchased under the Company
Purchase Plan on a new "EXERCISE DATE" (as such term is defined in the Company
Purchase Plan) set by the Board of Directors, which Exercise Date


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<PAGE>   59
shall be on the last trading day immediately prior to the Effective Time, or
such earlier time as the Board shall specify, (ii) to provide that any such
shares purchased under the Company Purchase Plan shall be automatically
converted on the same basis as all other shares of the Company Common Stock
(other than shares canceled pursuant to Section 2.1(b)), except that such shares
shall be converted automatically into shares of Parent Common Stock without
issuance of certificates representing issued and outstanding shares of the
Company Common Stock to Company Purchase Plan participants, and (iii) to provide
that immediately following such purchase of shares of the Company Common Stock,
the Company Purchase Plan shall terminate.

            SECTION 5.5 CONVEYANCE TAXES. Parent and the Company shall cooperate
in the preparation, execution and filing of all returns, questionnaires,
applications or other documents regarding any real property transfer or gains,
sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer and stamp taxes, any transfer,
recording, registration and other fees, and any similar taxes which become
payable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby that are
required or permitted to be filed on or before the Effective Time. All of such
taxes and expenses shall be borne equally by Parent and the Company.

            SECTION 5.6 INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE.

            (a) Upon the Effective Time, Parent shall assume all of the
obligations of the Company under the Company's existing indemnification
agreements with each of the directors and officers of the Company as such
agreements relate to the indemnification of such person for expenses and
liabilities arising from facts or events which occurred on or before the
Effective Time or relating to the Merger or transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

            (b) The articles of incorporation and the by-laws of the Surviving
Corporation shall contain the provisions with respect to indemnification and
exculpation from liability substantially identical to those set forth in the
Company's articles of incorporation and by-laws on the date of this Agreement,
which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a
period of six years from the Effective Time in any manner that would adversely
affect the rights thereunder of individuals who on or prior to the Effective
Time were directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company unless such
modification is required by law.

            (c) The Surviving Corporation or, at Parent's discretion, Parent
shall maintain in effect for three years from the Effective Time policies of
directors' and officers' liability insurance for the benefit of the individuals
who at the Effective Time were directors or officers of the Company containing
terms and conditions which are not materially less advantageous than


                                     55
<PAGE>   60
those policies maintained by the Company at the date hereof, with respect to
matters occurring prior to the Effective Time, to the extent available, and
having the maximum available coverage under the current policies of directors'
and officers' liability insurance; provided that (i) in lieu of the purchase of
such insurance by the Surviving Corporation or Parent, the Company, with
Parent's written consent, may purchase a three-year extended reporting period
endorsement ("reporting tail coverage") under its existing Directors' and
Officers' liability insurance coverage and (ii) the Surviving Corporation and
Parent shall not be obligated to make annual premium payments for such insurance
to the extent such premiums exceed 175% of the annual premium payments paid as
of the date hereof by the Company for such insurance if the Surviving
Corporation and Parent shall provide the maximum coverage available at 175% of
such premiums.

            (d) If Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their successors
or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not
be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or
merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets
to any person, then and in each such case, proper provisions shall be made so
that the successors and assigns of Parent or the Surviving Corporation, as the
case may be, shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 5.6.

            SECTION 5.7 LETTERS OF ACCOUNTANTS.

            (a) The Company shall use its reasonable efforts to cause to be
delivered to Parent "comfort" letters of Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company's
independent public accountants, dated and delivered on the date on which the
Form F-4 shall become effective and dated the Closing Date, each addressed to
Parent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent and reasonably
customary in scope and substance for letters delivered by independent public
accountants in connection with transactions such as those contemplated by this
Agreement.

            (b) Parent shall use its reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered
to the Company "comfort" letters of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Parent's independent
public accountants, dated and delivered on the date on which the Form F-4 shall
become effective and dated the Closing Date, each addressed to the Company, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and reasonably
customary in scope and substance for letters delivered by independent public
accountants in connection with transactions such as those contemplated by this
Agreement.

            SECTION 5.8 FEES AND EXPENSES. Except as provided in Section 7.5,
whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
paid by the party incurring such expenses, except that those expenses, other
than


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<PAGE>   61
attorneys' and accountants' fees and expenses, incurred in connection with
printing the Proxy Statement and Form F-4, as well as the filing fee relating to
the Proxy Statement and Form F-4 paid to the SEC, will be shared equally by
Parent and the Company.

            SECTION 5.9 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Parent and Sub, on the one hand,
and the Company, on the other hand, will consult with each other before issuing,
and provide each other the opportunity to review and comment upon, any press
release or other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, including the Merger, and shall not issue any such press
release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation, except as
may be required by applicable law, court process or by obligations pursuant to
any listing agreement with any national securities exchange. The parties agree
that the initial press release to be issued with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
5.9.

            SECTION 5.10 AFFILIATES; ACCOUNTING AND TAX TREATMENT.

            (a) The Company and Parent shall each (i) within five days after the
date of this Agreement, deliver to each other a letter identifying all persons
who may be deemed affiliates of the Company or Parent, as the case may be, under
Rule 145 of the Securities Act or otherwise under applicable SEC accounting
releases with respect to pooling-of-interests accounting treatment and (ii) no
later than five days after the date of this Agreement, obtain (if not previously
obtained) from each such affiliate a written agreement substantially in the form
of Exhibit 5.10A hereto with respect to the Company and Exhibit 5.10B hereto
with respect to Parent. The Company and Parent each shall obtain such a written
agreement as soon as practicable from any person who may be deemed to have
become an affiliate of the Company or Parent, as the case may be, after the
delivery of the letters referred to in clause (i) above and prior to the
Effective Time.

            (b) Each party hereto shall use its best efforts to (i) cause the
Merger to qualify, and shall not take any actions which could prevent the Merger
from qualifying, for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment and as a
reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Code and (ii)
obtain the letters from the accountants referred to in Sections 6.2(e) and
6.3(d) and the opinions of counsel referred to in Sections 6.2(d) and 6.3(c).

            (c) Each party hereto shall (i) use its best efforts to secure the
waiver of any rights to redeem for cash options or warrants of the Company by
each holder thereof and (ii) take such other actions as are necessary to cure
any facts or circumstances


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<PAGE>   62
that could prevent the Merger from qualifying for pooling-of-interests
accounting treatment.

            (d) Parent shall publish results covering at least 30 days of
combined operations of the Company and Parent within 45 calendar days of the end
of Parent's fiscal quarter ending immediately following the Effective Time that
includes such 30 days of combined operations; provided, however, if such fiscal
quarter is Parent's fourth fiscal quarter, then Parent shall publish such
results within 90 calendar days of the end of Parent's fiscal year.

            SECTION 5.11 REPAYMENT OF AFFILIATE RECEIVABLES. At or prior to the
Closing Date, the Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to cause to
be paid in full (with accrued and unpaid interest) all amounts owing to the
Company and its subsidiaries by any shareholder, officer or director or
affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

            SECTION 5.12 BENEFIT PLANS GENERALLY. Except for the Company
Purchase Plan which shall terminate at the Effective Time, Parent agrees to
honor in accordance with their terms, all employment, severance and similar
agreements to which the Company is a party and which are listed on the Company
Disclosure Schedule and all accrued benefits that are vested as of the Effective
Time under any Company benefit program. Except for the Company Purchase Plan
which shall terminate at the Effective Time, Parent agrees to provide employees
of the Company with credit for all service with the Company for purposes of
vesting and eligibility under any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement
of Parent or its affiliates. To the extent not otherwise specified in this
Agreement, Parent agrees that Company employees who continue to be employed by
the Surviving Corporation after the Effective Time may continue to participate
in their current Company sponsored employee benefit programs through six months
following the Effective Time, except for the Company Purchase Plan which shall
terminate at the Effective Time. Subsequently to such date, Company employees
shall participate in Parent employee benefit programs or comparable programs
under substantially the same terms and conditions as all other Parent employees.
To the extent not otherwise specified in this Agreement, all Company employee
benefit programs will cease no earlier than six months following the Effective
Time, at a time to be determined by Parent in its discretion.

            SECTION 5.13 TAKEOVER STATUTES. If any "takeover" statute shall
become applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and the
members of the Board of Directors of the Company, subject to fiduciary duties,
shall grant such approvals and take such actions as are necessary so that the
transactions contemplated hereby may be consummated as promptly as practicable
on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise act


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<PAGE>   63
to eliminate or minimize the effects of such takeover statute on the
transactions contemplated hereby.

            SECTION 5.14 NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKETING LISTING. Parent shall use its
best efforts to cause the shares of Parent Common Stock issuable to the
shareholders of the Company in the Merger, and those required to be reserved for
issuance in connection with the Merger, to be listed for trading on the Nasdaq
National Market.

            SECTION 5.15 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PARENT. The Board of Directors of
Parent will take all actions necessary to cause the Board of Directors of
Parent, immediately after the Effective Time, to consist of ten persons, seven
of whom shall have served on the Board of Directors of Parent immediately prior
to the Effective Time, and three of whom shall have served on the Board of
Directors of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time (one of whom
will be George Smith who will serve as a Class I director of Parent, one of whom
will be James Meyer who will serve as a Class II director of Parent and one of
whom will be Ajit Dalvi who will serve as a Class III director of Parent). If,
prior to the Effective Time, any of the Parent or the Company designees shall
decline or be unable to serve as a director, Parent (if such person was
designated by Parent) or the Company (if such person was designated by the
Company) shall designate another person to serve in such person's stead, which
person shall be reasonably acceptable to the other party.

            SECTION 5.16 TAX MATTERS.

            (a) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. Following the Merger, Parent agrees to
cause the Company to timely comply with the reporting requirements of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.367(a)- 3T(c)(4).

            (b) NOTIFICATION. Parent agrees to inform those shareholders of the
Company who file gain recognition agreements pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Sections 1.367(a)-3T(c)(3) and 1.367(a)-3T(g) in relation to the Merger and
continue to hold Parent shares of any disposition of stock, securities, or
assets that would require the recognition of gain under such agreements.

            SECTION 5.17 CERTIFICATES AND OTHER DELIVERIES.

            (a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have
delivered, or caused to be delivered, to Parent (i) a certificate of good
standing from the Secretary of State of California and of comparable authority
in other jurisdictions in which the Company and its subsidiaries are
incorporated or qualified to do business stating that each is a validly existing
corporation in good standing; (ii) duly adopted resolutions of the Board of
Directors and shareholders of the Company approving the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the


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<PAGE>   64
instruments contemplated hereby, certified by the Secretary of the Company, and
(iii) a true and complete copy of the articles of incorporation or comparable
governing instruments, as amended, of the Company and its subsidiaries certified
by the Secretary of State of the state of incorporation or comparable authority
in other jurisdictions, and a true and complete copy of the Bylaws or comparable
governing instruments, as amended, of the Company and its subsidiaries certified
by the Secretary of the Company and its subsidiaries, as applicable.

            (b) On or prior to the Closing Date, Parent shall have delivered to
the Company (i) the equivalent of a good standing certificate from the British
Virgin Islands (to the extent the equivalent is available) stating that Parent
is a validly existing corporation together with a certificate of good standing
from the Secretary of State of California stating that Sub is a validly existing
corporation in good standing; (ii) duly adopted resolutions of the Board of
Directors of each of Parent and Sub approving the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the instruments contemplated hereby, and of
the shareholders of Parent approving the issuance of the Parent Common Stock
pursuant to the Merger, each certified by the Secretary or the Assistant
Secretary of the Company; (iii) a true, complete and certified copy of the
memorandum of association, as amended, of Parent and a true, complete and
certified copy of the articles of incorporation of Sub; and (iv) a true and
complete copy of the articles of association, as amended, of Parent, and a true
and complete copy of the bylaws, as amended, of Sub, each certified by the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Parent and Sub, as applicable.

            SECTION 5.18 PENDING LITIGATION. Each of the parties covenants and
agrees that all activity (except as contemplated by this Section 5.18) with
respect to the pending litigation between and among the parties and their
respective affiliates (the "SUBJECT LITIGATION") shall cease until the earlier
of (i) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof, and
(ii) the Effective Time. Each of the parties hereto agrees to take promptly any
and all action required and to file appropriate documents with each court (the
"RELEVANT COURTS") in which the Subject Litigation is pending to inform the
court of this Section 5.18 and to request the stay of the Subject Litigation.
Upon any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Sections 7.1, the stay
implemented in connection with the Subject Litigation pursuant to this Section
5.18 shall be deemed automatically lifted and each of the parties hereto agrees
to take promptly any and all actions required and to file appropriate documents
with the Relevant Courts to lift the stay. The parties shall immediately and
expeditiously as possible, following the execution of this Agreement, take all
necessary steps to execute and file with the Relevant Courts the documents
contemplated by this Section 5.18.



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<PAGE>   65
                                   ARTICLE VI

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

            SECTION 6.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATIONS TO EFFECT THE
MERGER. The respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject
to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:

            (a) SHAREHOLDER APPROVALS. The Company Shareholder Approval and the
      Parent Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained.

            (b) NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET LISTING. The shares of Parent Common
      Stock issuable to the Company's shareholders and option and warrant
      holders pursuant to this Agreement shall have been approved for inclusion
      on the Nasdaq National Market, subject to official notice of issuance.

            (c) NO INJUNCTIONS OR RESTRAINTS. No litigation or proceeding
      brought by a Governmental Entity shall be pending, and no litigation shall
      be threatened by any Governmental Entity, which seeks to enjoin or
      prohibit the consummation of the Merger, and no temporary restraining
      order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any
      court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition
      preventing the consummation of the Merger shall be in effect. For the
      purposes of this Agreement, litigation shall be deemed to be "threatened"
      by the Federal Trade Commission or Department of Justice only if the
      Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice, as the case may be,
      shall have publicly announced or shall have advised Parent, Sub or the
      Company that it has authorized its staff to commence proceedings in
      federal court seeking injunctive relief against, or to commence
      administrative proceedings challenging, the transactions contemplated by
      this Agreement.

            (d) FORM F-4. The Form F-4 shall have been declared effective by the
      SEC under the Securities Act. No stop order suspending the effectiveness
      of the Form F-4 shall have been issued by the SEC, and no proceedings for
      that purpose shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of Parent or
      the Company, threatened by the SEC.

            (e) HSR ACT. The applicable waiting period (and any extension
      thereof) under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated.

            (f) APPROVALS. Other than the filing of merger documents in
      accordance with the CCC, all authorizations, consents, waivers, orders or
      approvals required to be obtained, and all filings, notices or
      declarations required


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<PAGE>   66
      to be made, by Parent, Sub and the Company prior to the consummation of
      the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereunder shall have been
      obtained from, and made with, all required Governmental Entities, except
      for such authorizations, consents, waivers, orders, approvals, filings,
      notices or declarations the failure to obtain or make which would not have
      a material adverse effect, at or after the Effective Time, on the Company,
      the Surviving Corporation or Parent.

            (g) TAX OPINIONS. Parent and the Company shall have each received
      the opinions of their respective counsel, O'Melveny & Myers LLP and Wilson
      Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, dated the date of the
      Proxy Statement, to the effect that the Merger will be treated for federal
      income tax purposes as a reorganization qualifying under the provisions of
      Section 368(a) of the Code, which opinions shall not have been withdrawn
      or modified in any material respect. The issuance of such opinions shall
      be conditioned on the receipt of such customary representation letters
      from Parent, Sub, the Company and certain shareholders of Parent and the
      Company.

            (h) POOLING OF INTERESTS ACCOUNTING TREATMENT. Parent and the
      Company shall have received from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, as independent
      auditors of Parent, and Deloitte & Touche LLP, as independent auditors of
      the Company, on the Closing Date, letters, dated as of such date, in form
      and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Company regarding
      the appropriateness of pooling-of-interests accounting treatment for the
      Merger by Parent for purposes of its consolidated financial statements
      under generally accepted accounting principles and applicable SEC rules an
      regulations. No action shall have been taken by any Governmental Entity or
      any statute, rule, regulation or order enacted, promulgated or issued by
      any Government Entity, or any proposal made for any such action by any
      Governmental Entity which is reasonably likely to be put into effect that
      would prevent Parent from accounting for the business combination to be
      effected by the Merger as a pooling-of-interests.

            SECTION 6.2 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF PARENT AND SUB.
The obligations of Parent and Sub to effect the Merger are also subject to the
following conditions, unless waived in writing by Parent:

            (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each of the representations and
      warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and
      correct as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing
      Date (provided that those representations and warranties which address
      matters only as of a particular date shall remain true and


                                     62
<PAGE>   67
      correct as of such date), except, in all such cases, where the failure to
      be so true and correct would not have a material adverse effect on the
      Company. Parent shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive
      Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company to such effect.

            (b) AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS. The Company shall have performed or
      complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants
      required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or
      prior to the Closing Date. Parent shall have received a certificate of the
      Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company to that
      effect.

            (c) CONSENTS UNDER AGREEMENTS. The Company shall have obtained the
      consent or approval of each person whose consent or approval shall be
      required in connection with the Merger under all loan or credit
      agreements, notes, mortgages, indentures, leases, or other agreements or
      instruments to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party, except
      those for which failure to obtain such consents and approvals would not
      have a material adverse effect on the Surviving Corporation or Parent
      after the Effective Time.

            (d) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. From and including the date hereof,
      there shall not have occurred any event which has had a material adverse
      effect on the Company; provided, however, that neither (i) changes or
      fluctuations in the price of the Company Common Stock on the Nasdaq
      National Market, nor (ii) any developments in pending litigation between
      the parties and their respective affiliates, nor (iii) the failure of the
      Company to execute a definitive settlement agreement with Scientific
      Atlanta, Inc. regarding the receipt by the Company of the outstanding
      arbitration award, settlement of pending litigation between the two
      companies, the terms of a multi-year license of the Company's technology
      to Scientific Atlanta, Inc. and related matters, shall be deemed to have a
      material adverse effect on the Company.

            SECTION 6.3 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY. The
obligations of the Company to effect the Merger are also subject to the
following conditions, unless waived in writing by the Company:

            (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each of the representations and
      warranties of Parent and Sub contained in this Agreement shall be true and
      correct as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing
      Date (provided that those representations and warranties which address
      matters only as of a particular date shall remain true and correct as of
      such date), except, in all such


                                     63
<PAGE>   68
      cases, where the failure to be so true and correct would not have a
      material adverse effect on Parent and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
      The Company shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive
      Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Parent to such effect.

            (b) AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS. Each of Sub and Parent shall have
      performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and
      covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
      it on or prior to the Closing Date. The Company shall have received a
      certificate of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of
      Parent to such effect.

            (c) CONSENTS UNDER AGREEMENTS. Parent shall have obtained the
      consent or approval of each person whose consent or approval shall be
      required in connection with the Merger under all loan or credit
      agreements, notes, mortgages, indentures, leases, or other agreements or
      instruments to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party, except
      those for which failure to obtain such consents and approvals would not
      have a material adverse effect on the Surviving Corporation or Parent
      after the Effective Time.

            (d) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. From and including the date hereof,
      there shall not have occurred any event which has had a material adverse
      effect on Parent and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, however,
      that neither (i) changes or fluctuations in the price of the Parent Common
      Stock on the Nasdaq National Market, nor (ii) any developments in pending
      litigation between the parties and their respective affiliates shall be
      deemed to have a material adverse effect on Parent and its subsidiaries
      taken as a whole.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

            SECTION 7.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any
time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after approval by the
shareholders of the Company or of Parent:

            (a) by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company, if the
      Board of Directors of each so determines by the affirmative vote of a
      majority of the members of its entire Board of Directors; or

            (b) by either Parent or the Company, if the Merger shall not have
      occurred by June 30, 1997, provided that if


                                     64
<PAGE>   69
      the Merger shall not have been consummated due to the waiting period (or
      any extension thereof) under the HSR Act not having expired or been
      terminated, or due to an action having been instituted by the Department
      of Justice or Federal Trade Commission challenging or seeking to enjoin
      the consummation of the Merger, then such date shall be extended to August
      31, 1997 (whichever date is operative being the "REFERENCE DATE"), and
      provided further that the right to terminate this Agreement under this
      Section 7.1(b) shall not be available to any party whose action or failure
      to act has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the Merger to
      occur on or before the Reference Date and such action or failure to act
      constitutes a breach of this Agreement; or

            (c) by Parent (provided that Parent is not then in material breach
      of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained
      herein), upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
      agreement on the part of the Company set forth in this Agreement, or if
      any representation or warranty of the Company shall have become untrue, in
      either case such that the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a) or
      Section 6.2(b), as the case may be, would be incapable of being satisfied
      by the Reference Date; provided that, in any case, a willful breach shall
      be deemed to cause such conditions to be incapable of being satisfied for
      purposes of this Section 7.1(c); or

            (d) by the Company (provided that the Company is not then in
      material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other
      agreement contained herein), upon a breach of any representation,
      warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Parent set forth in this
      Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Parent shall have
      become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in
      Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b), as the case may be, would be incapable
      of being satisfied by the Reference Date; provided that, in any case a
      willful breach shall be deemed to cause such conditions to be incapable of
      being satisfied for purposes of this Section 7.1(d); or

            (e) by either Parent or the Company if any Governmental Entity shall
      have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action, in any
      case having the effect of permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise
      prohibiting the consummation of the Merger and such order, decree or
      ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable; or

            (f) by either Parent or the Company if any approval of the
      shareholders of the Company required for the consummation of the Merger
      shall not have been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the
      required vote at a duly


                                     65
<PAGE>   70
      held meeting of the Company's shareholders or at any adjournment or
      postponement thereof, provided that the right to terminate this Agreement
      under this Section 7.1(f) shall not be available to the Company where the
      failure to obtain shareholder approval of the Company's shareholders shall
      have been caused by the action or failure to act of the Company in breach
      of this Agreement; or

            (g) by either Parent or the Company if any approval of the Parent's
      Shareholders required for the consummation of the Merger shall not have
      been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at a
      duly held meeting of Parent's Shareholders or at any adjournment or
      postponement thereof, provided that the right to terminate this Agreement
      under this Section 7.1(g) shall not be available to Parent where the
      failure to obtain the approval of the Parent's Shareholders shall have
      been caused by the action or failure to act of Parent in breach of this
      Agreement; or

            (h) by either Parent or the Company if, prior to the consummation of
      the Merger, the Company shall have accepted or recommended to the
      shareholders of the Company a Company Superior Proposal; or

            (i) by either Parent or the Company if, prior to the consummation of
      the Merger, Parent shall have accepted or recommended to the shareholders
      of Parent a Parent Superior Proposal; or

            (j) by Parent if the Board of Directors of the Company fails to
      recommend or withdraws or modifies adversely its recommendation of the
      Merger or the Company fails to comply with its obligations under Section
      5.1 following a Company Takeover Proposal; or

            (k) by the Company if the Board of Directors of Parent fails to
      recommend or withdraws or modifies adversely its recommendation of the
      Merger or Parent fails to comply with its obligations under Section 5.1
      following a Parent Takeover Proposal; or

            (l) by Parent or the Company, if following a Company Takeover
      Proposal, any approval of the shareholders of the Company required for the
      consummation of the Merger shall not have been obtained by the Reference
      Date or by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at a duly
      held meeting of the Company's shareholders or at any adjournment or
      postponement thereof; or

            (m) by Parent or the Company, if following a Parent Takeover
      Proposal, any approval of the shareholders of Parent required for the
      consummation of the Merger shall not


                                     66
<PAGE>   71
      have been obtained by the Reference Date or by reason of the failure to
      obtain the required vote at a duly held meeting of Parent's Shareholders
      or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

            SECTION 7.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of
this Agreement by either the Company or Parent as provided in Section 7.1, this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability
or obligation on the part of Parent, Sub or the Company or their respective
officers or directors, except (i) as set forth in Section 3.1(n), Section
3.2(k), Section 5.8, this Section 7.2, Section 7.5 and Article VIII (General
Provisions), each of which shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and
(ii) nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for any willful and
material breach of this Agreement. No termination of this Agreement shall affect
the obligations of the parties contained in the Confidentiality Agreements, all
of which obligations shall survive termination of this Agreement in accordance
with their terms.

            SECTION 7.3 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended prior to the
Effective Time by the parties at any time before or after approval hereof by the
shareholders of the Company and Parent; provided, however, that after such
shareholder approval there shall not be made any amendment that by law requires
further approval by the shareholders of the Company or Parent without the
further approval of such shareholders. This Agreement may not be amended except
by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.

            SECTION 7.4 EXTENSION; WAIVER. At any time prior to the Effective
Time, the parties may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of the other parties, (b) waive any inaccuracies in
the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in any
document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to the proviso of
Section 7.3, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained
in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing, signed on
behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert any
of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of
those rights.

            SECTION 7.5 TERMINATION FEE.

            (a) Upon any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1(h), (j) or (l) or upon the failure of any of the Company Significant
Shareholders to vote in favor of the Merger at a duly held meeting of the
Company's shareholders or at any adjournment or postponement thereof and, in
connection with such vote, the Merger is not approved by the shareholders of the


                                     67
<PAGE>   72
Company, the Company, upon written notice from Parent at any time of Parent's
election to receive a termination fee equal to $15 million (the "COMPANY
TERMINATION FEE") in lieu of Parent exercising the Company Stock Option (the
"COMPANY TERMINATION FEE NOTICE"), shall immediately pay to Parent the Company
Termination Fee. Following any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1(h), (j) or (l), the Company shall give Parent at least 30 days' (and not
more than 45 days') prior written notice of the closing date of any Company
Takeover Proposal, and Parent, if it elects to receive the Company Termination
Fee upon such closing, shall give written notice to the Company (the "COMPANY
PAYMENT NOTICE") at least five days' prior to such closing (which notice shall
be effective only upon such closing), and the Company shall pay the Company
Termination Fee upon such closing. If Parent has not delivered the Company
Payment Notice within such time frame, then upon (and only upon) the closing of
the Company Takeover Proposal, Parent's right to receive the Company Termination
Fee shall terminate.

            (b) Upon any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1(i), (k) or (m) or upon the failure of the Parent Significant Shareholder to
vote in favor of the Merger at a duly held meeting of Parent's shareholders or
at any adjournment or postponement thereof and, in connection with such vote,
the Merger is not approved by the shareholders of Parent, Parent, upon written
notice from the Company at any time of the Company's election to receive a
termination fee equal to $15 million (the "PARENT TERMINATION FEE") in lieu of
the Company exercising the Parent Stock Option (the "PARENT TERMINATION FEE
NOTICE"), shall immediately pay to the Company the Parent Termination Fee.
Following any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(i), (k) or
(m), Parent shall give the Company at least 30 days' (and not more than 45
days') prior written notice of the closing date of any Parent Takeover Proposal,
and the Company, if it elects to receive the Parent Termination Fee upon such
closing, shall give written notice to Parent (the "PARENT PAYMENT NOTICE") at
least five days' prior to such closing (which notice shall be effective only
upon such closing), and Parent shall pay the Parent Termination Fee upon such
closing. If the Company has not delivered the Parent Payment Notice within such
time frame, then upon (and only upon) the closing of the Parent Takeover
Proposal, the Company's right to receive the Parent Termination Fee shall
terminate.

            (c) Payment of the fees described in Sections 7.5(a) and (b) above
shall not be in lieu of damages incurred in the event of breach of this
Agreement.

            SECTION 7.6 PROCEDURE FOR TERMINATION, AMENDMENT, EXTENSION OR
WAIVER. A termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1, an amendment of
this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.3 or an extension or waiver pursuant to
Section 7.4 shall, in order to be effective, require in the case of Parent, Sub
or the


                                     68
<PAGE>   73
Company, action by its Board of Directors, acting by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the members of the entire Board of Directors.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

            SECTION 8.1 NONSURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND
AGREEMENTS. None of the representations, warranties and agreements in this
Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall
survive the Effective Time, except that any covenant or agreement of the parties
which by its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time of the
Merger shall survive the Merger.

            SECTION 8.2 NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and
other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied, or sent by overnight courier
(providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the following addresses (or at
such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

            (a)   if to Parent or Sub, to

                  Gemstar International Group Limited
                  135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 800
                  Pasadena, California 91101
                  Facsimile: (818) 792-4051
                  Attention: Larry Goldberg, Esq.

                  with a copy to:

                  O'Melveny & Myers LLP
                  Suite 1700
                  610 Newport Center Drive
                  Newport Beach, CA 92660
                  Facsimile:  (714) 669-6994
                  Attention:  David A. Krinsky, Esq.

            (b)   if to the Company, to

                  StarSight Telecast, Inc.
                  39650 Liberty Street
                  Fremont, California 94538
                  Facsimile:  (510) 657-5022
                  Attention:  Larry W. Wangberg



                                     69
<PAGE>   74
                  with a copy to:

                  Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
                  650 Page Mill Road
                  Palo Alto, California  94304
                  Facsimile:  (415) 493-6811
                  Attention:  Robert P. Latta, Esq.

            SECTION 8.3 DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement:

            (a) an "affiliate" of any person means another person that, directly
      or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled
      by, or is under common control with, such first person;

            (b) "material adverse change" or "material adverse effect" means,
      when used in connection with the Company, the Surviving Corporation or
      Parent, any change, event or effect (or any development that insofar as
      can reasonably be foreseen, is likely to result in any change or effect)
      that is materially adverse to the business, assets, prospects, financial
      condition or results of operations of such party and its subsidiaries
      taken as a whole;

            (c) "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint
      venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity;
      and

            (d) a "subsidiary" of any person means another person, an amount of
      the voting securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership
      interests of which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its
      directors or other governing body (or, if there are no such voting
      interests, more than 50% of the equity interest of which) is owned
      directly or indirectly by such first person.

            SECTION 8.4 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this
Agreement to a Section , Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall be to a
Section of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise
indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include," "includes" and
"including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by
the words "without limitation."

            SECTION 8.5 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement
and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by
each of the parties and delivered to the other parties whether by mail,


                                     70
<PAGE>   75
overnight courier, personal delivery or facsimile, it being understood that all
parties need not sign the same counterpart.

            SECTION 8.6 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This
Agreement, the Merger Agreement (and the other exhibits hereto), the
Confidentiality Agreement and the other documents referenced herein constitute
the entire agreement, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings,
both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter of
this Agreement and except for the provisions of Article II and Sections 5.4, 5.6
and 5.12, are not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties
hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.

            SECTION 8.7 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California,
regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles
of conflict of laws thereof.

            SECTION 8.8 ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in
whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties without
the prior written consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding
sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

            SECTION 8.9 ENFORCEMENT. The parties agree that irreparable damage
would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It
is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the United States
located in the State of California or in California State court, this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. In
addition, each of the parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself to the
personal jurisdiction of any federal court located in the State of California or
any California State court in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement
or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) agrees that
process may be served upon it in any manner authorized by the laws of the State
of California, (c) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such
personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court
and (d) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement in
any court other than a federal or State court sitting in the State of
California.



                                     71
<PAGE>   76
            SECTION 8.10 SEVERABILITY. It is the desire and intent of the
parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent
permissible under the law and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in
which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, in the event that any provision of
this Agreement would be held in any such jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited
or unenforceable for any reason, such provisions, as to such jurisdictions,
shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any
other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be
more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such
jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without
invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the
validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.



                                     72
<PAGE>   77
            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Sub and the Company have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
all as of the date first written above.

Attest:                                "PARENT"                        
                                                                       
                                       GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP     
                                       LIMITED, a British Virgin       
                                       Islands corporation             
                                                                       
                                                                       
By: /s/ LARRY GOLDBERG                 By: /s/ HENRY YUEN                 
    ---------------------------------      -----------------------------------
      Name:  Larry Goldberg                  Name:  Henry C. Yuen      
      Title: Secretary                       Title: President and      
                                                    Chief Executive    
                                                    Officer            
                                       
Attest:                                "SUB"                         
                                                                     
                                       G/S ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY,   
                                       a California corporation      
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                                     
By: /s/ LARRY GOLDBERG                 By: /s/ HENRY YUEN               
    ---------------------------------      -----------------------------------
      Name:  Larry Goldberg                  Name:  Henry C. Yuen    
      Title: Secretary                       Title: President and    
                                                    Chief Executive  
                                                    Officer          
                                       
Attest:                                "COMPANY"                          
                                                                          
                                       STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.,          
                                       a California corporation           
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                                          
By: /s/ MARTIN HENKEL                  By: /s/ LARRY W. WANGBERG        
    ---------------------------------      -----------------------------------
      Name:  Martin W. Henkel                Name:  Larry W. Wangberg     
      Title: Secretary                       Title: Chairman of the       
                                                    Board and Chief       
                                                    Executive Officer     


                                     73
<PAGE>   78
                                   EXHIBIT 1.1

                                MERGER AGREEMENT

            THIS MERGER AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is executed as of
_______________, 1997 by and among G/S Acquisition Subsidiary, a California
corporation (the "MERGING CORPORATION"), StarSight Telecast, Inc., a California
corporation (the "SURVIVING CORPORATION"), which corporations are hereinafter
sometimes referred to jointly as the "CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS," and Gemstar
International Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation ("PARENT").


                                   BACKGROUND

            A. The Merging Corporation is a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of California. The Surviving Corporation is
a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of
California. The Parent is a corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the British Virgin Islands.

            B. The Merging Corporation has authorized capital stock consisting
of 1,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of which 100 shares are now
validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by Parent.

            C. The Surviving Corporation has authorized capital stock consisting
of the 50,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value, of which ____________
shares are now validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable.

            D. The Merging Corporation and the Surviving Corporation desire to
effect a merger (the "MERGER") of the Merging Corporation with and into the
Surviving Corporation in the manner herein set forth, and the Board of Directors
of the Constituent Corporations have duly adopted resolutions approving this
Merger Agreement (the "AGREEMENT").

            E. The Merging Corporation, the Surviving Corporation and Parent
have entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December
23, 1996 (the "AGREEMENT OF MERGER") pursuant to which the parties agreed,
subject to the satisfaction of the conditions specified therein to the Merger of
the Merging Corporation with and into the Surviving Corporation and the
conversion in the Merger of each issued and outstanding share of common stock,
no par value, of the Surviving Corporation ("SURVIVING CORPORATION COMMON
STOCK") into ordinary shares, par value $.01 per share, of the Parent ("PARENT
COMMON STOCK").



                                      1.1-1
<PAGE>   79
            In consideration of the foregoing premises, and the mutual covenants
and agreements herein contained, it is hereby agreed as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                              PARTIES TO THE MERGER

            SECTION 1 THE MERGING CORPORATION. The name of the corporation
proposing to merge into the Surviving Corporation is G/S Acquisition Subsidiary.

            SECTION 2 THE SURVIVING CORPORATION. The name of the corporation
into which the Merging Corporation proposes to merge is StarSight Telecast, Inc.
and StarSight Telecast, Inc. will be the corporation surviving the Merger.

            SECTION 3 PARENT. The Merging Corporation is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Parent, and cash and shares of Parent Common Stock will be issued
in the Merger to the holders of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.


                                   ARTICLE II
                       TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE MERGER

            SECTION 1 GENERAL. Upon the Effective Time (as defined below) of the
Merger: (a) the Merging Corporation shall merge with and into the Surviving
Corporation, which shall survive the Merger and continue to be a California
corporation; (b) the shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation
outstanding upon the Effective Date of the Merger shall be converted into the
right to receive a certain number of shares of Parent Common Stock; (c) the
separate existence of the Merging Corporation shall cease, as provided by the
Corporations Code of the State of California (the "CCC"); and (d) the name of
the Surviving Corporation shall remain StarSight Telecast, Inc.

            SECTION 2 EFFECTIVE TIME. The "EFFECTIVE TIME" with respect to the
Merger contemplated by this Agreement shall be the date on which this Agreement
is filed with the California Secretary of State, together with any required
officers' certificates of each Constituent Corporation.

            SECTION 3 ADDITIONAL ACTIONS. If, at any time after the Effective
Time, the Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any deeds,
bills of sale, assignments, assurances or any other actions or things are
necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the
Surviving Corporation its rights, title or interest in, to or under any of the
rights, properties or assets of either Constituent Corporation or otherwise to
carry out this Agreement, the officers and directors of the Surviving
Corporation shall be authorized, so long as such action is consistent with this


                                      1.1-2
<PAGE>   80
Agreement, to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of each Constituent
Corporation, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and to
take and do, in the name and on behalf of each Constituent Corporation, all such
other actions and things as may be necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or
confirm any and all right, title and interest in, to and under such rights,
properties or assets in the Surviving Corporation or otherwise to carry out this
Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE III
                           CONVERSION OF CAPITAL STOCK

            At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of Parent, the Merging Corporation, the Surviving
Corporation, or the holders of any shares of the Merging Corporation's capital
stock or any shares of the Surviving Corporation's capital stock:

            (a) CAPITAL STOCK OF THE MERGING CORPORATION. Each share of the
      capital stock of the Merging Corporation issued and outstanding
      immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and
      exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of
      Surviving Corporation Common Stock. Each stock certificate of the Merging
      Corporation evidencing ownership of any such shares shall continue to
      evidence ownership of such shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock.

            (b) CANCELLATION OF TREASURY STOCK AND PARENT OWNED STOCK. Each
      share of Surviving Corporation Common Stock that is owned by the Surviving
      Corporation or by any subsidiary of the Surviving Corporation and each
      share of Surviving Corporation Common Stock that is owned by Parent, the
      Merging Corporation or any other subsidiary of Parent immediately prior to
      the Effective Time shall automatically be cancelled and retired without
      any conversion thereof and no consideration shall be delivered with
      respect thereto.

            (c) CONVERSION OF COMMON STOCK. Each share of Surviving Corporation
      Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time, other than
      shares to be cancelled in accordance with Subsection (b) and any
      Dissenting Shares (as defined and to the extent provided in paragraph (n)
      below) shall be converted, subject to paragraphs f and k, into .6041
      shares (the "EXCHANGE RATIO") of Parent Common Stock.

            (d) STOCK OPTIONS: SURVIVING CORPORATION EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE
      PLAN. At the Effective Time, all options to purchase Common Stock (each, a
      "SURVIVING CORPORATION OPTION") then outstanding under the Surviving
      Corporation's 1989 Stock Incentive Program (the "STOCK OPTION PLAN") shall
      be assumed by Parent in accordance with the Agreement of


                                      1.1-3
<PAGE>   81
      Merger. At the Effective Time, Surviving Corporation shall terminate the
      Surviving Corporation's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "SURVIVING
      CORPORATION PURCHASE PLAN") in accordance with the Agreement of Merger.

            (e) CONVERSION OF WARRANTS. Each stock purchase warrant issued by
      the Surviving Corporation to purchase shares of Surviving Corporation
      Common Stock (collectively, the "WARRANTS") shall, in accordance with its
      terms, be adjusted (an "ADJUSTED WARRANT") to become exercisable for, or
      exchangeable for a new warrant (on substantially the same terms) that
      would be exercisable for, the number of shares of Parent Common Stock
      equal to the Warrant Conversion Number (as defined below). The exercise
      price of any Adjusted Warrant (the "ADJUSTED EXERCISE PRICE") shall be an
      amount equal to the exercise price of the Warrant related to such Adjusted
      Warrant as of the date of this Agreement divided by the Exchange Ratio.
      The "WARRANT CONVERSION NUMBER" for any Adjusted Warrant shall be equal to
      the number of shares purchasable pursuant to the Warrant related to such
      Adjusted Warrant as of the date of this Agreement multiplied by the
      Exchange Ratio.

            As of the Effective Time, all such shares of the Surviving
      Corporation Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall
      automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and the
      holders of certificates or instruments previously evidencing such shares
      of Surviving Corporation Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
      Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto except
      as otherwise provided herein or by law. Each certificate previously
      representing the Surviving Corporation Common Stock shall thereafter
      represent the right to receive a certificate representing the shares of
      Parent Common Stock into which the Surviving Corporation Common Stock was
      converted in the Merger. Such certificates previously representing shares
      of the Surviving Corporation Common Stock shall be exchanged for
      certificates representing whole shares of Parent Common Stock issued in
      consideration therefor upon the surrender of such certificates in
      accordance with the provisions of this Article III, without interest. No
      fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued, and, in lieu
      thereof, a cash payment shall be made pursuant to this Article III.

            (f) ADJUSTMENT TO EXCHANGE RATIO. If between the date of the
      Agreement of Merger and the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of
      Parent Common Stock or the Surviving Corporation Common Stock shall have
      been changed into a different number of shares or a different class by
      reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, stock
      dividend, stock combination, exchange of shares,


                                     1.1-4
<PAGE>   82
      readjustment or otherwise, then the Exchange Ratio shall be
      correspondingly adjusted.

            (g) EXCHANGE AGENT. Parent shall deposit, or shall cause to be
      deposited, with ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as exchange
      agent for Parent Common Stock (the "EXCHANGE AGENT") as of the Effective
      Time (or otherwise when requested by the Exchange Agent from time to time
      in order to effect any exchange pursuant to this Article III), for the
      benefit of the holders of shares of the Surviving Corporation Common Stock
      for exchange in accordance with this Article III through the Exchange
      Agent, certificates representing the shares of Parent Common Stock
      issuable pursuant to this Article III in exchange for outstanding shares
      of Surviving Corporation Common Stock, (such certificates representing
      shares of Parent Common Stock together with any dividends or distributions
      with respect thereto, being collectively referred to as the "EXCHANGE
      FUND"), and cash in an amount sufficient for payment in lieu of fractional
      shares pursuant to this Article III. The Exchange Agent shall, pursuant to
      irrevocable instructions, deliver the Parent Common Stock contemplated to
      be issued pursuant to this Article III out of the Exchange Fund. Except as
      contemplated by this Article III, the Exchange Fund shall not be used for
      any other purpose.

            (h) EXCHANGE PROCEDURE. As soon as reasonably practicable after the
      Effective Time, Parent shall instruct the Exchange Agent to mail to each
      holder of a certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the
      Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Surviving Corporation
      Common Stock, including holders of record pursuant to purchases made under
      the Surviving Corporation Purchase Plan immediately prior to the Effective
      Time pursuant to Section 5.4 of the Agreement of Merger, (for convenience
      of reference, the certificates of the Surviving Corporation Common Stock
      are referred to as the "CERTIFICATES"), (i) a letter of transmittal (which
      shall be in customary form and shall specify that delivery shall be
      effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only
      upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent) and (ii)
      instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in
      exchange for certificates representing shares of Parent Common Stock. Upon
      surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent,
      together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, and such other
      documents as may reasonably be required by the Exchange Agent, and the
      holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange
      therefor a certificate evidencing that number of whole shares of Parent
      Common Stock which such holder has the right to receive in respect of the
      shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock formerly


                                     1.1-5
<PAGE>   83
      evidenced by such Certificate (after taking into account the provisions of
      this Agreement and all shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock then
      held of record by such holder, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent
      Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this Article III
      and any dividends or other distributions to which such holder is entitled,
      and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. In the
      event of a transfer of ownership of Surviving Corporation Common Stock
      which is not registered in the transfer records of the Surviving
      Corporation, a certificate representing the proper number of shares of
      Parent Common Stock may be issued to a person other than the person in
      whose name the Certificate so surrendered is registered, if such
      Certificate, accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect
      such transfer, shall be properly endorsed with signature guarantee or
      otherwise be in proper form for transfer and the person requesting such
      payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the
      issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock to a person other than the
      registered holder of such Certificate or establish to the satisfaction of
      Parent that such tax has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered
      as contemplated by this Article III, each Certificate shall be deemed at
      any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive
      upon such surrender the certificate evidencing whole shares of Parent
      Common Stock, cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Parent Common Stock
      to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this Article III and any
      dividends or other distributions to which such holder is entitled pursuant
      to this Article III. No interest will be paid or will accrue on any cash
      payable pursuant to this Article III.

            (i) DISTRIBUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO UNEXCHANGED SHARES. No dividends
      or other distributions declared or made after the Effective Time with
      respect to Parent Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time
      shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect
      to the shares of Parent Common Stock represented thereby, and no cash
      payment in lieu of fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder
      pursuant to this Article III, in each case until the surrender of such
      Certificate in accordance with this Article III. Subject to the effect of
      applicable escheat laws, following surrender of such Certificate, there
      shall be paid to the holder of the certificate representing whole shares
      of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i)
      at the time of such surrender, the amount of any such cash payable in lieu
      of a fractional share of Parent Common Stock to which such holder is
      entitled pursuant to this Article III and the amount of dividends or other
      distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid
      with respect to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock, and (ii) at the


                                     1.1-6
<PAGE>   84
      appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions
      with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender
      and with a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect
      to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock.

            (j) NO FURTHER OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN SURVIVING CORPORATION COMMON
      STOCK. All shares of Parent Common Stock issued upon the surrender for
      exchange of Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article III
      (including any cash paid pursuant to this Article III) shall be deemed to
      have been issued (and paid) in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining
      to the shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock theretofore
      represented by such Certificates, subject, however, to the Surviving
      Corporation's obligation to pay any dividends or make any other
      distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time which may
      have been declared or made by the Surviving Corporation on such shares of
      Surviving Corporation Common Stock, in accordance with the terms of the
      Agreement of Merger, prior to the date of this Agreement and which remain
      unpaid at the Effective Time and have not been paid prior to surrender. At
      the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation
      shall be closed, and there shall be no further registrations of transfers
      of shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock, or transfer or exercise
      of the Warrants or Surviving Corporation Stock Options thereafter on the
      records of the Surviving Corporation. If, after the Effective Time,
      Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation, Parent or the
      Exchange Agent for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as
      provided in this Article III.

            (k)   NO FRACTIONAL SHARES.

                  (i) No Certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of
            Parent Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange
            of Certificates, and such fractional share interests will not
            entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a shareholder
            of Parent.

                 (ii) Each holder of a Certificate issued and outstanding at the
            Effective Time who would otherwise be entitled to receive a
            fractional share of Parent Common Stock upon surrender of such
            Certificate for exchange pursuant to this Article III (after taking
            into account all Warrants, Surviving Corporation Stock Options and
            shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock then held by such
            holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, cash in an amount equal to
            the value of such fractional share, which shall be equal to the
            fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock that would otherwise be
            issued multiplied by the average closing price for a


                                     1.1-7
<PAGE>   85
            share of Parent Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market (as
            reported in The Wall Street Journal) during the 20 consecutive
            trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the Effective
            Time.

                (iii) As soon as practicable after the determination of the
            amount of cash, if any, to be paid to holders of Certificates with
            respect to any fractional share interests, the Exchange Agent shall
            promptly pay such amounts to such holders of Certificates subject to
            and in accordance with the terms of this Article III.

            (l) TERMINATION OF EXCHANGE FUND. Any portion of the Exchange Fund
      that remains undistributed to the holders of Certificates for twelve
      months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Parent, upon demand,
      and any holders of Certificates who have not theretofore complied with
      this Article III shall thereafter look as a general creditor only to
      Parent for payment of the shares of Parent Common Stock, any cash in lieu
      of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock and any dividends or
      distributions with respect to Parent Common Stock to which they are
      entitled.

            (m) NO LIABILITY. None of Parent, Merging Corporation, Surviving
      Corporation or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any holder of shares
      of Surviving Corporation Common Stock, the Warrants or Stock Options for
      any shares of Parent Common Stock (or dividends or distributions with
      respect thereto) or cash from the Exchange Fund delivered to a public
      official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar
      law.

            (n) SURVIVING CORPORATION DISSENTING SHARES.

                  (i) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
            contrary, any shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock held by a
            holder who has exercised dissenters' rights for such shares in
            accordance with the Corporations Code of California (the "CCC") and
            who, as of the Effective Time, has not effectively withdrawn or lost
            such dissenters' rights ("DISSENTING SHARES"), shall not be
            converted into or represent a right to receive Parent Common Stock
            pursuant to this Article III, but the holder thereof shall only be
            entitled to such rights as are granted by the CCC.

                (ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (i), if any
            holder of Dissenting Shares shall effectively withdraw or lose
            (through failure to perfect or otherwise) his or her dissenters'
            rights, then, as of the later of the Effective Time or the


                                     1.1-8
<PAGE>   86
            occurrence of such event, such holder's shares shall automatically
            be converted into and represent only the right to receive Parent
            Common Stock, cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Parent Common
            Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this Article III
            and any dividends or other distributions to which such holder is
            entitled pursuant to this Article III, without interest thereon,
            upon surrender of the certificate(s) representing such shares.

               (iii) The Surviving Corporation shall give Parent (i) prompt
            notice of any written demand received by the Surviving Corporation
            to require the Surviving Corporation to purchase shares of the
            Surviving Corporation's Common Stock pursuant to the applicable
            provisions of the CCC and (ii) the opportunity to participate in all
            negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands. The
            Surviving Corporation shall not, except with the prior written
            consent of Parent, voluntarily make any payment with respect to any
            such demands or offer to settle or settle any such demands.

            (o) INVESTMENT OF EXCHANGE FUND. The Exchange Agent shall invest any
      cash included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by Parent, on a daily
      basis. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall
      be paid to Parent.

            (p) LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. In the event any
      Certificates shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent
      shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates,
      upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, such
      shares of Parent Common Stock, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent
      Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this Article III
      and any dividends or other distributions to which such holder is entitled
      pursuant to this Article III.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                      ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

            The Articles of Incorporation of the Merging Corporation in effect
at the Effective Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and the CCC
provided, however, that at the Effective Time the Articles of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation shall be amended so that the name of the Surviving
Corporation shall be Silver. The Bylaws of the Merging Corporation in effect at
the Effective Time shall be the


                                     1.1-9
<PAGE>   87
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance with the
terms thereof and the CCC.


                                    ARTICLE V
                             DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

            At the Effective Time, the directors of the Surviving Corporation
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to have resigned at such
time and the directors of the Merging Corporation prior to the Effective Time
shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, until the earlier of their
resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and
qualified. The officers of the Surviving Corporation immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall become the officers of the Surviving Corporation, until the
earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are
duly elected and qualified.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                       CORPORATE APPROVALS AND TERMINATION

            SECTION 1 CORPORATE APPROVALS. Pursuant to Section 1201 of the CCC,
this Agreement and related matters have been approved in accordance with such
provisions.

            SECTION 2 TERMINATION.

            (a) At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be
terminated by mutual written consent of Parent and the Surviving Corporation, if
the Board of Directors of each so determines by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the members of its entire Board of Directors.

            (b) Notwithstanding the approval of this Agreement by the
shareholders of the Merging Corporation and the Surviving Corporation, this
Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event that the Agreement of Merger
shall be terminated as therein provided.

            SECTION 3 EFFECTS OF TERMINATION. In the event of the termination of
this Agreement, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and there shall be no
liability on the part of Parent, Merging Corporation or Surviving Corporation or
their respective officers or directors, except to the extent otherwise
provided in the Agreement of Merger.




                                     1.1-10
<PAGE>   88
                                   ARTICLE VII
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

            SECTION 1 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the parties
hereto any time before or after approval hereof by the shareholders of the
Surviving Corporation but, after such approval, no amendment shall be made which
by law requires the further approval of such shareholders without obtaining such
approval. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

            SECTION 2 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one agreement.

            SECTION 3 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed in all
respects, including validity, interpretation and effect, by the laws of the
State of California.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date
first written above.

                                    STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.,
                                    a California corporation

                                    By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------

By:
      ----------------------------
      Name:
           -----------------------
      Secretary


                                    G/S ACQUISITION  SUBSIDIARY,
                                    a California corporation

                                    By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------

By:
      ----------------------------
      Name:
           -----------------------
      Secretary





                                     1.1-11
<PAGE>   89
                                    GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP
                                    LIMITED, a British Virgin Islands
                                    corporation
 
                                    By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------

By:
      ----------------------------
      Name:
           -----------------------
      Secretary



                                     1.1-12
<PAGE>   90
                                   CERTIFICATE

            ______________________ and ___________________ certify that:

      1.    They are the Chief Executive Officer and the Secretary, respectively
of StarSight Telecast, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State
of California (the "CORPORATION").

      2.    The Corporation has authorized two classes of stock, designated 
"Common Stock" and "Preferred Stock."

      3.    The number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote is ________________ shares.  There are no outstanding shares 
of Preferred Stock.

      4.    The principal terms of the agreement relating to the merger of G/S
Acquisition Subsidiary, a California corporation, with and into the Corporation
(the "MERGER") in the form attached were approved by the Corporation's Board of
Directors and by the vote of a number of shares of Common Stock which equaled or
exceeded the vote required.

      5.    The percentage vote required of the holders of Common Stock entitled
to vote in connection with the Merger is more than 50%.


                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                    Title: Chief Executive Officer



                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                    Title: Secretary





                                     1.1-13
<PAGE>   91
      ______________________ declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of
the State of California that he has read the foregoing certificate and knows the
contents thereof and that the same is true of his own knowledge.

________________, 1997


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

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



      ______________________ declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of
the State of California that he has read the foregoing certificate and knows the
contents thereof and that the same is true of his own knowledge.

________________, 1997


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

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




                                     1.1-14
<PAGE>   92
                                   CERTIFICATE

            _____________________ and _____________________ certify that:

      1. They are the Chief Executive Officer and the Secretary, respectively,
of G/S Acquisition Subsidiary, a corporation organized under the laws of the
State of California (the "CORPORATION").

      2. The number of outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote is ______________ shares.

      3. The principal terms of the agreement relating to the merger of the
Corporation with and into StarSight Telecast, Inc., a California corporation,
(the "MERGER") in the form attached were approved by the Corporation's Board of
Directors and by the vote of a number of shares of each class which equaled or
exceeded the vote required.

      4. The percentage vote required of the capital stock entitled to vote in
connection with the Merger is more than 50%.

      5. Equity securities of the Corporation's parent corporation, Gemstar
International Group Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the
British Virgin Islands, are to be issued in the Merger and the required vote of
the members of the parent corporation was obtained.



                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                    Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                    Title: Secretary




                                     1.1-15
<PAGE>   93
      ______________________ declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of
the State of California that he/she has read the foregoing certificate and knows
the contents thereof and that the same is true of his own knowledge.

________________, 1997


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

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



      ______________________ declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of
the State of California that he/she has read the foregoing certificate and knows
the contents thereof and that the same is true of his own knowledge.

________________, 1997


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

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




                                     1.1-16
<PAGE>   94
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.9

                              INITIAL PRESS RELEASE



                                 Exhibit 5.9-1
<PAGE>   95
                                                                 EXHIBIT 5.10(A)

                      FORM OF THE COMPANY AFFILIATE LETTER

Gemstar International Group Limited
135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 800
Pasadena, California 91101

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            I have been advised that as of the date of this letter I may be
deemed to be an "affiliate" of StarSight Telecast, Inc., a California
corporation (the "COMPANY"), as the term "affiliate" is (i) defined within the
meaning of Rule 145 of the rules and regulations (the "RULES AND REGULATIONS")
of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and/or (ii) used in and for
purposes of Accounting Series Releases 130 and 135, as amended, of the
Commission. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
of December 23, 1996 (the "AGREEMENT"), among Gemstar International Group
Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation ("PARENT"), G/S Acquisition
Subsidiary, a California corporation ("SUB"), and the Company, Sub will be
merged with and into the Company (the "MERGER").

            In connection with the Merger, I am entitled to receive ordinary
shares, par value $.01 per share, of Parent (the "PARENT SHARES") in exchange
for shares (or options or warrants for shares) owned by me of capital stock of
the Company (the "COMPANY SHARES").

            I represent, warrant and covenant to Parent that in the event I
receive any Parent Shares as a result of the Merger:

            (a) I shall not make any sale, transfer or other disposition of the
      Parent Shares in violation of the Act or the Rules and Regulations.

            (b) I have carefully read this letter and the Agreement and
      discussed the requirements of such documents and other applicable
      limitations upon my ability to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of
      Parent Shares, to the extent I felt necessary, with my counsel or counsel
      for the Company.

            (c) I have been advised that the issuance of Parent Shares to me
      pursuant to the Merger will be registered with the Commission under the
      Act on a Registration Statement on Form F-4. However, because I have been
      advised that, at the time the Merger is submitted for a vote of the
      shareholders of the Company (a) I may be deemed to be an affiliate of the
      Company and (b) other than as set forth in the Agreement, the distribution
      by me of the Parent Shares has not been registered under the Act, I will
      not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of Parent Shares issued to me in
      the Merger unless (i) such sale, transfer or other disposition


                                Exhibit 5.10(A)-1
<PAGE>   96
      is effected in compliance with the applicable requirements of Rule 145
      promulgated by the Commission under the Act, (ii) such sale, transfer or
      other disposition has been made pursuant to an effective registration
      statement under the Act or (iii) in the opinion of counsel reasonably
      acceptable to Parent or as described in a "no-action" or interpretive
      letter from the staff of the Commission, such sale, transfer or other
      disposition is otherwise exempt from registration under the Act.

            (d) I understand that Parent, except as provided by contractual
      arrangement existing on the date hereof, is under no obligation, to
      register the sale, transfer or other disposition of the Parent Shares by
      me or on my behalf under the Act or, except as set forth in the following
      paragraph, to take any other action necessary in order to make compliance
      with an exemption from such registration available solely as a result of
      the Merger.

            From and after the Effective Time of the Merger and for so long as
      is necessary in order to permit me to sell the Parent Shares held by me
      pursuant to Rule 145 and, to the extent applicable, Rule 144 under the
      Securities Act, Parent will file on a timely basis all reports required to
      be filed by it pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
      amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as the same shall be in
      effect at the time, referred to in paragraph (c) of Rule 144 under the
      Securities Act, in order to permit me to sell, transfer or otherwise
      dispose of the Parent Shares held by me pursuant to the terms and
      conditions of Rule 145 and the applicable provisions of Rule 144.

            (e) I also understand that there will be placed on the certificates
      for the Parent Shares issued to me, or any substitutions therefor, a
      legend stating in substance:

            THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED IN A
            TRANSACTION TO WHICH RULE 145 PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
            OF 1933 APPLIES. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY ONLY
            BE TRANSFERRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT DATED
            DECEMBER 23, 1996 BETWEEN THE REGISTERED HOLDER HEREOF AND GEMSTAR
            INTERNATIONAL GROUP LIMITED A COPY OF WHICH AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT
            THE PRINCIPAL OFFICES OF GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP LIMITED.

            (f) I also understand that unless a sale or transfer is made in
      conformity with the provisions of Rule 145 or Rule 144, or pursuant to a
      registration statement, Parent reserves the right to put the following
      legend on the certificates issued to my transferee:



                                Exhibit 5.10(A)-2
<PAGE>   97
            THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
            UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND WERE ACQUIRED FROM A PERSON WHO
            RECEIVED SUCH SHARES IN A TRANSACTION TO WHICH RULE 145 PROMULGATED
            UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 APPLIES. THE SHARES HAVE BEEN
            ACQUIRED BY THE HOLDER NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR RESALE IN
            CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION THEREOF WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE
            SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
            TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
            REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

            It is understood and agreed that the legends set forth in paragraphs
(e) and (f) above shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificates
without such legend if the undersigned shall have delivered to Parent a copy of
a letter from the staff of the Commission, or an opinion of counsel reasonably
satisfactory to Parent in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent,
to the effect that such legend is not required for purposes of the Act.

            In connection with the proposed Merger, I wish to inform you that I
do not have any present commitment, plan or intention to sell (or engage in a
risk-reducing or other arrangement which would be treated as a sale for federal
income tax purposes), transfer or otherwise dispose of any of my Company Shares
prior to and in contemplation of the Merger or any of the Parent Shares I will
receive in the Merger. I further agree that I will not offer to sell, sell or
otherwise dispose of any of the Parent Shares in violation of the Act or offer
to sell, sell or otherwise dispose of any of my Company Shares (other than
through conversion to Parent's Shares in the Merger) or any of the Parent Shares
received by me in the Merger until such time as financial results covering at
least 30 days of post-merger combined operations have been published, whether by
issuance of a quarterly earnings report on Form 10-Q or Form 6-K, or other
applicable form, or other public issuance (such as a press release) which
includes such information. Notwithstanding the forgoing, I understand that I
will not be prohibited from selling up to 10% of the shares I hold at the time
of the Merger during the aforementioned period if the requirements of Rule 145
are complied with.

            If the Merger Agreement were to be terminated prior to the Effective
Time in accordance with its terms, this letter Agreement and my obligations
hereunder will also terminate concurrently with the termination of the Merger
Agreement.

            Execution of this letter should not be considered an admission on my
part that I am an "affiliate" of the Company as described in the first paragraph
of this letter, or as a waiver of any rights I may have to object to any claim
that I am such an affiliate on or after the date of this letter.


                                Exhibit 5.10(A)-3
<PAGE>   98
                                          Very truly yours,


                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Print Name:
                                                     ---------------------------
Accepted this 23nd day of
December, 1996, by

GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP LIMITED



By:   
      -------------------------
      Name: 
           -------------------
      Title: 
            ------------------


                                Exhibit 5.10(A)-4
<PAGE>   99
                                                                 EXHIBIT 5.10(B)

                         FORM OF PARENT AFFILIATE LETTER


Gemstar International Group Limited
135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 800
Pasadena, California 91101

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            I have been advised that as of the date of this letter I may be
deemed to be an "affiliate" of Gemstar International Group Limited, a British
Virgin Islands corporation ("PARENT"), as the term "affiliate" is used in and
for purposes of Accounting Series Releases 130 and 135, as amended, of the
Commission. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
of December 23rd, 1996 (the "AGREEMENT"), among Parent, G/S Acquisition
Subsidiary, a California corporation ("SUB"), StarSight Telecast, Inc., a
California corporation (the "COMPANY") pursuant to which Sub will be merged with
and into the Company (the "MERGER").

            In connection with the proposed Merger, I wish to inform you that I
do not have any present commitment, plan or intention to sell (or engage in a
risk-reducing or other arrangement which would be treated as a sale for federal
income tax purposes), transfer or otherwise dispose of any of my shares of the
Parent's Common Stock. I further agree that I will not offer to sell, sell or
otherwise dispose of any of my Parent shares of Common Stock until such time as
financial results covering at least 30 days of post-merger combined operations
have been published, whether by issuance of a quarterly earnings report on Form
10-Q or other public issuance (such as a press release) which includes such
information. Notwithstanding the forgoing, I understand that I will not be
prohibited from selling up to 10 % of the shares I hold at the time of the
Merger if the requirements of Rule 145 are complied with.

            I also understand that there will be placed on the certificates for
any Parent shares of Common Stock currently owned by me, or any substitutions
therefor, a legend stating in substance:

            THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY ONLY BE TRANSFERRED
            IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 23, 1996
            BETWEEN THE REGISTERED HOLDER HEREOF AND GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP
            LIMITED A COPY OF WHICH AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL
            OFFICES OF GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP LIMITED.



                                Exhibit 5.10(B)-1
<PAGE>   100
            If the Merger Agreement were to be terminated prior to the Effective
Time in accordance with its terms, this letter agreement and my obligations
hereunder will also terminate concurrently with the termination of the Merger
Agreement.

            Execution of this letter should not be considered an admission on my
part that I am an "affiliate" of the Company as described in the first paragraph
of this letter, or as a waiver of any rights I may have to object to any claim
that I am such an affiliate on or after the date of this letter.

                                          Very truly yours,


                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Print Name:
                                                     ---------------------------
Accepted this 23rd day of
December, 1996, by

GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP LIMITED



By:   
      -------------------------
      Name: 
            -------------------
      Title: 
             ------------------



                                Exhibit 5.10(B)-2
<PAGE>   101
                                                               EXHIBIT 5.10(C)-1
               FORM OF COMPANY SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT

                                                      December 23, 1996



Gemstar International Group Limited
135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 800
Pasadena, California 91101


            Re    Agreement of Principal Shareholders Concerning
                  Transfer and Voting of Shares of StarSight
                  Telecast, Inc.


            We understand that Gemstar International Group Limited, a British
Virgin Islands corporation ("GEMSTAR"), and StarSight Telecast, Inc., a
California corporation (the "COMPANY"), of which the undersigned are principal
shareholders, are prepared to enter into an agreement for the merger (the
"MERGER") of G/S Acquisition Subsidiary, a California corporation ("SUB"), into
the Company, but that Gemstar has conditioned its willingness to proceed with
such agreement (the "MERGER AGREEMENT") upon Gemstar's receipt from us of
assurances satisfactory to Gemstar of our support of and commitment to the
Merger. We are familiar with the Merger Agreement and the terms and conditions
of the Merger. In order to evidence such commitment and to induce Gemstar to
enter into the Merger Agreement, we hereby represent and warrant to Gemstar and
agree with Gemstar as follows:

            1. Voting. We will vote or cause to be voted all shares of capital
stock of the Company owned of record or beneficially owned or held in any
capacity by any of us or under any of our control in favor of the Merger and
other transactions provided for in or contemplated by the Merger Agreement and
against any inconsistent proposals or transactions.

            2. Ownership. As of the date hereof, our only ownership of, or
interest in, equity securities or convertible debt securities of the Company
consists solely of the interests described in Schedule 1 hereto (collectively,
the "Shares").

            3. Restriction on Transfer. During the period from the date of this
Merger Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of the
Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms or the effective time of the Merger, we
will not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares or any
interest therein or agree to sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any
of the Shares or any interest therein, without your express written consent. In
addition, we hereby agree to execute and deliver to you the affiliate letters
contemplated by Section 5.10 of the Merger Agreement in the form of Exhibit
5.10A to the Merger Agreement.



                                Exhibit 5.10(C)1-1
<PAGE>   102
            4. Termination. This letter agreement and our obligations hereunder
will terminate on June 30, 1997 unless the Merger Agreement is extended in
accordance with its terms, in which event this letter agreement and our
obligations will terminate on such extended date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if the Merger Agreement were to be terminated earlier in accordance with its
terms, this letter agreement and our obligations hereunder will also terminate
concurrently with the termination of the Merger Agreement.

            5. Effective Date; Succession; Remedies. Upon your acceptance and
execution of the Agreement, this letter agreement shall mutually bind and
benefit you and us, any of our heirs, successors and assigns and any of your
successors. You will not assign the benefit of this letter agreement other than
to a wholly owned subsidiary. We agree that in light of the inadequacy of
damages as a remedy, specific performances shall be available to you, in
addition to any other remedies you may have for the violation of this letter
agreement.

            6. Nature of Holdings; Shares. All references herein to our holdings
of the Shares shall be deemed to include Shares held or controlled by any of us,
individually, jointly (as community property or otherwise), or in any other
capacity, and shall extend to any securities issued to any of us in respect of
the Shares.

                                    Very truly yours,



                                    Principal Shareholders

                                    PVI TRANSMISSION INC.


                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------

                                    THOMSON MULTIMEDIA S.A.


                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------

                                    COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.


                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------


                               Exhibit 5.10(C)1-2
<PAGE>   103
                                    SPELLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.


                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------


                                    TRIBUNE COMPANY


                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------


                                    PROVIDENCE JOURNAL COMPANY


                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------



ACCEPTED:

GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP LIMITED


By:
   ------------------------------------
Name:
     ----------------------------------
Title:
      ---------------------------------


                               Exhibit 5.10(C)1-3
<PAGE>   104
                                   Schedule 1


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Shares of
Beneficial Owner                                            Common Stock Owned
- ----------------                                            ------------------
<S>                                                         <C>       
PVI Transmission Inc. ...................................            4,769,149

THOMSON Multimedia S.A. .................................            3,333,333

Cox Communications, Inc. ................................            2,166,647

Spelling Entertainment, Inc. ............................            1,124,176

Tribune Company .........................................            1,122,518

Providence Journal Company ..............................              791,897
</TABLE>


                          Exhibit 5.10(c)-Schedule 1-1
<PAGE>   105
                                                               EXHIBIT 5.10(C)-2
               FORM OF PARENT SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT

                                                      December 23, 1996



StarSight Telecast, Inc.
39650 Liberty Street
Fremont, California 94538


            Re    Agreement of Principal Shareholders Concerning
                  Transfer and Voting of Shares of Gemstar
                  International Group Limited


            We understand that StarSight Telecast, Inc., a California
corporation ("STARSIGHT"), and Gemstar International Group Limited, a British
Virgin Islands corporation ("GEMSTAR"), of which the undersigned are principal
shareholders, are prepared to enter into an agreement for the merger (the
"MERGER") of G/S Acquisition Subsidiary, a California corporation ("SUB"), into
StarSight, but that StarSight has conditioned its willingness to proceed with
such agreement (the "MERGER AGREEMENT") upon its receipt from us of assurances
satisfactory to StarSight of our support of and commitment to the Merger. We are
familiar with the Merger Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Merger.
In order to evidence such commitment and to induce StarSight to enter into the
Merger Agreement, we hereby represent and warrant to StarSight and agree with
StarSight as follows:

            1. Voting. We will vote or cause to be voted all shares of capital
stock of Gemstar owned of record or beneficially owned or held in any capacity
by any of us or under any of our control in favor of the Merger and other
transactions provided for in or contemplated by the Merger Agreement and against
any inconsistent proposals or transactions.

            2. Ownership. As of the date hereof, our only ownership of, or
interest in, equity securities or convertible debt securities of Gemstar
consists solely of the interests de- scribed in Schedule 1 hereto (collectively,
the "Shares").

            3. Restriction on Transfer. During the period from the date of this
Merger Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this
Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms or the effective time of the Merger, we
will not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares or any
interest therein or agree to sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any
of the Shares or any interest therein, without your express written consent. In
addition, we hereby agree to execute and deliver to you the affiliate letters
contemplated by Section 5.10 of the Merger Agreement in the form of Exhibit
5.10B to the Merger Agreement.

            4. Termination. This letter agreement and our obligations hereunder
will terminate on June 30, 1997 unless the Merger Agreement is extended in
accordance with its terms, in which event this letter agreement and our
obligations will


                               Exhibit 5.10(C)2-1
<PAGE>   106
terminate on such extended date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Merger
Agreement were to be terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, this
letter agreement and our obligations hereunder will also terminate concurrently
with the termination of the Merger Agreement.

            5. Effective Date; Succession; Remedies. Upon your acceptance and
execution of the Agreement, this letter agreement shall mutually bind and
benefit you and us, any of our heirs, successors and assigns and any of your
successors. You will not assign the benefit of this letter agreement other than
to a wholly owned subsidiary. We agree that in light of the inadequacy of
damages as a remedy, specific performances shall be available to you, in
addition to any other remedies you may have for the violation of this letter
agreement.

            6. Nature of Holdings; Shares. All references herein to our holdings
of the Shares shall be deemed to include Shares held or controlled by any of us,
individually, jointly (as community property or otherwise), or in any other
capacity, and shall extend to any securities issued to any of us in respect of
the Shares.

                                    Very truly yours,



                                    Principal Shareholders

                                    DYNAMIC CORE HOLDINGS LIMITED


                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------
                                    Name:  Thomas Lau
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------




                                    --------------------------------
                                    HENRY YUEN


                                    CREATIVE ASSETS LIMITED


                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------
                                    Name:  Wilson Cho
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------

ACCEPTED:

STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.


By:
   ------------------------------------
Name:
     ----------------------------------
Title:
      ---------------------------------



                               Exhibit 5.10(C)2-2
<PAGE>   107
                                   Schedule 1


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Shares of
Beneficial Owner                                              Ordinary Shares Owned
- ----------------                                              ---------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>       
Dynamic Core Holdings Limited ........................              11,522,575

Henry Yuen . ..........................................              3,061,990

Creative Assets Limited  ..............................              2,177,157
(Includes shares owned by Wilson Cho)
</TABLE>



                          Exhibit 5.10(c)-Schedule 1-1

<PAGE>   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 3

                    COMPANY SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT

                                                      December 23, 1996



Gemstar International Group Limited
135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 800
Pasadena, California 91101


            Re    Agreement of Principal Shareholders Concerning Transfer and
                  Voting of Shares of StarSight Telecast, Inc.


            We understand that Gemstar International Group Limited, a British
Virgin Islands corporation ("GEMSTAR"), and StarSight Telecast, Inc., a
California corporation (the "COMPANY"), of which the undersigned are principal
shareholders, are prepared to enter into an agreement for the merger (the
"MERGER") of G/S Acquisition Subsidiary, a California corporation ("SUB"), into
the Company, but that Gemstar has conditioned its willingness to proceed with
such agreement (the "MERGER AGREEMENT") upon Gemstar's receipt from us of
assurances satisfactory to Gemstar of our support of and commitment to the
Merger. We are familiar with the Merger Agreement and the terms and conditions
of the Merger. In order to evidence such commitment and to induce Gemstar to
enter into the Merger Agreement, we hereby represent and warrant to Gemstar and
agree with Gemstar as follows:

            1. Voting. We will vote or cause to be voted all shares of capital
stock of the Company owned of record or beneficially owned or held in any
capacity by any of us or under any of our control in favor of the Merger and
other transactions provided for in or contemplated by the Merger Agreement and
against any inconsistent proposals or transactions.

            2. Ownership. As of the date hereof, our only ownership of, or
interest in, equity securities or convertible debt securities of the Company
consists solely of the interests described in Schedule 1 hereto (collectively,
the "Shares").

            3. Restriction on Transfer. During the period from the date of this
Merger Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this
Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms or the effective time of the Merger, we
will not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares or any
interest therein or agree to sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any
of the Shares or any interest therein, without your express written consent. In
addition, we hereby agree to execute and deliver to you the affiliate letters
contemplated by Section 5.10 of the Merger Agreement in the form of Exhibit
5.10A to the Merger Agreement.



                                     1
<PAGE>   2
            4. Termination. This letter agreement and our obligations hereunder
will terminate on June 30, 1997 unless the Merger Agreement is extended in
accordance with its terms, in which event this letter agreement and our
obligations will terminate on such extended date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if the Merger Agreement were to be terminated earlier in accordance with its
terms, this letter agreement and our obligations hereunder will also terminate
concurrently with the termination of the Merger Agreement.

            5. Effective Date; Succession; Remedies. Upon your acceptance and
execution of the Agreement, this letter agreement shall mutually bind and
benefit you and us, any of our heirs, successors and assigns and any of your
successors. You will not assign the benefit of this letter agreement other than
to a wholly owned subsidiary. We agree that in light of the inadequacy of
damages as a remedy, specific performances shall be available to you, in
addition to any other remedies you may have for the violation of this letter
agreement.



                                     2
<PAGE>   3
            6. Nature of Holdings; Shares. All references herein to our holdings
of the Shares shall be deemed to include Shares held or controlled by any of us,
individually, jointly (as community property or otherwise), or in any other
capacity, and shall extend to any securities issued to any of us in respect of
the Shares.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          THOMSON MULTIMEDIA S.A.



                                          By: /s/ JAMES E. MEYER
                                              ----------------------------

                                          Title: Ex. V.P.
                                                 --------------------------
 
ACCEPTED:

GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LTD.


By: /s/ LARRY GOLDBERG
    ------------------------------------

Title: Secretary
       ---------------------------------



STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.


By: /s/ LARRY W. WANGBERG
    -----------------------------------

Title: Chairman & CEO
       --------------------------------













                       [Company Significant Shareholder Agreement]
<PAGE>   4
            6. Nature of Holdings; Shares. All references herein to our holdings
of the Shares shall be deemed to include Shares held or controlled by any of us,
individually, jointly (as community property or otherwise), or in any other
capacity, and shall extend to any securities issued to any of us in respect of
the Shares.

                                          Very truly yours,
  
                                          PVI TRANSMISSION INC.
   


                                          By: /s/ EDWARD SCHOR
                                              -----------------------------

                                          Title: Vice President
                                                 --------------------------

ACCEPTED:

GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LTD.


By: /s/ LARRY GOLDBERG
    -----------------------------------

Title: Secretary
       ---------------------------------



STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.


By: /s/ LARRY W. WANGBERG
    ------------------------------------

Title: Chief Executive Officer
       ---------------------------------











                       [Company Significant Shareholder Agreement]
<PAGE>   5
            6. Nature of Holdings; Shares. All references herein to our holdings
of the Shares shall be deemed to include Shares held or controlled by any of us,
individually, jointly (as community property or otherwise), or in any other
capacity, and shall extend to any securities issued to any of us in respect of
the Shares.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          TRIBUNE COMPANY



                                          By: /s/ DONN DAVIS
                                              -----------------------------

                                          Title: DONN DAVIS
                                                 TRIBUNE VENTURES PRESIDENT
                                                 --------------------------

ACCEPTED:

GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LTD.


By: /s/ LARRY GOLDBERG
    ------------------------------------

Title: Secretary
       --------------------------------



STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.


By: /s/ LARRY W. WANGBERG
    -----------------------------------

Title: Chief Executive Officer
       --------------------------------











                       [Company Significant Shareholder Agreement]
<PAGE>   6
            6. Nature of Holdings; Shares. All references herein to our holdings
of the Shares shall be deemed to include Shares held or controlled by any of us,
individually, jointly (as community property or otherwise), or in any other
capacity, and shall extend to any securities issued to any of us in respect of
the Shares.

                                          Very truly yours,
        
                                          SPELLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.



                                          By: /s/ WILLIAM P. CLARK
                                              ----------------------------

                                          Title: CFO
                                                 --------------------------

ACCEPTED:

GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LTD.


By: /s/ LARRY GOLDBERG
    -----------------------------------

Title: Secretary
       --------------------------------



STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.


By: /s/ LARRY GOLDBERG
    ------------------------------------

Title: Chief Executive
       ---------------------------------












                       [Company Significant Shareholder Agreement]
<PAGE>   7
            6. Nature of Holdings; Shares. All references herein to our holdings
of the Shares shall be deemed to include Shares held or controlled by any of us,
individually, jointly (as community property or otherwise), or in any other
capacity, and shall extend to any securities issued to any of us in respect of
the Shares.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.



                                          By: /s/ AJIT DALVI
                                              ----------------------------

                                          Title: Sr. V.P.
                                                 -------------------------

ACCEPTED:

GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LTD.


By: /s/ LARRY GOLDBERG 
    ------------------------------------

Title: Secretary
       ---------------------------------



STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.


By: /s/ LARRY W. WANGBERG
    ------------------------------------

Title: Chief Executive Officer
       --------------------------------











                       [Company Significant Shareholder Agreement]
<PAGE>   8
            6. Nature of Holdings; Shares. All references herein to our holdings
of the Shares shall be deemed to include Shares held or controlled by any of us,
individually, jointly (as community property or otherwise), or in any other
capacity, and shall extend to any securities issued to any of us in respect of
the Shares.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          PROVIDENCE JOURNAL COMPANY



                                          By: /s/ JACK C. CLIFFORD
                                              ----------------------------

                                          Title: Exec. V.P.
                                                 -------------------------

ACCEPTED:

GEMSTAR INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LTD.


By: /s/ LARRY GOLDBERG
    -----------------------------------

Title: Secretary
       ---------------------------------



STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.


By: /s/ LARRY W. WANGBERG
    -----------------------------------

Title: Chief Executive Officer
       --------------------------------











                       [Company Significant Shareholder Agreement]
<PAGE>   9
                                     Schedule 1


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Shares of
Beneficial Owner                                                    Common Stock Owned
- ----------------                                                    ------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>       
PVI Transmission Inc. .......................................            5,077,317

THOMSON Multimedia S.A. .....................................            5,333,333

Cox Communications, Inc. ....................................            3,122,981

Spelling Entertainment, Inc. ................................            1,124,176

Tribune Company .............................................            1,122,518

Providence Journal Company ..................................            1,081,231
</TABLE>


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