FindLaw - Agreement and Plan Of Merger - Onsale Inc. and Egghead.com Inc.

                         Agreement and Plan Of Merger

                                     among

                                 Onsale, Inc.

                                EO Corporation

                                      and

                               Egghead.com, Inc.



                                                                   JULY 13, 1999

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<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
                                                                   ----

ARTICLE I THE MERGER...............................................   2 
                                                                       
    1.1  The Merger................................................   2 
    1.2  Timing of the Merger......................................   2 
    1.3  Effect of the Merger......................................   2 
    1.4  Effect on Capital Stock...................................   3  
    1.10 Restricted Stock..........................................   4 
    1.5  Surrender of Certificates.................................   5 
    1.7  Tax and Accounting Consequences...........................   9 
    1.8  Taking of Necessary Action; Further Act...................   9  
                                                                      
ARTICLE II REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY...............  10
                                                                      
    2.1  Organization and Good Standing............................  10
    2.2  Subsidiaries and Other Interests..........................  10
    2.3  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws...................  10
    2.4  Authority.................................................  10
    2.5  Company Capital Structure.................................  12
    2.6  Obligations With Respect to Capital Stock.................  13
    2.7  SEC Filings; Company Financial Statements.................  14
    2.8  Absence of Certain Changes or Events......................  15
    2.9  Taxes.....................................................  16
    2.10 Title to Properties; Absence of Liens and Encumbrances....  18
    2.11 Intellectual Property.....................................  18
    2.12 Compliance with Laws; Permits; Restrictions...............  22
    2.13 Litigation................................................  22
    2.14 Employee Benefit Plans....................................  23
    2.15 Environmental Matters.....................................  27
    2.16 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments.....................  28
    2.17 Change of Control Payments................................  29
    2.18 Insurance.................................................  29
    2.19 Customers and Suppliers...................................  29
    2.20 Disclosure................................................  30
    2.21 Board Approval............................................  30
    2.22 Fairness Opinion..........................................  31
    2.23 Brokers' and Finders' Fees................................  31
    2.25 Affiliates................................................  31
    2.26 Pooling of Interests......................................  31
    2.27 No Existing Discussions...................................  31

                                      
                                      
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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                              Page
                                                                              ----            
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND 
MERGER SUB..................................................................    32   
                                                                                  
    3.1  Organization and Good Standing.....................................    32
    3.2  Subsidiaries and Other Interests...................................    32
    3.3  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws............................    32
    3.4  Authority..........................................................    32
    3.5  Parent and Merger Sub Capital Structure............................    34
    3.6  Obligations With Respect to Capital Stock..........................    35
    3.7  SEC Filings; Parent Financial Statements...........................    36
    3.8  Absence of Certain Changes or Events...............................    37
    3.9  Taxes..............................................................    38
    3.10 Title to Properties; Absence of Liens and Encumbrances.............    39
    3.11 Intellectual Property..............................................    40
    3.12 Compliance with Laws; Permits; Restrictions........................    43
    3.13 Litigation.........................................................    43
    3.14 Employee Benefit Plans.............................................    43
    3.15 Environmental Matters..............................................    47
    3.16 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments..............................    48
    3.17 Change of Control Payments.........................................    49
    3.18 Insurance..........................................................    50
    3.19 Customers and Suppliers............................................    50
    3.20 Disclosure.........................................................    50
    3.21 Board Approval.....................................................    51
    3.22 Fairness Opinion...................................................    51
    3.23 Brokers' and Finders' Fees.........................................    51
    3.24 DGCL Section 203 Not Applicable....................................    51
    3.25 Affiliates.........................................................    51
    3.26 Pooling of Interests...............................................    51
    3.27 No Existing Discussions............................................    51
                                                                                  
ARTICLE IV CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME..............................    52
                                                                                  
    4.1  Conduct of Business................................................    52
    4.2  Cooperation........................................................    56
                                                                                  
ARTICLE V ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.............................................    57
                                                                                  
    5.1  Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement; Antitrust and        
         Other Filings......................................................    57
    5.2  Meeting of Company Shareholders....................................    58
    5.3  Meeting of Parent Stockholders.....................................    60
    5.4  Confidentiality; Access to Information.............................    63 
 
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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (CONTINUED)
 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                 Page
                                                                 ----     
                                                               
    5.5  No Solicitation........................................   63 
    5.6  Public Disclosure......................................   67
    5.7  Reasonable Efforts; Notification.......................   67
    5.8  Third Party Consents...................................   68
    5.9  Stock Options, Warrants, ESPP and Employee Benefits....   68
    5.10 Form S-8...............................................   69
    5.11 Nasdaq Quotation.......................................   69
    5.12 Indemnification........................................   70
    5.13 Affiliate Agreements...................................   70
    5.14 Letter of Company's Accountants........................   70
    5.15 Letter of Parent's Accountants.........................   71
    5.16 Takeover Statutes......................................   71
    5.17 Certain Employee Benefits..............................   71
    5.18 Stockholder Litigation.................................   71
    5.19 Pooling Accounting.....................................   72
                                                                   
ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER.............................   73
                                                                   
    6.1  Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Effect         
         the Merger.............................................   73 
    6.2  Additional Conditions to Obligations of Company........   74
    6.3  Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Parent        
         and Merger Sub.........................................   75  
                                                                   
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER...................   78
                                                                   
    7.1  Termination............................................   78
    7.2  Notice of Termination Effect of Termination............   80
    7.3  Fees and Expenses......................................   81
    7.4  Amendment..............................................   84
    7.5  Extension; Waiver......................................   84
                                                                   
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS.................................   85
                                                                   
    8.1  Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties.........   85
    8.2  Notices................................................   85
    8.3  Interpretation; Certain Defined Terms..................   85
    8.4  Counterparts...........................................   87
    8.5  Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries............   87
    8.6  Severability...........................................   87
    8.7  Other Remedies; Specific Performance...................   87
    8.8  Governing Law..........................................   88
    8.9  Rules of Construction..................................   88
    8.10 Assignment.............................................   88
    8.11 Disclosure Letter......................................   88
    8.12 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL...................................   89

                           
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<PAGE>
 
                               Index of Exhibits
                               -----------------


Exhibit A      Form of Company Option Agreement 
                                                
Exhibit B      Form of Parent Option Agreement  
                                                
Exhibit C      Form of Company Voting Agreement 
                                                
Exhibit D      Form of Parent Voting Agreement  
                                                
Exhibit E      Parent Officers                  
                                                
Exhibit F      Form of Company Affiliate Agreement
                                                
Exhibit G      Form of Parent Affiliate Agreement
                                                
Exhibit H      Form of Unsecured Promissory Note 
<PAGE>
 
                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

     This Agreement and Plan of Merger (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of July 13, 1999, among Onsale, a Delaware corporation ("Parent"), EO
Corporation, a Washington corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent
("Merger Sub"), and Egghead.com, Inc., a Washington corporation ("Company").

                                   RECITALS

     A.   Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in
accordance with the Washington Law, Parent and Company intend to enter into a
business combination transaction.

     B.   The Merger (as defined in Section 1.1) is intended to be treated as a
tax-free reorganization pursuant to the provisions of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of
the Code by way of Section 368(a)(2)(E).  The Merger is intended to be treated
as a "pooling of interests" for accounting and financial reporting purposes.

     C.   The Board of Directors of Company: (i) has determined that the Merger
(as defined in Section 1.1) is advisable and fair to, and in the best interests
of, Company and its shareholders, (ii) has approved this Agreement, the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (iii) has
determined to recommend that the shareholders of Company adopt and approve this
Agreement and approve the Merger.

     D.   Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and as a
condition and inducement to Parent's willingness to enter into this Agreement,
Company shall execute and deliver a Company Option Agreement in favor of Parent
in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Company Option
                                             ---------  
Agreement"). The Board of Directors of Company has approved the Company Option
Agreement.

     E.   Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and as a condition
and inducement to Company's willingness to enter into this Agreement, Parent
shall execute and deliver a Parent Option Agreement in favor of Company in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Parent Option
                                          ---------
Agreement"). The Board of Directors of Parent has approved the Parent Option
Agreement.

     F.   The Board of Directors of Parent: (i) has determined that the Merger
(as defined in Section 1.1) is advisable and fair to, and in the best interests
of, Parent and its stockholders, (ii) has approved this Agreement, the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has approved an
amendment to Parent's Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of Parent
to "Egghead.com, Inc.," effective at the Effective Time, and to increase the
authorized number of shares of Parent Common Stock so as to permit the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject to and upon consummation of
the Merger, and (iii) has determined to recommend that the stockholders of
Parent approve the issuance of the shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the
Merger and approve an amendment to
<PAGE>
 
Parent's Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of Parent to
"Egghead.com, Inc.," effective at the Effective Time, and to increase the
authorized number of shares of Parent Common Stock so as to permit the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject to and upon consummation of
the Merger,

     G.   Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and as a condition
and inducement to Parent's willingness to enter into this Agreement, the
executive officers and directors of Company are entering into voting agreements
in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the "Company Voting
                                             ---------                     
Agreements").

     H.   Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and as a condition
and inducement to Company's willingness to enter into this Agreement, the
directors, certain executive officers, and certain stockholders of Parent are
entering into voting agreements in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit D (the "Parent Voting Agreements").
----------                                 

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

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  THE MERGER

     1.1  The Merger.  At the Effective Time and subject to and upon the terms
          ----------                                                          
and conditions of this Agreement and the applicable provisions of Washington
Law, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into Company (the "Merger"), the
separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and Company shall
continue as the surviving corporation.  Company as the surviving corporation
after the Merger is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Surviving
Corporation."

     1.2  Timing of the Merger.
          -------------------- 

          (a) Effective Time.  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the
              --------------                                                   
  parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing articles of
  merger, in such form as is required by the relevant provisions of Washington
  Law, with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington in accordance with
  the relevant provisions of Washington Law (the "Articles of Merger") (the time
  of such filing (or such later time as may be agreed in writing by Company and
  Parent and specified in the Articles of Merger) being the "Effective Time") as
  soon as practicable on or after the Closing (as herein defined).

          (b) Closing.  The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take
              -------                                                       
  place at the offices of Fenwick & West LLP, Two Palo Alto Square, Palo Alto,
  California, as soon as practicable (but not more than two business days) after
  the satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions set forth in Article VI,
  or at such other time, date and location as the parties hereto agree in
  writing (the "Closing Date").

     1.3  Effect of the Merger.  At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger
          --------------------                                                  
shall be as provided in this Agreement and the applicable provisions of
Washington Law.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, at the
Effective Time all title to real estate and other property 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
owned by Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all
liabilities of Company and Merger Sub shall become the liabilities of the
Surviving Corporation.

          (a) Articles of Incorporation.  At the Effective Time, the Articles of
              -------------------------                                         
  Incorporation of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
  Time, shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.

          (b) Bylaws.  At the Effective Time, the Bylaws of the Company, as in
              ------                                                          
  effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the
  Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended.

          (c) Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation.  The initial
              -----------------------------------------------              
  directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the directors of Merger Sub
  immediately prior to the Effective Time, until their respective successors are
  duly elected or appointed and qualified.  The initial officers of the
  Surviving Corporation shall be the officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to
  the Effective Time, until their respective successors are duly appointed.

     1.4  Effect on Capital Stock.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
          -----------------------                                              
Agreement, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, Company or the holders of any of the
following securities:

          (a) Conversion of Company Common Stock.  Each share of common stock,
              ----------------------------------                              
  par value $.01 per share, of Company ("Company Common Stock") issued and
  outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than any shares of
  Company Common Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.4(d), will be
  automatically converted (subject to Sections 1.4(c) and 1.4(f)) into the right
  to receive .565 (the "Exchange Ratio") of a share of common stock, par value
  $.001 per share, of Parent ("Parent Common Stock") upon surrender of the
  certificate representing such share of Company Common Stock in the manner
  provided in Section 1.5 (and in the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed
  certificate, upon delivery of an affidavit (and bond, if required), in the
  manner provided in Section 1.5(f)).

          (b) Stock Options; Employee Stock Purchase Plans.  At the Effective
              --------------------------------------------                   
  Time, all options to purchase Company Common Stock then outstanding under
  Company's 1997 Nonofficer Employee Stock Option Plan, Company's Amended and
  Restated 1993 Stock Incentive Compensation Plan, the Company's 1986 Combined
  Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan the Surplus Software, Inc., 1996
  Stock Option Plan and the Company's Restated Nonemployee Director Stock Option
  Plan (collectively, the "Company Stock Option Plans") shall be assumed by
  Parent in accordance with Section 5.9 of this Agreement.  Rights outstanding
  under Company's 1989 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP") shall be
  treated as set forth in Section 5.9 of this Agreement.

          (c) Fractional Shares.  No fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock
              -----------------                                                
  will be issued by virtue of the Merger, but in lieu thereof each holder of
  shares of Company Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction
  of a share of Parent Common Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of
  Parent Common Stock that otherwise would be received by such holder) shall
  receive, upon surrender of such holder's Certificate(s)(as defined in Section
  1.5(c)) from Parent an amount of cash (rounded to the nearest whole cent)
  equal to the product of (i) such fraction, multiplied by (ii) the average
  closing sale price of

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
  one share of Parent Common Stock for the ten most recent days that Parent
  Common Stock has traded ending with and including the trading day immediately
  prior to the Effective Time, as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

          (d) Cancellation of Company-Owned and Parent-Owned Stock and Preferred
              ------------------------------------------------------------------
  Stock.  Each share of Company Common Stock held by Company or owned by Merger
  -----                                                                        
  Sub, Parent or any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Company or of
  Parent immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled and
  extinguished without any conversion thereof.  Any shares of Preferred Stock of
  Company outstanding at the Effective Time shall be canceled and extinguished
  without any conversion thereof.

          (e) Capital Stock of Merger Sub.  Each share of Common Stock, par
              ---------------------------                                  
  value $0.01 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior
  to the Effective Time shall be converted into one validly issued, fully paid
  and nonassessable share of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the
  Surviving Corporation.  Each certificate evidencing ownership of shares of the
  Common Stock of Merger Sub shall evidence ownership of such shares of capital
  stock of the Surviving Corporation.

          (f) Adjustments to Exchange Ratio.  The Exchange Ratio shall be
              -----------------------------                              
  adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect of any stock split, reverse stock
  split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities
  convertible into Parent Common Stock or Company Common Stock), reorganization,
  recapitalization, reclassification or other like change with respect to Parent
  Common Stock or Company Common Stock occurring on or after the date hereof and
  prior to the Effective Time.

          (g) Restricted Stock.  If any shares of the Company Common Stock that
              ----------------                                                 
  are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time are unvested or are
  subject to a repurchase option, risk of forfeiture or other condition
  providing that such shares ("Company Restricted Stock") may be forfeited or
  repurchased by Company upon any termination of the shareholders' employment,
  directorship, consulting or other relationship with Company (and/or any
  affiliate of Company) under the terms of any restricted stock purchase
  agreement or other agreement with Company that does not by its terms provide
  that such repurchase option, risk of forfeiture or other condition lapses upon
  consummation of the Merger, then the shares of Parent Common Stock issued upon
  the conversion of such shares of Company Common Stock in the Merger will
  continue to be unvested and subject to the same repurchase options, risks of
  forfeiture or other conditions following the Effective Time, and the
  certificates representing such shares of Parent Stock may accordingly be
  marked with appropriate legends noting such repurchase options, risks of
  forfeiture or other conditions.  Company shall take all actions that may be
  necessary to ensure that, from and after the Effective Time, Parent is
  entitled to exercise any such repurchase option or other right set forth in
  any such restricted stock purchase agreement or other agreement.  A listing of
  the holders of Company Restricted Stock, together with the number of shares of
  Company Restricted Stock held by each, is set forth on Part 1.4(g) of the
  Company Disclosure Letter.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
          (h) Dissenters' Rights of Company Shareholders.
              ------------------------------------------ 

              (i)  Any shares of Company Common Stock held by a holder who
     dissents from the Merger in the manner provided under Washington Law and
     becomes entitled to obtain payment for the fair value of such shares of
     Common Stock pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Washington Law,
     shall herein be called "Dissenting Shares".  Any Dissenting Shares shall
     not, after the Effective Time, be entitled to vote for any purpose or
     receive any dividends or other distributions and shall not be converted
     into the Parent Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.4(a); provided, however,
                                                              --------  ------- 
     that Section 1.4(a) shall apply to shares of Company Common Stock held by a
     dissenting shareholder who subsequently withdraws his or her demand for
     payment in the manner provided under Washington Law, fails to comply fully
     with the requirements of applicable provisions of the Washington Law, or
     otherwise fails to establish the right of such shareholder to be paid the
     fair value of such shareholder's shares under Washington Law, in which
     event such shares shall be deemed to be converted into Parent Common Stock
     under Section 1.4(a).  Shares of Company Common Stock acquired by the
     Surviving Corporation pursuant to such provisions of the Washington Law
     shall be canceled.

              (ii) Company shall give Merger Sub prompt notice upon receipt of
     any written objection to the Merger and demand for payment of the fair
     value of shares.  Company agrees that prior to the Effective Time it will
     not, except with the prior written consent of Merger Sub, voluntarily make
     any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such demand
     for payment of the fair value of shares, and then, only to the extent so
     agreed to by Merger Sub in such writing.

     1.5  Surrender of Certificates.
          ------------------------- 

          (a) Exchange Agent.  Parent shall select a bank or trust company
              --------------                                              
  reasonably acceptable to Company to act as the exchange agent (the "Exchange
  Agent") in the Merger.

          (b) Provision of Common Stock.  Promptly after the Effective Time,
              -------------------------                                     
  Parent shall make available to the Exchange Agent for exchange in accordance
  with this Article I, the shares of Parent Common Stock issuable pursuant to
  Section 1.4 in exchange for outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, and
  cash in an amount sufficient for payment in lieu of fractional shares pursuant
  to Section 1.4(c) and any dividends or distributions to which holders of
  shares of Company Common Stock may be entitled pursuant to Section 1.5(d)
  (such shares of Parent Common Stock and cash being referred to herein as the
  "Exchange Fund").

          (c) Exchange Procedures.  Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent
              -------------------                                            
  shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record (as of the
  Effective Time) of a certificate or certificates ("Certificates"), which
  immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of
  Company Common Stock whose shares were converted into the right to receive
  shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.4, (i) a letter of
  transmittal in customary form (which shall specify that delivery shall be
  effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon
  delivery of the Certificates to the 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
  Exchange Agent and shall contain such other provisions as Parent may
  reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender
  of the Certificates in exchange for certificates representing shares of Parent
  Common Stock, cash in lieu of any fractional shares pursuant to Section 1.4(c)
  and any dividends or other distributions pursuant to Section 1.5(d). Upon
  surrender of Certificates for cancellation to the Exchange Agent or to such
  other agent or agents as may be appointed by Parent, together with such letter
  of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the
  instructions thereto, the holders of such Certificates shall be entitled to
  receive in exchange therefor, and the Exchange Agent shall deliver to the
  holders, certificates representing the number of whole shares of Parent Common
  Stock into which their shares of Company Common Stock were converted at the
  Effective Time, payment in lieu of fractional shares which such holders have
  the right to receive pursuant to Section 1.4(c) and any dividends or
  distributions payable pursuant to Section 1.5(d), and the Certificates so
  surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. Until so surrendered, outstanding
  Certificates will be deemed from and after the Effective Time, for all
  corporate purposes, to evidence only the ownership of the number of full
  shares of Parent Common Stock into which such shares of Company Common Stock
  shall have been so converted and the right to receive an amount in cash in
  lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares in accordance with Section
  1.4(c) and any dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 1.5(d).
  No interest shall be paid or will accrue on any cash payable to holders of
  Certificates pursuant to the provisions of this Article I.
       

          (d) Distributions With Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or
              ------------------------------------------------
  other distributions declared or made after the date of this Agreement with
  respect to Parent Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time
  will be paid to the holders of any unsurrendered Certificates with respect to
  the shares of Parent Common Stock represented thereby until the holders of
  record of such Certificates shall surrender such Certificates. Subject to
  applicable law, following surrender of any such Certificates, the Exchange
  Agent shall deliver to the record holders thereof, without interest,
  certificates representing whole shares of Parent Common Stock issued in
  exchange therefor along with payment in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to
  Section 1.4(c) hereof and the amount of any such dividends or other
  distributions with a record date after the Effective Time payable with respect
  to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock.

          (e) Transfers of Ownership.  If certificates representing shares of
              ----------------------                                         
  Parent Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than that in which the
  Certificates surrendered in exchange therefor are registered, it will be a
  condition of the issuance thereof that the Certificates so surrendered will be
  properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the
  persons requesting such exchange will have paid to Parent or any agent
  designated by it any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the
  issuance of certificates representing shares of Parent Common Stock in any
  name other than that of the registered holder of the Certificates surrendered,
  or established to the satisfaction of Parent or any agent designated by it
  that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

          (f) Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.  In the event that any
              --------------------------------------                        
  Certificates shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent
  shall issue in exchange for such 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
  lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates, upon the making of an affidavit of
  that fact by the holder thereof, certificates representing the shares of
  Parent Common Stock into which the shares of Company Common Stock represented
  by such Certificates were converted pursuant to Section 1.4, cash for
  fractional shares, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 1.4(c) and
  any dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 1.5(d); provided,
  however, that Parent may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to
  the issuance of such certificates representing shares of Parent Common Stock,
  cash and other distributions, require the owner of such lost, stolen or
  destroyed Certificates to deliver a bond in such sum as it may reasonably
  direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against Parent, the
  Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent with respect to the Certificates
  alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

          (g) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. All shares of
              --------------------------------------------------- 
  Parent Common Stock issued in accordance with the terms hereof (including any
  cash paid in respect thereof pursuant to Sections 1.4(c) and 1.5(d)) shall be
  deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to
  such shares of Company Common Stock, and there shall be no further
  registration of transfers on the records of the Surviving Corporation of
  shares of Company Common Stock which were outstanding immediately prior to the
  Effective Time. If after the Effective Time Certificates are presented to the
  Surviving Corporation for any reason, except as otherwise provided by law,
  they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article I, subject to
  Section 1.5(h).

          (h) Termination of Exchange Fund.  Any portion of the Exchange Fund
              ----------------------------                                   
  which remains undistributed to the stockholders of Company for 180 days after
  the Effective Time shall be delivered to Parent, upon demand, and any
  shareholders of Company who have not previously complied with Section 1.4(c)
  shall thereafter look only to Parent for payment of their claim for Parent
  Common Stock, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock and
  any dividends or distributions with respect to Parent Common Stock.
  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except to the extent waived
  by Parent, any Certificate that is not properly submitted to the Exchange
  Agent (or Parent as provided in the preceding sequence) for exchange and
  cancellation within four years after the Effective Time (or immediately prior
  to such earlier date on which any shares of Parent Common Stock that was to be
  delivered to the holder of such Certificate, any dividends or distributions
  payable to the holder of such Certificate or any cash payable to the holder of
  such Certificate pursuant to this Article I, would otherwise escheat to or
  become the property of any Governmental Entity), shall no longer evidence
  ownership of or any right to receive shares of Parent Common Stock, all rights
  of the holder of such Certificate, with respect to the shares previously
  evidenced by such Certificate, shall cease.

          (i) No Liability.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
              ------------                                                   
  Section 1.5, neither the Exchange Agent, Parent, the Surviving Corporation nor
  any party hereto shall be liable to a holder of shares of Parent Common Stock
  or Company Common Stock for any amount properly paid to a public official
  pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     1.6  Directors of Parent.
          ------------------- 

          (a) Parent shall take all actions necessary to cause the directors
  comprising the full Board of Directors of Parent at (or immediately after) the
  Effective Time (the "Parent Board") to be comprised of nine directors.
  Initially, four (4) of such directors shall be designated by Parent (the
  "Parent Designees"), four (4) of such directors shall be designated by Company
  (the "Company Designees") and one (1) of such directors shall be designated
  jointly by Parent and Company ("Joint Designee").  One of the Company
  Designees shall be George Orban, who shall be Chairman of the Board of
  Directors immediately after the Effective Time, unless he shall decline or be
  unable to so serve.  Parent and Company hereby agree that they shall use all
  commercially reasonable efforts, and proceed in good faith, to agree on the
  identity of the Joint Designee.  If, prior to the Effective Time, any of the
  Parent Designees or Company Designees or the Joint Designee shall decline or
  be unable to serve as a Parent Designee or an Company Designee or the Joint
  Designee, as the case may be, Parent (in the case of a Parent Designee) or
  Company (in the case of a Company Designee) or Parent and Company (in the case
  of the Joint Designee) shall designate another person to serve in such
  person's stead as Parent Designee, Company Designee or Joint Designee, as the
  case may be, which person shall be reasonably acceptable to the other party.
  If, prior to the Effective Time, Parent and Company are not able to agree on
  the identity of the Joint Designee, then such position shall be vacant at the
  Effective Time and shall be filled thereafter in accordance with Parent's
  Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation.  If so agreed by Parent Company, the
  Parent Board may be classified, if in which case, the Board members of each
  class will be mutually agreed by Parent and Company.  In the absence of any
  such agreement, the Parent Board shall not be classified.

          (b) The foregoing directors of Parent shall hold their positions until
  their resignation or removal or the election or appointment of their
  successors in the manner provided by Parent's charter documents and applicable
  law.

          (c) Parent shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause each
  Parent Designee, Company Designee and the Joint  Designee to be included in
  the slate of nominees recommended by Parent's Board of Directors to the
  stockholders of Parent at the next annual meeting of Parent's stockholders,
  subject to the right of each member of Parent's Board of Directors to act in
  such manner as he or she in good faith deems consistent with his or her
  fiduciary duties and subject to the right of each Parent Designee, each
  Company Designee and the Joint  Designee to decline such nomination.

     1.7  Corporate Name of Parent.  Parent shall take all actions necessary to
          ------------------------                                             
change its corporate name to Egghead.com, Inc., effective at the Effective Time.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
     1.8  Tax and Accounting Consequences.
          ------------------------------- 

          (a) It is intended by the parties hereto that the Merger shall
  constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code.
  The parties hereto adopt this Agreement as a "plan of reorganization" within
  the meaning of Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) of the United States Income
  Tax Regulations.

          (b) Neither Parent nor Merger Sub nor the Surviving Corporation will
  report the Merger or take any other action for tax purposes inconsistent with
  treatment of the Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368
  of the Code, to the full extent permitted by the Code.

          (c) It is intended by the parties hereto that the Merger shall qualify
  for accounting treatment as a pooling of interests.

     1.9  Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action.  If, at any time after the
          ------------------------------------------                            
Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full
right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers
and franchises of Company and Merger Sub, the officers and directors of Parent,
Company and Merger Sub will take all such lawful and necessary or desirable
action.  Parent shall cause Merger Sub to perform all of its obligations
relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE II
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY

     As of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, Company
represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub, subject to the exceptions
specifically disclosed in writing in the disclosure letter and referencing a
specific representation delivered by Company to Parent dated as of the date
hereof and certified by a duly authorized officer of Company (the "Company
Disclosure Letter"), as follows:

     2.1  Organization and Good Standing.  Company and each of its subsidiaries
          ------------------------------                                       
(a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized; (b) has the corporate or
other power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and property and
to carry on its business as now being conducted; and (c) except as would not be
material to Company, is duly qualified or licensed to do business in each
jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated by
it or the nature of its activities makes such qualification or licensing
necessary.

     2.2  Subsidiaries and Other Interests.  Other than the corporations
          --------------------------------                              
identified in Part 2.2 of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither Company nor any
of the other corporations identified in Part 2.2 of the Company Disclosure
Letter owns any capital stock of, or any equity interest of any nature in, any
corporation, partnership, joint venture arrangement or other business entity,
except for passive investments in equity interests of public companies as part
of the cash management program of Company.  Neither Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has agreed or is obligated to make, or is bound by any written,
oral or other agreement, contract, subcontract, lease, binding understanding,
instrument, note, option, warranty, purchase order, license, sublicense,
insurance policy, benefit plan or legally binding commitment or undertaking of
any nature, as in effect as of the date hereof or as may hereinafter be in
effect under which it may become obligated to make any future investment in or
capital contribution to any other entity.  Neither Company, nor any of its
subsidiaries, has, at any time, been a general partner of any general
partnership, limited partnership or other entity.  Part 2.2 of the Company
Disclosure Letter indicates the jurisdiction of organization of each entity
listed therein and Company's direct or indirect equity interest therein.

     2.3  Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.  Company has delivered or made
          ------------------------------------                                
available to Parent a true and correct copy of: (a) the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of Company and similar governing instruments of each of
its subsidiaries, each as amended to date and as in full force in effect; and
(b) Company's minute book containing all records of all proceedings, consents,
actions and meetings during the past three years of the Company shareholders,
Board of Directors and any committees of the Board of Directors.  Neither
Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any of the provisions of
its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or equivalent governing instruments.

     2.4  Authority.
          --------- 

          (a) Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
  into this Agreement and the Company Option Agreement and to consummate the
  transactions 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
  contemplated hereby and thereby, subject to approval by the shareholders of
  the Company. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation
  of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized
  by all necessary corporate action on the part of Company, subject only to the
  approval and adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger by
  Company's shareholders and the filing of the Articles of Merger pursuant to
  Washington Law. A vote of the holders of outstanding shares of the Company
  Common Stock representing two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the
  matter, is sufficient for Company's shareholders to approve and adopt this
  Agreement and approve the Merger. This Agreement and the Company Option
  Agreement have each been duly executed and delivered by Company and, assuming
  the due execution and delivery by Parent and Merger Sub, each constitutes the
  valid and binding obligation of Company, enforceable against Company in
  accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by
  bankruptcy and other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally
  and general principles of equity. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
  and the Company Option Agreement by Company does not, and the performance of
  this Agreement and the Company Option Agreement by Company will not, (i)
  conflict with or violate the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Company or
  the equivalent organizational documents of any of its subsidiaries, (ii)
  subject to obtaining the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the
  approval of the Merger by Company's shareholders as contemplated in Section
  5.2 and compliance with the requirements set forth in Section 2.4(b) below,
  conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree
  applicable to Company or any of its subsidiaries or by which Company or any of
  its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties is bound or affected,
  or (iii) result in any material breach of or constitute a material default (or
  an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a material
  default) under, or impair Company's rights or alter the rights or obligations
  of any third party under, or give to others any rights of termination,
  amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a
  material lien or Encumbrance on any of the material properties or assets of
  Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage,
  indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise, concession,
  or other instrument or obligation, in each case that is material to Company,
  to which Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Company or
  any of its subsidiaries or its or any of their respective assets are bound or
  affected. Part 2.4 of the Company Disclosure Letter list all consents, waivers
  and approvals under any of Company's or any of its subsidiaries' agreements,
  contracts, licenses or leases required to be obtained in connection with the
  consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, which, if individually
  or in the aggregate not obtained, would result in a material loss of benefits
  to Company, Parent or the Surviving Corporation as a result of the Merger.

          (b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
  declaration or filing with any Governmental Entity is required to be obtained
  or made by Company in connection with the execution and delivery of this
  Agreement or the consummation of the Merger, except for (i) the filing of the
  Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington and
  appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which
  Company is qualified to do business, (ii) the filing of the Proxy
  Statement/Prospectus (as defined in Section 2.19) with the SEC in accordance
  with the 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
  Exchange Act and the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (as defined
  in Section 2.20), (iii) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
  registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable
  federal, foreign and state securities (or related) laws and the HSR Act, and
  the securities or antitrust laws of any foreign country, and (iv) such other
  consents, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which if not
  obtained or made would not be material to Company or Parent or have a material
  adverse effect on the ability of the parties hereto to consummate the Merger.

     2.5  Company Capital Structure.
          ------------------------- 

          (a) Stock.  The authorized capital stock of Company consists of (i)
              -----                                                          
  50,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of which
  there were 30,772,457 shares issued and outstanding as of July 13, 1999, and
  (ii) 16,569,848 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, of which
  no shares are issued or outstanding.  All outstanding shares of Company Common
  Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
  are not subject to preemptive rights created by statute, the Articles of
  Incorporation or Bylaws of Company or any agreement or document to which
  Company is a party or by which it is bound.  As of the date of this Agreement,
  there are no shares of Company Common Stock held in treasury by Company.  From
  and after the Effective Time, the shares of Parent Common Stock issued in
  exchange for any shares of Company Restricted Stock will, without any further
  act of Parent, Company or any other person, become subject to the
  restrictions, conditions and other provisions of such Company Restricted
  Stock, and Parent will automatically succeed to and become entitled to
  exercise Company's rights and remedies under such Company Restricted Stock.

          (b) Options and Warrants.  As of July 13, 1999, Company had reserved
              --------------------                                            
  an aggregate of 4,341,358 shares of Company Common Stock for issuance pursuant
  to the Company Stock Option Plans (including shares subject to outstanding
  options).  Stock options granted under the Company Stock Option Plans are
  collectively referred to in this Agreement as "Company Options."  As of July
  13, 1999, there were Company Options outstanding to purchase an aggregate of
  3,440,237 shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Company Stock Option
  Plans.  As of July 13, 1999, there were no warrants outstanding to purchase
  any shares of Company Common Stock.  As of July 13, 1999, there were available
  an aggregate of 270,692 shares of Company Common Stock for issuance pursuant
  to Company's ESPP.  All shares of Company Common Stock subject to issuance as
  aforesaid, upon issuance on the terms and conditions specified in the
  instruments pursuant to which they are issuable, will be duly authorized,
  validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  Part 2.5 of the Company
  Disclosure Letter lists for each person who held Company Options as of July
  13, 1999: (i) the name of the holder of such option; (ii) the exercise price
  of such option; (iii) the number of shares as to which such option had vested
  at such date; (iv) the vesting schedule for such option; and (v) whether the
  exercisability of such option will be accelerated in any way by the
  transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the extent of acceleration, if
  any.

          (c) Compliance with Legal Requirements.  All outstanding shares of
              ----------------------------------                            
  Company Common Stock, all outstanding Company Options, and all outstanding
  shares of 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
  capital stock of each subsidiary of Company have been issued and granted in
  compliance with (i) all applicable securities laws and, to the knowledge of
  Company, all other applicable Legal Requirements and (ii) all material
  requirements set forth in applicable agreements or instruments.

          (d) Vesting Acceleration.  Except as set forth in Part 2.5(d) of the
              --------------------                                            
  Company Disclosure Letter, there are no commitments or agreements of any
  character to which Company is bound obligating Company to accelerate the
  vesting of any Company Options as a result of the Merger.

          (e) Option Records.  Company has made available to Parent accurate,
              --------------                                                 
  current and complete copies of the Company Option Plans and any other stock
  option plans pursuant to which Company has granted stock options that are
  currently outstanding, the form of all stock option agreements evidencing such
  options and the applicable vesting schedule for each such option.

     2.6  Obligations With Respect to Capital Stock.
          ----------------------------------------- 

          (a) Except as set forth in Part 2.6 of the Company Disclosure Letter,
  there are no equity securities, partnership interests or similar ownership
  interests of any class of Company equity security, or any securities
  exchangeable or convertible into or exercisable for such equity securities,
  partnership interests or similar ownership interests, issued, reserved for
  issuance or outstanding.

          (b) Except for securities Company owns free and clear of all claims
  and Encumbrances, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, and
  except for shares of capital stock or other similar ownership interests of
  certain subsidiaries of Company that are owned by certain nominee equity
  holders as required by the applicable law of the jurisdiction of organization
  of such subsidiaries, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no equity
  securities, partnership interests or similar ownership interests of any class
  of equity security of any subsidiary of Company, or any security exchangeable
  or convertible into or exercisable for such equity securities, partnership
  interests or similar ownership interests, issued, reserved for issuance or
  outstanding.

          (c) Except as set forth in Part 2.5 or Part 2.6 of the Company
  Disclosure Letter, there are no subscriptions, options, warrants, equity
  securities, partnership interests or similar ownership interests, calls,
  rights (including preemptive rights), commitments or agreements of any
  character to which Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which
  it is bound obligating Company or any of its subsidiaries to issue, deliver or
  sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, or repurchase, redeem or
  otherwise acquire, or cause the repurchase, redemption or acquisition of, any
  shares of capital stock, partnership interests or similar ownership interests
  of Company or any of its subsidiaries or obligating Company or any of its
  subsidiaries to grant, extend, accelerate the vesting of or enter into any
  such subscription, option, warrant, equity security, call, right, commitment
  or agreement.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
          (d) Except as contemplated by this Agreement, there are no
  registration rights and there is no voting trust, proxy, rights plan,
  antitakeover plan or other agreement or understanding to which Company is a
  party or by which it is bound with respect to any equity security of any class
  of Company or with respect to any equity security, partnership interest or
  similar ownership interest of any class of any of its subsidiaries.

     2.7  SEC Filings; Company Financial Statements.
          ----------------------------------------- 

          (a) SEC Filings Generally.  Company has filed all forms, reports and
              ---------------------                                           
  documents required to be filed by Company with the SEC since January 1, 1997
  and has made available to Parent such forms, reports and documents in the form
  filed with the SEC.  All such required forms, reports and documents (including
  those that Company may file subsequent to the date hereof) are referred to
  herein as the "Company SEC Reports." As of their respective dates, the Company
  SEC Reports (i) were prepared in accordance with the requirements of the
  Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
  regulations of the SEC thereunder applicable to such Company SEC Reports and
  (ii) did not at the time they were filed contain any untrue statement of a
  material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
  or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
  circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Taken as a whole,
  the Company SEC Reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
  or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
  order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
  which they were made, not misleading, except to the extent corrected prior to
  the date of this Agreement by a subsequently filed Company SEC Report.  None
  of Company's subsidiaries is required to file any forms, reports or other
  documents with the SEC.  All material agreements filed by Company as exhibits
  to Company SEC Reports were executed by all parties thereto and such
  agreements as displayed on the World Wide Web via the EDGAR Service conform to
  the agreements as so executed.

          (b) Publicly Reported Financial Statements.  Each of the consolidated
              --------------------------------------                           
  financial statements (including, in each case, any related notes thereto)
  contained in the Company SEC Reports (the "Company Financials"), including
  each Company SEC Reports filed after the date hereof until the Closing, (i)
  complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and
  regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (ii) was prepared in accordance
  with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved
  (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited
  interim financial statements, as may be permitted by the SEC on Form 10-Q, 8-K
  or any successor form under the Exchange Act) and (iii) fairly presented the
  consolidated financial position of Company and its subsidiaries as at the
  respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of Company's operations
  and cash flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited interim
  financial statements may not contain footnotes and were or are subject to
  normal and recurring year-end adjustments.  The balance sheet of Company
  contained in Company SEC Reports as of April 3, 1999 is hereinafter referred
  to as the "Company Balance Sheet."  Since the date of the Company Balance
  Sheet neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any liabilities required
  under GAAP to be set forth on a balance sheet (absolute, accrued, 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
  contingent or otherwise) which are, individually or in the aggregate, material
  to the business, results of operations or financial condition of Company and
  its subsidiaries taken as a whole, except for liabilities incurred since the
  date of the Company Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business
  consistent with past practices and liabilities incurred in connection with
  this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Company's revenue recognition
  practices are in full conformance with all requirements of GAAP and all
  promulgations with respect to revenue recognition (including applicable
  documentation requirements) and there exists no fact (such as any side letters
  or oral understandings with customers regarding product return rights) that
  has not been disclosed to Company's auditors, which, if so disclosed, would
  cause such auditors to recommend or require that Company restate its financial
  statements to so conform. The reserves on the Company's financial statements
  for obsolete inventory and warranty returns conform to GAAP and, in the
  judgment of Company management, are adequate.

          (c) Interim Financial Statements.  Company has delivered to Parent
              ----------------------------                                  
  copies of Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of May 29, 1999
  and income statement and statement of cash flows for the two months ended May
  29, 1999.  Such financial statements: (i) are in accordance with the books and
  records of Company; (ii) fairly present in all material respects Company's
  financial condition at the date therein indicated and the results of
  operations for the period therein indicated and the results of operations for
  the period therein specified; and (iii) have been prepared in accordance with
  GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except for the absence of any footnotes
  required by GAAP).

          (d) Amendments.  Company has heretofore furnished to Parent a complete
              ----------                                                        
  and correct copy of any amendments or modifications, which have not yet been
  filed with the SEC but which are required to be filed, to agreements,
  documents or other instruments which previously had been filed by Company with
  the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

     2.8  Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Since the date of the Company
          ------------------------------------                                
  Balance Sheet there has not been:

          (a)  any Material Adverse Effect with respect to Company;

          (b)  any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend on, or
  other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of, any of
  Company's or any of its subsidiaries' capital stock, or any purchase,
  redemption or other acquisition by Company of any of Company's capital stock
  or any other securities of Company or its subsidiaries or any options,
  warrants, calls or rights to acquire any such shares or other securities
  except for repurchases from employees following their termination pursuant to
  the terms of their pre-existing stock option or purchase agreements;

          (c)  any split, combination or reclassification of any of Company's or
  any of its subsidiaries' capital stock;

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  any granting by Company or any of its subsidiaries of any
  increase in compensation or fringe benefits to any of their officers or
  employees (except for increases in compensation to employees that are not
  officers or directors, in the ordinary course of business consistent with
  prior practice), or any payment by Company or any of its subsidiaries of any
  bonus to any of their officers or employees (except for payments made to non-
  officer employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
  practices), or any granting by Company or any of its subsidiaries of any
  increase in severance or termination pay or any entry by Company or any of its
  subsidiaries into, or material modification or amendment of, any currently
  effective employment, severance, termination or indemnification agreement or
  any agreement the benefits of which are contingent or the terms of which are
  materially altered upon the occurrence of a transaction involving Company of
  the nature contemplated hereby;

          (e)  any material change or alteration in the policy of Company
  relating to the granting of stock options to its employees and consultants;

          (f)  any material change by Company in its accounting methods,
  principles or practices, except as required by concurrent changes in GAAP; or

          (g)  any revaluation by Company of any of its assets, including,
  without limitation, writing off notes or accounts receivable other than in the
  ordinary course of business.

     2.9  Taxes.
          ----- 

          (a)  Definition of Taxes.  For the purposes of this Agreement, "Tax" 
               -------------------    
  or "Taxes" refers to (i) any and all federal, state, local and foreign taxes,
  assessments and other governmental charges, duties, impositions and
  liabilities relating to taxes, including taxes based upon or measured by gross
  receipts, income, profits, sales, use and occupation, and value added, ad
  valorem, transfer, franchise, withholding, payroll, recapture, employment,
  excise and property taxes, together with all interest, penalties and additions
  imposed with respect to such amounts and (ii) any liability for payment of any
  amounts of the type described in clause (i) as a result of being a member of
  an affiliated consolidated, combined or unitary group.

          (b)  Tax Returns and Audits.  In each case except as set forth in Part
               ----------------------                                           
  2.9 of the Company Disclosure Letter:

               (i)   Company and each of its subsidiaries have timely filed all
     federal, state, local and foreign returns, estimates, information
     statements and reports ("Returns") relating to Taxes required to be filed
     by or on behalf of Company and each of its subsidiaries with any Tax
     authority, such Returns are true, correct and complete in all material
     respects, and Company and each of its subsidiaries have paid all Taxes
     shown to be due on such Returns;

               (ii)  Company and each of its subsidiaries have withheld with
     respect to its employees all federal and state income taxes, Taxes pursuant
     to the Federal Insurance 

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
     Contribution Act ("FICA"), Taxes pursuant to the Federal Unemployment Tax
     Act ("FUTA") and other Taxes required to be withheld;

               (iii)  Neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been
     delinquent in the payment of any Tax nor is there any Tax deficiency
     outstanding, proposed or assessed against Company or any of its
     subsidiaries, nor has Company or any of its subsidiaries executed any
     unexpired waiver of any statute of limitations on or extending the period
     for the assessment or collection of any Tax;

               (iv)   No audit or other examination of any Return of Company or
     any of its subsidiaries by any Tax authority is presently in progress, nor
     has Company or any of its subsidiaries been notified of any request for
     such an audit or other examination;

               (v)    No adjustment relating to any Returns filed by Company or
     any of its subsidiaries has been proposed in writing formally or informally
     by any Tax authority to Company or any of its subsidiaries or any
     representative thereof;

               (vi)   Neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any
     liability for unpaid Taxes which has not been accrued for or reserved on
     the Company Balance Sheet, whether asserted or unasserted, contingent or
     otherwise, which is material to Company, other than any liability for
     unpaid Taxes that may have accrued since the date of the Company Balance
     Sheet in connection with the operation of the business of Company and its
     subsidiaries in the ordinary course;

               (vii)  There is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement to
     which Company is a party, including but not limited to the provisions of
     this Agreement and the agreements entered into in connection with this
     Agreement, covering any employee or former employee of Company or any of
     its subsidiaries that, individually or collectively, would give rise to the
     payment of any amount that would not be deductible pursuant to Sections
     280G, 404 or 162(m) of the Code; there is no contract, agreement, plan or
     arrangement to which Company is a party or by which it is bound to
     compensate any individual for excise taxes paid pursuant to Section 4999 of
     the Code;

               (viii) Neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries has filed any
     consent agreement under Section 341(f) of the Code or agreed to have
     Section 341(f)(2) of the Code apply to any disposition of a subsection (f)
     asset (as defined in Section 341(f)(4) of the Code) owned by Company;

               (ix)   Neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries is party to or
     has any obligation under any tax-sharing, tax indemnity or tax allocation
     agreement or arrangement among members of an affiliated group other than
     the affiliated group that includes the Company on the date immediately
     preceding the Closing Date;

               (x)    Except as may be required as a result of the Merger,
     Company and its subsidiaries have not been and will not be required to
     include any adjustment in Taxable income for any Tax period (or portion
     thereof) pursuant to Section 481 or 

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 263A of the Code or any comparable provision under state or foreign
     Tax laws as a result of transactions, events or accounting methods employed
     prior to the Closing;

               (xi)   Company has made available to Parent or its legal or
     accounting representatives copies of all foreign, federal and state income
     tax and all state sales and use tax Returns for Company and each of its
     subsidiaries filed for all open periods; and

               (xii)  There are no liens, pledges, charges, claims, restrictions
     on transfer, mortgages, security interests or other Encumbrances of any
     sort (collectively, "Liens") on the assets of Company or any subsidiary
     relating to or attributable to Taxes, other than Liens for Taxes not yet
     due and payable.

     2.10 Title to Properties; Absence of Liens and Encumbrances.
          ------------------------------------------------------ 

          (a) Company owns no real property interests except as set forth in
  Part 2.10 of the Company Disclosure Letter.  Part 2.10 of the Company
  Disclosure Letter list all real property leases to which Company is a party
  and each amendment thereto that is in effect as of the date of this Agreement.
  All such current leases are in full force and effect, are valid and effective
  in accordance with their respective terms, and there is not, under any of such
  leases, any existing default or event of default (or event which with notice
  or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) that would give rise to
  a claim against Company in an amount greater than $50,000.  Other than the
  leaseholds created under the real property leases identified in Part 2.10 of
  the Company Disclosure Letter, Company and its subsidiaries own no interest in
  real property.

          (b) Company has good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased
  properties and assets, valid leasehold interests in, all of its tangible
  properties and assets, real, personal and mixed, used or held for use in its
  business, free and clear of any Liens, except as reflected in the Company
  Financials and except for liens for taxes not yet due and payable and such
  Liens or other imperfections of title and Encumbrances, if any, which are not
  material in character, amount or extent, and which do not materially detract
  from the value, or materially interfere with the present use, of the property
  subject thereto or affected thereby.

     2.11 Intellectual Property.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the
          ---------------------                                          
following terms have the following definitions:

          "Intellectual Property" shall mean any or all of the following and all
           ---------------------                                                
     rights in, arising out of; or associated therewith: (i) all United States,
     international and foreign patents and applications therefor and all
     reissues, divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, continuations and
     continuations-in-part thereof; (ii) all inventions (whether patentable or
     not), invention disclosures, improvements, trade secrets, proprietary
     information, know how, technology, technical data and customer lists, and
     all documentation relating to any of the foregoing; (iii) all copyrights,
     copyrights registrations and applications therefor, and all other rights
     corresponding thereto throughout the world; (iv) all industrial designs and
     any registrations and applications therefor throughout the world; (v) all
     trade names, Internet or World Wide Web URLs, 

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
     Internet domain names, logos, common law trademarks and service marks,
     trademark and service mark registrations and applications therefor
     throughout the world; (vi) all databases and data collections and all
     rights therein throughout the world; (vii) all moral and economic rights of
     authors and inventors, however denominated, throughout the world, and
     (viii) any similar or equivalent rights to any of the foregoing anywhere in
     the world.

          "Company Intellectual Property" shall mean any Intellectual Property
           -----------------------------                                      
     that is owned by, or exclusively licensed to, Company or one of its
     subsidiaries.

          "Registered Intellectual Property" means all United States,
           --------------------------------                          
     international and foreign:  (i) patents and patent applications (including
     provisional applications); (ii) registered trademarks, applications to
     register trademarks, intent-to-use applications, or other registrations or
     applications related to trademarks; (iii) registered copyrights and
     applications for copyright registration; and (iv) any other Intellectual
     Property that is the subject of an application, certificate, filing,
     registration or other document issued, filed with, or recorded by any
     state, government or other public legal authority.

          "Company Registered Intellectual Property" means all of the Registered
           ----------------------------------------                             
     Intellectual Property owned by, or filed in the name of, Company or one of
     its subsidiaries.

          (a) Good Title Generally.  Company or one of its subsidiaries owns and
              --------------------                                              
  has good and exclusive title to, or has license (sufficient for the conduct of
  its business as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted) to, each
  material item of Company Intellectual Property free and clear of any lien or
  Encumbrance (excluding licenses and related restrictions and restrictions
  imposed by law); and Company or one of its subsidiaries is the exclusive owner
  of all trademarks and trade names used in connection with the operation or
  conduct of the business of Company and its subsidiaries, including the sale of
  any Company-owned products or the provision of any services by Company and its
  subsidiaries. Company or one of its subsidiaries owns exclusively, and has
  good title to, all copyrighted works that are Company-owned products
  (excluding services provided), or which Company otherwise expressly purports
  to own.  There are no royalties, honoraria, fees or other payments payable by
  Company to any person or entity by reason of the ownership, use, license, sale
  or disposition of the Company Intellectual Property.

          (b) Patent, Copyright, Trademark.  Part 2.11(b) of the Company
              ----------------------------                              
  Disclosure Letter sets forth all patents, patent applications, copyright
  registrations, copyright applications, trademark registrations and trademark
  applications pertaining to the Company Intellectual Property.  Each material
  item of Company Registered Intellectual Property is valid and subsisting, all
  necessary registration, maintenance and renewal fees currently due in
  connection with such Company Registered Intellectual Property have been made
  and all necessary documents, recordations and certificates in connection with
  such Registered Intellectual Property have been filed with the relevant
  patent, copyright, trademark or other authorities in the United States or
  foreign jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purposes of maintaining
  such Registered Intellectual Property.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
          (c) Trade Secrets.  Company and its subsidiaries have taken reasonable
              -------------                                                     
  steps to protect Company's and its subsidiaries' rights in Company's and such
  subsidiaries' confidential information and trade secrets that they wish to
  protect or any trade secrets or confidential information of third parties
  provided to Company or such subsidiaries, and, without limiting the foregoing,
  Company and its subsidiaries have and enforce a policy requiring each employee
  and contractor to execute a proprietary information/confidentiality agreement
  substantially in the form provided to Parent and, to the knowledge of Company,
  all current and former employees and contractors of Company and its
  subsidiaries have executed such an agreement.

          (d) Domain Names and URLs.  Part 2.11(d) of the Company Disclosure
              ---------------------                                         
  Letter sets forth a list of all Internet domain names and all Internet and
  World Wide Web URLs owned and used by Company in its business.  Company and
  its subsidiaries have, and after the Effective Time the Surviving Corporation
  will have, a valid registration and all material rights (free of any material
  restriction) in and to all domain names and URLs used by them in their
  respective businesses including, without limitation, all rights necessary to
  continue to conduct Company's business as it is currently conducted under such
  names.

          (e) Third Party IP.  To the extent that any work, material or
              --------------                                           
  invention has been developed or created by a third party for Company or any of
  its subsidiaries, Company or its subsidiaries, as the case may be, has a
  written agreement with such third party under all of its Intellectual Property
  with respect thereto and Company or its subsidiary thereby either (i) has
  obtained ownership of and is the exclusive owner of such work, material, or
  invention, or (ii) has obtained a license (sufficient for the conduct of its
  business as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted) under all
  such third party's Intellectual Property in such work, material or invention
  by operation of law or by valid assignment, to the fullest extent it is
  legally possible to do so.

          (f) Transfers of IP.  Part 2.11(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter
              ---------------                                                
  lists all material contracts, licenses and agreements to which Company is a
  party (i) with respect to Company Intellectual Property licensed or
  transferred to any third party (other than end-user licenses in the ordinary
  course); or (ii) pursuant to which a third party has licensed or transferred
  any material Intellectual Property to Company. Neither Company nor any of its
  subsidiaries has transferred ownership of, or granted any exclusive license
  with respect to, any Intellectual Property that is or was material Company
  Intellectual Property, to any third party.

          (g) No Infringement of Company IP.  To the knowledge of Company, no
              -----------------------------                                  
  Company Intellectual Property or product or service of Company is subject to
  any proceeding or outstanding decree, order, judgment, agreement, or
  stipulation restricting in any manner the use, transfer, or licensing thereof
  by Company, or which may affect the validity, use or enforceability of such
  Company Intellectual Property. To the knowledge of Company, no person has or
  is infringing or misappropriating any Company Intellectual Property.

          (h) Company Infringement of Third Party IP.  To the knowledge of
              --------------------------------------                      
  Company, the operation of the business of Company as such business currently
  is conducted, including 

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
  Company's design, development, marketing and sale of the products or services
  of Company (including with respect to products currently under development)
  has not, does not and will not infringe or misappropriate the Intellectual
  Property of any third party or, to its knowledge, constitute unfair
  competition or trade practices under the laws of any jurisdiction. Company has
  not received notice from any third party that the operation of the business of
  Company or any act, product or service of Company, infringes or
  misappropriates the Intellectual Property of any third party or constitutes
  unfair competition or trade practices under the laws of any jurisdiction.

          (i) Effect of Merger.  Company has entered into or acquired all
              ----------------                                           
  contracts, licenses, and agreements reasonably required to conduct Company's
  business as it is conducted as of the Closing Date.  All material contracts,
  licenses and agreements relating to the Company Intellectual Property to which
  Company or any subsidiary is party or by which Company or any subsidiary is
  bound are in full force and effect.  The consummation of the transactions
  contemplated by this Agreement will neither violate nor result in the breach,
  modification, cancellation, termination, or suspension of such contracts,
  licenses and agreements.  Company and each of its subsidiaries are in material
  compliance with, and have not materially breached any term of any of such
  contracts, licenses and agreements and, to the knowledge of Company and its
  subsidiaries, all other parties to such contracts, licenses and agreements are
  in compliance in all material respects with, and have not materially breached
  any term of, such contracts, licenses and agreements.  Following the Closing
  Date, the Surviving Corporation will be permitted to exercise all of Company's
  rights under such contracts, licenses and agreements to the same extent
  Company would have been able to had the transactions contemplated by this
  Agreement not occurred and without the payment of any additional amounts or
  consideration other than ongoing fees, royalties or payments which Company
  would otherwise be required to pay.

          (j) Year 2000.  Company has taken reasonable steps to ensure that its
              ---------                                                        
  systems and technology will record, store, process, calculate and present
  calendar dates falling on and after (and if applicable, spans of time
  including) January 1, 2000, and will calculate any information dependent on or
  relating to such dates in the same manner, and with the same functionality,
  data integrity and performance, as the systems and technology record, store,
  process, calculate and present calendar dates on or before December 31, 1999,
  or calculate any information dependent on or relating to such dates
  (collectively, "Year 2000 Compliant").  Company has taken reasonable steps to
  ensure that its systems, services and technology will lose no functionality
  with respect to the introduction of records containing dates falling on or
  after January 1, 2000.  Except as set forth on Part 2.11(j) of the Company
  Disclosure Letter, all of Company's and its subsidiaries' internal computer
  and technology systems and services which are critical to the operation of its
  business are Year 2000 Compliant.  Except as set forth on Part 2.11(j) of the
  Company Disclosure Letter, the Company Intellectual Property owned by the
  Company or any subsidiary is Year 2000 Compliant.  Company has no knowledge
  that any Company Intellectual Property licensed by Company or any subsidiary
  is not Year 2000 Compliant.  Neither the Company Intellectual Property owned
  by the Company or any subsidiary nor any service of Company or any 

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
  subsidiary contains any significant defect in connection with processing data
  containing dates in leap years or in the year 2000 or any preceding or
  following years.

     2.12 Compliance with Laws; Permits; Restrictions.
          ------------------------------------------- 

          (a) Neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, in any material
  respect, in conflict with, or in default or in violation of (i) any law, rule,
  regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to Company or any of its
  subsidiaries or by which Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
  respective properties is bound or affected, or (ii) any material note, bond,
  mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or
  other instrument or obligation to which Company or any of its subsidiaries is
  a party or by which Company or any of its subsidiaries or its or any of their
  respective properties is bound or affected, except for conflicts, violations
  and defaults that (individually or in the aggregate) would not cause Company
  to lose any material benefit or incur any material liability.  No
  investigation or review by any Governmental Entity is pending or, to Company's
  knowledge, has been threatened in a writing delivered to Company against
  Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor, to Company's knowledge, has any
  Governmental Entity indicated an intention to conduct an investigation of
  Company or any of its subsidiaries.  There is no material agreement, judgment,
  injunction, order or decree binding upon Company or any of its subsidiaries
  which has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or
  materially impairing any business practice of Company or any of its
  subsidiaries, any acquisition of material property by Company or any of its
  subsidiaries or the conduct of business by Company as currently conducted.

          (b) Company and its subsidiaries hold, to the extent legally required,
  all permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals from
  governmental authorities that are material to and required for the operation
  of the business of Company as currently conducted (collectively, the "Company
  Permits").  Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material
  respects with the terms of the Company Permits.

     2.13 Litigation.  There are no claims, suits, actions or proceedings
          ----------                                                     
pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against, relating to or
affecting Company or any of its subsidiaries, before any court, governmental
department, commission, agency, instrumentality or authority, or any arbitrator
that seeks to restrain or enjoin the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or which could reasonably be expected, either
singularly or in the aggregate with all such claims, actions or proceedings, to
be material to Company or to the Surviving Corporation following the Merger or
have a material adverse effect on the ability of the parties hereto to
consummate the Merger.  No Governmental Entity has at any time challenged or
questioned in a writing delivered to Company the legal right of Company to
design, offer or sell any of its products or services in the present manner or
style thereof.  As of the date hereof, to the knowledge of Company, no event has
occurred, and no claim, dispute or other condition or circumstance exists, that
will, or that would reasonably be expected to, cause or provide a bona fide
basis for a director or executive officer of Company to seek indemnification
from Company.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
     2.14 Employee Benefit Plans.
          ---------------------- 

          (a)  Definitions.  With the exception of the definitions of
               -----------                                           
  "Affiliate," "Employee" and "Employee Agreement" set forth in Section
  2.14(a)(i), (v) and (vi) below (which definition shall apply only to this
  Section 2.14), for purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have
  the meanings set forth below:

               (i)    "Affiliate" shall mean any other person or entity under
     common control with Company within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m)
     or (o) of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder;

               (ii)   "Company Employee Plan" shall mean any plan, program,
     policy, practice, contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for
     compensation, severance, termination pay, performance awards, stock or
     stock-related awards, fringe benefits or other employee benefits or
     remuneration of any kind, whether written or unwritten, funded or unfunded,
     including without limitation, each "employee benefit plan," within the
     meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or has been maintained,
     contributed to, or required to be contributed to, by Company or any
     Affiliate for the benefit of any Employee;

               (iii)  "COBRA" shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
     Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended;

               (iv)   "DOL" shall mean the Department of Labor;

               (v)    "Employee" shall mean any current, former, or retired
     employee, officer, or director of Company or any Affiliate;

               (vi)   "Employee Agreement" shall mean each management,
     employment, severance, consulting, relocation, repatriation, expatriation,
     visas, work permit or similar agreement or contract between Company or any
     Affiliate and any Employee or consultant;

               (vii)  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security
     Act of 1974, as amended;

               (viii) "FMLA" shall mean the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, as
     amended;

               (ix)   "International Employee Plan" shall mean each Company
     Employee Plan that has been adopted or maintained by Company, whether
     informally or formally, for the benefit of Employees outside the United
     States;

               (x)    "IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service;

               (xi)   "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean any "Pension Plan" (as
     defined below) which is a "multiemployer plan," as defined in Section 3(37)
     of ERISA;

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
               (xii)   "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty
     Corporation; and

               (xiii)  "Pension Plan" shall mean each Company Employee Plan
     which is an "employee pension benefit plan," within the meaning of Section
     3(2) of ERISA.

          (b)  List of Plans and Agreements. Part 2.14 of the Company Disclosure
               ----------------------------
  Letter contains an accurate and complete list of each Company Employee Plan
  and each Employee Agreement. Company does not have any plan or commitment to
  establish any new Company Employee Plan, to modify any Company Employee Plan
  or Employee Agreement (except to the extent required by law or to conform any
  such Company Employee Plan or Employee Agreement to the requirements of any
  applicable law, in each case as previously disclosed to Parent in writing, or
  as required by this Agreement), or to enter into any Company Employee Plan or
  Employee Agreement, nor does it have any intention or commitment to do any of
  the foregoing.

          (c)  Documents.  Except as set forth in Part 2.14 of the Company
               ---------                                                  
  Disclosure Letter, Company has provided to Parent:  (i) correct and complete
  copies of each Company Employee Plan and each Employee Agreement including all
  amendments thereto and written interpretations thereof; (ii) the most recent
  annual actuarial valuations, if any, prepared for each Company Employee Plan;
  (iii) the three (3) most recent annual reports (Form Series 5500 and all
  schedules and financial statements attached thereto), if any, required under
  ERISA or the Code in connection with each Company Employee Plan or related
  trust; (iv) if the Company Employee Plan is funded, the most recent annual and
  periodic accounting of Company Employee Plan assets; (v) the most recent
  summary plan description together with the summary of material modifications
  thereto, if any, required under ERISA with respect to each Company Employee
  Plan; (vi) all IRS determination, opinion, notification and advisory letters,
  and rulings relating to Company Employee Plans; (vii) all material written
  agreements and contracts relating to each Company Employee Plan, including,
  but not limited to, administrative service agreements, group annuity contracts
  and group insurance contracts; (viii) all written communications material to
  any Employee or Employees relating to any Company Employee Plan and any
  proposed Company Employee Plans, in each case, relating to any amendments,
  terminations, establishments, increases or decreases in benefits, acceleration
  of payments or vesting schedules or other events which would result in any
  material liability to Company; (ix) all COBRA forms and related notices
  currently in use; and (x) all registration statements and prospectuses
  prepared in connection with each Company Employee Plan.

          (d)  Employee Plan Compliance. Except as set forth in Part 2.14 of the
               ------------------------                                         
  Company Disclosure Letter, (i) Company has performed in all material respects
  all obligations required to be performed by it under, is not in default or
  violation of; and has no knowledge of any default or violation by any other
  party to each Company Employee Plan, and each Company Employee Plan has been
  established and maintained in all material respects in accordance with its
  terms and in compliance with all applicable laws, statutes, orders, rules and
  regulations, including but not limited to ERISA or the Code; (ii) each Company
  Employee Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code and each
  trust 

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
  intended to qualify under Section 501(a) of the Code has either received a
  favorable determination letter from the IRS with respect to each such Plan as
  to its qualified status under the Code or has remaining a period of time under
  applicable Treasury regulations or IRS pronouncements in which to apply for
  such a determination letter and make any amendments necessary to obtain a
  favorable determination and no event has occurred which would adversely affect
  the status of such determination letter or the qualified status of such Plan;
  (iii) no "prohibited transaction," within the meaning of Section 4975 of the
  Code or Sections 406 and 407 of ERISA, and not otherwise exempt under Section
  408 of ERISA, has occurred with respect to any Company Employee Plan; (iv)
  there are no actions, suits or claims pending, or, to the knowledge of
  Company, threatened or reasonably anticipated (other than routine claims for
  benefits) against any Company Employee Plan or against the assets of any
  Company Employee Plan; (v) each Company Employee Plan can be amended,
  terminated or otherwise discontinued after the Effective Time in accordance
  with its terms, without liability to Parent, Company or any of its Affiliates
  (other than ordinary administration expenses typically incurred in a
  termination event); (vi) there are no audits, inquiries or proceedings pending
  or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened by the IRS or DOL with respect to
  any Company Employee Plan; and (vii) neither Company nor any Affiliate is
  subject to any penalty or tax with respect to any Company Employee Plan under
  Section 402(i) of ERISA or Sections 4975 through 4980 of the Code.

          (e) Pension Plans.  Company does not now, nor has it ever, maintained,
              -------------                                                     
  established, sponsored, participated in, or contributed to, any Pension Plan
  which is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code.

          (f) Multiemployer Plans.  At no time has Company contributed to or
              -------------------                                           
  been requested to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan.

          (g) No Post-Employment Obligations.  No Company Employee Plan
              ------------------------------                           
  provides, or has any liability to provide, retiree life insurance, retiree
  health or other retiree employee welfare benefits to any person for any
  reason, except as may be required by COBRA or other applicable statute, and
  Company has never represented, promised or contracted (whether in oral or
  written form) to any Employee (either individually or to Employees as a group)
  or any other person that such Employee(s) or other person would be provided
  with retiree life insurance, retiree health or other retiree employee welfare
  benefit, except to the extent required by statute.

          (h) COBRA; FMLA.  Neither Company nor, to Company's knowledge, any
              -----------                                                   
  Affiliate has, prior to the Effective Time, and in any material respect,
  violated any of the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, any
  material requirements of FMLA or any material provisions of any similar
  provisions of state law applicable to its Employees.

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  All contributions due from the Company and any Affiliate with
  respect to any of the Company Employee Plans have been made or accrued on the
  Company Balance Sheet or arose after the date of the Company Balance Sheet in
  the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices.

          (j)  Effect of Transaction.
               --------------------- 

               (i) The execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby will not (either alone or upon the
     occurrence of any additional or subsequent events) constitute an event
     under any Company Employee Plan or Employee Agreement, or a related trust
     or loan, that will or may result in any payment (whether of severance pay
     or otherwise), acceleration, forgiveness of indebtedness, vesting,
     distribution, increase in benefits or obligation to fund benefits with
     respect to any Employee.

               (ii) No payment or benefit which will or may be made by Company
     or its Affiliates with respect to any Employee as a result of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be characterized as an
     "excess parachute payment," within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the
     Code.

          (k)  Employment Matters. Company and each of its subsidiaries: (i) is
               ------------------  
  in compliance in all material respects with all applicable foreign, federal,
  state and local laws, rules and regulations respecting employment, employment
  practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, in each
  case, with respect to Employees; (ii) has withheld all amounts required by law
  or by agreement to be withheld from the wages, salaries and other payments to
  Employees; (iii) has properly classified independent contractors for purposes
  of federal and applicable state tax laws, laws applicable to employee benefits
  and other applicable laws; (iv) is not liable for any arrears of wages or any
  taxes or any penalty for failure to comply with any of the foregoing; and (v)
  is not liable for any material payment to any trust or other fund or to any
  governmental or administrative authority, with respect to unemployment
  compensation benefits, social security or other benefits or obligations for
  Employees (other than routine payments to be made in the normal course of
  business and consistent with past practice). There are no pending, or, to
  Company's knowledge, threatened or reasonably anticipated claims or actions
  against Company under any worker's compensation policy or long-term disability
  policy. To Company's knowledge, no Employee of Company has violated any
  employment contract, nondisclosure agreement or noncompetition agreement by
  which such Employee is bound due to such Employee being employed by Company or
  disclosing to Company or using trade secrets or proprietary information of any
  other person or entity.

          (l)  Labor.  No work stoppage or labor strike against Company is
               -----                                                      
  pending, threatened or reasonably anticipated.  Company does not know of any
  activities or proceedings of any labor union to organize any Employees.  There
  are no actions, suits, claims, labor disputes or grievances pending, or, to
  the knowledge of Company, threatened or reasonably anticipated relating to any
  labor, safety or discrimination matters involving any Employee, including,
  without limitation, charges of unfair labor practices or discrimination

                                     -26-
<PAGE>
 
  complaints, which, if adversely determined, would, individually or in the
  aggregate, result in any material liability to Company. Neither Company nor
  any of its subsidiaries has engaged in any unfair labor practices within the
  meaning of the National Labor Relations Act. Company is not presently, nor has
  it been in the past, a party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining
  agreement or union contract with respect to Employees and no collective
  bargaining agreement is being negotiated by Company. All Company employees are
  legally permitted to be employed by Company in the United States of America.

     2.15 Environmental Matters.
          --------------------- 

          (a) Hazardous Material.  Except as would not result in material
              ------------------                                         
  liability to Company, no underground storage tanks and no amount of any
  substance that has been designated by any Governmental Entity or by applicable
  federal, state or local law to be radioactive, toxic, hazardous or otherwise a
  danger to health or the environment, including, without limitation, PCBs,
  asbestos, petroleum, urea-formaldehyde and all substances listed as hazardous
  substances pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
  and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, or defined as a hazardous waste
  pursuant to the United States Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976,
  as amended, and the regulations promulgated pursuant to said laws, but
  excluding office and janitorial supplies, (a "Hazardous Material") are
  present, as a result of the actions of Company or any of its subsidiaries or
  any affiliate of Company, or, to Company's knowledge, as a result of any
  actions of any third party or otherwise, in, on or under any property,
  including the land and the improvements, ground water and surface water
  thereof that Company or any of its subsidiaries has at any time owned,
  operated, occupied or leased.

          (b) Hazardous Materials Activities.  Except as would not result in a
              ------------------------------                                  
  material liability to Company (in any individual case or in the aggregate) (i)
  neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries has transported, stored, used,
  manufactured, disposed of released or exposed its employees or others to
  Hazardous Materials in violation of any law in effect on or before the Closing
  Date, and (ii) neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries has disposed of;
  transported, sold, used, released, exposed its employees or others to or
  manufactured any product containing a Hazardous Material (collectively
  "Hazardous Materials Activities") in violation of any rule, regulation, treaty
  or statute promulgated by any Governmental Entity in effect prior to or as of
  the date hereof to prohibit, regulate or control Hazardous Materials or any
  Hazardous Material Activity.

          (c) Permits.  Company and its subsidiaries currently hold all
              -------                                                  
  environmental approvals, permits, licenses, clearances and consents (the
  "Company Environmental Permits") material to and necessary for the conduct of
  Company's and its subsidiaries' Hazardous Material Activities and other
  businesses of Company and its subsidiaries as such activities and businesses
  are currently being conducted.

          (d) Environmental Liabilities.  No action, proceeding, revocation
              -------------------------                                    
  proceeding, amendment procedure, writ or injunction is pending, and to
  Company's knowledge, no action, proceeding, revocation proceeding, amendment
  procedure, writ or injunction has been threatened by any Governmental Entity
  against Company or any of its subsidiaries in a 

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
  writing delivered to Company concerning any Company Environmental Permit,
  Hazardous Material or any Hazardous Materials Activity of Company or any of
  its subsidiaries. Company is not aware of any fact or circumstance which could
  involve Company or any of its subsidiaries in any environmental litigation or
  impose upon Company any material environmental liability.

     2.16 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments.  Except as otherwise set forth
          -------------------------------------                                
in Part 2.16 of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by:

          (a) any employment agreement, contract or commitment with any employee
  or member of Company's Board of Directors, other than those that are
  terminable by Company or any of its subsidiaries on no more than thirty days
  notice without liability or financial obligation, except to the extent general
  principles of wrongful termination law may limit Company's or any of its
  subsidiaries' ability to terminate employees at will, or any consulting
  agreement;

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

          (c) any agreement of indemnification, any guaranty or any instrument
  evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money by way of direct loan, sale of debt
  securities, purchase money obligation, conditional sale, or otherwise;

          (d) any agreement, obligation or commitment containing covenants
  purporting to limit or which effectively limit Company's or any of its
  subsidiaries' freedom to compete in any line of business or in any geographic
  area or which would so limit Company or Surviving Corporation or any of its
  subsidiaries or any employees of any thereof after the Effective Time or
  granting any exclusive distribution or other exclusive rights;

          (e) any agreement, contract or commitment currently in force relating
  to the disposition or acquisition by Company or any of its subsidiaries after
  the date of this Agreement of a material amount of assets not in the ordinary
  course of business or pursuant to which Company has any material ownership
  interest in any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business
  enterprise other than Company's subsidiaries;

          (f) any licensing, distribution, sponsorship, advertising, merchant
  program or other similar agreement to which Company or one of its subsidiaries
  is a party which (i) may not be canceled by Company or its subsidiaries, as
  the case may be, without penalty upon notice of 30 days or less, and (ii)
  which provides for payments by or to Company or its subsidiaries in an amount
  in excess of $100,000 over the term of the agreement or which is (or could
  reasonably be expected to become) material to Company;

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
          (g) any agreement, contract or commitment currently in force to
  provide source code to any third party for any product or technology; or

          (h) any other agreement, contract or commitment currently in effect
  that is material to Company's business as presently conducted and proposed to
  be conducted.

     Neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor to Company's knowledge any
other party to a Company Contract (as defined below), is in breach, violation or
default under, and neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received
written notice that it has breached, violated or defaulted under, any of the
material terms or conditions of any of the agreements, contracts or commitments
to which Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound
that are required to be disclosed in the Company Disclosure Letter pursuant to
clauses (a) through (h) above or pursuant to Section 2.11 hereof or are required
to be filed with any Company SEC Report (any such agreement, contract or
commitment, a "Company Contract") in such a manner as would permit any other
party to cancel or terminate any such Company Contract, or would permit any
other party to seek material damages or other remedies (for any or all of such
breaches, violations or defaults, in the aggregate).

     The agreements set forth in Part 2.16(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter
have, to Company's knowledge, been executed by each party thereto in the form
provided to Parent.

     2.17 Change of Control Payments.  Part 2.17 of the Company Disclosure
          --------------------------                                      
Letter set forth each plan or agreement pursuant to which any amounts may become
payable (whether currently or in the future) to current or former officers and
directors of Company as a result of or in connection with the Merger.

     2.18 Insurance.  Company and each of its subsidiaries have policies of
          ---------                                                        
insurance and bonds of the type and in amounts customarily carried by persons
conducting business or owing assets similar to those of Company and its
subsidiaries.  There is no material claim pending under any of such policies or
bonds as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the
underwriters of such policies or bonds.  All premiums due and payable under all
such policies have been paid and Company and its subsidiaries are otherwise in
compliance in all material respects with the terms of such policies and bonds.
To the knowledge of Company, there has been no threatened termination of, or
material premium increase with respect to, any of such policies.

     2.19 Customers and Suppliers.
          ----------------------- 

          (a) Customers.  Neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
              ---------                                                  
  received any notice or other communication (in writing or otherwise), or
  received any other information, indicating that customers representing a
  material portion of Company's and its subsidiaries' revenues may cease dealing
  with Company or its subsidiaries or may otherwise reduce the volume of
  business transacted by such person or entity with Company and its subsidiaries
  below historical levels.

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
          (b) Accounts Receivable.  Part 2.19 of the Company Disclosure Letter
              -------------------                                             
  provides an accurate and complete breakdown and aging of the accounts
  receivable and notes receivable of each customer of Company and its
  subsidiaries and a list of all other receivables of Company and its
  subsidiaries as of July 3, 1999, categorized by period of aging (30, 60, 90 or
  120 more days).

          (c) Suppliers. As of the date of this Agreement, no material supplier
              ---------                                                        
  of Company has indicated that it will stop or materially decrease the rate of
  supplying materials, products or services to Company.

     2.20 Disclosure.  The information supplied by Company for inclusion in the
          ----------                                                           
Form S-4 (or any similar successor form thereto) Registration Statement to be
filed by Parent with the SEC in connection with the issuance of Parent Common
Stock in the Merger (the "Registration Statement") shall not at the time the
Registration Statement is filed with the SEC and at the time it becomes
effective under the Securities Act contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading.  The information supplied by Company
for inclusion in the proxy statement/prospectus to be sent to the shareholders
of Company in connection with the meeting of Company's shareholders to consider
the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger (the
"Company Shareholders' Meeting") and the meeting of Parent's stockholders to
consider the approval of the issuance of the shares of Parent Common Stock
pursuant to the Merger and an amendment to Parent's Certificate of Incorporation
to change the name of Parent to "Egghead.com, Inc.," effective at the Effective
Time, and to increase the authorized number of shares of Parent Common Stock so
as to permit the transactions contemplated hereby, subject to and upon
consummation of the Merger (such proxy statement/prospectus as amended or
supplemented is referred to herein as the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus") shall
not, on the date the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed to Company's
shareholders, at the time of the Company Shareholders' Meeting or as of the
Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made,
not false or misleading; or omit to state any material fact necessary to correct
any statement in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of
proxies for the Company Shareholders' Meeting which has become false or
misleading.  The Proxy Statement/Prospectus will comply as to form in all
material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder.  If at any time prior to the Effective
Time any event relating to Company or any of its affiliates, officers or
directors should be discovered by Company which is required to be set forth in
an amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, Company shall promptly inform Parent.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any
information supplied by Parent or Merger Sub which is contained in any of the
foregoing documents.

     2.21 Board Approval.  The Board of Directors of Company has, as of the date
          --------------                                                        
of this Agreement, determined (i) that the Merger is advisable and fair to, and
in the best interests of 

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
Company and its shareholders, and (ii) to recommend that the shareholders of
Company approve and adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger.

     2.22 Fairness Opinion. Company's Board of Directors has received a written
          ----------------                                                     
opinion from its financial advisor, Hambrecht & Quist LLC, dated as of the date
hereof, to the effect that the consideration to be received by Company's
shareholders in connection with the Merger is fair to Company's shareholders
from a financial point of view, and has delivered to Parent a copy of such
opinion.

     2.23 Brokers' and Finders' Fees.  Except for fees payable to Hambrecht &
          --------------------------                                         
Quist LLC, pursuant to an engagement letter dated June 30, 1999, a copy of which
has been provided to Parent, Company has not incurred, nor will it incur,
directly or indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finders' fees or agents'
commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement or any
transaction contemplated hereby.

     2.24 Merger Statutes.  Except for Chapter 23B.11 of the Washington Business
          ---------------                                                       
Corporation Act, no Washington statute or regulation restricting or governing
mergers or business combinations applies to the Merger, this Agreement, or any
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     2.25 Affiliates.  Part 2.25 of the Company Di