QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS INC
8-A12G/A, 1998-08-25
INSTRUMENTS FOR MEAS & TESTING OF ELECTRICITY & ELEC SIGNALS
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                   __________



                                   FORM 8-A/A

                                AMENDMENT NO. 1


               FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



                          QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
      --------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



             DELAWARE                                      77-0159619
  ___________________________________          ________________________________
  (State of incorporation or organization)     (IRS Employer Identification No.)


                               55 W. Trimble Road
                           San Jose, California 95131
              (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

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


Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     TITLE OF EACH CLASS                      NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH
     TO BE SO REGISTERED                      EACH CLASS IS TO BE REGISTERED
     -------------------                      ------------------------------

          None                                           None

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                        PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS
                        -------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)
<PAGE>
 
Item 1.   DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED.

          Effective as of January 10, 1996, pursuant to a Preferred Shares
Rights Agreement dated January 10, 1996, as amended August 25, 1998
(collectively, the "Rights Agreement") between Quickturn Design Systems, Inc.
(the "Company") and BankBoston, N.A. (formerly known as the First National Bank
of Boston), as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"), the Company's Board of
Directors declared a dividend of one right (a "Right") to purchase one one-
thousandth share of the Company's Series A Participating Preferred Stock
("Series A Preferred") for each outstanding share of Common Stock, $.001 par
value ("Common Shares"), of the Company.  The dividend was payable on January
22, 1996 (the "Record Date") to stockholders of record as of the close of
business on that date.  Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase
from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred at an
exercise price of $50 (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment in the event
the Company declares a dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock,
subdivides the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number
of such shares or combines the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock into
a smaller number of such shares, among other circumstances.  In addition, under
certain circumstances described more fully herein, the Rights may become
exercisable for Common Shares having a value equal to two times the Purchase
Price and/or Common Stock of certain acquiring companies having a value equal to
two times the Purchase Price.

     The following summary of the principal terms of the Rights Agreement is a
general description only and is subject to the detailed terms and conditions of
the Rights Agreement.  A copy of the Rights Agreement is attached as Exhibit 1
to this Registration Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Rights Evidenced by Common Share Certificates

     The Rights will not be exercisable until the Distribution Date (defined
below).  Certificates for the Rights ("Rights Certificates") will not be sent to
stockholders and the Rights will attach to and trade only together with the
Common Shares.  Accordingly, Common Share certificates outstanding on the Record
Date will evidence the Rights related thereto, and Common Share certificates
issued after the Record Date will contain a notation incorporating the Rights
Agreement by reference.  Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or
expiration of the Rights), the surrender or transfer of any certificates for
Common Shares, outstanding as of the Record Date, even without notation or a
copy of the Summary of Rights being attached thereto, will also constitute the
transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such
certificate.

Distribution Date

     The Rights will separate from the Common Shares, Rights Certificates will
be issued and the Rights will become exercisable upon the earlier of:  (i) ten
days (or such later date as may be determined by the Board of Directors)
following the first date a public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring
Person (as defined below) that an Acquiring Person has become such (the "Shares
Acquisition Date"), (ii) ten days (or such later date as may be determined by
the Board of Directors) following the 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or
exchange offer, the consummation of which would result in a person or group
becoming an Acquiring Person or (iii) with respect to (A) the tender offer (the
"Tender Offer") disclosed in the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1, dated
August 12, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by MGZ Corp.,
a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Mentor Graphics
Corporation, an Oregon corporation ("Mentor"), and any amendment to such Tender
Offer or (B) the commencement of a separate tender offer within the meaning of
Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, by Mentor or any Affiliate or Associate (as such terms
are defined in the Rights Agreement) of Mentor, a date to be determined by the
Company's Board of Directors. The earlier of such dates is referred to as the
"Distribution Date." A person or group of affiliated or associated persons that
beneficially owns, or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of, 15% or
more of the outstanding Common Shares is referred to as an "Acquiring Person".

Issuance of Rights Certificates; Expiration of Rights

     As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate Rights
Certificates will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Shares as of the
close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Rights Certificates
alone will evidence the Rights from and after the Distribution Date. The Rights
will expire on the earliest of (i) January 10, 2006 (the "Final Expiration
Date") or (ii) redemption or exchange of the Rights as described below.

Initial Exercise of the Rights

     Following the Distribution Date, and until one of the further events
described below, holders of the Rights will be entitled to receive, upon
exercise and the payment of the Purchase Price, one one-thousandth of a share of
the Series A Preferred, subject to adjustment in the event the Company declares
a dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock, subdivides the number of
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of such shares or
combines the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number
of such shares, among other circumstances.  In addition, under certain
circumstances described more fully below, the Rights may become exercisable for
Common Stock having a value equal to two times the Purchase Price and/or Common
Stock of certain acquiring companies having a value equal to two times the
Purchase Price.

Right to Buy Company Common Shares

     Unless the Rights are earlier redeemed, in the event that a person becomes
an Acquiring Person (a "Triggering Event"), then proper provision will be made
so that each holder of a Right which has not theretofore been exercised (other
than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person or any affiliate of the
Acquiring Person, which will thereafter be void) will thereafter have the right
to receive, upon exercise, Common Shares having a value equal to two times the
Purchase Price.  In the event that the Company does not have sufficient Common
Shares available for all Rights to be exercised, or the Board of Directors of
the Company decides that such action is necessary and not contrary to the
interests of 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
Rights holders, the Company may instead substitute cash, assets or
other securities for the Common Shares for which the Rights would have been
exercisable.

Right to Buy Acquiring Company Stock

     Similarly, unless the Rights are earlier redeemed, in the event that, after
the Shares Acquisition Date, (i) the Company is acquired in a merger or other
business combination transaction, or (ii) 50% or more of the Company's
consolidated assets or earning power are sold (other than in transactions in the
ordinary course of business), proper provision must be made so that each holder
of a Right which has not theretofore been exercised (other than Rights
beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person or any affiliate of the Acquiring
Person, which will thereafter be void) will thereafter have the right to
receive, upon exercise, shares of common stock of the acquiring company having a
value equal to two times the Purchase Price.

Exchange Provision

     At any time after a Triggering Event and prior to the acquisition by any
person or entity of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the Company's
outstanding Common Shares, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange
the Rights (other than Rights owned by the Acquiring Person), in whole or in
part, at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company is elected by stockholder action at an annual or
special meeting of stockholders then until the 180th day following the
effectiveness of such election (including any postponement or adjournment
thereof), the Rights shall not be exchanged if such exchange is reasonably
likely to have the purpose or effect of facilitating a Transaction (defined as
merger, consolidation or sale of assets or any acquisition of Common Shares
which would result in a person becoming an Acquiring Person) with an Interested
Person (defined as a person or group who (i) is or will become an Acquiring
Person if such Transaction were to be consummated, and (ii) is, or directly or
indirectly proposed, nominated or financially supported, a director of the
Company in office at the time of consideration of such Transaction who was
elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders).

Redemption

     At any time on or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the
Shares Acquisition Date and (ii) the Final Expiration Date of the Rights, the
Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per
Right.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company is elected by stockholder action at an annual or
special meeting of stockholders then until the 180th day following the
effectiveness of such election (including any postponement or adjournment
thereof), the Rights shall not be redeemed if such redemption is reasonably
likely to have the purpose or effect of facilitating a Transaction (defined as
merger, consolidation or sale of assets or any 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
acquisition of Common Shares which would result in a person becoming an
Acquiring Person) with an Interested Person (defined as a person or group who
(i) is or will become an Acquiring Person if such Transaction were to be
consummated, and (ii) is, or directly or indirectly proposed, nominated or
financially supported, a director of the Company in office at the time of
consideration of such Transaction who was elected at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders).

Adjustments to Prevent Dilution

     The Purchase Price payable, the number of Rights, and the number of Series
A Preferred or Common Shares or other securities or property issuable upon
exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time in connection
with the dilutive issuances by the Company as set forth in the Rights Agreement.
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required
until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such
Purchase Price.

Cash Paid Instead of Issuing Fractional Shares

     No fractional portion less than integral multiples of one Common Share or
one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred will be issued upon exercise
of a Right and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the
market price of the security to be so issued on the last trading date prior to
the date of exercise.

No Stockholders' Rights Prior to Exercise

     Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company (other than any rights resulting from
such holder's ownership of Common Shares), including, without limitation, the
right to vote or to receive dividends.

Amendment of Rights Agreement

     The provisions of the Rights Agreement may be supplemented or amended by
the Board of Directors of the Company in any manner prior to the Distribution
Date without the approval of Rights holders.  After such date, the provisions of
the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board of Directors in order to cure
any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to make changes which do not adversely
affect the interests of holders of Rights (excluding the interests of any
Acquiring Person), or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights
Agreement; provided, however, that no amendment to adjust the time period
governing redemption shall be made at such time as the Rights are not
redeemable.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company is elected by stockholder action at an annual or
special meeting, then until the 180th day following the effectiveness of such
election (including any postponement or adjournment thereof), the Rights
Agreement shall not be supplemented or amended in any manner reasonably likely
to have the purpose or effect of facilitating a Transaction with an Interested
Person.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
Rights and Preferences of the Series A Preferred

     Series A Preferred purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be
redeemable.  Each share of Series A Preferred will be entitled to an aggregate
dividend of 1,000 times the dividend declared per Common Share.  In the event of
liquidation, the holders of the Series A Preferred will be entitled to 1,000
times the amount paid per Common Share plus an amount equal to accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date
of such payment.  Each share of Series A Preferred will have 1,000 votes, voting
together with the Common Shares.  In the event of any merger, consolidation or
other transaction in which the Common Shares are changed or exchanged, each
share of Series A Preferred will be entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount
received per Common Share.  These rights are protected by customary anti-
dilution provisions.

     Because of the nature of the dividend, liquidation and voting rights of the
shares of Series A Preferred, the value of the one one-thousandth interest in a
share of Series A Preferred purchasable upon exercise of each Right should
approximate the value of one Common Share.

Certain Anti-takeover Effects

     The Rights approved by the Board of Directors of the Company are designed
to protect and maximize the value of the outstanding equity interests in the
Company in the event of an unsolicited attempt by an acquiror to take over the
Company, in a manner or on terms not approved by the Board of Directors.
Takeover attempts frequently include coercive tactics to deprive the Company's
Board of Directors and its stockholders of any real opportunity to determine the
destiny of the Company.  The Rights have been declared by the Board of Directors
in order to deter such tactics, including a gradual accumulation of shares in
the open market of a 15% or greater position to be followed by a merger or a
partial or two-tier tender offer that does not treat all stockholders equally.
These tactics unfairly pressure stockholders, squeeze them out of their
investment without giving them any real choice and deprive them of the full
value of their shares.

     The Rights are not intended to prevent a takeover of the Company and will
not do so.  The Rights may be redeemed by the Company at $0.01 per Right within
ten days after the accumulation of 15%  or more of the Company's shares by a
single acquiror or group.  Accordingly, the Rights should not interfere with any
merger or business combination approved by the Board of Directors.

     Issuance of the Rights does not in any way weaken the financial strength of
the Company or interfere with its business plans.  The issuance of the Rights
themselves has no dilutive effect, will not affect reported earnings per share,
should not be taxable to the Company or to its stockholders, and will not change
the way in which the Company's shares are presently traded.  The Company's Board
of Directors believes that the Rights represent a sound and reasonable means of
addressing the complex issues of corporate policy created by the current
takeover environment.

     However, the Rights may have the effect of rendering more difficult or
discouraging an acquisition of the Company deemed undesirable by the Board of
Directors.  The Rights may cause

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company
on terms or in a manner not approved by the Company's Board of Directors, except
pursuant to an offer conditioned upon the negation, purchase or redemption of
the Rights.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
Item 2.   EXHIBITS.

1  Preferred Shares Rights Agreement dated as of  January 10, 1996,
   between Quickturn Design Systems, Inc. and BankBoston, N.A.
   (formerly known as the First National Bank of Boston), including the
   Certificate of Designation, the form of Rights Certificate and the
   Summary of Rights Attached thereto as Exhibits A, B and C,
   respectively.

2  Amendment No. 1, dated August 25, 1998, to the Preferred Shares
   Rights Agreement, dated January 10, 1996, between Quickturn
   Design Systems, Inc. and BankBoston, N.A. (formerly known as the
   First National Bank of Boston), including the Summary of Rights
   Attached thereto as Exhibit C.

3  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of  Registrant, as
   amended through April 11, 1997. (1)

4  Bylaws of Quckturn Design Systems, Inc., as amended through June
   5, 1998.

5  Certificate of Amendment of Bylaws of Quickturn Design Systems, Inc.,
   dated August 21, 1998.

- ----------------------------------
(1)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed with the Registrant's Annual
     Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.

                                   QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.


Date: August 25, 1998
                                   By:  /s/ Keith R. Lobo
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Keith R. Lobo
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT                                  
  NO.                                    EXHIBIT
- -------                                  -------
<C>      <S> 
      1  Preferred Shares Rights Agreement dated as of January 10, 1996,
         between Quickturn Design Systems, Inc. and BankBoston, N.A.
         (formerly known as the First National Bank of Boston), including the
         Certificate of Designation, the form of Rights Certificate and the
         Summary of Rights Attached thereto as Exhibits A, B and C,
         respectively.

      2  Amendment No. 1, dated August 25, 1998, to the Preferred Shares
         Rights Agreement, dated January 10, 1996, between Quickturn
         Design Systems, Inc. and BankBoston, N.A. (formerly known as the
         First National Bank of Boston), including the Summary of Rights
         Attached thereto as Exhibit C.

      3  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, as
         amended through April 11, 1997. (1)

      4  Bylaws of Quickturn Design Systems, Inc., as amended through June
         5, 1998.

      5  Certificate of Amendment of Bylaws of Quickturn Design Systems, Inc.,
         dated August 21, 1998.
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------------
(1)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed with the Registrant's Annual
     Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.


<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT 1








 
                         QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

                                      AND

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON
                                  RIGHTS AGENT




                       PREFERRED SHARES RIGHTS AGREEMENT


                          DATED AS OF JANUARY 10, 1996
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                               ----
<S>             <C>                                                                   <C>
 
        Section 1.     Certain Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
 
        Section 2.     Appointment of Rights Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
 
        Section 3.     Issuance of Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
 
        Section 4.     Form of Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
 
        Section 5.     Countersignature and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
 
        Section 6.     Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates;
                       Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates  . . . . . . .   8
 
        Section 7.     Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights . . . . .   9
 
        Section 8.     Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . .  11
 
        Section 9.     Reservation and Availability of Preferred Shares  . . . . . . . . . . .  11
 
        Section 10.    Preferred Shares Record Date  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
 
        Section 11.    Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of Rights  . .  13
 
        Section 12.    Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares  . . . . . .  20
 
        Section 13.    Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power  .  21
 
        Section 14.    Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
 
        Section 15.    Rights of Action  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
 
        Section 16.    Agreement of Rights Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
 
        Section 17.    Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder  . . . . . . . . . .  25
 
        Section 18.    Concerning the Rights Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
 
        Section 19.    Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent . . . . . . .  26
</TABLE> 

                                     -i- 
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                 (continued) 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                               ----
         <S>         <C>                                                                   <C> 
        Section 20.    Duties of Rights Agent  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
  
        Section 21.    Change of Rights Agent  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
 
        Section 22.    Issuance of New Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
 
        Section 23.    Redemption  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
 
        Section 24.    Exchange  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
 
        Section 25.    Notice of Certain Events  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
 
        Section 26.    Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
 
        Section 27.    Supplements and Amendments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
 
        Section 28.    Successors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
 
        Section 29.    Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.  . . . . . .  33
 
        Section 30.    Benefits of this Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
 
        Section 31.    Severability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
 
        Section 32.    Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
 
        Section 33.    Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
 
        Section 34.    Descriptive Headings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34



 EXHIBITS

        Exhibit A      Form of Certificate of Designation

        Exhibit B      Form of Rights Certificate

        Exhibit C      Summary of Rights
</TABLE> 

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
                              RIGHTS AGREEMENT


     Agreement, dated as of January 10, 1996 between Quickturn Design Systems,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and the First National Bank of
Boston (the "RIGHTS AGENT").

     Effective as of January 10, 1996 (the "RIGHTS DIVIDEND DECLARATION DATE"),
the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and declared a dividend of one
Preferred Share purchase right (a "RIGHT") for each Common Share (as hereinafter
defined) of the Company outstanding as of the Close of Business (as hereinafter
defined) on January 22, 1996 (the "RECORD DATE"), each Right representing the
right to purchase one one-thousandth (0.001) of a share of Series A
Participating Preferred Stock (as such number may be adjusted pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement), having the rights, preferen  ces and privileges
set forth in the form of Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and
Privileges of Series A Participating Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit
                                                                        -------
A, upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and further
- -                                                                            
authorized and directed the issuance of one Right (as such number may be
adjusted pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement) with respect to each
Common Share that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the
earlier of the Distribution Date and the Expiration Date (as such terms are
hereinafter defined), and in certain circumstances after the Distribution Date.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     Section 1.  Certain Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the
                 -------------------                                      
following terms have the meanings indicated:

          (a)    "ACQUIRING PERSON" shall mean any Person who or which, together
with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner
of 15% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding, but shall not include the
Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan of the
Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity holding Common Shares
for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no Person shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person as the result of an
acquisition of Common Shares by the Company which, by reducing the number of
shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially
owned by such Person to 15% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then
outstanding; provided, however, that if a Person shall become the Beneficial
             --------  -------                                              
Owner of 15% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding by
reason of share purchases by the Company and shall, after such share purchases
by the Company, become the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares of
the Company, then such Person shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an "Acquiring
Person", as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a),
has become such inadvertently, and such Person divests as promptly as
practicable a sufficient number of Common Shares so that such Person would no
longer be an "Acquiring Person",
<PAGE>
 
as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), then such
Person shall not be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person" for any purposes of this
Agreement.

          (b)    "AFFILIATE" and "ASSOCIATE" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"), as in
effect on the date of this Agreement.

          (c)    A Person shall be deemed the "BENEFICIAL OWNER" of and shall be
deemed to "beneficially own" any securities:

                 (i)    which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 thereunder (or any comparable or
successor law or regulation);

                 (ii)   which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between
underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public
offering of securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange
rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise;
provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed pursuant to this Section
- --------  -------                                                            
1(c)(ii)(A) to be the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, (1)
securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf
of such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such
tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange, or (2) securities
which a Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates may be deemed to
have the right to acquire pursuant to any merger or other acquisition agreement
between the Company and such Person (or one or more of its Affiliates or
Associates) if such agreement has been approved by the Board of Directors of the
Company prior to there being an Acquiring Person; or (B) the right to vote
pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------      
a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own,
any security under this Section 1(c)(ii)(B) if the agreement, arrangement or
understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or
consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent
solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and
regulations of the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule
13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

                 (iii)  which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such
Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has any agreement,
arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing (other than customary
agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with
respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated by the proviso
to Section 1(c)(ii)(B)) or disposing of any securities of the Company; 
provided, however, that in no case shall an officer or director of the Company
- --------  -------
be deemed (x) the Beneficial Owner of any securities beneficially owned by
another officer or director of the Company 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
solely by reason of actions undertaken by such persons in their capacity as
officers or directors of the Company or (y) the Beneficial Owner of securities
held of record by the trustee of any employee benefit plan of the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company for the benefit of any employee of the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company, other than the officer or director, by
reason of any influence that such officer or director may have over the voting
of the securities held in the plan.

          (d)    "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in California are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close.

          (e)    "CLOSE OF BUSINESS" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M.,
California time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a
                               --------  -------                            
Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., California time, on the next succeeding
Business Day.

          (f)    "COMMON SHARES" when used with reference to the Company shall
mean the shares of Common Stock of the Company, $0.001 par value per share.
"Common Shares" when used with reference to any Person other than the Company
shall mean the capital stock (or equity interest) with the greatest voting
power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a Subsidiary of another
Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately control such first-mentioned
Person.

          (g)    "CONTINUING DIRECTOR" shall mean (i) any member of the Board of
Directors of the Company who, while a member of the Board, is not an Acquiring
Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or a representative
of an Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or Associate, and who was a
member of the Board prior to the date of this Agreement, or (ii) any Person who
subsequently becomes a member of the Board who, while a member of the Board, is
not an Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or
a representative of an Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or Associate,
if such Person's nomination for election or election to the Board is recommended
or approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors.

          (h)    "DISTRIBUTION DATE" shall mean the earlier of (i) the Close of
Business on the tenth day (or such later date as may be determined by action of
a majority of Continuing Directors then in office) after the Shares Acquisition
Date (or, if the tenth day after the Shares Acquisition Date occurs before the
Record Date, the Close of Business on the Record Date) or (ii) the Close of
Business on the tenth day (or such later date as may be determined by action of
a majority of Continuing Directors then in office) after the date that a tender
or exchange offer by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the
Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the
Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the
Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) is first published or
sent or given within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act, if, assuming the successful consummation
thereof, such Person would be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares
of Common Stock then outstanding.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          (i)    "EQUIVALENT SHARES" shall mean Preferred Shares and any other
class or series of capital stock of the Company which is entitled to participate
in dividends and other distributions, including distributions upon the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, on a proportional basis
with the Common Shares.  In calculating the number of any class or series of
Equivalent Shares for purposes of Section 11 of this Rights Agreement, the
number of shares, or fractions of a share, of such class or series of capital
stock that is entitled to the same dividend or distribution as a whole Common
Share shall be deemed to be one share.

          (j)    "EXPIRATION DATE" shall mean the earliest of (i) the Close of
Business on the Final Expiration Date, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the time
at which the Board of Directors orders the exchange of the Rights as provided in
Section 24 hereof or (iv) the consummation of a transaction contemplated by
Section 13(d) hereof.

          (k)    "FINAL EXPIRATION DATE" shall mean January 10, 2006.

          (l)    "PERMITTED OFFER" shall mean a tender offer for all outstanding
Common Shares made in the manner prescribed by Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; provided, however, that
                                                      --------  -------      
such tender offer occurs at a time when Continuing Directors are in office and a
majority of the Continuing Directors then in office has determined that the
offer is both adequate and otherwise in the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders (taking into account all factors that such Continuing Directors
deem relevant).

          (m)    "PERSON" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other
entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

          (n)    "PREFERRED SHARES" shall mean shares of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock of the Company.

          (o)    "PURCHASE PRICE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4(a) hereof.

          (p)    "RECORD DATE" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals at the beginning of this Agreement.

          (q)    "REDEMPTION DATE" shall mean the time at which the Board of
Directors of the Company orders redemption of the Rights as provided in Section
23 hereof.

          (r)    "REDEMPTION PRICE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
23(a) hereof.

          (s)    "RIGHTS DIVIDEND DECLARATION DATE" shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals at the beginning of this Agreement.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
          (t)    "SECTION 13 EVENT" shall mean any event described in clause
(i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 13(a) hereof.

          (u)    "SHARES ACQUISITION DATE" shall mean the first date of public
announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without
limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act) by
the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such;
                                                                            
provided that, if such Person is determined not to have become an Acquiring
- -------------                                                              
Person pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof, then no Shares Acquisition Date shall be
deemed to have occurred.

          (v)    "SUBSIDIARY" of any Person shall mean any corporation or other
entity of which an amount of voting securities sufficient to elect a majority of
the directors or Persons having similar authority of such corporation or other
entity is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person, or any
corporation or other entity otherwise controlled by such Person.

          (w)    "TOTAL EXERCISE PRICE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4(a) hereof.

          (x)    "TRADING DAY" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d)
hereof.

          (y)    A "TRIGGERING EVENT" shall be deemed to have occurred upon any
Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee
benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity
holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan), together
with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becoming an Acquiring Person.

     Section 2.  Appointment of Rights Agent.  The Company hereby appoints the
                 ---------------------------                                  
Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who,
in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall prior to the Distribution Date also
be the holders of the Common Shares) in accordance with the terms and conditions
hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment.  The Company may
from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or
desirable.

     Section 3.  Issuance of Rights Certificates.
                 ------------------------------- 

          (a)    Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced
(subject to the provisions of Sections 3(b) and 3(c) hereof) by the certificates
for Common Shares registered in the names of the holders thereof (which
certificates shall also be deemed to be Rights Certificates) and not by separate
Rights Certificates and (ii) the right to receive Rights Certificates will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common Shares.  Until the
earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date, the surrender for
transfer of such certificates for Common Shares shall also constitute the
surrender for transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares
represented thereby.  As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the
Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign, and the
Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested,
send) by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common
Shares as of the close of 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the
records of the Company, a Rights Certificate, in substantially the form of
Exhibit B hereto (a "RIGHTS CERTIFICATE"), evidencing one Right for each
- ---------
Common Share so held, subject to adjustment as provided herein. In the event
that an adjustment in the number of Rights per Common Share has been made
pursuant to Section 11(a)(i), Section 11(i) or Section 11(p) hereof, then at
the time of distribution of the Rights Certificates, the Company shall make
the necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments (in accordance with Section
14(a) hereof) so that Rights Certificates representing only whole numbers of
Rights are distributed and cash is paid in lieu of any fractional Rights. As
of the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Rights
Certificates and may be transferred by the transfer of the Rights Certificates
as permitted hereby, separately and apart from any transfer of one or more
Common Shares, and the holders of such Rights Certificates as listed in the
records of the Company or any transfer agent or registrar for the Rights shall
be the record holders thereof.

          (b)    On the Record Date or as soon as practicable thereafter, the
Company will send (or cause to be sent) a copy of a Summary of Rights in
substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (the "SUMMARY OF RIGHTS"), by first-
                          ---------                                           
class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the
close of business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the
records of the Company.

          (c)    Unless the Board of Directors by resolution adopted at or
before the time of the issuance (including pursuant to the exercise of rights
under the Company's benefit plans) of any Common Shares specifies to the
contrary, Rights shall be issued in respect of all Common Shares that are
issued after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date
or the Expiration Date or, in certain circumstances provided in Section 22
hereof, after the Distribution Date. Certificates representing such Common
Shares shall also be deemed to be certificates for Rights, and shall bear the
following legend:

     THIS CERTIFICATE ALSO EVIDENCES AND ENTITLES THE HOLDER HEREOF TO CERTAIN
     RIGHTS AS SET FORTH IN A RIGHTS AGREEMENT BETWEEN QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS,
     INC. AND THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON AS THE RIGHTS AGENT, DATED AS OF
     JANUARY 10, 1996 (THE "RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), THE TERMS OF WHICH ARE HEREBY
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AND A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE
     PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.  UNDER
     CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, SUCH RIGHTS
     WILL BE EVIDENCED BY SEPARATE CERTIFICATES AND WILL NO LONGER BE EVIDENCED
     BY THIS CERTIFICATE.  QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC. WILL MAIL TO THE
     HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE A COPY OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE
     AFTER RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
     SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS ISSUED TO, OR HELD BY, ANY PERSON
     WHO IS, WAS 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     OR BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR ANY AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE THEREOF (AS
     SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT), WHETHER CURRENTLY HELD
     BY OR ON BEHALF OF SUCH PERSON OR BY ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER, MAY BECOME
     NULL AND VOID.

With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
earlier of (i) the Distribution Date or (ii) the Expiration Date, the Rights
associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificates shall be
evidenced by such certificates alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such
certificate shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Shares represented thereby.  In the event that the Company purchases or
acquires any Common Shares after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution
Date, any Rights associated with such Common Shares shall be deemed canceled and
retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights
associated with the Common Shares which are no longer outstanding.

     Section 4.  Form of Rights Certificates.
                 --------------------------- 

          (a)    The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase
Common Shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks of
                             ---------                                  
identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements
printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any
applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any
rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Rights may from time to
time be listed, or to conform to usage.  Subject to the provisions of Section 11
and Section 22 hereof, the Rights Certificates, whenever distributed, shall be
dated as of the Record Date (or in the case of Rights issued with respect to
Common Shares issued by the Company after the Record Date, as of the date of
issuance of such Common Shares) and on their face shall entitle the holders
thereof to purchase such number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as shall
be set forth therein at the price set forth therein (such exercise price per one
one-thousandth (0.001) of a Preferred Share being hereinafter referred to as the
"PURCHASE PRICE" and the aggregate exercise price of all Preferred Shares
issuable upon exercise of one Right being hereinafter referred to as the "TOTAL
EXERCISE PRICE"), but the number and type of securities purchasable upon the
exercise of each Right and the Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment as
provided herein.

          (b)     Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or
Section 22 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by: (i) an
Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a
transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who
becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such or (iii) a
transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who
becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person
becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer
(whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of
equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom such
Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding
regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of
Directors of the 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
Company has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which
has as a primary purpose or effect avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof, and any
Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon
transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate
referred to in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible) the
following legend:

     THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY
     OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR
     ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS
     AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED
     HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION
     7(E) OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.

     Section 5.  Countersignature and Registration.
                 --------------------------------- 

          (a)    The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the
Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its
President or any Vice President, either manually or by facsimile signature,
and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually
or by facsimile signature, and shall have affixed thereto the Company's seal
(if any) or a facsimile thereof. The Rights Certificates shall be manually
countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose
unless countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed
any of the Rights Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company
before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the
Company, such Rights Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the
Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and
effect as though the person who signed such Rights Certificates had not ceased
to be such officer of the Company; and any Rights Certificate may be signed on
behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution
of such Rights Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign
such Rights Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights
Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

          (b)    Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or
cause to be kept, at its office designated for such purposes, books for
registration and transfer of the Rights Certificates issued hereunder.  Such
books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Rights
Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Rights
Certificates and the date of each of the Rights Certificates.

     Section 6.  Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights
                 ------------------------------------------------------
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)    Subject to the provisions of Sections 7(e), 14 and 24 hereof,
at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and at or
prior to the Close of Business on the Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate
or Rights Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates, entitling the
registered holder to purchase a like number of one-thousandths of a Preferred
Share (or, following a Triggering Event, other securities, cash or other
assets, as the case may be) as the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates
surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase. Any registered holder
desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Rights Certificate or
Rights Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights
Agent, and shall surrender the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates to be
transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the office of the Rights Agent
designated for such purpose. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be
obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any
such surrendered Rights Certificate until the registered holder shall have
completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on
the reverse side of such Rights Certificate and shall have provided such
additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former
Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall
reasonably request. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to Sections
7(e), 14 and 24 hereof, countersign and deliver to the person entitled thereto
a Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates, as the case may be, as so
requested. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any
transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Rights Certificates.

          (b)    Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity
or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company's request,
reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses
incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of
the Rights Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new
Rights Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for delivery to the
registered holder in lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed
or mutilated.

     Section 7.  Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights.
                 ------------------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)    Subject to Sections 7(e), 23(b) and 24(b) hereof, the
registered holder of any Rights Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced
thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole or in part at any time
after the Distribution Date upon surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the
form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the
Rights Agent at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose,
together with payment of the Purchase Price for each one-thousandth of a
Preferred Share as to which the Rights are exercised, at or prior to the
Expiration Date.

          (b)    The Purchase Price for each one-thousandth (0.001) of a
Preferred Share issuable pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially
be fifty dollars ($50), shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as
provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof and shall be payable in lawful money of
the United States of America in accordance with paragraph (c) below.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
          (c)    Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing exercisable
Rights, with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by
payment of the Purchase Price for the number of one-thousandths of a Preferred
Share (or other securities or property, as the case may be) to be purchased and
an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder
of such Rights Certificate in accordance with Section 9 hereof in cash, or by
certified check or cashier's check payable to the order of the Company, the
Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 20(k) hereof, thereupon promptly (i) (A)
requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred Shares (or make available,
if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent for the Preferred Shares) a
certificate or certificates for the number of one-thousandths of a Preferred
Share to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer
agent to comply with all such requests or (B) if the Company shall have elected
to deposit the total number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share issuable
upon exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent, requisition from
the depositary agent of depositary receipts representing such number of one-
thousandths of a Preferred Share as are to be purchased (in which case
certificates for the Preferred Shares represented by such receipts shall be
deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Company
hereby directs the depositary agent to comply with such request, (ii) when
appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu
of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii)
after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be
delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights
Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such
holder and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt thereof, deliver such cash to or
upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate.  The payment
of the Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced (including to zero)
pursuant to Section 11(a)(iv) hereof) may be made in cash or by certified bank
check or bank draft payable to the order of the Company.  In the event that the
Company is obligated to issue other securities of the Company, pay cash and/or
distribute other property pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Company will
make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities, cash and/or other
property are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when
appropriate.

          (d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate shall
exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights Certificate
evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued
by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Rights Certificate or to
his or her duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14
hereof.

          (e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from
and after the first occurrence of a Triggering Event or a Section 13 Event, any
Rights beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or
Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or
of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring
Person becomes such (a "POST TRANSFEREE"), (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring
Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to
or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights
pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the
Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to
any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement,
arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer
which the Board of Directors of the Company has determined is part 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or
effect the avoidance of this Section 7(e) (a "PRIOR TRANSFEREE") or (iv) any
subsequent transferee receiving transferred Rights from a Post Transferee or a
Prior Transferee, either directly or through one or more intermediate
transferees, shall become null and void without any further action and no
holder of such Rights shall have any rights whatsoever with respect to such
Rights, whether under any provision of this Agreement or otherwise. The
Company shall use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the provisions of this
Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but shall have no
liability to any holder of Rights Certificates or to any other Person as a
result of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring
Person or any of such Acquiring Person's Affiliates, Associates or transferees
hereunder.

          (f)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any
action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported
exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have
(i) completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of election to
purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for
such exercise and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the
Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates
thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.

     Section 8.  Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates.  All
                 ---------------------------------------------------      
Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up,
combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Rights
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
any of the provisions of this Agreement.  The Company shall deliver to the
Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so
cancel and retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the
Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof.  The Rights Agent shall
deliver all canceled Rights Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the
written request of the Company, destroy such canceled Rights Certificates, and
in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

     Section 9.  Reservation and Availability of Preferred Shares.
                 ------------------------------------------------ 

          (a)    The Company covenants and agrees that it will use its best
efforts to cause to be reserved and kept available out of and to the extent of
its authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock not reserved for another
purpose (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, out of its
authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock and/or other securities), the
number of Preferred Shares (and, following the occurrence of the Triggering
Event, Common Stock and/or other securities) that will be sufficient to permit
the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights.

          (b)    If the Company shall hereafter list any of its Preferred
Shares on a national securities exchange, then so long as the Preferred Shares
(and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Shares and/or
other securities) issuable and deliverable upon exercise of the Rights may be
listed on such exchange, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from
and after such time as 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
the Rights become exercisable (but only to the extent that it is reasonably
likely that the Rights will be exercised), all shares reserved for such
issuance to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon
such exercise.

          (c)    The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon as
practicable following the earliest date after the first occurrence of a
Triggering Event in which the consideration to be delivered by the Company upon
exercise of the Rights has been determined in accordance with Section 11(a)(iv)
hereof, or as soon as is required by law following the Distribution Date, as the
case may be, a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), with respect to the securities purchasable upon
exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration
statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and (iii)
cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all
times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the earlier of (A)
the date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities
and (B) the date of expiration of the Rights.  The Company may temporarily
suspend, for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days after the date set forth in
clause (i) of the first sentence of this Section 9(c), the exercisability of the
Rights in order to prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to
become effective.  Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public
announcement stating, and notify the Rights Agent, that the exercisability of
the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement and
notification to the Rights Agent at such time as the suspension is no longer in
effect.  The Company will also take such action as may be appropriate under, or
to ensure compliance with, the securities or "blue sky" laws of the various
states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights.  Notwithstanding any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable
in any jurisdiction, unless the requisite qualification in such jurisdiction
shall have been obtained, or an exemption therefrom shall be available, and
until a registration statement has been declared effective.

          (d)    The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such
action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares delivered upon
exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such
Preferred Shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and
validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable shares.

          (e)    The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay
when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges
which may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the
Rights Certificates or of any Preferred Shares upon the exercise of Rights.
The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may
be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates to a
person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates or depositary
receipts for the Preferred Shares in a name other than that of, the registered
holder of the Rights Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or
to issue or to deliver any certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred
Shares upon the exercise of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid
(any such tax being payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at the
time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company's
satisfaction that no such tax is due.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 10.  Preferred Shares Record Date.  Each person in whose name any
                  ----------------------------                                
certificate for a number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share is issued upon
the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the
holder of record of Preferred Shares represented thereby on, and such
certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Rights Certificate
evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price
multiplied by the number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share with respect to
which the Rights have been exercised (and any applicable transfer taxes) was
made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a
      --------  -------                                                     
date upon which the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company are closed,
such person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on,
and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which
the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company are open.  Prior to the
exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights Certificate
shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of Preferred Shares for which
the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to
vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive
rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of
the Company, except as provided herein.

     Section 11.  Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of
                  -----------------------------------------------------------
Rights.  The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares or other property
- ------                                                                      
covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.

          (a)    (i)    In the event the Company shall at any time after the
date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Common Shares payable in
Common Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Common Shares, (C) combine the
outstanding Common Shares (by reverse stock split or otherwise) into a smaller
number of Common Shares, or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a
reclassification of the Common Shares (including any such reclassification in
connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
or surviving corporation), then, in each such event, except as otherwise
provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e) hereof: (1) each of the Rights
outstanding at the time of the record date for such dividend or the effective
date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be
proportionately adjusted to that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one
ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of a Right) equal to a fraction (the "EXCHANGE
RATIO"), the numerator of which shall be the total number of Common Shares or
shares of capital stock outstanding immediately following such subdivision,
combination or reclassification and the denominator of which shall be the total
number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to such time, and the
number of Rights that shall thereafter be issued with respect to each Common
Share or share of such other capital stock that shall become outstanding
thereafter prior to the Distribution Date shall be equal to the total number of
outstanding Rights immediately after such event (as adjusted pursuant to this
clause (1)) divided by the total number of outstanding Common Shares or shares
of such other capital stock immediately after such event (subject to further
adjustment pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement); (2) the Purchase Price
in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective
date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be adjusted so
that the Purchase Price thereafter shall equal the result obtained by dividing
the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such time by the Exchange
Ratio; provided, however, that in no event shall the 
       --------  -------                                                     

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable
upon exercise of such Right; and (3) the number of Common Shares or shares of
such other capital stock issuable upon the exercise of each Right shall remain
unchanged immediately after such event, but, in the event of a
reclassification, the kind of shares issuable upon the exercise of each Right
immediately after such reclassification shall be adjusted to be the kind of
shares of such other capital stock issued in such reclassification, rather
than Common Shares. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under
both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment
provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be
made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

                 (ii)   Subject to Section 24 of this Agreement, in the event a
Triggering Event shall have occurred, then promptly following such Triggering
Event, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right, except as
provided in Section 7(e) hereof, shall thereafter have the right to receive for
each Right, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement
and payment of the then-current Total Exercise Price, in lieu of a number of
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share, such number of Common Shares of the
Company as shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the then-current
Purchase Price by the then number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for
which a Right was exercisable (or would have been exercisable if the
Distribution Date had occurred) immediately prior to the first occurrence of a
Triggering Event, and dividing that product by 50% of the current per share
market price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) for Common Shares on
the date of occurrence of the Triggering Event (such number of shares being
hereinafter referred to as the "ADJUSTMENT SHARES").

                 (iii)  The right to buy Common Shares of the Company pursuant
to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall not arise as a result of any Person becoming
an Acquiring Person through an acquisition of Common Shares pursuant to a
Permitted Offer.

                 (iv)   In lieu of issuing Common Shares in accordance with
Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the Company may, if the Board of Directors
determines that such action is necessary or appropriate and not contrary to
the interest of holders of Rights (and, in the event that the number of Common
Shares which are authorized by the Company's Certificate of Incorporation but
not outstanding or reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise
of the Rights are not sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Rights,
or if any necessary regulatory approval for such issuance has not been
obtained by the Company, the Company shall): (A) determine the excess of (1)
the value of the Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the
"CURRENT VALUE") over (2) the Purchase Price (such excess, the "SPREAD") and
(B) with respect to each Right, make adequate provision to substitute for such
Common Shares, upon exercise of the Rights, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in the
Purchase Price, (3) other equity securities of the Company (including, without
limitation, shares or units of shares of any series of preferred stock which
the Board of Directors of the Company has deemed to have the same value as
Common Shares (such shares or units of shares of preferred stock are herein
called "common stock equivalents")), except to the extent that the Company has
not obtained any necessary stockholder or regulatory approval for such
issuance, (4) debt securities of the Company, except to the 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
extent that the Company has not obtained any necessary stockholder or
regulatory approval for such issuance, (5) other assets, or (6) any
combination of the foregoing, having an aggregate value equal to the Current
Value, where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company based upon the advice of a nationally recognized
investment banking firm selected by the Board of Directors of the Company;
provided, however, if the Company shall not have made adequate provision to
- --------  -------
deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following
the later of (x) the first occurrence of a Triggering Event and (y) the date
on which the Company's right of redemption pursuant to Section 23(a) expires
(the later of (x) and (y) being referred to herein as the "SECTION 11(A)(II)
TRIGGER DATE"), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon the
surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of the
Purchase Price, Common Shares (to the extent available), except to the extent
that the Company has not obtained any necessary stockholder or regulatory
approval for such issuance, and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or
cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. If the Board of Directors of
the Company shall determine in good faith that it is likely that sufficient
additional Common Shares could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in
full of the Rights or that any necessary regulatory approval for such issuance
will be obtained, the thirty (30) day period set forth above may be extended
to the extent necessary, but not more than ninety (90) days after the Section
11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek stockholder
approval for the authorization of such additional shares or take action to
obtain such regulatory approval (such period, as it may be extended, the
"SUBSTITUTION PERIOD"). To the extent that the Company determines that some
action need be taken pursuant to the first and/or second sentences of this
Section 11(a)(iv), the Company (x) shall provide, subject to Section 7(e)
hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights and
(y) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the
Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares,
to take any action to obtain any required regulatory approval and/or to decide
the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to such first
sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any such
suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a
public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. For
purposes of this Section 11(a)(iv), the value of the Common Shares shall be
the current per share market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)
hereof) of the Common Shares on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the
value of any "common stock equivalent" shall be deemed to have the same value
as the Common Shares on such date.

          (b)    In case the Company shall, at any time after the date of this
Agreement, fix a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to
all holders of Common Shares or of any class or series of Equivalent Shares
entitling such holders (for a period expiring within forty-five (45) calendar
days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares or
Equivalent Shares or securities convertible into Common Shares or Equivalent
Shares at a price per share (or having a conversion price per share, if a
security convertible into Common Shares or Equivalent Shares) less than the then
current per share market price of the Common Shares or Equivalent Shares (as
defined in Section 11(d)) on such record date, then, in each such case, the
Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by
multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date
by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares and
Equivalent 

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
Shares (if any) outstanding on such record date, plus the number of Common
Shares or Equivalent Shares, as the case may be, which the aggregate offering
price of the total number of Common Shares or Equivalent Shares, as the case
may be, so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the
convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market
price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares and
Equivalent Shares (if any) outstanding on such record date, plus the number of
additional Common Shares or Equivalent Shares, as the case may be, to be
offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities
so to be offered are initially convertible). In case such subscription price
may be paid in a consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other
than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be
described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on
the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights. Common Shares and Equivalent
Shares owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed
outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be
made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that
such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall
be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such
record date had not been fixed.

          (c)    In case the Company shall, at any time after the date of this
Agreement, fix a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of
the Common Shares or of any class or series of Equivalent Shares (including any
such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness
or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend, if any, or a dividend
payable in Common Shares) or subscription rights, options or warrants (excluding
those referred to in Section 11(b)), then, in each such case, the Purchase Price
to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the
Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction,
the numerator of which shall be the current market price (as determined pursuant
to Section 11(d) hereof) of a Common Share or an Equivalent Share on such record
date, less the fair market value per Common Share or Equivalent Share (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of
the portion of the cash, assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be
distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to a Common
Share or Equivalent Share, as the case may be, and the denominator of which
shall be such current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)
hereof) of a Common Share or Equivalent Share on such record date.  Such
adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and
in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall be
adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would have been in effect if such record
date had not been fixed.

          (d)    For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other than
computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iv) hereof, the "current per share
market price" of any security (a "SECURITY" for the purpose of this Section
11(d)) on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices
per share of such Security for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days (as such
term is hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date, and for purposes of
computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iv) hereof, the "current per share
market price" of any Security on any date shall be 

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such
Security for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such
date; provided, however, that in the event that the current per share market
      --------  -------             
price of the Security is determined during a period following the announcement
by the issuer of such Security of (i) a dividend or distribution on such
Security payable in shares of such Security or securities convertible into
such shares or (ii) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such
Security, and prior to the expiration of the requisite thirty (30) Trading Day
or ten (10) Trading Day period, after the ex-dividend date for such dividend
or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or
reclassification, then, and in each such case, the current per share market
price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price per
share equivalent of such Security. The closing price for each day shall be the
last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such
day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either
case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system
with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New
York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction
reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national
securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading or,
if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, the last sale price or, if such last sale price is not
reported, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-
counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. Automated Quotations System ("NASDAQ") or such other system then in use,
or, if on any such date the Security is not quoted by any such organization,
the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional
market maker making a market in the Security selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company. If on any such date no market maker is making a
market in the Common Shares, the fair value of such shares on such date as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be
used. The term "TRADING DAY" shall mean a day on which the principal national
securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is
open for the transaction of business or, if the Security is not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day. If
the Common Shares are not publicly held or so listed or traded, "current per
share market price" shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be
described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive
for all purposes.

          (e)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no
adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would
require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase Price; provided,
                                                                      -------- 
however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not
- -------                                                                    
required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any
subsequent adjustment.  All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made
to the nearest cent or to the nearest ten-thousandth of a Common Share or other
share or one hundred-thousandth of a Preferred Share, as the case may be.
Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment
required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three
(3) years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment or
(ii) the Expiration Date.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
          (f)    If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a)
 or 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become 
entitled to receive any shares of capital stock other than Preferred Shares, 
thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any 
Right and if required, the Purchase Price thereof, shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the provisions with respect to the Common Shares contained in
Sections 11(a), (b), (c), (e), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l) and (m), and the
provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 with respect to the Preferred
Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

          (g)    All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one-thousandths of a
Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the
Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

          (h)    Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as
provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a
result of the calculations made in Section 11(b), each Right outstanding
immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence
the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of
Preferred Shares (calculated to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a share)
obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of Preferred Shares covered by a
Right immediately prior to this adjustment, by (y) the Purchase Price in
effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price, and (ii)
dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately
after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.

          (i)    The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of
the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations made in Section 11(b) to
adjust the number of Rights, in substitution for any adjustment in the number of
Preferred Shares purchasable upon the exercise of a Right.  Each of the Rights
outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable
for the number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was
exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment.  Each Right held of record
prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of
Rights (calculated to the nearest one hundred-thousandth) obtained by dividing
the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase
Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the
Purchase Price.  The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to
adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and,
if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made.  This record date
may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter,
but, if the Rights Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten (10)
days later than the date of the public announcement.  If Rights Certificates
have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this
Section 11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be
distributed to holders of record of Rights Certificates on such record date
Rights Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional
Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment,
or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders
of record in substitution and replacement for the Rights Certificates held by
such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon 

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Rights Certificates
evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after such
adjustment. Rights Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed
and countersigned in the manner provided for herein (and may bear, at the
option of the Company, the adjusted Purchase Price) and shall be registered in
the names of the holders of record of Rights Certificates on the record date
specified in the public announcement.

          (j)    Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase
Price or the number of Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of the
Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue
to express the Purchase Price per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share and
the number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share which were expressed in the
initial Rights Certificates issued hereunder.

          (k)    Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
reducing the Purchase Price below the par or stated value, if any, of the
number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of the
Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion
of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally
issue as fully paid and nonassessable shares such number of one-thousandths of
a Preferred Share at such adjusted Purchase Price.

          (l)    In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a
specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such
event the issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of
the number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share and other capital stock or
securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above
the number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share and other capital stock or
securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of
the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that
                                                       --------  -------      
the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate
instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional shares
(fractional or otherwise) upon the occurrence of the event requiring such
adjustment.

          (m)    Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11 to the contrary,
prior to the Distribution Date, the Company shall be entitled to make such
reductions in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly
required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that it in its sole
discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation
or subdivision of the Preferred or Common Shares, (ii) issuance wholly for
cash of any Preferred or Common Shares at less than the current market price,
(iii) issuance wholly for cash of Preferred or Common Shares or securities
which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred or
Common Shares, (iv) stock dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or
warrants referred to in this Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to
holders of its Preferred or Common Shares shall not be taxable to such
stockholders.

          (n)    The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time
after the Distribution Date, effect or permit to occur any Triggering Event or
Section 13 Event, if (i) at the time 

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
or immediately after such Triggering Event or Section 13 Event there are any
rights, warrants or other instruments or securities outstanding or agreements
in effect which would substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the
benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights or (ii) prior to,
simultaneously with or immediately after such Section 13 Event, the
stockholders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the
"PRINCIPAL PARTY" for purposes of Section 13(b) hereof shall have received a
distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its
Affiliates and Associates.

          (o)    The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution
Date, it will not, except as permitted by Sections 23, 24 or 27 hereof, take (or
permit to be taken) any action if at the time such action is taken it is
reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially or otherwise
eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

          (p)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
in the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement
(A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares,
(B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine the outstanding
Preferred Shares (by reverse stock split or otherwise) into a smaller number
of Preferred Shares, or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a
reclassification of the Preferred Shares (including any such reclassification 
in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the 
continuing or surviving corporation), then, in each such event, except as 
otherwise provided in this Section 11 and Section 7(e) hereof:  (1) each of the
Rights outstanding at the time of the record date for such dividend or the 
effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be 
proportionately adjusted to that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest 
one ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of a Right) equal to a fraction (the "EXCHANGE 
FRACTION"), the numerator of which shall be the total number of Preferred 
Shares or shares of capital stock issued in such reclassification of the 
Preferred Shares outstanding immediately following such time and the 
denominator of which shall be the total number of Preferred Shares outstanding 
immediately prior to such time, and the number of Rights that shall thereafter 
be issued with respect to each Common Share or share of other capital stock 
that shall be issued in a reclassification of the Common Shares prior to the 
Distribution Date shall be equal to the total number of outstanding Rights
immediately after such event (as adjusted pursuant to this clause (1)) divided
by the total number of outstanding Common Shares or shares of such other
capital stock immediately after such event (subject to further adjustment
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement); (2) the Purchase Price in
effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective
date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be adjusted so
that the Purchase Price thereafter shall equal the result obtained by dividing
the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such time by the Exchange
Fraction; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be
          --------  -------                  
paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of
the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of such
Right; and (3) the number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share or share of
such other capital stock issuable upon the exercise of each Right shall remain
unchanged immediately after such event, but, in the event of a
reclassification, the kind of shares issuable upon the exercise of each Right
immediately after such reclassification shall be adjusted to be the kind of
shares of such other capital stock issued in such reclassification, rather
than Preferred Shares.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 12.  Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares.
                  ----------------------------------------------------------  
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof, the
Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment
and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) file with
the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Preferred Shares a copy of
such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights
Certificate in accordance with Section 26 hereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence, the failure of the Company to make such certification or give such
notice shall not affect the validity of such adjustment or the force or effect
of the requirement for such adjustment.  The Rights Agent shall be fully
protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment contained
therein and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of such adjustment unless and
until it shall have received such certificate.


     Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or 
                 ------------------------------------------------------
Earning Power.
- ------------- 

          (a)    In the event that, following the Shares Acquisition Date,
directly or indirectly:

                 (i)    the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and
into, any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a
transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the state of
incorporation of the Company or which complies with Section 11(o) hereof);

                 (ii)   any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a
transaction that complies with Section 11(o) hereof) shall consolidate with the
Company, or merge with and into the Company and the Company shall be the
continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger; or

                 (iii)  the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one
or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more
transactions, assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or
earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any
other Person or Persons (other than the Company or one or more of its wholly
owned Subsidiaries in one or more transactions, each of which complies with
Section 11(o) hereof),

                        then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be
made so that

                        (A)     each holder of a Right (except as otherwise
provided herein) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise
thereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such number of validly
authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable Common Shares of the
Principal Party (as hereinafter defined), free of any liens, encumbrances,
rights of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall be equal to the
result obtained by (1) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the
number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was
exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event
(or, if a Triggering Event has occurred prior to the first occurrence of a
Section 13 Event, multiplying the number of such one-thousandths of a
Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the
first occurrence of a

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
Triggering Event by the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such
first occurrence) and (2) dividing that product (which, following the first
occurrence of a Section 13 Event, shall be referred to as the "TOTAL EXERCISE
PRICE" for each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement) by 50% of the
current per share market price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof)
of the Common Shares of such Principal Party on the date of consummation of
such Section 13 Event;

                        (B)     such Principal Party shall thereafter be
liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the
obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement;

                        (C)     the term "COMPANY" shall thereafter be deemed
to refer to such Principal Party, it being specifically intended that the
provisions of Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such Principal Party
following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event;

                        (D)     such Principal Party shall take such steps
(including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its
Common Shares) in connection with the consummation of any such transaction as
may be necessary to ensure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be
applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to its Common Shares
thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights.

          (b)    "PRINCIPAL PARTY" shall mean, in the case of any transaction
described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 13(a), the Person or Acquiring
Person referred to therein (or such Person's or Acquiring Person's successor,
including, if applicable, the Company, if it is the surviving corporation),
provided, however, that in any such case, (i) if such Person is a direct or
- --------  -------                                                          
indirect Subsidiary of another Person, "PRINCIPAL PARTY" shall refer to such
other Person and (ii) in case such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, of more than one Person, "PRINCIPAL PARTY" shall refer to whichever
of such Persons is the issuer of the Common Shares having the greatest aggregate
value, and provided, further, that for purposes of transactions described in
           --------  -------                                                
clause (iii) hereof, "PRINCIPAL PARTY" shall refer to that Person receiving the
greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such
transaction or transactions.

          (c)    If, for any reason, the Rights cannot be exercised for Common
Shares of such Principal Party as provided in Section 13(a), then each holder of
Rights shall have the right to exchange its Rights for cash from such Principal
Party in an amount equal to the number of Common Shares that it would otherwise
be entitled to purchase times 50% of the current per share market price, as
determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof, of such Common Shares of such
Principal Party.  If, for any reason, the foregoing formulation cannot be
applied to determine the cash amount into which the Rights are exchangeable,
then the Board of Directors, based upon the advice of one or more nationally
recognized investment banking firms, and based upon the total value of the
Company, shall determine such amount reasonably and with good faith to the
holders of Rights.  Any such determination shall be final and binding on the
Rights Agent.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
          (d)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
Section 13 shall not be applicable to a transaction described in clauses (i) and
(ii) of Section 13(a) if:  (i) such transaction is consummated with a Person or
Persons who acquired Common Shares pursuant to a Permitted Offer (or a wholly-
owned Subsidiary of any such Person or Persons); (ii) the price per share of
Common Shares offered in such transaction is not less than the price per share
of Common Shares paid to all holders of Common Shares whose shares were
purchased pursuant to such Permitted Offer; and (iii) the form of consideration
being offered to the remaining holders of Common Shares pursuant to such
transaction is the same form as the form of consideration paid pursuant to such
Permitted Offer.  Upon consummation of any such transaction contemplated by this
Section 13(d), all Rights hereunder shall expire.

          (e)    The Company shall not consummate any Section 13 Event unless
the Principal Party shall have a sufficient number of authorized Common Shares
that have not been issued or reserved for issuance to permit the exercise in
full of the Rights in accordance with this Section 13 and unless prior thereto
the Company and such issuer shall have executed and delivered to the Rights
Agent a supplemental agreement confirming that such Principal Party shall,
upon consummation of such Section 13 Event, assume this Agreement in
accordance with Sections 13(a) and (b) hereof, that all rights of first
refusal or preemptive rights in respect of the issuance of Common Shares of
such Principal Party upon exercise of outstanding Rights have been waived,
that there are no rights, warrants, instruments or securities outstanding or
any agreements or arrangements which, as a result of the consummation of such
transaction, would eliminate or substantially diminish the benefits intended
to be afforded by the Rights and that such transaction shall not result in a
default by such Principal Party under this Agreement, and further providing
that, as soon as practicable after the date of such Section 13 Event, such
Principal Party will:

                 (i)    prepare and file a registration statement under the
Securities Act with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon
exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, use its best efforts to cause
such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable after
such filing and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to
remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of
the Securities Act) until the Expiration Date, and similarly comply with
applicable state securities laws;

                 (ii)   use its best efforts to list (or continue the listing
of) the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on a
national securities exchange or to meet the eligibility requirements for
quotation on Nasdaq; and

                 (iii)  deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial
statements for such Principal Party which comply in all respects with the
requirements for registration on Form 10 (or any successor form) under the
Exchange Act.

          In the event that at any time after the occurrence of a Triggering
Event some or all of the Rights shall not have been exercised at the time of a
transaction described in this Section 13, 

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
the Rights which have not theretofore been exercised shall thereafter be
exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a) (without taking into
account any prior adjustment required by Section 11(a)(ii)).

          (f)    The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to
successive mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers.

     Section 14.  Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.
                  --------------------------------------- 

          (a)    The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Rights or to distribute Rights Certificates which evidence fractional Rights.
In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered
holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights
would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of
the current market value of a whole Right. For the purposes of this Section
14(a), the current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of
the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such
fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable, as determined pursuant
to the second sentence of Section 11(d) hereof.

          (b)    The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Preferred Shares (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one one-
thousandth of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute
certificates which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than fractions
that are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share). In
lieu of fractional Preferred Shares that are not integral multiples of one one-
thousandth of a Preferred Share, the Company shall pay to the registered
holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein
provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value of a Common Share. For purposes of this Section 14(b), the current
market value of a Common Share shall be the closing price of a Common Share
(as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d) hereof) for
the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

          (c)    The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly
waives his or her right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional
shares upon exercise of a Right.

     Section 15. Rights of Action.  All rights of action in respect of this
                 ----------------                                          
Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under
Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Rights
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the
Common Shares); and any registered holder of any Rights Certificate (or, prior
to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), without the consent of the
Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights Certificate (or, prior to the
Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), may, in his or her own behalf and for
his or her own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action
or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of,
his or her right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate in
the manner provided in such Rights Certificate and in this Agreement. Without
limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is
specifically 

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at
law for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific
performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or
threatened violations of, the obligations of any Person subject to this
Agreement.

     Section 16. Agreement of Rights Holders.  Every holder of a Right, by
                 ---------------------------                              
accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent
and with every other holder of a Right that:

          (a)    prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable
only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares;

          (b)    after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at
the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purposes, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and
with the appropriate forms and certificates fully executed; and

          (c)    subject to Sections 6(a) and 7(f) hereof, the Company and the
Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name the Rights Certificate
(or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Shares certificate)
is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby
(notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Rights
Certificates or the associated Common Shares certificate made by anyone other
than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither
the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the
contrary.

     Section 17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder.  No
                 --------------------------------------------------     
holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose to be the holder of the Preferred Shares
or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the
exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein
or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any
Rights Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company
or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted
to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends
or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by
such Rights Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the
provisions hereof.

      Section 18.  Concerning the Rights Agent.
                   --------------------------- 

          (a)    The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time,
on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and
other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this
Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder.  The Company
also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against,
any loss, liability or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done 

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and
administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of
defending against any claim of liability in the premises.

          (b)    The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no
liability for, or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in
connection with, its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any
Rights Certificate or certificate for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or
for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power
of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent,
certificate, statement or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by
the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set
forth in Section 20 hereof.

      Section 19.  Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.
                   --------------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)    Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any
corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent
or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corpora  tion succeeding
to the corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without
the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of
the parties hereto; provided, however, that such corporation would be eligible
                    -----------------                                         
for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21
hereof.  In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the
agency created by this Agreement, any of the Rights Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the
countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights
Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights
Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may
countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the predecessor
Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases
such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights
Certificates and in this Agreement.

          (b)    In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be
changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the
countersignature under its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so
countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall
not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Rights
Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such
cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the
Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.

     Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent.  The Rights Agent undertakes the
                 ----------------------                                  
duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and
conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights Certificates,
by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

          (a)    The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be
legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full
and complete authorization and protection

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and
in accordance with such opinion.

          (b)    Whenever in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact
or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person
and the determination of "current per share market price") be proved or
established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder,
such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein
specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board,
the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief
Financial Officer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full
authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good
faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such
certificate.

          (c)    The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company and
any other Person only for its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

          (d)    The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of
the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Rights
Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the
same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been
made by the Company only.

          (e)    The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in
respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof
(except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the
validity or execution of any Rights Certificate (except its countersignature
thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any
covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights
Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability
of the Rights or any adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the
manner, method or amount thereof) provided for in Sections 3, 11, 13, 23 or
24, or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such
change or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced
by Rights Certificates after receipt by the Rights Agent of a certificate
furnished pursuant to Section 12 describing such change or adjustment); nor
shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty
as to the authorization or reservation of any Preferred Shares to be issued
pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights Certificate or as to whether any
Preferred Shares will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.

          (f)    The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge
and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all
such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be
required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights
Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
          (g)    The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any
one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or
instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any
action taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of
any such officer or for any delay in acting while waiting for those
instructions.  Any application by the Rights Agent for written instructions from
the Company may, at the option of the Rights Agent, set forth in writing any
action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Rights Agent under this Rights
Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such
omission shall be effective.  The Rights Agent shall not be liable for any
action taken by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal
included in any such application on or after the date specified in such
application (which date shall not be less than five (5) Business Days after the
date any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any
such officer shall have consented in writing to an earlier date) unless, prior
to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission),
the Rights Agent shall have received written instructions in response to such
application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

          (h)    The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or
employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other
securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in
which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the
Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent
under this Agreement.  Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from
acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

          (i)    The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or
through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default,
neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection
and continued employment thereof.

          (j)    No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent
to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in
the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its
rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of
such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.

          (k)    If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the
Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of
assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has either not
been completed or indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2
thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such
requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the Company.

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 21. Change of Rights Agent.  The Rights Agent or any successor
                 ----------------------                                    
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each
transfer agent of the Preferred Shares and the Common Shares by registered or
certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class
mail.  The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent
upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or
successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the
Preferred Shares and the Common Shares by registered or certified mail, and to
the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class mail.  If the Rights Agent
shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the
Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent.  If the Company shall
fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving
notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such
resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by
the holder of a Rights Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his or
her Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the registered
holder of any Rights Certificate may apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent.  Any successor Rights
Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a
corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or
of any state of the United States, in good standing, which is authorized under
such laws to exercise corporate trust or stockholder services powers and is
subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which
has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50 million.  After appointment, the successor Rights Agent
shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if
it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but
the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights
Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any
further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose.  Not later
than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice
thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of
the Preferred Shares and the Common Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing
to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates.  Failure to give any
notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall
not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights
Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

     Section 22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates.  Notwithstanding any of
                 -----------------------------------                         
the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company
may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form
as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change
in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other
securities or property purchasable under the Rights Certificates made in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection
with the issuance or sale of Common Shares following the Distribution Date and
prior to the redemption or expiration of the Rights, the Company (a) shall, with
respect to Common Shares so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock
options or under any employee plan or arrangement or upon the exercise,
conversion or exchange of the convertible subordinated debentures of the Company
outstanding at the date hereof or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of
securities hereinafter issued by the Company and (b) may, in any other case, if
deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company, issue
Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number 

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; provided, however, that
                                                    --------  -------    
(i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued and this sentence shall be null
and void ab initio if, and to the extent that, such issuance or this sentence
         ---------
would create a significant risk of or result in material adverse tax
consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Rights Certificate
would be issued or would create a significant risk of or result in such
options' or employee plans' or arrangements' failing to qualify for otherwise
available special tax treatment and (ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be
issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have
been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.

     Section 23. Redemption.
                 ---------- 

          (a)    The Company may, at its option and with the approval of the
Board of Directors, at any time prior to the Close of Business on the earlier
of (i) the tenth day following the Shares Acquisition Date or such later date
as may be determined by action of a majority of Continuing Directors then in
office and publicly announced by the Company and (ii) the Final Expiration
Date, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a
redemption price of $0.01 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any
stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date
hereof (such redemption price being herein referred to as the "REDEMPTION
PRICE") and the Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price either in
Common Shares (based on the current per share market price thereof (as
determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) at the time of redemption) or
cash. Such redemption of the Rights by the Company may be made effective at
such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in
its sole discretion may establish; provided, however, if the Board of Directors
                                   --------  -------            
of the Company authorizes redemption of the Rights on or after the time a
Person becomes an Acquiring Person, then there must be Continuing Directors
then in office and such authorization shall require the concurrence of a
majority of such Continuing Directors.

          (b)    Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, evidence of which shall have been
filed with the Rights Agent, and without any further action and without any
notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right
thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price.
The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such redemption; provided,
                                                                      -------- 
however, that the failure to give or any defect in, any such notice shall not
- -------                                                                      
affect the validity of such redemption.  Within ten (10) days after the action
of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company
shall give notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the
then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice to all such holders at their last
addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior
to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the
Common Shares.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall
be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.  Each such
notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the
Redemption Price will be made.  Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates or
Associates may redeem, acquire or purchase for value any Rights at any time in
any manner other than that specifically set forth in this Section 23 or in
Section 24 hereof, and other than in connection with the purchase of Common
Shares prior to the Distribution Date.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 24. Exchange.
                 -------- 

          (a)    Subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations, and
subject to subsection (c) below, the Company may, at its option, by majority
vote of the Board of Directors and a majority vote of the Continuing
Directors, at any time after the occurrence of a Triggering Event, exchange
all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not
include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section
7(e) hereof) for Common Shares at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per
Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or
similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such exchange ratio being
hereinafter referred to as the "RATIO OF EXCHANGE"). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Board of Directors shall not be empowered to effect such
exchange at any time after any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary
of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any such
Subsidiary, or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms
of any such plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person,
becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the Common Shares then
outstanding.

          (b)    Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors
ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section
24 and without any further action and without any notice, the right to
exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder
of such Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares equal to the
number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Ratio of Exchange.
The Company shall give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however,
                                                           --------  -------
that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the
validity of such exchange. The Company shall mail a notice of any such
exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they
appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed
in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder
receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by
which the exchange of the Common Shares for Rights will be effected and, in
the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be
exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number
of Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions
of Section 7(e) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.

          (c)    In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares
issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit any exchange of
Rights as contemplated in accordance with Section 24(a), the Company shall
either take such action as may be necessary to authorize additional Common
Shares for issuance upon exchange of the Rights or alternatively, at the option
of a majority of the Board of Directors, with respect to each Right (i) pay cash
in an amount equal to the Current Value (as hereinafter defined), in lieu of
issuing Common Shares in exchange therefor, or (ii) issue debt or equity
securities or a combination thereof, having a value equal to the Current Value,
in lieu of issuing Common Shares in exchange for each such Right, where the
value of such securities shall be determined by a nationally recognized
investment banking firm selected by majority vote of the Board of Directors, or
(iii) deliver any combination of cash, property, Common Shares and/or other
securities having a value equal to the Current Value in exchange for each Right.
For purposes of this Section 24(c) 

                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
only, the Current Value shall mean the product of the current per share market
price of Common Shares (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) on the date of
the occurrence of the event described above in subparagraph (a)) multiplied by
the number of Common Shares for which the Right otherwise would be
exchangeable if there were sufficient shares available. To the extent that the
Company determines that some action need be taken pursuant to clauses (i),
(ii) or (iii) of this Section 24(c), the Board of Directors may temporarily
suspend the exercisability of the Rights for a period of up to sixty (60) days
following the date on which the event described in Section 24(a) shall have
occurred, in order to seek any authorization of additional Common Shares
and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to
the above provision and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any
such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that
the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended.

          (d)    The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common
Shares or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares.
In lieu of such fractional Common Shares, there shall be paid to the registered
holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Common
Shares would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction
of the current per share market value of a whole Common Share (as determined
pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d) hereof).

          (e)    The Company may, at its option, by majority vote of the Board
of Directors, at any time before any Person has become an Acquiring Person,
exchange all or part of the then outstanding Rights for rights of
substantially equivalent value, as determined reasonably and with good faith
by the Board of Directors, based upon the advice of one or more nationally
recognized investment banking firms.

          (f)    Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering
the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section 24 and
without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such
Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights
shall be to receive that number of rights in exchange therefor as has been
determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with subsection (e) above.
The Company shall give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however,
                                                           --------  ------- 
that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the
validity of such exchange.  The Company shall mail a notice of any such exchange
to all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon
the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company.
Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given,
whether or not the holder receives the notice.  Each such notice of exchange
will state the method by which the exchange of the Rights will be effected.

     Section 25. Notice of Certain Events.
                 ------------------------ 

          (a)    In case the Company shall propose to effect or permit to
occur any Triggering Event having the effects described in Section 11(a)(ii)
or a Section 13 Event, the Company shall give 

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
notice thereof to each holder of Rights in accordance with Section 26 hereof
at least twenty (20) days prior to occurrence of such Triggering Event or such
Section 13 Event.

          (b)    In case any Triggering Event or Section 13 Event shall occur,
then, in any such case, the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give
to each holder of a Rights Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a
notice of the occurrence of such event, which shall specify the event and the
consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Sections 11(a)(ii) and 13
hereof.

     Section 26. Notices.  Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to
                 -------                                                     
be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights Certificate
to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:

                  Quickturn Design Systems, Inc.
                  440 Clyde Avenue
                  Mountain View, CA 94043
                  Attention:  Secretary

     Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand
authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder
of any Rights Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given
or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another
address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

                  The First National Bank of Boston
                  Shareholder Services
                  435 Tasso Street, Suite 250
                  Palo Alto, CA  94301

Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate shall be
sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry
books of the Company.

     Section 27. Supplements and Amendments.  Prior to the Distribution Date,
                 --------------------------                                  
the Company may supplement or amend this Agreement in any respect without the
approval of any holders of Rights and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so
directs, execute such supplement or amendment.  From and after the Distribution
Date, the Company and the Rights Agent may from time to time supplement or amend
this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights in order to (i)
cure any ambiguity, (ii) correct or supplement any provision contained herein
which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii)
shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder (which lengthening or shortening,
following the first occurrence of an event set forth in the proviso to Section
23(a) hereof, shall be effective only if there are Continuing Directors and
shall require the concurrence of a majority 

                                      -33-
<PAGE>
 
of such Continuing Directors) or (iv) to change or supplement the provisions
hereunder in any manner that the Company may deem necessary or desirable and
that shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights (other
than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person); 
provided, this Agreement may not be supplemented or amended to lengthen,
- --------                        
pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence, (A) a time period relating to when
the Rights may be redeemed at such time as the Rights are not then redeemable
or (B) any other time period unless such lengthening is for the purpose of
protecting, enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the
holders of Rights. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate
officer of the Company that states that the proposed supple ment or amendment
is in compliance with the terms of this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall
execute such supplement or amendment. Prior to the Distribution Date, the
interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed coincident with the
interests of the holders of Common Shares.

     Section 28. Successors.  All the covenants and provisions of this
                 ----------                                           
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

     Section 29. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.
                 ---------------------------------------------------------- 
For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of Common
Shares outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of determining
the particular percentage of such outstanding Common Shares of which any Person
is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of
Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.
The Board of Directors of the Company (or, where specifically provided for
herein, the Continuing Directors) shall have the exclusive power and authority
to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically
granted to the Board, or the Company (or, where specifically provided for
herein, the Continuing Directors), or as may be necessary or advisable in the
administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and
power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) make all
determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this
Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to
amend the Agreement).  All such actions, calculations, interpretations and
determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with
respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board (or, where
specifically provided for herein, by the Continuing Directors) in good faith,
shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the
holders of the Rights Certificates and all other parties and (y) not subject the
Board or the Continuing Directors to any liability to the holders of the Rights.

     Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement.  Nothing in this Agreement shall
                 --------------------------                                  
be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and
the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, the Common Shares) any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and
exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of
the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common
Shares).

                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 31. Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction 
                 ------------                                      
of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
authority 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;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
- --------  -------                                                        
contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such
court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment that severing the
invalid language from this Agreement would adversely affect the purpose or
effect of this Agreement, the right of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof
shall be reinstated and shall not expire until the close of business on the
tenth day following the date of such determination by the Board of Directors.

     Section 32. Governing Law.  This Agreement and each Right and each Rights
                 -------------                                                
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to
be made and performed entirely within such State.

     Section 33. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number
                 ------------                                               
of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed
to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one
and the same instrument.

     Section 34. Descriptive Headings.  Descriptive headings of the several
                 --------------------                                      
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

"COMPANY"                     QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.


                              By: /s/ Keith R. Lobo
                                 _________________________________________

                              Name: Keith R. Lobo
                                   _______________________________________

                              Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
                                    ______________________________________



"RIGHTS AGENT"                THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON


                              By: /s/ Karen Vann
                                 _________________________________________

                              Name: Karen Vann
                                   _______________________________________

                              Title: Account Manager
                                    ______________________________________

                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT A
                                  ---------

              CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF RIGHTS, PREFERENCES
                              AND PRIVILEGES OF

                   SERIES A PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

                      OF QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

           Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law
                          of the State of Delaware



     We, Keith R. Lobo and Raymond K. Ostby, the President and Chief Executive
Officer and the Secretary, respectively, of Quickturn Design Systems, Inc., a
corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, in accordance with the provisions of Section 103 thereof, DO
HEREBY CERTIFY:

     That pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by the
Certificate of Incorporation of the said Corporation, the said Board of
Directors on January 4, 1996 adopted the following resolution creating a series
of 20,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as Series A Participating
Preferred Stock:

     "RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors
of the corporation by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors
does hereby provide for the issue of a series of Preferred Stock of the
Corporation, to be designated "Series A Participating Preferred Stock," par
value $0.001 per share, initially consisting of 20,000 shares, and to the extent
that the designations, powers, preferences and relative and other special rights
and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Series A
Participating Preferred Stock are not stated and expressed in the Certificate of
Incorporation, does hereby fix and herein state and express such designations,
powers, preferences and relative and other special rights and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as follows (all terms used
herein which are defined in the Certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed to
have the meanings provided therein):

     Section 1.  Designation and Amount.  The shares of such series shall be
                 ----------------------                                     
designated as "Series A Participating Preferred Stock," par value $0.001 per
share, and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 20,000.

     Section 2.  Dividends and Distributions.
                 --------------------------- 

             (A) Subject to the prior and superior right of the holders of any
shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the shares
of Series A Participating Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders
of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall be entitled to 
<PAGE>
 
receive when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds
legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the
last day of January, April, July and October in each year (each such date
being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing
on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a
share or fraction of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, in an
amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to, subject to the
provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 1,000 times the aggregate per
share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share
amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions
other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise),
declared on the Common Stock of the Corporation (the "Common Stock") since the
immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the
first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share
or fraction of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock. In the event
the Corporation shall at any time after January 22, 1996 (the "Rights Dividend
Declaration Date") (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares
of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine
the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each
such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under the
preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

          (B)    The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the
Series A Participating Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) above
immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock
(other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock).

          (C)    Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock from the
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such
shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of
such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue
from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the
determination of holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock
entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue
and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but
unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of
Series A Participating Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount
of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be
allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time
outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the
determination of holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock
entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon,
which record date shall be no more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for
the payment thereof.

                                     -2-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 3.  Voting Rights.  The holders of shares of Series A Participating
                 -------------                                                  
Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

          (A)    Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth,
each share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder
thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of
the Corporation.  In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the
Rights Dividend Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock
payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock,
or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares,
then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares
of Series A Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to
such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

          (B)    Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of
shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of
Common Stock shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote
of stockholders of the Corporation.

          (C)    Except as required by law, holders of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not
be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of
Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

     Section 4.  Certain Restrictions.
                 -------------------- 

          (A)    The Corporation shall not declare any dividend on, make any
distribution on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
any shares of Common Stock after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a
share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock unless concurrently therewith it
shall declare a dividend on the Series A Participating Preferred Stock as
required by Section 2 hereof.

          (B)    Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or
distributions payable on the Series A Participating Preferred Stock as
provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of
Series A Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in
full, the Corporation shall not

                 (i)    declare or pay dividends on, make any other
distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Participating
Preferred Stock;

                 (ii)   declare or pay dividends on, or make any other
distributions on, any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to
dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with Series A
Participating Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A
Participating 

                                     -3-
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in
arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such
shares are then entitled;

                 (iii)  redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Participating
Preferred Stock, provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase
or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in exchange for shares of
any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Participating Preferred
Stock;

                 (iv)   purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock
ranking on a parity with the Series A Participating Preferred Stock, except in
accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as
determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such
terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual
dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective
series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and
equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

          (C)   The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the
Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of
this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in
such manner.

     Section 5.  Reacquired Shares.  Any shares of Series A Participating
                 -----------------                                       
Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner
whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof.
All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued
shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of
Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of
Directors, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth
herein.

     Section 6.  Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
                 -------------------------------------- 

          (A)    Upon any liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of
shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Participating Preferred Stock unless,
prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock
shall have received $1,000.00 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date
of such payment (the "Series A Liquidation Preference").  Following the payment
of the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference, no additional
distributions shall be made to the holders of shares of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Common Stock
shall have received an amount per share (the "Common Adjustment") equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference by 

                                     -4-
<PAGE>
 
(ii) 1,000 (as appropriately adjusted as set forth in subparagraph (C) below to
reflect such events as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalization with
respect to the Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii), the "Adjustment
Number").  Following the payment of the full amount of the Series A Liquidation
Preference and the Common Adjustment in respect of all outstanding shares of
Series A Participating Preferred Stock and Common Stock, respectively, holders
of Series A Participating Preferred Stock and holders of shares of Common Stock
shall receive their ratable and proportionate share of the remaining assets to
be distributed in the ratio of the Adjustment Number to 1 with respect to such
Preferred Stock and Common Stock, on a per share basis, respectively.

          (B)    In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets
available to permit payment in full to the Series A Liquidation Preference and
the liquidation preferences of all other series of Preferred Stock, if any,
which rank on a parity with the Series A Participating Preferred Stock, then
such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of such parity
shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences.  In the event,
however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment in
full of the Common Adjustment, then such remaining assets shall be distributed
ratably to the holders of Common Stock.

          (C)    In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights
Dividend Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in
shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii)
combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in
each such case the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event
shall be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

     Section 7.  Consolidation, Merger, etc.  In case the Corporation shall
                 --------------------------                                
enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which
the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of
Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly
exchanged or changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision for
adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of
stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case
may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or
exchanged.  In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights
Dividend Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in
shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii)
combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in
each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to
the exchange or change of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall
be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event
and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.


                                     -5-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 8.  No Redemption.  The shares of Series A Participating Preferred
                 -------------                                                 
Stock shall not be redeemable.

     Section 9.  Ranking.  The Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall rank
                 -------                                                        
junior to all other series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as to the
payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of any
such series shall provide otherwise.

     Section 10. Amendment.  The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
                 ---------                                                   
Corporation shall not be further amended in any manner which would materially
alter or change the powers, preference or special rights of the Series A
Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority or more of the outstanding shares
of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class.

     Section 11. Fractional Shares.  Series A Participating Preferred Stock may
                 -----------------                                             
be issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion
to such holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive
dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other
rights of holders of Series A Participating Preferred Stock.

     RESOLVED FURTHER, that the President or any Vice President and the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of this corporation be, and they hereby
are, authorized and directed to prepare and file (or cause to be prepared and
filed) a Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges in
accordance with the foregoing resolution and the provisions of Delaware law and
to take such actions as they may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the
intent of the foregoing resolution."

                                     -6-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have executed and subscribed to this Certificate and
do hereby affirm the foregoing as true under the penalties of perjury this 
10th day of January, 1996.


                                    /s/ Keith R. Lobo
                                    -----------------------------------
                                    Keith R. Lobo, Chief Executive Officer


                                    /s/ Raymond K. Ostby
                                    -----------------------------------
                                    Raymond K. Ostby, Secretary


                                     -7-
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT B
                                  ---------

                         FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE


Certificate No. R-                                                  _____ Rights


     NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER JANUARY 10, 2006 OR EARLIER IF TERMINATED BY THE
     COMPANY OR IF THE COMPANY EXCHANGES THE RIGHTS PURSU  ANT TO THE RIGHTS
     AGREEMENT.  THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE
     COMPANY, AT $0.01 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.
     UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING
     PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS
     ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH
     RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS
     CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN
     ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS
     SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT).  ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS
     CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN
     THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(E) OF SUCH RIGHTS AGREEMENT.]*



                             RIGHTS CERTIFICATE

                       QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.


     This certifies that______________________, or registered assigns, is the
registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles
the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights
Agreement dated as of January 10, 1996 (the "Rights Agreement"), between
Quickturn Design Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and The
First National Bank of Boston ("Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company at
any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights
Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M., California time, on January 10, 2006 at the
office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or at the office of its
successor as Rights Agent, one one-thousandth (0.001) of a fully paid non-
assessable share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001
(the "Preferred Shares"), of the 

- ----------------------------
*  The portion of the legend in bracket shall be inserted only if applicable
   and shall replace the preceding sentence.
<PAGE>
 
Company, at a purchase price of fifty dollars ($50) per one-thousandth of a
Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of
this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and related
Certificate duly executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate (and the number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share which may
be purchased upon exercise hereof) and the Purchase Price set forth above are
the number and Purchase Price as of January 22, 1996 based on the Preferred
Shares as constituted at such date. As provided in the Rights Agreement, the
Purchase Price and the number and kind of Preferred Shares or other securities
which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the
happening of certain events.

     This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which
limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of
such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of
the Company and the above-mentioned office of the Rights Agent.

     Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by
this Rights Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company, at its option, at a
redemption price of $0.01 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged by the Company in
whole or in part for Common Shares, substantially equivalent rights or other
consideration as determined by the Company.

     This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon
surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be
exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor
and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate
amount of securities as the Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase.  If this
Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to
receive upon surrender hereof another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates
for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

     No fractional portion of less than one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share
will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby but in
lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

     No holder of this Rights Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred
Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any
of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the
election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, 

                                     -2-
<PAGE>
 
or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders
(except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or
subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights
Agreement.

     This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

     WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and
its corporate seal. Dated as of ___________, 19__.


ATTEST:                             QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.


________________________________    By:  _______________________________
Secretary,                               President
Quickturn Design Systems, Inc.



Countersigned:


THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON
as Rights Agent


By: ___________________________________
    Authorized Signature

                                     -3-
<PAGE>
 
                 FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE

                             FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
                             ------------------

              (To be executed by the registered holder if such
             holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate)


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED ____________________________________ hereby sells,
assigns and transfers unto_____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
                 (Please print name and address of transferee)

_______________________________________________________________________________
this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein,
and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint __________________________
Attorney, to transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-
named Company, with full power of substitution.


Dated: _______________, 19__


                                    -------------------------------
                                    Signature


Signature Guaranteed:

     Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., or a commercial bank or trust Company having an office or correspondent in
the United States.
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERTIFICATE
                                 -----------


     The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

     (1) this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold, assigned and
transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person, or an
Affiliate or Associate of any such Person (as such terms are defined in the
Rights Agreement);

     (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [ ]
did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any
Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of any such Person.

Dated: _______________, 19__



                                    ----------------------------    
                                    Signature


Signature Guaranteed:

     Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., or a commercial bank or trust Company having an office or correspondent in
the United States.

                                     -2-
<PAGE>
 
           FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE -- CONTINUED

                        FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
                        ----------------------------

                    (To be executed if holder desires to
                      exercise the Rights Certificate)

To:  _____________________

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise _____________________
purchase the number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share issuable upon the
exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such number of one-
thousandths of a Preferred Share issued in the name of:

Please insert social security
or other identifying number

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        (Please print name and address)

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

If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights
shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security
or other identifying number

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        (Please print name and address)

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

Dated: ___________________ , 19__


                                    -----------------------------
                                    Signature

Signature Guaranteed:

     Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust Company having an office or
correspondent in the United States. 

                                     -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERTIFICATE
                                 -----------


     The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

     (1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [ ] are [ ] are not
being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or
an Affiliate or Associate of any such Person (as such terms are defined in the
Rights Agreement);

     (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [ ]
did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any
Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of any such Person.

Dated: _______________, 19__


                                    -----------------------------    
                                    Signature


Signature Guaranteed:

     Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., or a commercial bank or trust Company having an office or correspondent in
the United States.

                                     -4-
<PAGE>
 
           FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE -- CONTINUED

                                   NOTICE
                                   ------


     The signature in the foregoing Forms of Assignment and Election must
conform to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.




















                                     -5-
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT C
                                 ---------

                       QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

                           STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

                              Summary of Rights
                              -----------------



Distribution and      The Board of Directors has declared a dividend of one    
- ----------------      Right for each outstanding share of Common Stock of      
Transfer of Rights;   Quickturn Design Systems, Inc. (the "COMPANY"). Prior to 
- -------------------   the Distribution Date referred to below, the Rights will 
Rights Certificate:   be evidenced by and trade with the certificates for the  
- ------------------    Common Stock. After the Distribution Date, the Company   
                      will mail Rights certificates to the Company's 
                      stockholders and the Rights will become transferable apart
                      from the Common Stock.

                     
Distribution Date:    Rights will separate from the Common Stock and become
- -----------------     exercisable following the tenth day (or such later date
                      as may be determined by a majority of the Directors not
                      affiliated with the acquiring person or group (the
                      "CONTINUING DIRECTORS")) after a person or group (a)
                      acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the
                      Company's Common Stock or (b) announces a tender or
                      exchange offer, the consummation of which would result
                      in ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the
                      Company's Common Stock.

Preferred Stock       After the Distribution Date, each Right will entitle the  
- ---------------       holder to purchase, for fifty dollars ($50) a fraction of 
Purchasable Upon      a share of the Company's Preferred Stock with economic    
- ----------------      terms similar to that of one share of the Company's Common
Exercise of Rights:   Stock.                                          
- ------------------   
                                                                             
                                                            
Flip-In:              If an acquiror obtains 15% or more of the Company's 
- -------               Common Stock (other than pursuant to a tender offer
                      deemed adequate and in the best interests of the Company 
                      and it stockholders by the Board of Directors (a 
                      "PERMITTED OFFER")), thereby becoming an "ACQUIRING
                      PERSON", then each Right (other than Rights owned by an 
                               ----                                         
                      Acquiring Person or its affiliates) will entitle the 
                      holder thereof to purchase, for the exercise price, a 
                      number of shares of the Company's Common Stock having a 
                      then current market value of twice the exercise price.

Flip-Over:            If, after the Shares Acquisition Date (defined below), 
- ---------             (a) the Company merges into another entity, (b) an
                      acquiring entity merges 
<PAGE>
 
                      into the Company or (c) the Company sells more than 50%
                      of the Company's assets or earning power, then each
                                                                ----
                      Right (other than Rights owned by an Acquiring Person or
                      its affiliates) will entitle the holder thereof to
                      purchase, for the exercise price, a number of shares of
                      Common Stock of the person engaging in the transaction
                      having a then current market value of twice the exercise
                      price (unless the transaction satisfies certain
                      conditions and is consummated with a person who acquired
                      shares pursuant to a Permitted Offer, in which case the
                      Rights will expire).

Exchange Provision:   At any time after an event triggering the flip-in or flip-
- ------------------    over rights and prior to the acquisition by the
                      Acquiring Person of 50% or more of the outstanding
                      Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may
                      exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by the
                      Acquiring Person or its affiliates), in whole or in
                      part, at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right
                      (subject to adjustment).

Redemption of         Rights will be redeemable at the Company's option for    
- -------------         $0.01 per Right at any time on or prior to the            
the Rights:           Distribution Date, (i.e., the tenth day (or such later    
- ----------            date as may be determined by a majority of the
                      Continuing Directors) after public announcement that a    
                      person has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more   
                      of the Company's Common Stock (the "SHARES ACQUISITION    
                      DATE")).                                      
                      
                     
Expiration of         The Rights expire on the earliest of (a) January 10,    
- -------------         2006, (b) exchange or redemption of the Rights as         
the Rights:           described above, or (c) consummation of a merger or       
- ----------            consolidation resulting in expiration of the Rights as  
                      described above.                                        
                      
                                                                  
Amendment of          The terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be   
- ------------          amended in any respect without the consent of the Rights  
Terms of Rights:      holders on or prior to the Distribution Date;             
- ---------------       thereafter, the terms of the Rights and the Rights      
                      Agreement may be amended without the consent of the       
                      Rights holders in order to cure any ambiguities or to     
                      make changes which do not adversely affect the interests  
                      of Rights holders (other than the Acquiring Person).    

                      
Voting Rights:        Rights will not have any voting rights.
- -------------                                          

                                     -2-
<PAGE>
 
Anti-Dilution         Rights will have the benefit of certain customary 
- -------------         anti-dilution provisions.                         
Provisions:  
- ----------                                                                  
             
                       
                       

Taxes:                The Rights distribution should not be taxable for federal
- -----                 income tax purposes.  However, following an event which 
                      renders the Rights exercisable or upon redemption of the 
                      Rights, stockholders may recognize taxable income.

The foregoing is a summary of certain principal terms of the Stockholder Rights
Plan only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed terms of
the Rights Agreement dated as of January 10, 1996 between the Company and the
Rights Agent.










                                     -3-

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT 2
 
                        QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

                                      AND

                               BANKBOSTON, N.A.
             (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON)
                                 RIGHTS AGENT

                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                      TO
                       PREFERRED SHARES RIGHTS AGREEMENT


                          DATED AS OF AUGUST 25, 1998
<PAGE>
 
                      AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO RIGHTS AGREEMENT


     Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated as of August 25, 1998
("AMENDMENT NO. 1"), between Quickturn Design Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), and BankBoston, N.A. (formerly known as the First
National Bank of Boston) (the "RIGHTS AGENT").

     WHEREAS, on January 10, 1996 the Company and the Rights Agent entered into
a Rights Agreement (the "ORIGINAL AGREEMENT," as amended hereby is hereinafter
referred to as the "AGREEMENT");

     WHEREAS, the Company, with the approval of the Board of the Directors of
the Company, and the Rights Agent have mutually agreed to modify the terms of
the Agreement in certain respects pursuant to this Amendment No. 1.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree that the Original Agreement is
amended as follows:

 1.  Amendment of "Certain Definitions" Section.
     ------------------------------------------ 

     (a) Section 1(g) of the Original Agreement is hereby deleted in its
entirety.

     (b) Section 1(h) of the Original Agreement is hereby deleted in its
entirety and the following is substituted therefore:

          (g) "DISTRIBUTION DATE" shall mean the earlier of (i) the Close of
          Business on the tenth day (or such later date as may be determined by
          action of the Company's Board of Directors) after the Shares
          Acquisition Date (or, if the tenth day after the Shares Acquisition
          Date occurs before the Record Date, the Close of Business on the
          Record Date), (ii) except as otherwise provided in clause (iii) below,
          the Close of Business on the tenth day (or such later date as may be
          determined by action of the Company's Board of Directors) after the
          date that a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the
          Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of
          the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or
          entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for or
          pursuant to the terms of any such plan) is commenced within the
          meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations under
          the Exchange Act, if, assuming the successful consummation thereof,
          such Person would be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares
          of Common Stock then outstanding, or (iii) with respect to (A) the
          tender offer (the "MENTOR TENDER OFFER") disclosed in a Tender Offer
          Statement on Schedule 14D-1, dated August 12, 1998, filed with the
          Securities and Exchange Commission by MGZ Corp., a Delaware
          corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Mentor Graphics
          Corporation, an Oregon corporation ("MENTOR"), and any amendment to
          such Mentor Tender Offer or (B) the commencement of a separate tender
          offer within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and
<PAGE>
 
          Regulations under the Exchange Act by Mentor or any Affiliate or
          Associate of Mentor, a date to be determined by the Company's Board of
          Directors.

     (c)  Paragraphs (i) through (k) of Section 1 of the Original Agreement are
hereby amended such that such paragraphs shall be labeled (h) through (j),
respectively.

     (d)  The following shall be inserted into Section 1 of the Agreement
immediately following Section 1(j):

          (k) "INTERESTED PERSON" with respect to a Transaction shall mean any
          Person who (i) is or will become an Acquiring Person if such
          Transaction were to be consummated or an Affiliate or Associate of
          such a Person, and (ii) is, or directly or indirectly proposed,
          nominated or financially supported, a director of the Company in
          office at the time of consideration of such Transaction who was
          elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.

     (e)  Section 1(l) of the Original Agreement is hereby deleted in its
entirety.

     (f)  Paragraphs (m) through (x) of Section 1 of the Original Agreement are
hereby amended such that such paragraphs shall be labeled (l) through (w),
respectively.

     (g)  The following shall be inserted into Section 1 of the Original
Agreement immediately following Section 1(w):

          (x) "TRANSACTION" shall mean any merger, consolidation or sale of
          assets described in Section 13(a) hereof or any acquisition of Common
          Shares which would result in a Person becoming an Acquiring Person.

2.   Amendment of "Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rights" Section. Section 11(a) of the Original Agreement is hereby deleted in
- ---------------                                                              
its entirety and the following is substituted therefore:

     (a)  (i)  In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this
     Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common
     Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Common Shares, (C) combine the
     outstanding Common Shares (by reverse stock split or otherwise) into a
     smaller number of Common Shares, or (D) issue any shares of its capital
     stock in a reclassification of the Common Shares (including any such
     reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
     Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), then, in each such
     event, except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e)
     hereof: (1) each of the Rights outstanding at the time of the record date
     for such dividend or the effective date of such subdivision, combination or
     reclassification shall be proportionately adjusted to that number of Rights
     (calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of a Right) equal
     to a fraction (the "EXCHANGE RATIO"), the numerator of which shall 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     be the total number of Common Shares or shares of capital stock outstanding
     immediately following such subdivision, combination or reclassification and
     the denominator of which shall be the total number of Common Shares
     outstanding immediately prior to such time, and the number of Rights that
     shall thereafter be issued with respect to each Common Share or share of
     such other capital stock that shall become outstanding thereafter prior to
     the Distribution Date shall be equal to the total number of outstanding
     Rights immediately after such event (as adjusted pursuant to this clause
     (1)) divided by the total number of outstanding Common Shares or shares of
     such other capital stock immediately after such event (subject to further
     adjustment pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement); (2) the Purchase
     Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the
     effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall
     be adjusted so that the Purchase Price thereafter shall equal the result
     obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such
     time by the Exchange Ratio; provided, however, that in no event shall the
                                 --------  -------                            
     consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
     aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable
     upon exercise of such Right; and (3) the number of Common Shares or shares
     of such other capital stock issuable upon the exercise of each Right shall
     remain unchanged immediately after such event, but, in the event of a
     reclassification, the kind of shares issuable upon the exercise of each
     Right immediately after such reclassification shall be adjusted to be the
     kind of shares of such other capital stock issued in such reclassification,
     rather than Common Shares. If an event occurs which would require an
     adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof,
     the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition
     to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section
     11(a)(ii) hereof.

          (ii)  Subject to Section 24 of this Agreement, in the event a
     Triggering Event shall have occurred, then promptly following such
     Triggering Event, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a
     Right, except as provided in Section 7(e) hereof, shall thereafter have the
     right to receive for each Right, upon exercise thereof in accordance with
     the terms of this Agreement and payment of the then-current Total Exercise
     Price, in lieu of a number of one-thousandths of a Preferred Share, such
     number of Common Shares of the Company as shall equal the result obtained
     by multiplying the then-current Purchase Price by the then number of one-
     thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable (or
     would have been exercisable if the Distribution Date had occurred)
     immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Triggering Event, and
     dividing that product by 50% of the current per share market price
     (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) for Common Shares on the date
     of occurrence of the Triggering Event (such number of shares being
     hereinafter referred to as the "ADJUSTMENT SHARES").

          (iii)  In lieu of issuing Common Shares in accordance with Section
     11(a)(ii) hereof, the Company may, if the Board of Directors determines
     that such action is necessary or appropriate and not contrary to the
     interest of holders of Rights (and, in the event that the number of Common
     Shares which are authorized by the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
     but not outstanding or reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon
     exercise of the Rights are not sufficient to permit the exercise in full of
     the Rights, or if any necessary regulatory approval for 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     such issuance has not been obtained by the Company, the Company shall): (A)
     determine the excess of (1) the value of the Common Shares issuable upon
     the exercise of a Right (the "CURRENT VALUE") over (2) the Purchase Price
     (such excess, the "SPREAD") and (B) with respect to each Right, make
     adequate provision to substitute for such Common Shares, upon exercise of
     the Rights, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in the Purchase Price, (3) other
     equity securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares or
     units of shares of any series of preferred stock which the Board of
     Directors of the Company has deemed to have the same value as Common Shares
     (such shares or units of shares of preferred stock are herein called
     "common stock equivalents")), except to the extent that the Company has not
     obtained any necessary stockholder or regulatory approval for such
     issuance, (4) debt securities of the Company, except to the extent that the
     Company has not obtained any necessary stockholder or regulatory approval
     for such issuance, (5) other assets, or (6) any combination of the
     foregoing, having an aggregate value equal to the Current Value, where such
     aggregate value has been determined by the Board of Directors of the
     Company based upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking
     firm selected by the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however,
                                                             --------  -------
     if the Company shall not have made adequate provision to deliver value
     pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following the later of
     (x) the first occurrence of a Triggering Event and (y) the date on which
     the Company's right of redemption pursuant to Section 23(a) expires (the
     later of (x) and (y) being referred to herein as the "SECTION 11(A)(II)
     TRIGGER DATE"), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon the
     surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of the
     Purchase Price, Common Shares (to the extent available), except to the
     extent that the Company has not obtained any necessary stockholder or
     regulatory approval for such issuance, and then, if necessary, cash, which
     shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. If the
     Board of Directors of the Company shall determine in good faith that it is
     likely that sufficient additional Common Shares could be authorized for
     issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights or that any necessary
     regulatory approval for such issuance will be obtained, the thirty (30) day
     period set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary, but not
     more than ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in
     order that the Company may seek stockholder approval for the authorization
     of such additional shares or take action to obtain such regulatory approval
     (such period, as it may be extended, the "SUBSTITUTION PERIOD"). To the
     extent that the Company determines that some action need be taken pursuant
     to the first and/or second sentences of this Section 11(a)(iii), the
     Company (x) shall provide, subject to Section 7(e) hereof, that such action
     shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights and (y) may suspend the
     exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution
     Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares, to take any
     action to obtain any required regulatory approval and/or to decide the
     appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to such first sentence
     and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any such suspension,
     the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
     exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a
     public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.
     For purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of the Common Shares
     shall be the current per share market price (as determined pursuant to
     Section 11(d) hereof) of the Common Shares on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger
     Date and the value of any "common stock equivalent" shall be deemed to have
     the same value as the Common Shares on such date.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
3.   Amendment of "Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
Earning Power" Section. Section 13(d) of the Original Agreement is hereby
- ----------------------                                                   
deleted in its entirety and paragraphs (e) and (f) of Section 13 shall be
relabeled paragraphs (d) and (e), respectively.

4.   Amendment of "Redemption" Section.  Section 23 of the Original Agreement is
     ---------------------------------                                          
hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted therefore:

     Section 23.  Redemption.
                  ---------- 

          (a) The Company may, at its option and with the approval of the Board
     of Directors, at any time prior to the Close of Business on the earlier of
     (i) the tenth day following the Shares Acquisition Date or such later date
     as may be determined by action of a majority of the Company's Board of
     Directors and publicly announced by the Company and (ii) the Final
     Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding
     Rights at a redemption price of $0.01 per Right, appropriately adjusted to
     reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring
     after the date hereof (such redemption price being herein referred to as
     the "REDEMPTION PRICE") and the Company may, at its option, pay the
     Redemption Price either in Common Shares (based on the current per share
     market price thereof (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) at
     the time of redemption) or cash.  Such redemption of the Rights by the
     Company may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
     conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish.

          (b) Notwithstanding the provision of Section 23(a), in the event that
     a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company is elected by
     stockholder action at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, then
     until the 180th day following the effectiveness of such election (including
     any postponement or adjournment thereof), the Rights shall not be redeemed
     if such redemption is reasonably likely to have the purpose or effect of
     facilitating a Transaction with an Interested Person.

          (c) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
     Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, evidence of which shall have
     been filed with the Rights Agent, and without any further action and
     without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the
     only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the
     Redemption Price. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such
     redemption; provided, however, that the failure to give or any defect in,
                 --------  -------                                            
     any such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption.  Within
     ten (10) days after the action of the Board of Directors ordering the
     redemption of the Rights, the Company shall give notice of such redemption
     to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by
     mailing such notice to all such holders at their last addresses as they
     appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the
     Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the
     Common Shares.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided
     shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.  Each
     such notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the
     Redemption Price will be made.  Neither the Company nor any of its
     Affiliates or Associates may redeem, acquire or purchase for value any
     Rights at any time in any manner 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     other than that specifically set forth in this Section 23 or in Section 24
     hereof, and other than in connection with the purchase of Common Shares
     prior to the Distribution Date.

5.   Amendment of "Exchange" Section.  Section 24 of the Original Agreement is
     -------------------------------                                          
hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted therefore:

     Section 24.  Exchange.
                  -------- 

          (a) Subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations, and subject to
     subsections (b) and (d) below, the Company may, at its option, by action of
     the Board of Directors, at any time after the occurrence of a Triggering
     Event, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights
     (which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the
     provisions of Section 7(e) hereof) for Common Shares at an exchange ratio
     of one Common Share per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock
     split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date
     hereof (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the "RATIO OF
     EXCHANGE").  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall
     not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person
     (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee
     benefit plan of the Company or any such Subsidiary, or any entity holding
     Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan), together with
     all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner
     of 50% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding.

          (b) Notwithstanding the provision of Section 24(a), in the event that
     a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company is elected by
     stockholder action at an annual or  special meeting of stockholders, then
     until the 180th day following the effectiveness of such election (including
     any postponement or adjournment thereof), the Rights shall not be exchanged
     pursuant to Section 24(a) if such exchange is reasonably likely to have the
     purpose or effect of facilitating a Transaction with an Interested Person.

          (c) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering the
     exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 24 and
     without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise
     such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of
     such Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares equal to the
     number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Ratio of
     Exchange.  The Company shall give public notice of any such exchange;
     provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice
     --------  -------                                                         
     shall not affect the validity of such exchange.  The Company shall mail a
     notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their
     last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent.
     Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed
     given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.  Each such notice of
     exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the Common Shares
     for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the
     number of Rights which will be exchanged.  Any partial exchange shall be
     effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which
     have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(f) hereof) held by
     each holder of Rights.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
          (d) In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares
     issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit any
     exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with Section 24(a), the
     Company shall either take such action as may be necessary to authorize
     additional Common Shares for issuance upon exchange of the Rights or
     alternatively, at the option of a majority of the Board of Directors, with
     respect to each Right (i) pay cash in an amount equal to the Current Value
     (as hereinafter defined), in lieu of issuing Common Shares in exchange
     therefor, or (ii) issue debt or equity securities or a combination thereof,
     having a value equal to the Current Value, in lieu of issuing Common Shares
     in exchange for each such Right, where the value of such securities shall
     be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected
     by majority vote of the Board of Directors, or (iii) deliver any
     combination of cash, property, Common Shares and/or other securities having
     a value equal to the Current Value in exchange for each Right.  For
     purposes of this Section 24(d) only, the Current Value shall mean the
     product of the current per share market price of Common Shares (determined
     pursuant to Section 11(e) on the date of the occurrence of the event
     described above in subparagraph (a)) multiplied by the number of Common
     Shares for which the Right otherwise would be exchangeable if there were
     sufficient shares available.  To the extent that the Company determines
     that some action need be taken pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of
     this Section 24(d), the Board of Directors may temporarily suspend the
     exercisability of the Rights for a period of up to sixty (60) days
     following the date on which the event described in Section 24(a) shall have
     occurred, in order to seek any authorization of additional Common Shares
     and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant
     to the above provision and to determine the value thereof.  In the event of
     any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating
     that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended.

          (e) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common
     Shares or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common
     Shares.  In lieu of such fractional Common Shares, there shall be paid to
     the registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such
     fractional Common Shares would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash
     equal to the same fraction of the current per share market value of a whole
     Common Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section
     11(e) hereof).

          (f) The Company may, at its option, by majority vote of the Board of
     Directors, at any time before any Person has become an Acquiring Person,
     exchange all or part of the then outstanding Rights for rights of
     substantially equivalent value, as determined reasonably and with good
     faith by the Board of Directors, based upon the advice of one or more
     nationally recognized investment banking firms.

          (g)  Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering
     the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (f) of this Section 24
     and without any further action and without any notice, the right to
     exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a
     holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of rights in exchange
     therefor as has been determined by the Board of Directors in accordance
     with subsection (f) above.  The Company shall give public notice of any
     such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to 
                    --------  -------                                         

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such
     exchange. The Company shall mail a notice of any such exchange to all of
     the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the
     registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company.
     Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed
     given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of
     exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the Rights will be
     effected.

6.   Amendment to "Supplements and Amendments" Section.  Section 27 of the
     -------------------------------------------------                    
Original Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is
substituted therefore:

     Section 27.  Supplements and Amendments.
                  -------------------------- 

         (a) Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company may supplement or amend
     this Agreement in any respect without the approval of any holders of Rights
     and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, execute such
     supplement or amendment.  From and after the Distribution Date, the Company
     and the Rights Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this
     Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights in order to (i)
     cure any ambiguity, (ii) correct or supplement any provision contained
     herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions
     herein, (iii) shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder, or (iv) change
     or supplement the provisions hereunder in any manner that the Company may
     deem necessary or desirable and that shall not adversely affect the
     interests of the holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an
     Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person); provided, this Agreement
                                                     --------                
     may not be supplemented or amended to lengthen, pursuant to clause (iii) of
     this sentence, (A) a time period relating to when the Rights may be
     redeemed at such time as the Rights are not then redeemable or (B) any
     other time period unless such lengthening is for the purpose of protecting,
     enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders
     of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of
     an Acquiring Person). Upon the delivery of a certificate from an
     appropriate officer of the Company that states that the proposed supplement
     or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 27, the Rights
     Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment.  Prior to the
     Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed
     coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Shares.

         (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 27(a), in the event that
     a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company is elected by
     stockholder action at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, then
     until the 180th day following the effectiveness of such election (including
     any postponement or adjournment thereof), this Agreement shall not be
     supplemented or amended in any manner reasonably likely to have the purpose
     or effect of facilitating a Transaction with an Interested Person.

7.   Amendment of "Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc."
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section.  Section 29 of the Original Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety
- -------                                                                         
and the following is substituted therefore:


                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
       Section 29.  Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.
                    ---------------------------------------------------------- 
     For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of Common
     Shares outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of
     determining the particular percentage of such outstanding Common Shares of
     which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with
     the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and
     Regulations under the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors of the Company
     shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement
     and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board, or
     the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of
     this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i)
     interpret the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) make all determinations
     deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Agreement
     (including a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend
     the Agreement).  All such actions, calculations, interpretations and
     determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions
     with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board in good
     faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the
     Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights Certificates and all other parties
     and (y) not subject the Board to any liability to the holders of the
     Rights.

8.   Amendment of "Exhibit C".  Exhibit C of the Original Agreement is hereby
     ------------------------                                                
deleted in its entirety and Exhibit C as attached hereto is substituted
therefore.

9.   Ratification of Original Agreement.  Except as amended hereby, the Original
     ----------------------------------                                         
Agreement remains unchanged and is ratified and confirmed in all respects.



                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment No. 1 to
Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

"COMPANY"                           QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Keith R. Lobo
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        Keith R. Lobo
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer


"RIGHTS AGENT"                      BANKBOSTON, N.A.


                                    By: /s/ Geoffrey D. Anderson
                                        ---------------------------------------
 
                                    Name: Geoffrey D. Anderson
                                         -------------------------------------- 
                                    Title:  Director
                                         -------------------------------------- 





                     [AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT C
                                   ---------

                        QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

                            STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

                               Summary of Rights
                               -----------------


Distribution and        The Board of Directors has declared a dividend of one 
- ----------------        Right for each outstanding share of Common Stock of   
Transfer of Rights;     Quickturn Design Systems, Inc. (the "COMPANY"). Prior 
- -------------------     to the Distribution Date referred to below, the Rights
Rights Certificate:     will be evidenced by and trade with the certificates  
- ------------------      for the Common Stock. After the Distribution Date, the
                        Company will mail Rights certificates to the Company's
                        stock holders and the Rights will become transferable  
                        apart from the Common Stock.                            
                         
Distribution Date:      Rights will separate from the Common Stock and become
- -----------------       exercisable on the earlier of (i) the tenth day (or such
                        later date as may be determined by a majority of the
                        Company's Board of Directors) after a person or group
                        acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the
                        Company's Common Stock, (ii) the tenth day (or such
                        later date as may be determined by the Company's Board
                        of Directors) after a person or group announces a tender
                        or exchange offer, the consummation of which would
                        result in ownership by a person or group of 15% or more
                        of the Company's Common Stock, or (iii) with respect to
                        (A) the tender offer (the "TENDER OFFER") disclosed in a
                        Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1, dated August
                        12, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange
                        Commission by MGZ Corp., a Delaware corporation and
                        wholly-owned subsidiary of Mentor Graphics Corporation,
                        an Oregon corporation ("MENTOR"), and any amendment to
                        such Tender Offer or (B) the commencement of a separate
                        tender offer within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the
                        General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act by
                        Mentor or any Affiliate or Associate of Mentor, a date
                        to be determined by the Company's Board of Directors.

Preferred Stock         After the Distribution Date, each Right will entitle the
- ---------------         holder to purchase, for fifty dollars ($50) a fraction
Purchasable Upon        of a share of the Company's Preferred Stock with      
- ----------------        economic terms similar to that of one share of the    
Exercise of Rights:     Company's Common Stock.                                
- ------------------                                                           
                        
<PAGE>
 
Flip-In:                If an acquiror obtains 15% or more of the Company's 
- -------                 Common Stock, thereby becoming an "ACQUIRING PERSON",
                        then each Right (other than Rights owned by an Acquiring
                        ----
                        Person or its affiliates) will entitle the holder
                        thereof to purchase, for the exercise price, a number of
                        shares of the Company's Common Stock having a then
                        current market value of twice the exercise price.

Flip-Over:              If, after the Shares Acquisition Date (defined below), 
- ---------               (a) the Company merges into another entity, (b) an
                        acquiring entity merges into the Company or (c) the
                        Company sells more than 50% of the Company's assets or
                        earning power, then each Right (other than Rights owned
                                       ----
                        by an Acquiring Person or its affiliates) will entitle
                        the holder thereof to purchase, for the exercise price,
                        a number of shares of Common Stock of the person
                        engaging in the transaction having a then current market
                        value of twice the exercise price.

Exchange Provision:     At any time after an event triggering the flip-in or 
- ------------------      flip-over rights and prior to the acquisition by the
                        Acquiring Person of 50% or more of the outstanding
                        Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may
                        exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by the
                        Acquiring Person or its affiliates), in whole or in
                        part, at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right
                        (subject to adjustment).

Redemption of           Rights will be redeemable at the Company's option for 
- -------------           $0.01 per Right at any time on or prior to the 
the Rights:             Distribution Date, (i.e., the tenth day (or such later  
- ----------              date as may be determined by the Company's Board of
                        Directors) after public announcement that a person has  
                        acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the     
                        Company's Common Stock (the "SHARES ACQUISITION DATE")).
                        
Expiration of           The Rights expire on the earliest of (a) January 10,  
- -------------           2006, (b) exchange or redemption of the Rights as     
the Rights:             described above, or (c) consummation of a merger or   
- ----------              consolidation resulting in expiration of the Rights as
                        described above.                                       
                        
Amendment of            The terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be 
- ------------            amended in any respect without the consent of the Rights
Terms of Rights:        holders on or prior to the Distribution Date;          
- ---------------         thereafter, the terms of the Rights and the Rights
                        Agreement may be amended without the consent of the    
                        Rights holders in order to cure any ambiguities or to  
                        make changes which do not adversely affect the interests
                        of Rights holders (other than the Acquiring Person).   
                        
                                      -2-
                        
<PAGE>
 
Delay of Exchange,      The Company's ability to exchange or redeem the Rights 
- ------------------      and the Company's ability to amend the Rights Agreement
Redemption              will be prohibited for a period of 180 days following  
- ----------              the election of a majority of the Company's directors if
or Amendment            it would have the purpose or effect of facilitating a  
- ------------            Transaction with an Interested Person.
                        
Voting Rights:          Rights will not have any voting rights.
- -------------                                          

Anti-Dilution           Rights will have the benefit of certain customary anti-
- -------------           dilution provisions. 
Provisions:  
- ----------                                                                  
              
Taxes:                  The Rights distribution should not be taxable for      
- -----                   federal income tax purposes. However, following an 
                        event which renders the Rights exercisable or upon
                        redemption of the Rights, stockholders may recognize
                        taxable income.                        

The foregoing is a summary of certain principal terms of the Stockholder Rights
Plan only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed terms of
the Rights Agreement dated as of January 10, 1996, as amended, between the
Company and the Rights Agent.





                                      -3-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 4










                                     BYLAWS

                                       OF

                        QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.,
                             a Delaware Corporation

                       (as amended through June 5, 1998)
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                   Page
                                                                   ----
<C>      <S>                                                        <C>

ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES......................................  1

    1.1   REGISTERED OFFICE........................................  1
    1.2   OTHER OFFICES............................................  1

ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS..............................  1

    2.1   PLACE OF MEETINGS........................................  1
    2.2   ANNUAL MEETING...........................................  1
    2.3   SPECIAL MEETING..........................................  1
    2.4   NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS.........................  2
    2.5   ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES AND
          STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS.....................................  2
    2.6   MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE.............  3
    2.7   QUORUM...................................................  3
    2.8   ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE................................  4
    2.9   VOTING...................................................  4
    2.10  WAIVER OF NOTICE.........................................  4
    2.11  STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A
          MEETING..................................................  5
    2.12  RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING
          CONSENTS.................................................  5
    2.13  PROXIES..................................................  6
    2.14  LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE....................  6
    2.15  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS......................................  7

ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS............................................  7

    3.1   POWERS...................................................  7
    3.2   NUMBER...................................................  7
    3.3   ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS..  7
    3.4   RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES................................  8
    3.5   PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE.................  9
    3.6   FIRST MEETINGS...........................................  9
    3.7   REGULAR MEETINGS.........................................  9
    3.8   SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE.................................  9
    3.9   QUORUM................................................... 10
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (continued)
 
<TABLE> 
                                                                   Page
                                                                   ----
<C>      <S>                                                        <C>
    3.10  WAIVER OF NOTICE......................................... 10
    3.11  ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE................................ 10
    3.12  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS ..................................... 10
    3.13  BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING ....... 11
    3.14  FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS....................... 11
    3.15  APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS............................ 11
    3.16  REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS..................................... 11
 
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES ........................................... 12
 
    4.1   COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS.................................. 12
    4.2   COMMITTEE MINUTES ....................................... 13
    4.3   MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES........................ 13
 
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS............................................... 13
 
    5.1   OFFICERS................................................. 13
    5.2   ELECTION OF OFFICERS..................................... 13
    5.3   REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS...................... 14
    5.4   CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.................................... 14
    5.5   CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.................................. 14
    5.6   PRESIDENT................................................ 15
    5.7   VICE PRESIDENT........................................... 15
    5.8   SECRETARY................................................ 15
    5.9   CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.................................. 16
    5.10  ASSISTANT SECRETARY...................................... 16
    5.11  AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS......................... 17
 
ARTICLE VI - INDEMNITY............................................. 17
 
    6.1   INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS................ 17
    6.2   INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS................................ 17
    6.3   INSURANCE................................................ 18
 
ARTICLE VII - RECORDS AND REPORTS.................................. 18
 
    7.1   MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS.................... 18
    7.2   INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS.................................. 18
    7.3   REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS........... 19
 
ARTICLE VIII - GENERAL MATTERS..................................... 19
</TABLE>

                                     -ii- 
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                 (continued) 
                                                                   Page
                                                                   ----
<TABLE>
<C>      <S>                                                        <C> 
    8.1   CHECKS................................................... 19
    8.2   EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS......... 19
    8.3   STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES................... 19
    8.4   SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES...................... 20 
    8.5   LOST CERTIFICATES........................................ 21
    8.6   CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS................................ 21
    8.7   DIVIDENDS................................................ 21
    8.8   FISCAL YEAR.............................................. 21
    8.9   SEAL..................................................... 22
    8.10  TRANSFER OF STOCK ....................................... 22
    8.11  STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS................................ 22
    8.12  REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS.................................. 22
 
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS............................................ 22
 
ARTICLE X - DISSOLUTION............................................ 23
 
ARTICLE XI - CUSTODIAN............................................. 23
 
    11.1  APPOINTMENT OF A CUSTODIAN IN CERTAIN CASES.............. 23
    11.2  DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN...................................... 24
</TABLE>

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
                                     BYLAWS
                                     ------

                                       OF
                                       --

                         QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
                         ------------------------------


                                   ARTICLE I

                               CORPORATE OFFICES
                               -----------------

     1.1  REGISTERED OFFICE
          -----------------

     The registered office of the Corporation shall be in the City of Dover,
County of Kent, State of Delaware.  The name of the registered agent of the
Corporation at such location is The Corporation Trust Company.

     1.2  OTHER OFFICES
          -------------

     The board of directors may at any time establish other offices at any place
or places where the Corporation is qualified to do business.


                                   ARTICLE II

                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
                            ------------------------

     2.1  PLACE OF MEETINGS
          -----------------

     Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside the
State of Delaware, designated by the board of directors.  In the absence of any
such designation, stockholders' meetings shall be held at the registered office
of the Corporation.

     2.2  ANNUAL MEETING
          --------------

     The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date and at
a time designated by the board of directors.  At the meeting, directors shall be
elected and any other proper business may be transacted.

     2.3  SPECIAL MEETING
          ---------------

     A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the (i)
board of directors, (ii) the chairman of the board, (iii) the president, (iv)
the chief executive officer or (v) one or more stockholders holding shares in
the aggregate entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) of the votes at
that meeting.
<PAGE>
 
     2.4 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
         --------------------------------

     All notices of meetings with stockholders shall be in writing and shall be
sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.6 of these Bylaws not less
than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder
entitled to vote at such meeting.  The notice shall specify the place, date and
hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called.

     2.5 ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES AND STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS
         ---------------------------------------------------------------

     To be properly brought before an annual meeting or special meeting,
nominations for the election of director or other business must be (a) specified
in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the
direction of the board of directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the
meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (c) otherwise
properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder.  For such nominations or
other business to be considered properly brought before the meeting by a
stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice and in proper form
of his intent to bring such business before such meeting.  To be timely, such
stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the
secretary of the Corporation not less than 90 days prior to the meeting;
provided, however, that in the event that less than 100 days notice or prior
public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders,
notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the
close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the
date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made.  To be in
proper form, a stockholder's notice to the secretary shall set forth:

          (i)   the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the
          nominations, propose the business, and, as the case may be, the name
          and address of the person or persons to be nominated or the nature of
          the business to be proposed;

          (ii)  a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of
          stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and, if
          applicable, intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to
          nominate the person or persons specified in the notice or introduce
          the business specified in the notice;

          (iii) if applicable, a description of all arrangements or
          understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other
          person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which
          the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder;

          (iv)  such other information regarding each nominee or each matter of
          business to be proposed by such stockholder as would be required to 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
          be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of
          the Securities and Exchange Commission had the nominee been nominated,
          or intended to be nominated, or the matter been proposed, or intended
          to be proposed by the board of directors; and

          (v) if applicable, the consent of each nominee to serve as director of
          the Corporation if so elected.

     The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any
person or the proposal of any business not made in compliance with the foregoing
procedure.

     2.6 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE
         --------------------------------------------

     Written notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when
deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the
stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.  An
affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of
the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud,
be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

     2.7 QUORUM
         ------

     The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled
to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a
quorum at all meetings of the stock  holders for the transaction of business
except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation.
If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the
stockholders, then either (i) the chairman of the meeting, or (ii) the
stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice
other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or
represented.  At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or
represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at
the meeting as originally noticed.

     When a quorum is present or represented at any meeting, the vote of the
holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or
represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting,
unless the question is one upon which, by express provisions of the statutes or
of the certificate of incorporation, a different vote is required, in which case
such express provision shall govern and control the decision of the question.

     2.8 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
         -------------------------

     When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these Bylaws
otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time
and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken.  At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business that
might have been transacted at the original meeting.  If the adjournment is for
more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for 
the adjourned meeting, a 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record
entitled to vote at the meeting.

     2.9 VOTING
         ------

     The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.12 and 2.14 of these
Bylaws, subject to the provisions of Sections 217 and 218 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors
and joint owners of stock and to voting trusts and other voting agreements).

     Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation,
each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock
held by such stockholder.

     2.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE
          ----------------

     Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to
notice.  Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice
of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express
purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the
business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting
of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so
required by the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws.

     2.11 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
          -------------------------------------------------------

     Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action
required by this chapter to be taken at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders of a Corporation, or any action that may be taken at any annual or
special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without
prior notice, and without a vote if a consent in writing, setting forth the
action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less
than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take
such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were
present and voted.

     Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by
less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who
have not consented in writing.  If the action which is consented to is such as
would have required the filing of a certificate under any section of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware if such action had been voted on by stockholders at
a meeting thereof, then the certificate filed under such section shall state, in
lieu of any statement required by such section concerning any vote of
stockholders, that written notice and written consent have been given as
provided in Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective upon the registration of any class
of securities of the Corporation pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the stockholders of the Corporation may not
take action by written consent without a meeting but must take any such actions
at a duly called annual or special meeting.

     2.12 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS
          -----------------------------------------------------------

     In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof,
or entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or
allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any
change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful
action, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall
not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor
more than 60 days prior to any other action.

     If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, the fixing of such
record date shall be governed by the provisions of Section 213 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware.

     A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote
at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.

     2.13 PROXIES
          -------

     Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to
express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may
authorize another person or persons to act for him by a written proxy, signed by
the stockholder and filed with the secretary of the Corporation, but no such
proxy shall be voted or acted upon after 3 years from its date, unless the proxy
provides for a longer period.  A proxy shall be deemed signed if the
stockholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature,
typewriting, telegraphic transmission or otherwise) by the stockholder or the
stockholder's attorney-in-fact.  The revocability of a proxy that states on its
face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section
212(c) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

     2.14 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
          -------------------------------------

     The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of a Corporation shall
prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a
complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number
of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.  Such list shall be open
to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting,
during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the
meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held,
which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so
specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.  The stock ledger shall
also be produced and 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may
be inspected by any stockholder who is present. The stock ledger shall be the
only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock
ledger, the list of stockholders or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in
person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders and of the number of shares
held by each such stockholder.

     2.15 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
          -------------------

     Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the chairman of the
board, if any, or in his absence by the president, or in his absence by a vice
president, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated
by the board of directors, or in the absence of such designation by a chairman
chosen at the meeting.  The secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but
in his absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as
secretary of the meeting.  The chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall
determine the order of business and the procedures at the meeting, including
such matters as the regulation of the manner of voting and conduct of business.


                                  ARTICLE III

                                   DIRECTORS
                                   ---------

     3.1 POWERS
         ------

     Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and
any limitations in the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws relating to
action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares,
the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and all corporate
powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the board of directors.

     3.2 NUMBER
         ------

     The authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be eight (8).
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of
removing any director before that director's term of office expires.

     3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
         -------------------------------------------------------

     Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these Bylaws, at each annual meeting
of stockholders, directors of the Corporation shall be elected to hold office
until the expiration of the term for which they are elected, and until their
successors have been duly elected and qualified; except that if any such
election shall not be so held, such election shall take place at a stockholders'
meeting called and held in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of
incorporation or these Bylaws, wherein other qualifications for directors may be
prescribed.

     Elections of directors need not be by written ballot.

     3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
         -------------------------

     Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation.
Stockholders may remove directors with or without cause.  Any vacancy occurring
in the board of directors with or without cause may be filled by a majority of
the remaining members of the board of directors, although such majority is less
than a quorum, or by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stock
holders, and each director so elected shall hold office until the expiration of
the term of office of the director whom he has replaced.

     Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws:

          (i) Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any
     increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the
     stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a
     majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or
     by a sole remaining director.

          (ii) Whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series
     thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of
     the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships
     of such class or classes or series may be filled by a majority of the
     directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in
     office, or by a sole remaining director so elected.

     If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the
Corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any
stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder,
or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate
of a stockholder, may apply to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily
ordering an election as provided in Section 211 of the General Corporation Law
of Delaware.

     If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship,
the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole board
(as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), then the Court of
Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at
least 10% of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the
right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill
any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors
chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid, which election shall be
governed by the provisions of Section 211 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware as far as applicable.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
         ----------------------------------------

     The board of directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular
and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

     Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by the
board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors, or
any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in
person at the meeting.

     3.6 FIRST MEETINGS
         --------------

     The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be held at
such time and place as shall be fixed by the vote of the stockholders at the
annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly
elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum
shall be present. In the event of the failure of the stockholders to fix the
time or place of such first meeting of the newly elected board of directors, or
in the event such meeting is not held at the time and place so fixed by the
stockholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be
specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the
board of directors, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all
of the directors.

     3.7 REGULAR MEETINGS
         ----------------

     Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at
such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the
board.

     3.8 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE
         ------------------------

     Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may
be called at any time by the chairman of the board, the president, any vice
president, the secretary or any two directors.

     Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered
personally or by telephone to each director or sent by first-class mail or
telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director's address
as it is shown on the records of the Corporation.  If the notice is mailed, it
shall be deposited in the United States mail at least 4 days before the time of
the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by
telephone or by telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or to
the telegraph company at least 48 hours before the time of the holding of the
meeting.  Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated
either to the director or to a person at the office of the director who the
person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to
the director.  The notice need not specify the purpose or the place of the
meeting, if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the
Corporation.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
     3.9 QUORUM
         ------

     At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the authorized
number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there
is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be
otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation.

     3.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE
          ----------------

     Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to
notice.  Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice
of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express
purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the
business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting
of the directors, or members of a committee of directors, need be specified in
any written waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate of
incorporation or these Bylaws.

     3.11 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
          -------------------------

     If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of directors, then
the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without
notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

     3.12 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
          -------------------

     Meetings of the board of directors shall be presided over by the chairman
of the board, if any, or in his absence by the chief executive officer, or in
their absence by a chairman chosen at the meeting.  The secretary shall act as
secretary of the meeting, but in his absence the chairman of the meeting may
appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.  The chairman of any
meeting shall determine the order of business and the procedures at the meeting.

     3.13 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
          -------------------------------------------------

     Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board
of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all
members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in
writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of
the board or committee.

     3.14 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
          ---------------------------------- 
                                   
                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     3.14 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
          ----------------------------------

     Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation
of directors.  The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance
at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum for
attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as
director.  No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.  Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee meetings.

     3.15 APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS
          -----------------------------

     The Corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or
otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the Corporation or of its
subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a director of the
Corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such
loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the
Corporation.  The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without
interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board of
directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of
stock of the Corporation.  Nothing in this section contained shall be deemed to
deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the Corporation at
common law or under any statute.

     3.16 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
          --------------------

     Unless otherwise restricted by statute, by the certificate of incorporation
or by these Bylaws, any director or the entire board of directors may be
removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then
entitled to vote at an election of directors.  If at any time a class or series
of shares is entitled to elect one or more directors, the provisions of this
Article 3.16 shall apply to the vote of that class or series and not to the vote
of the outstanding shares as a whole.

     No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of
removing any director prior to the expiration of such director's term of office.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   COMMITTEES
                                   ----------

     4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
         -----------------------

     The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole
board, designate one or more committees, with each committee to consist of one
or more of the directors of the Corporation.  The board may designate one or
more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent
or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.  In the absence or
disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof
present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or
they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of
directors to act at the meeting in the place of

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent
provided in the resolution of the board of directors or in the Bylaws of the
Corporation, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the
board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all
papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or
authority to (i) amend the certificate of incorporation (except that a committee
may, to the extent authorized in the resolution or resolutions providing for the
issuance of shares of stock adopted by the board of directors as provided in
Section 151(a) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, fix any of the
preferences or rights of such shares relating to dividends, redemption,
dissolution, any distribution of assets of the Corporation or the conversion
into, or the exchange of such shares for, shares of any other class or classes
or any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the
Corporation), (ii) adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation under Sections
251 or 252 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, (iii) recommend to the
stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the
Corporation's property and assets, (iv) recommend to the stockholders a
dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or (v) amend
the Bylaws of the Corporation; and, unless the board resolution establishing the
committee, the Bylaws or the certificate of incorporation expressly so provide,
no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend, to
authorize the issuance of stock, or to adopt a certificate of ownership and
merger pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

     4.2  COMMITTEE MINUTES
          -----------------

     Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the
same to the board of directors when required.

     4.3  MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES
          ---------------------------------

     Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken
in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these Bylaws, Section 3.5
(place of meetings and meetings by telephone), Section 3.7 (regular meetings),
Section 3.8 (special meetings and notice), Section 3.9 (quorum), Section 3.10
(waiver of notice), Section 3.11 (adjournment and notice of adjournment),
Section 3.12 (conduct of business) and 3.13 (action without a meeting), with
such changes in the context of those Bylaws as are necessary to substitute the
committee and its members for the board of directors and its members; provided,
however, that the time of regular meetings of committees may also be called by
resolution of the board of directors and that notice of special meetings of
committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the
right to attend all meetings of the committee.  The board of directors may adopt
rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions
of these Bylaws.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V

                                    OFFICERS
                                    --------

     5.1  OFFICERS
          --------

     The officers of the Corporation shall be a chief executive officer, one or
more vice presidents, a secretary and a chief financial officer.  The
Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a
chairman of the board, a president, a chief operating officer, one or more
executive, senior or assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries and any
such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of
Section 5.2 of these Bylaws.  Any number of offices may be held by the same
person.

     5.2  ELECTION OF OFFICERS
          --------------------

     Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.2, the officers of the
Corporation shall be chosen by the board of directors, subject to the rights, if
any, of an officer under any contract of employment.  The board of directors may
appoint, or empower an officer to appoint, such officers and agents of the
business as the Corporation may require (whether or not such officer or agent is
described in this Article V), each of whom shall hold office for such period,
have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or
as the board of directors may from time to time determine.  Any vacancy
occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the board of
directors or may be filled by the officer, if any, who appointed such officer.

     5.3  REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
          -----------------------------------

     Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of
employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an
affirmative vote of the majority of the board of directors at any regular or
special meeting of the board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the
board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be
conferred by the board of directors or, in the case of an officer appointed by
another officer, by such other officer.

     Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
Corporation.  Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of
that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise
specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective.  Any resignation is without prejudice to the
rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a
party.

     5.4  CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
          ---------------------

     The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if
present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform
such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the
board of directors or as may be prescribed by these Bylaws.  If there is

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
no chief executive officer, then the chairman of the board shall also be the
chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall have the powers and duties
prescribed in Section 5.5 of these Bylaws.

     5.5  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
          ----------------------- 

     The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall, subject to the
control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and
control of the business and the officers of the Corporation.  He or she shall
preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence or nonexistence
of a Chairman of the Board at all meetings of the Board of Directors.  He or she
shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the
chief executive officer of a Corporation, including general supervision,
direction and control of the business and supervision of other officers of the
Corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by
the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

     The Chief Executive Officer shall, without limitation, have the authority
to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal
of the Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise
signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be
expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of
the Corporation.

     5.6  PRESIDENT.
          --------- 

     Subject to such supervisory powers as may be given by these Bylaws or the
Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer,
if there be such officers, the president shall have general supervision,
direction and control of the business and supervision of other officers of the
Corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by
the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.  In the event a Chief Executive Officer
shall not be appointed, the President shall have the duties of such office.

     5.7  VICE PRESIDENT
          --------------

     In the absence or disability of the president, the vice presidents, if any,
in order of their rank as fixed by the board of directors or, if not ranked, a
vice president designated by the board of directors, shall perform all the
duties of the chief executive officer and when so acting shall have all the
powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the chief executive
officer.  The vice presidents shall have such other powers and perform such
other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the
board of directors, these Bylaws, the chief executive officer or the chairman of
the board.

     5.8  SECRETARY
          ---------

     The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office of the Corporation or such other place as the board of directors may
direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of directors, committees
of directors, and stockholders.  The minutes shall

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
show the time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if
special, how authorized and the notice given), the names of those present at
directors' meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or
represented at stockholders' meetings, and the proceedings thereof.

     The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation's transfer agent
or registrar, as determined by reso  lution of the board of directors, a share
register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all stockholders
and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number
and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of
cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

     The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of
the stockholders and of the board of directors required to be given by law or by
these Bylaws.  He shall keep the seal of the Corporation, if one be adopted, in
safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by the board of directors or by these Bylaws.

     5.9  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
          -----------------------

     The chief financial officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept
and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the
properties and business transactions of the Corporation, including accounts of
its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital,
retained earnings and shares.  The books of account shall at all reasonable
times be open to inspection by any director.

     The chief financial officer shall deposit all money and other valuables in
the name and to the credit of the Corporation with such depositaries as may be
designated by the board of directors.  He shall disburse the funds of the
Corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the
chief executive officer and directors, whenever they request it, an account of
all of his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the
Corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by the board of directors or these Bylaws.

     5.10 ASSISTANT SECRETARY
          -------------------

     The assistant secretary, or, if there is more than one, the assistant
secretaries in the order determined by the stockholders or board of directors
(or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election)
shall, in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his or her inability
or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary
and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of
directors or the stockholders may from time to time prescribe.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
     5.11 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
          --------------------------------

     In addition to the foregoing authority and duties, all officers of the
Corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in
the management of the business of the Corporation as may be designated from time
to time by the board of directors or the stockholders.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                   INDEMNITY
                                   ---------

     6.1  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
          -----------------------------------------

     The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by
the General Corporation Law of Delaware, indemnify each of its directors and
officers against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines,
settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection
with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an
agent of the Corporation.  For purposes of this Section 6.1, a "director" or
"officer" of the Corporation includes any person (i) who is or was a director or
officer of the Corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director or officer of another Corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a director or officer of a
Corporation which was a predecessor Corporation of the Corporation or of another
enterprise at the request of such predecessor Corporation.

     6.2  INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS
          -------------------------

     The Corporation shall have the power, to the extent and in the manner
permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, to indemnify each of its
employees and agents (other than directors and officers) against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by
reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the Corporation.  For
purposes of this Section 6.2, an "employee" or "agent" of the Corporation (other
than a director or officer) includes any person (i) who is or was an employee or
agent of the Corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as an employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was an employee or agent of a
Corporation which was a predecessor Corporation of the Corporation or of another
enterprise at the request of such predecessor Corporation.

     6.3  INSURANCE
          ---------

     The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person
who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is
or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him
in any 

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under
the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                              RECORDS AND REPORTS
                              -------------------

     7.1  MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS
          -------------------------------------

     The Corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such
place or places as designated by the board of directors, keep a record of its
stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of
shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these Bylaws as amended to date,
accounting books, and other records.

     Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall,
upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right
during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the
Corporation's stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and
records and to make copies or extracts therefrom.  A proper purpose shall mean a
purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder.  In every
instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to
inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or
such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on
behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the
Corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal place of
business.

     7.2  INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS
          -----------------------

     Any director shall have the right to examine the Corporation's stock
ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records for a purpose
reasonably related to his position as a director.  The Court of Chancery is
hereby vested with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a director is
entitled to the inspection sought. The Court may summarily order the Corporation
to permit the director to inspect any and all books and records, the stock
ledger, and the stock list and to make copies or extracts therefrom.  The Court
may, in its discretion, prescribe any limitations or conditions with reference
to the inspection, or award such other and further relief as the Court may deem
just and proper.

     7.3  REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS
          ----------------------------------------------

     The chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, any vice president,
the chief financial officer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this
Corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the
chief executive officer or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent,
and exercise on behalf of this Corporation all rights incident to any and all
shares of any other Corporation or Corporations standing in the name of this
Corporation.  The authority granted herein

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person
authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person
having the authority.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                GENERAL MATTERS
                                ---------------

     8.1  CHECKS
          ------

     From time to time, the board of directors shall determine by resolution
which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for
payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in
the name of or payable to the Corporation, and only the persons so authorized
shall sign or endorse those instruments.

     8.2  EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS
          ------------------------------------------------

     The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may
authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any
contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the
Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency
power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or
authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its
credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

     8.3  STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES
          --------------------------------------

     The shares of a Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided
that the board of directors of the Corporation may provide by resolution or
resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall
be uncertificated shares.  Any such resolution shall not apply to shares
represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the
Corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the board of
directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon request
every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate
signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the chairman or vice-chairman of
the board of directors, or the president or vice-president, and by the treasurer
or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of such
Corporation representing the number of shares regis  tered in certificate form.
Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.  In case any
officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature
has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent
or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the
Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or
registrar at the date of issue.

     The Corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly
paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid
therefor.  Upon the face or back of each stock

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, upon the books and
records of the Corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the
total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid
thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid
shares, the Corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the
same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration
actually paid thereon.

     8.4  SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES
          -----------------------------------

     If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or
more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the
preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights
of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or
summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall
issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that,
except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the
face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent
such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish
without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations,
the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special
rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

     8.5  LOST CERTIFICATES
          -----------------

     Except as provided in this Section 8.5, no new certificates for shares
shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is
surrendered to the Corporation and cancelled at the same time.  The Corporation
may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of
any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the Corporation a
bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on
account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the
issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

     8.6  CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS
          -------------------------

     Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of
construction, and definitions in the Delaware General Corporation Law shall
govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this
provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes
the singular, and the term "person" includes both a Corporation and a natural
person.

     8.7  DIVIDENDS
          ---------

     The directors of the Corporation, subject to any restrictions contained in
the certificate of incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares
of its capital stock pursuant to the 

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
General Corporation Law of Delaware. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property,
or in shares of the Corporation's capital stock.

     The directors of the Corporation may set apart out of any of the funds of
the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper
purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be
limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the
Corporation, and meeting contingencies.

     8.8  FISCAL YEAR
          -----------

     The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the
board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.

     8.9  SEAL
          ----

     The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which may be altered at
pleasure, and may use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

     8.10 TRANSFER OF STOCK
          -----------------

     Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation
of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of
succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the
Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel
the old certificate, and record the transaction in its books.

     8.11 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
          -------------------------

     The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement
with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the
Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of
any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited
by the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

     8.12 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS
          -----------------------

     The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a
person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and
to vote as such owner, shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and
assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall
not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such
share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have
express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of
Delaware.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   AMENDMENTS
                                   ----------

     The original or other Bylaws of the Corporation may be adopted, amended or
repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote; provided, however, that the
Corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt,
amend or repeal Bylaws upon the directors.  The fact that such power has been so
conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor
limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws.


                                   ARTICLE X

                                  DISSOLUTION
                                  -----------

     If it should be deemed advisable in the judgment of the board of directors
of the Corporation that the Corporation should be dissolved, the board, after
the adoption of a resolution to that effect by a majority of the whole board at
any meeting called for that purpose, shall cause notice to be mailed to each
stockholder entitled to vote thereon of the adoption of the resolution and of a
meeting of stockholders to take action upon the resolution.

     At the meeting a vote shall be taken for and against the proposed
dissolution.  If a majority of the outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled
to vote thereon votes for the proposed dissolution, then a certificate stating
that the dissolution has been authorized in accordance with the provisions of
Section 275 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and setting forth the
names and residences of the directors and officers shall be executed,
acknowledged, and filed and shall become effective in accordance with Section
103 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.  Upon such certificate's
becoming effective in accordance with Section 103 of the General Corporation Law
of Delaware, the Corporation shall be dissolved.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                   CUSTODIAN
                                   ---------

     11.1 APPOINTMENT OF A CUSTODIAN IN CERTAIN CASES
          -------------------------------------------

     The Court of Chancery, upon application of any stockholder, may appoint one
or more persons to be custodians and, if the Corporation is insolvent, to be
receivers, of and for the Corporation when:

          (i)  at any meeting held for the election of directors the
stockholders are so divided that they have failed to elect successors to
directors whose terms have expired or would have expired upon qualification of
their successors; or

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
         (ii)  the business of the Corporation is suffering or is threatened
with irreparable injury because the directors are so divided respecting the
management of the affairs of the Corporation that the required vote for action
by the board of directors cannot be obtained and the stockholders are unable to
terminate this division; or

        (iii)  the Corporation has abandoned its business and has failed within
a reasonable time to take steps to dissolve, liquidate or distribute its assets.

     11.2 DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
          -------------------

     The custodian shall have all the powers and title of a receiver appointed
under Section 291 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, but the authority
of the custodian shall be to continue the business of the Corporation and not to
liquidate its affairs and distribute its assets, except when the Court of
Chancery otherwise orders and except in cases arising under Sections 226(a)(3)
or 352(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
                            CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY
                            ------------------------


     The undersigned, Secretary of QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware
Corporation, hereby certifies that the foregoing is a full, true and correct
copy of the Bylaws of said Corporation, with all amendments to date of this
Certificate.

     The undersigned hereby certifies that such Bylaws were duly approved by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation at a meeting held on October 15, 1993.

     WITNESS the signature of the undersigned and the seal of the Corporation
this 15th day of October, 1993.


                                    /s/ Raymond K. Ostby
                                    _______________________________
                                    Raymond K. Ostby, Secretary

                                      -22-

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT 5

 
                       CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

                                       OF

                         QUICKTURN DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.


     The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected and acting
Secretary of Quickturn Design Systems, Inc. and that the following amendments to
the corporation's Bylaws were approved by the corporation's Board of Directors
effective as of August 21, 1998:

1.   Section 2.3 of Article II of the Bylaws of this corporation is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows:

     "A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by (i) the
     board of directors, (ii) the chairman of the board, (iii) the president,
     (iv) the chief executive officer or (v) subject to the procedures set forth
     in this Section 2.3, one or more stockholders holding shares in the
     aggregate entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) of the votes at
     that meeting.

     Upon request in writing sent by registered mail to the president or chief
     executive officer by any stockholder or stockholders entitled to call a
     special meeting of stockholders pursuant to this Section 2.3, the board of
     directors shall determine a place and time for such meeting, which time
     shall be not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred (100) days
     after the receipt and determination of the validity of such request, and a
     record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such
     meeting in the manner set forth in Section 2.12 hereof. Following such
     receipt and determination, it shall be the duty of the secretary to cause
     notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, in
     the manner set forth in Section 2.4 hereof, that a meeting will be held at
     the place and time so determined."

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of the
date first written above.

                                         /s/ Raymond K. Ostby
                                         -------------------------
                                         By:  Raymond K. Ostby
                                         Secretary


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