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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.           )

Filed by the Registrant ý

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

o
 
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

o
 
Definitive Proxy Statement

o
 
Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
         
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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No fee required.

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
    (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        N/A
    (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        N/A
    (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
        $82,000,000 aggregate transaction cash value
    (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
        $82,000,000
    (5)   Total fee paid:
        $9,651.40

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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 
 
(1)
 
Amount Previously Paid:
        
    (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
        
    (3)   Filing Party:
        
    (4)   Date Filed:
        

 
 
 
 
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIALS—SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

LOGO

LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES
2655 Campus Drive, Suite 250
San Mateo, California 94403
                  , 2005

To Our Stockholders:

        You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders of Liberate Technologies to be held at the            , on            , 2005 at             a.m., local time.

        At the special meeting, you will be asked to approve and adopt the Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Liberate, Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd., our subsidiary, and Double C Technologies, LLC, a limited liability company majority owned and controlled by Comcast Corporation with a minority investment by Cox Communications, Inc., and the sale of substantially all of the assets, including technology, patents and other intellectual property, relating to our North America business to Double C pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement. More information about the asset sale is contained in the accompanying proxy statement, which we strongly encourage you to read in its entirety. A copy of the Asset Purchase Agreement is attached as Annex A to the proxy statement.

        After careful consideration, our board of directors has unanimously approved the Asset Purchase Agreement and asset sale and determined that it is expedient and for the best interests of Liberate and its stockholders that Liberate enter into the Asset Purchase Agreement and consummate the asset sale. The asset sale cannot be completed unless, among other things, stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock approve and adopt the asset sale and the Asset Purchase Agreement. Our board of directors recommends that you vote "FOR" the proposal to approve and adopt the asset sale and the Asset Purchase Agreement.

        Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, we encourage you to mark, sign and date your proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed, pre-addressed, prepaid envelope to ensure that your shares will be represented and voted at the meeting. If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, you should instruct your broker, bank or nominee how to vote in accordance with the voting instruction form furnished by your broker, bank or nominee. If you do not vote or do not instruct your broker, bank or nominee how to vote, it will have the same effect as voting "AGAINST" the approval and adoption of the Asset Purchase Agreement and the asset sale. If you sign, date and send us your proxy but do not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy will be voted "FOR" the approval and adoption of the asset sale and the Asset Purchase Agreement.

LOGO


NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD            , 2005

        A special meeting of the stockholders of Liberate Technologies will be held at the            , on            , 2005 at             a.m., local time, to consider and vote on the following matters:

1.
To approve and adopt the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2005, by and among Liberate, Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd., our subsidiary, and Double C Technologies, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company majority owned and controlled by Comcast Corporation with a minority investment by Cox Communications, Inc., and the sale of substantially all of the assets relating to our North America business to Double C pursuant to the asset purchase agreement; and

2.
To transact any other business as may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting.

        For more information about the asset sale and the other transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement, we strongly encourage you to review the accompanying proxy statement and the Asset Purchase Agreement attached as Annex A to the proxy statement.

        After careful consideration, our board of directors has unanimously approved the Asset Purchase Agreement and the asset sale, has determined that the asset sale is expedient and for the best interests of Liberate and its stockholders and recommends that you vote "FOR" the proposal to approve and adopt the asset sale and Asset Purchase Agreement.

        Only stockholders of record at the close of business on            , 2005, the record date for the special meeting, may vote at the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting. A complete list of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the special meeting will be available for review during ordinary business hours for a period of 10 days before the special meeting at our executive offices for any purpose germane to the special meeting.

        Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible to make sure that your shares are represented and voted. Whether or not you attend the special meeting, you may revoke a proxy at any time before it is voted by filing with our corporate secretary a duly executed revocation of proxy, by submitting a duly executed proxy to our corporate secretary with a later date or by appearing at the special meeting and voting in person, regardless of the method used to deliver your previous proxy. Attendance at the special meeting without voting will not itself revoke a proxy. If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, you must contact your broker, bank or nominee to revoke your proxy.

    By Order of the Board of Directors,

 
 
David Lockwood
 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

San Mateo, California
                  , 2005


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
   Page
SUMMARY TERM SHEET   1
  The Companies   1
  Description of the Assets to be Sold   1
  Description of Liabilities to be Assumed   1
  Description of the Assets to be Retained by Liberate   2
  Description of Liabilities to be Retained by Liberate   2
  Purchase Price   3
  Reasons for the Asset Sale   3
  Recommendation of Our Board of Directors   3
  Opinion of Our Financial Advisor   3
  Vote Required to Approve the Asset Sale   3
  Covenants   4
  Conditions to Completion of the Asset Sale   4
  Termination of the Asset Purchase Agreement; Expense Reimbursement   5
  Agreements Related to the Asset Purchase Agreement   5
  Interests of Management, Directors and Significant Stockholders in the Asset Sale   6
  Tax Consequences of the Asset Sale   6
  No Appraisal Rights   6
  Regulatory Approvals   6

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ASSET SALE, THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND THE SPECIAL MEETING
 
7

THE SPECIAL MEETING OF LIBERATE STOCKHOLDERS
 
11
  When and Where the Special Meeting Will be Held   11
  What Will be Voted Upon   11
  Voting Securities; Quorum   11
  Vote Required for Approval   11
  Voting Your Shares and Changing Your Vote   11
  How Proxies are Counted   12
  Cost of Solicitation   12

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
12

RISK FACTORS
 
14

 
 
 

THE ASSET SALE
 
16
  The Companies   16
  Terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement   16
  Description of Assets to be Sold and Retained   17
  Description of Liabilities to be Assumed and Retained   18
  Purchase Price and Adjustments   19
  Guaranty   20
  Background of the Asset Sale   20
  Reasons for the Asset Sale   25
  Recommendation of Our Board of Directors   28
  Opinion of Our Financial Advisor   28
  Vote Required to Approve the Asset Sale and the Asset Purchase Agreement; Stockholder Voting Agreement   33
     

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  Conditions to Completion of the Asset Sale; Termination of the Asset Purchase Agreement   34
  Agreements Related to the Asset Purchase Agreement   36
  Nature of Our Business After the Asset Sale   37
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Asset Sale   37
  Tax Consequences of the Asset Sale   38
  Selected Pro Forma Financial Information   38
  No Appraisal Rights   39
  Regulatory Approvals   39

THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
40
  Assets to be Sold   40
  Assets to be Retained   41
  Liabilities to be Assumed   42
  Liabilities to be Retained   42
  Consideration for the Assets   42
  Purchase Price Adjustments   43
  Representations and Warranties   43
  Covenants   44
  Labor and Employee Benefit Matters   47
  Closing Conditions   47
  Termination; Expense Reimbursement   48
  Amendment; Assignment   50

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
 
51
  Stockholder Proposals   52

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
53

OTHER MATTERS
 
53

ANNEXES
 
 

Annex A    Asset Purchase Agreement
 
 
Annex B    Stockholder Voting Agreement    
Annex C    Opinion of Allen & Company LLC    
Annex D    Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    

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SUMMARY TERM SHEET

        This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement and the asset purchase agreement and may not contain all the information about the asset sale that is important to you. To understand the asset sale fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the asset sale, you should carefully read this proxy statement, the asset purchase agreement, the stockholder voting agreement, the opinion of Allen & Company LLC, and the other documents to which we refer you in their entirety.

The Companies (page 16)

        The parties to the asset purchase agreement are Liberate Technologies and our subsidiary, Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd., as sellers, and Double C Technologies, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company majority owned and controlled by Comcast Corporation with a minority investment by Cox Communications, Inc., as purchaser.

Description of the Assets to be Sold (pages 17 and 40)

        We have agreed to sell to Double C substantially all of the assets relating to our North America business, including:

Description of Liabilities to be Assumed (pages 18 and 42)

        Double C has agreed to assume certain liabilities relating to our North America business, including:

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Description of the Assets to be Retained by Liberate (pages 17 and 41)

        We will retain all assets not sold to Double C, including the following:

Description of Liabilities to be Retained by Liberate (pages 18 and 42)

        We will retain all liabilities not assumed by Double C, including liabilities relating to:

        In addition to the assets and liabilities transferred pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, at the closing of the asset sale, we will also enter into a technology cross-license agreement with Double C pursuant to which we will each cross-license technology and intellectual property to one another following the closing of the asset sale for purposes of the continued conduct of our respective businesses. Concurrently with reaching agreement on the sale of our North American business, we also

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entered into certain licensing agreements with affiliates of Comcast and Cox more fully described below in "Agreements Related to the Asset Purchase Agreement."

Purchase Price (pages 19 and 43)

        Upon consummation of the asset sale, Liberate will receive $82 million in cash, as adjusted pursuant to the asset purchase agreement to prorate pre- and post-closing expenses, deposits and other liabilities.

Reasons for the Asset Sale (page 25)

        We are proposing to sell our North America business to Double C because we believe that the asset sale and the terms of the asset purchase agreement are in the best interests of Liberate and our stockholders. In reaching its determination to approve the asset sale, the asset purchase agreement and related agreements, our board of directors consulted with senior management and our financial and legal advisors and considered a number of factors, including other potential strategic alternatives, the opportunities and challenges facing Liberate, the fairness opinion delivered by our financial advisor and the terms of the asset purchase agreement.

Recommendation of Our Board of Directors (page 28)

        After careful consideration, our board recommends that you vote "FOR" the proposal to approve and adopt the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement.

Opinion of Our Financial Advisor (page 28)

        Our board of directors retained Allen & Company LLC to act as our financial advisor in connection with a review and analysis of our potential strategic alternatives, including the sale of our North America business. As part of the engagement, Allen & Company was asked to determine whether, in its view, the consideration we are to receive from Double C in connection with the asset sale is fair, from a financial point of view, to Liberate. Allen & Company delivered an opinion, attached as Annex C to this proxy statement, to our board of directors to the effect that, as of January 9, 2005, and subject to and based on the considerations referred to in its opinion, the consideration to be provided in connection with the asset sale is fair, from a financial point of view, to Liberate.

Vote Required to Approve the Asset Sale (page 33)

        The asset sale and the asset purchase agreement require approval and adoption by the holders of a majority of outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the asset sale. If we fail to obtain the requisite vote for the proposal, we will not be able to consummate the asset sale and either Liberate or Double C may terminate the asset purchase agreement.

        As of            , 2005, David Lockwood, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Lockwood Fund LLC (a private investment fund managed by Lockwood Capital Advisors LLC, of which Mr. Lockwood is the Managing Member) together owned of record            shares of our common stock, representing approximately            % of our outstanding common stock and have entered into a stockholder voting agreement, pursuant to which each has appointed Double C as such stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact to vote the shares of our common stock held by such stockholder as of the record date in favor of the proposal to approve and adopt the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement. A copy of the stockholder voting agreement is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement.

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Covenants (page 44)

        Under the asset purchase agreement, we have made a number of covenants, including the following:

Conditions to Completion of the Asset Sale (pages 34 and 47)

        The parties' obligations to consummate the asset sale are subject to satisfaction or waiver of a number of closing conditions, including:

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Termination of the Asset Purchase Agreement; Expense Reimbursement (page 48)

        The asset purchase agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances, including:

        We have agreed if the asset purchase agreement is terminated under certain circumstances to reimburse Double C's reasonable costs and expenses, up to a maximum of $800,000.

Agreements Related to the Asset Purchase Agreement (page 36)

        Concurrently with entering into the asset purchase agreement, we entered into (i) a Software License Agreement and Technical Support Agreement with an affiliate of Comcast and (ii) an amendment to our existing Software License Agreement with an affiliate of Cox. Under these agreements, if the asset purchase agreement is terminated for any reason (except by Liberate as a result of a breach by Double C under the asset purchase agreement), (i) the Comcast affiliate will have the right to terminate its Software License Agreement upon 30 days notice (and, under certain circumstances, termination of the asset purchase agreement may give rise to certain termination rights on the part of the Cox affiliate with respect to its Software License Agreement) and (ii) the Cox affiliate and the Comcast affiliate may each elect, within 30 days of termination of the asset purchase agreement, to obtain the source code for our North America Navigator Platforms, and upon such election, Liberate will grant to the Cox affiliate or the Comcast affiliate, as the case may be, a worldwide, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to the licensed Liberate software and source code (subject to such licensee's ongoing obligations to pay minimum license fees and ongoing royalties) for the purposes of developing and distributing products and services to its own subscribers and those of its affiliates. The Comcast affiliate's obligation to pay to Liberate any license fees is deferred until the asset purchase agreement is terminated. These agreements will be assigned to Double C in the asset sale.

        At the closing of the asset sale, we will also enter into a technology cross-license agreement with Double C pursuant to which we will each cross-license technology and intellectual property to one

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another following the closing of the asset sale for purposes of the continued conduct of our respective businesses.

Interests of Management, Directors and Significant Stockholders in the Asset Sale (page 37)

        Certain of our executive officers and all of our non-employee directors hold stock units or stock options that will fully vest, by their terms, as a result of the consummation of the asset sale. Liberate has also entered into retention agreements with certain executive officers under which they may receive payments if their employment is terminated under certain circumstances following the asset sale of approximately $2,250,000 in the aggregate. These agreements will not be assigned to Double C and will remain obligations of Liberate following the asset sale.

Tax Consequences of the Asset Sale (page 38)

        The sale of assets by Liberate pursuant to the asset purchase agreement will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes as discussed in this proxy statement.

No Appraisal Rights (page 39)

        Holders of our common stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the asset sale under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Certificate of Incorporation or our Amended and Restated Bylaws.

Regulatory Approvals (page 39)

        The asset sale is subject to review by the United States Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, which requires Liberate and Double C to make pre-acquisition notification filings and to await the expiration or early termination of the statutory waiting period prior to completing the asset sale. These filings were made on February 4, 2005.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ASSET SALE, THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND THE SPECIAL MEETING

        Following are some commonly asked questions that may be raised by our stockholders and answers to each of those questions.

1.    WHAT AM I BEING ASKED TO VOTE ON AT THE SPECIAL MEETING?

        Our stockholders will consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the asset purchase agreement between Liberate, Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. (our subsidiary) and Double C Technologies, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company majority owned and controlled by Comcast Corporation with a minority investment by Cox Communications, Inc., and the sale of substantially all of the assets relating to our North America business to Double C pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, for a purchase price of $82,000,000 in cash (subject to adjustment).

2.    WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SELL SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE ASSETS RELATING TO OUR "NORTH AMERICA BUSINESS"?

        We are proposing to sell to Double C substantially all of the assets related to the business we and our subsidiaries have historically conducted in markets in North America, including developing, marketing and selling our products and related services intended to enable cable operators to provide interactive television services in the United States, Canada and Mexico. We refer to this as our North America business in this proxy statement.

3.    WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE ASSET SALE AND THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ARE APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY OUR STOCKHOLDERS?

        If the asset sale and asset purchase agreement are approved and adopted by our stockholders, we will sell substantially all of the assets relating to our North America business to Double C under the terms of the asset purchase agreement, as more fully described in this proxy statement. In connection with the asset sale, we have made certain covenants, as more fully described in this proxy statement, including to not take any action that would result in our liquidation or dissolution within six months of the closing and to maintain at least $40,000,000 (less 50%, up to a maximum of $20,000,000, of any payments made after January 14, 2005 to the landlord of our former offices in San Carlos, California) in cash or cash equivalents until the earlier of termination of the asset purchase agreement or six months after the closing of the asset sale. In addition, we have agreed not to, directly or indirectly, develop, market, license, grant forbearances not to sue, grant any rights to or authorize the use of any Non-North America intellectual property for commercial use or deployment in the United States, Canada or Mexico for a period of five years after the closing date. Following the sale of those assets, we will continue to operate our remaining business of providing software and services for digital cable systems in Europe. We will continue our efforts to resolve outstanding liabilities. We also intend to evaluate and potentially explore all available strategic alternatives. Although our board of directors has not yet made any determination, such strategic alternatives could include a sale of our remaining Non-North America business, an extraordinary dividend or other transaction to maximize stockholder value. We will continue to work to maximize stockholder interest with a goal of returning value to our stockholders.

4.    WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE ASSET SALE AND THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ARE NOT APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY OUR STOCKHOLDERS?

        If the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement are not approved by our stockholders, we will not sell our assets to Double C at this time and we will continue to conduct our business (including our North America business) in the ordinary course and evaluate all available strategic alternatives. In

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addition, Double C would have the right to terminate the asset purchase agreement, and as the result of any such termination, Double C would have rights to expense reimbursement and affiliates of Cox and Comcast would have certain rights under their respective licensing agreements, including the right to terminate their respective licensing agreements (in the case of the Cox affiliate, provided certain other conditions exist) or obtain Liberate's source code.

5.    WHEN IS THE ASSET SALE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED?

        If the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement are approved and adopted at the special meeting, we expect to complete the asset sale as soon as practicable after all of the conditions in the asset purchase agreement have been satisfied or waived. Liberate and Double C are working toward satisfying the conditions to closing and completing the asset sale as soon as reasonably possible. We expect to be able to complete the asset sale in the first half of 2005.

6.    HOW WAS THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR THE ASSETS DETERMINED?

        The purchase price for the assets proposed to be sold to Double C was negotiated between representatives of Liberate and representatives of Double C. We have received a fairness opinion from Allen & Company LLC concluding that the consideration to be received by us for the assets is fair, from a financial point of view, to Liberate. A copy of the fairness opinion from Allen & Company is included as Annex C to this proxy statement.

7.    AM I ENTITLED TO APPRAISAL RIGHTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ASSET SALE?

        No. Delaware law does not provide for stockholder appraisal rights in connection with the sale of a company's assets.

8.    WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY LIBERATE SHARES IF THE ASSET SALE IS APPROVED?

        The asset sale will not alter the rights, privileges or nature of the outstanding shares of Liberate. A stockholder who owns shares of Liberate common stock immediately prior to the closing of the asset sale will continue to hold the same number of shares immediately following the closing. Liberate's common stock will continue trading on the Pink Sheets system notwithstanding the asset sale.

9.    HOW DOES THE BOARD RECOMMEND THAT I VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL?

        The board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" the proposal to approve and adopt the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement.

10.    HOW DO I VOTE?

        Sign and date each proxy card you receive and return it in the enclosed envelope prior to the special meeting.

11.    CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE?

        Yes. You may change your proxy instructions at any time before your proxy is voted at the special meeting. Proxies may be revoked by taking any of the following actions:

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12.    WHAT SHARES ARE INCLUDED ON THE PROXY CARD(S)?

        The shares on your proxy card(s) represent ALL of your shares. If you do not return your proxy card(s), your shares will not be voted.

13.    WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I GET MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD?

        If your shares are registered differently and are in more than one account, you will receive more than one proxy card. Sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted.

14.    WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING?

        Only holders of record of our common stock as of the close of business on            , 2005 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting.

15.    HOW MANY SHARES WERE OUTSTANDING ON THE RECORD DATE?

        At the close of business on            , 2005 there were            shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. A stockholder may vote (a) shares that are held of record directly in the stockholder's name, and (b) shares held for the stockholder, as the beneficial owner, through a broker, bank or other nominee. At the meeting, each outstanding share of common stock will be entitled to one vote.

16.    WHAT IS A "QUORUM" FOR PURPOSES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING?

        In order to conduct business at the special meeting, a quorum must be present. A "quorum" is a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to be voted. The shares may be present in person or represented by proxy at the special meeting. Both abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.

17.    WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL?

        Once a quorum has been established, for the asset sale and asset purchase agreement to be approved and adopted, a majority of our outstanding shares must vote "FOR" the proposal.

        If your shares are held in street name, your broker will vote your shares for you only if you provide instructions to your broker on how to vote your shares. You should follow the directions provided by your broker regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. Your broker cannot vote your shares of Liberate common stock without specific instructions from you. Because the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Liberate common stock is required to approve and adopt the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement, a failure to provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your shares will have the effect of a vote against the proposal to approve and adopt the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement.

18.    WHAT HAPPENS IF I ABSTAIN?

        Proxies marked "abstain" will be counted as shares present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum, but for purposes of determining the outcome of a proposal, shares represented by such proxies will be treated as votes against the proposal.

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19.    HOW WILL VOTING ON ANY OTHER BUSINESS BE CONDUCTED?

        Although we do not know of any business to be considered at the special meeting other than the asset sale proposal described in this proxy statement, if any other business is properly presented at the special meeting, your signed proxy card gives authority to the proxy holders, David Lockwood and Gregory Wood, to vote on such matters at their discretion.

20.    WHO WILL BEAR THE COST OF THIS SOLICITATION?

        Liberate will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials. We will provide copies of these proxy materials to banks, brokerages, fiduciaries and custodians holding in their names shares of our common stock beneficially owned by others so that they may forward these proxy materials to the beneficial owners. We may solicit proxies by personal interview, mail, telephone and electronic communications. Liberate has not retained a proxy solicitor to assist with the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. Our directors, officers, and employees (acting without additional compensation) may assist in soliciting proxies by telephone, email, or direct contact. We may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to the beneficial owners.

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THE SPECIAL MEETING OF LIBERATE STOCKHOLDERS

        We are furnishing this proxy statement to our stockholders as part of the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors for use at the special meeting.

When and Where the Special Meeting Will be Held

        We will hold the special meeting at            on                  , 2005, at            , local time.

What Will be Voted Upon

        At the special meeting, we are asking holders of record of Liberate common stock to consider and vote on the following proposals:


Voting Securities; Quorum

        Only holders of record of Liberate common stock at the close of business on            , 2005, the record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting. On the record date,            shares of Liberate common stock were issued and outstanding and held by            holders of record. Holders of record of Liberate common stock on the record date are entitled to one vote per share at the special meeting on each proposal. A complete list of stockholders of record will be available for review at our executive offices for any purpose germane to the special meeting during ordinary business hours for a period of ten days before the special meeting.

        A quorum is necessary to hold a valid special meeting. A quorum will be present at the special meeting if the holders of a majority of the shares of Liberate common stock outstanding and entitled to vote on the record date are present, in person or by proxy. If a quorum is not present at the special meeting, we expect that the special meeting will be adjourned to solicit additional proxies. Shares voting against the asset sale will not be voted in favor of adjournment. Abstentions, discussed below, count as present for establishing a quorum for the transaction of all business.

Vote Required for Approval

        Under Section 271 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and under our Amended and Restated Bylaws, the asset sale requires approval by the holders of a majority of outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. If we fail to obtain the requisite vote for approval and adoption of the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement, we will not be able to consummate the asset sale and either Liberate or Double C may terminate the asset purchase agreement. Stockholders representing            % of our outstanding common stock have executed a voting agreement pursuant to which each has appointed Double C as such stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact to vote the shares held by such stockholder as of the record date in favor of the proposal to approve and adopt the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement. A copy of the stockholder voting agreement is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement.

Voting Your Shares and Changing Your Vote

        You may vote by proxy or in person at the special meeting.

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Voting in Person

        If you plan to attend the special meeting and wish to vote in person, you will be given a ballot at the special meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares are held in "street name," which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, and you wish to vote at the special meeting, you must bring to the special meeting a proxy from the record holder (your broker, bank or nominee) of the shares authorizing you to vote at the special meeting.

Voting by Proxy

        All shares represented by properly executed proxies received in time for the special meeting will be voted at the special meeting in the manner specified by the stockholders giving those proxies. Properly executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions will be voted for the approval and adoption of the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale.

Revocation of Proxy

        Submitting a proxy on the enclosed form does not preclude a stockholder from voting in person at the special meeting. A stockholder of record may revoke a proxy at any time before it is voted by filing with our corporate secretary a duly executed revocation of proxy, by submitting a duly executed proxy to our corporate secretary with a later date or by appearing at the special meeting and voting in person. A stockholder of record may revoke a proxy by any of these methods, regardless of the method used to deliver the stockholder's previous proxy. Attendance at the special meeting without voting will not itself revoke a proxy. If your shares are held in street name, you must contact your broker, bank or nominee to revoke your proxy.

How Proxies are Counted

        Only shares affirmatively voted for the approval and adoption of the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale, and properly executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions, will be counted as favorable votes for the proposal. Shares of Liberate common stock held by persons attending the special meeting but not voting, and shares of Liberate common stock for which we received proxies but with respect to which holders of those shares have abstained from voting, will have the same effect as votes against the approval and adoption of the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale for purposes of determining whether or not a majority of the outstanding shares has voted for the approval and adoption of the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale.

Cost of Solicitation

        We are soliciting proxies for the special meeting from our stockholders. We will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies from our stockholders. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, we will request that banks, brokers and other record holders send proxies and proxy materials to the beneficial owners of Liberate common stock held by them and secure their voting instructions if necessary. We will reimburse those record holders for their reasonable expenses in so doing.


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Those statements herein that involve expectations or intentions (such as those related to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement) are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws, involving risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees of future performance. You are cautioned that these statements are only predictions and that forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. These risks, assumptions and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: future decisions by the SEC

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or other governmental or regulatory bodies; the vote of our stockholders; business disruptions resulting from the announcement of the asset sale; uncertainties related to litigation; economic and political conditions in the U.S. and abroad; and other risks outlined in our filings with the SEC, including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2004. All forward-looking statements are effective only as of the date they are made and we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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RISK FACTORS

        You should carefully consider the following risk factors relating to the asset sale before you decide whether to vote for the proposal to approve and adopt the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale. You should also consider the other information in the proxy statement and the additional information in our other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Our business may be harmed if the asset sale disrupts the operations of our business and prevents us from realizing intended benefits.

        The asset sale may disrupt our business and prevent us from realizing intended benefits as a result of a number of obstacles, such as:

The failure to complete the asset sale may result in a decrease in the market value of our common stock.

        The asset sale is subject to a number of contingencies, including approval by our stockholders and other customary closing conditions. We cannot predict whether we will succeed in obtaining the approval of our stockholders. As a result, we cannot assure you that the asset sale will be completed. If our stockholders fail to approve the proposal at the special meeting or if the asset sale is not completed for any other reason, the market price of our common stock may decline.

If our stockholders do not approve and adopt the asset sale and asset purchase agreement, there may not be any other offers from potential acquirors.

        If our stockholders do not approve the asset sale, we may seek another strategic transaction, including the sale of all or part of our business. Although we have had such discussions with various parties in the past, none of these parties may now have an interest in a strategic transaction with Liberate or be willing to offer a reasonable purchase price.

If our stockholders do not approve the asset sale and asset purchase agreement or if we do not complete the asset sale, we may continue to face challenges and uncertainties in our ability to achieve business success.

        We have faced challenges and uncertainties surrounding our ability to successfully execute our business plan, such as our history of operating losses, the failure of our software platform to achieve wide commercial adoption and deployment by U.S. cable customers, the uncertainty of successfully licensing our software platform to additional cable customers and the uncertainty of securing license agreements providing for significant license fees and on-going royalties. We have faced other uncertainties such as a lack of prospects for potential licensing transactions in the near future; the technology risks of commercial deployment of our new version of TV Navigator software for the North America market; the untested nature of our new subscription royalty model; the potential adoption of technologies by our competitors, such as Microsoft Corporation, OpenTV or an internal development group controlled by one of the large cable companies; the ongoing need to successfully defend against patent infringement actions against us; and the risk of meeting market expectations regarding the pace of signing new licensing agreements for our software platforms.

        If our stockholders do not approve and adopt the asset purchase agreement or if the asset sale is not completed, we may continue to face these challenges and uncertainties.

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We will be unable to compete with the North America business for five years from the date of the closing.

        We have agreed that we and our affiliates will not develop, market, license, grant forebearances not to sue or grant any rights to or authorize the use of any Non-North America intellectual property for commercial use or deployment in the United States, Canada and Mexico for a period of five years from the date of the closing of the asset sale. We have agreed that this covenant not to compete will be binding on any purchaser of our Non-North America business or other successor to that business and its affiliates. We have further agreed that we will require such a purchaser to agree to be bound by this covenant for the remainder of the five year period and that the covenant not to compete may be enforced by Double C.

Our business following the asset sale will be entirely dependent on the success of our non-North America business.

        Our North America business proposed to be sold pursuant to the asset sale represents approximately 40% of our annual revenues in the past three fiscal years. Our business following the asset sale will be less diversified, leaving us entirely dependent on the performance of our Non-North America business which will be our main operating unit going forward. If we fail to effectively market, sell and implement our T.V. Navigator platform outside of North America, our business will be materially adversely affected.

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THE ASSET SALE

        This section of the proxy statement describes certain aspects of the sale of substantially all of the assets relating to our North America business to Double C. However, this description may not be complete or may not provide all the information that may be important to you. We highly recommend that you carefully read the complete asset purchase agreement included as Annex A to this proxy statement for the precise legal terms of the agreement and other information that may be important to you.

The Companies

Liberate Technologies and Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd.

        Liberate Technologies is a leading provider of software for digital cable systems. Based on industry standards, Liberate's software enables cable operators to run multiple services—including interactive programming guides, high-definition television, video on demand, personal video recorders and games—on multiple platforms. Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. is a subsidiary of Liberate. Our principal executive offices are located at 2655 Campus Drive, Suite 250, San Mateo, CA 94403 and the telephone number of our principal executive offices is (650) 645-4000.

Double C Technologies, LLC

        Double C Technologies, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company majority owned and controlled by Comcast Corporation with a minority investment by Cox Communications, Inc. Double C's principal executive offices are located at 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. The telephone number of Double C's principal executive offices is (215) 665-1700.

Comcast Corporation

        Comcast Corporation is a leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services in the United States. Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks and in the delivery of programming content. Comcast's content businesses include: Comcast SportsNet, E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, Outdoor Life Network, G4techTV and International Channel Networks as well as a minority investment in TV One. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia. Comcast's principal executive offices are located at 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. The telephone number of Comcast's principal executive offices is (215) 665-1700.

Cox Communications, Inc.

        Cox Communications, Inc. is a multi-service broadband communications company offering both analog cable television under the Cox Cable brand as well as advanced digital video service under the Cox Digital Cable brand. Cox's principal executive offices are located at 1400 Lake Hearn Drive, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30319. The telephone number of Cox's principal executive offices is (404) 843-5000.

Terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement

        The asset purchase agreement is the primary legal document governing the rights and obligations of Liberate and Double C. In the asset purchase agreement, we make certain representations and warranties and agree to perform or to refrain from performing certain actions. Stockholders are urged to carefully read the asset purchase agreement in its entirety, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement.

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Description of Assets to be Sold and Retained

Assets to be Sold to Double C

        Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the asset purchase agreement, we are selling to Double C substantially all of the assets relating to our North America business, including the following:

Assets to be Retained by Liberate

        We will retain all assets not sold to Double C, including the following:

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Description of Liabilities to be Assumed and Retained

Liabilities to be Assumed by Double C

        In connection with the purchase of the assets, Double C will assume certain liabilities related to our North America business, including:

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Liabilities to be Retained by Liberate

        We will retain all liabilities not assumed by Double C, including liabilities relating to:

Purchase Price and Adjustments

        Double C has agreed to pay Liberate $82 million in cash for the assets to be sold, subject to adjustment for the following:

        At least 10 business days prior to the closing, we will deliver to Double C a preliminary determination of the adjustments described above. We will negotiate in good faith with Double C to

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resolve any disputes and to reach an agreement prior to the closing date on the preliminary adjustments to the purchase price paid at closing.

        Within 90 days after the closing date, Double C will deliver to us a final determination of any adjustments which were not calculated as of the closing date and any corrections to our preliminary report. If we determine that there are any discrepancies, we will negotiate in good faith with Double C to resolve them. If we cannot resolve the discrepancies we will jointly retain a national independent public accounting firm not regularly engaged by us or by Double C to make a final determination.

Guaranty

        Comcast and Cox have executed a guaranty whereby they have unconditionally guaranteed the full and timely payment and performance by Double C of its obligations under the asset purchase agreement and all other agreements and instruments executed in connection with the asset sale. Liberate, Comcast and Cox have agreed that the obligations of Comcast and Cox under the guaranty will be several and not joint, such that if we seek enforcement of the guaranty, Comcast shall only be liable for two-thirds of any payment obligation or monetary damages and Cox shall only be liable for one-third of any payment obligation or monetary damages.

Background of the Asset Sale

        Beginning in the fall of 2002, we engaged in significant discussions with Comcast, the largest cable television operator in the United States, measured by basic subscribers, regarding the development and licensing of a new software platform for Comcast. We worked closely with Comcast and other U.S. cable operators to define product requirements for development of a new version of our TV Navigator software platform to meet the anticipated requirements of Comcast and other U.S. cable operators. Comcast informed us in the fall of 2003 that it was reevaluating its technology strategy and would not be able to make any decision on whether to license Liberate's software in the near future.

        Shortly thereafter, we began discussions with an affiliate of Cox, the third largest cable television operator in the U.S., measured by basic subscribers, regarding a development and licensing relationship. We subsequently entered into a Software License Agreement with an affiliate of Cox dated December 22, 2003. Until we entered into the license agreement with Comcast in connection with the asset sale, our agreement with the Cox affiliate was the only agreement with a major U.S. cable television operator that had committed to our technology platform.

        Also during the fall of 2003, we received an inquiry from Company X, an industry participant, indicating an interest in exploring a potential acquisition of Liberate. We had previously engaged a nationally recognized investment banking firm to act as our financial advisor with respect to, among other things, exploring and evaluating strategic alternatives. We requested our financial advisor to advise us with respect to Company X's interest and to contact any other third parties that we or our financial advisor believed might have an interest in exploring a business combination or acquisition of Liberate.

        During the fall of 2003, our financial advisor contacted approximately 18 parties, including Comcast. In addition to Company X, Comcast and one other company, Company Y, indicated an interest in engaging in preliminary discussions regarding a strategic transaction. In order to facilitate strategic discussions, we entered into confidentiality agreements with Comcast on October 17, 2003, with Company X on December 4, 2003, and with Company Y on January 7, 2004. Over the course of several months, we held a number of high level meetings with Company X to discuss a potential strategic transaction. We also engaged in high level discussions with Comcast and permitted Comcast's legal counsel to conduct extensive due diligence. In February 2004, Comcast discontinued its due diligence and ceased active discussions with us. At that time, the discussions with Company X and Company Y were progressing at a measured pace.

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        After our engagement with the financial advisor that we had engaged in 2002 expired at the end of January 2004, we engaged Allen & Company on February 26, 2004 to serve as our financial advisor with respect to exploring and evaluating strategic alternatives. At the meeting of our board of directors on March 26, 2004, Allen & Company presented an overview of Liberate's strategic alternatives, including a discussion of potential strategic partners identified by our management and Allen & Company. Our board of directors authorized management, together with Allen & Company, to contact those potential strategic partners and to engage in discussions with any other potential strategic partner who might communicate an interest in a possible transaction. Over the course of approximately 10 months, Allen & Company contacted 12 parties that were considered the most likely to have an interest in pursuing a potential transaction with Liberate. Some of the parties that Allen & Company contacted included parties that had previously indicated a lack of interest when contacted by the financial advisor we had previously engaged. During this process, Company X and Company Y each reaffirmed its interest in exploring a strategic transaction. In addition, several other parties initially expressed interest in holding preliminary discussions. We eventually entered into confidentiality agreements with six potential strategic partners in addition to Company X and Company Y. However, after some interactions over the course of the next several months, all parties other than Company X and Company Y withdrew from further consideration of a strategic transaction.

        On April 9, 2004, we received a non-binding written proposal from Company X to purchase specified operating and intellectual property assets of Liberate through a sale under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in exchange for shares of Company X's publicly traded common stock. The proposal required Liberate to, immediately upon signing the acquisition agreement, file for bankruptcy and seek bankruptcy court approval to complete the proposed asset sale, free and clear of all encumbrances.

        On April 30, 2004, we filed a voluntary petition for bankruptcy reorganization under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. During the bankruptcy process, we continued discussions with Company X and Company Y regarding a potential strategic transaction. Both Company X and Company Y conducted extensive due diligence over the course of several months, including a thorough review of our business, technology, and intellectual property. On August 4, 2004, we received a letter from Company Y expressing its interest in acquiring substantially all of our assets under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. We also received a non-binding term sheet dated August 9, 2004 from Company X relating to its proposed acquisition of our assets, subject to several conditions and contingencies.

        On September 8, 2004, the Bankruptcy Court dismissed our bankruptcy petition on the grounds that we had cash in excess of our liabilities. We subsequently filed an appeal with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California challenging the Bankruptcy Court's dismissal of our bankruptcy petition.

        In October 2004, Company Y notified us that it was no longer interested in continuing discussions of a potential acquisition of Liberate. In the meantime, we began to engage in more focused discussions with Company X. Company X again proposed a purchase of substantially all of our assets and assumption of certain identified liabilities in consideration for shares of Company X's publicly traded common stock. After numerous discussions, in late November 2004, we reached a preliminary understanding with representatives of Company X on many major terms, including the total consideration and deal structure; however, we continued to negotiate other significant deal terms such as indemnification obligations, closing contingencies, restrictions on transfer of the stock of Company X to be received in the transaction, representations and warranties and employee-related matters. Representatives of Company X committed to commence preparing an asset purchase agreement and related documents.

        In late November 2004, while we continued to engage in discussions with Company X, Cox expressed an interest in a potential acquisition of Liberate. Cox immediately commenced and

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conducted an extensive due diligence review, including a review of our business, technology and intellectual property. Cox communicated to us that it was evaluating two alternative scenarios—either proceeding with an acquisition of Liberate by Cox alone or approaching Comcast to determine Comcast's interest in a joint acquisition of Liberate with Cox. Cox indicated that it wanted to approach Comcast to determine Comcast's interest in working together on a joint acquisition of Liberate, and we consented to Cox's approaching Comcast for that purpose.

        Also in late November 2004, another party that had previously been contacted by us and Allen & Company expressed renewed interest in considering a potential strategic transaction with Liberate. However, after several meetings and a brief due diligence review, this party ended further discussions.

        In early December 2004, Comcast informed us that it was reconsidering a potential transaction with Liberate. On December 9, 2004, we met with representatives of Comcast at its offices in Philadelphia to provide an update on Liberate and to discuss a potential strategic transaction.

        On December 7, 2004, we received the first draft of an asset purchase agreement from Company X's legal counsel. On December 11, 2004, we and our legal counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, provided a mark-up of the asset purchase agreement to Company X conveying our concerns regarding the transaction proposed by Company X. Over the course of the following weeks, Company X and its legal counsel engaged with us and our legal counsel in numerous negotiations of key transaction terms, including deal structure, consideration adjustment for changes in the share price of Company X's common stock, restrictions on transfer of shares of Company X's common stock to be received in the transaction, indemnity obligations, closing contingencies, voting agreements, commitments on hiring employees and deal protection terms.

        On December 15, 2004, Comcast and Cox contacted us to express their desire to jointly acquire substantially all of the assets relating to our North America business. Our representatives indicated that we would welcome the formulation of a joint proposal by Comcast and Cox and we discussed the merits of an asset sale structure relative to an acquisition of all of Liberate.

        Based on this discussion, we prepared a term sheet to summarize the principal terms of the proposed transaction and provided it to Comcast and Cox for their review. On December 16, 2004, we held a conference call with Comcast and Cox to discuss the term sheet. While the parties came to a general understanding on many major terms, including the consideration for the transaction and the mutual grant of a cross-license of technology and intellectual property to enable each party to operate its respective businesses after the closing of the asset sale, there were other significant terms that were subject to continuing negotiations, including certain terms relating to indemnification, deal protection, non-competition, non-solicitation, the impact of our pending bankruptcy appeal, and a potential stand-alone technology and intellectual property license arrangement between Liberate and each of Comcast and Cox. The parties agreed to proceed in parallel with continuing negotiations, preparation of the asset purchase agreement and other necessary and appropriate documentation for the transaction, and completion of due diligence by Comcast and Cox.

        We proceeded to prepare the asset purchase agreement with our counsel and sent the first draft to Comcast, Cox for their review on December 17, 2004. Comcast and Cox and their respective legal advisors conducted an extensive due diligence review of our business, technology and intellectual property. Through this process, Comcast and Cox made frequent and numerous requests for, and were provided with, documents and materials pertaining to our North America business.

        On December 18, 2004, we received a revised draft of the asset purchase agreement from Company X, incorporating revised terms that had been discussed with us. We and Skadden Arps had several conference calls over the following days with Company X and its legal counsel to continue discussion of open issues. Company X also continued to conduct their due diligence of Liberate. On December 30, 2004, Skadden Arps sent to Company X's legal counsel another mark-up of the asset purchase agreement reflecting our comments and proposed changes.

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        During the period from December 17, 2004 through the first week of January 2005, we and Skadden Arps engaged in numerous discussions with Comcast, Cox and their representatives to negotiate unresolved terms, including terms relating to assumed liabilities, employee related obligations, deal protection, closing contingencies and other customary terms for this type of transaction. Cox indicated that it would require Liberate to amend its existing technology agreement with Liberate, and Comcast indicated that it would require Liberate to enter into new technology licensing agreement as a condition to their entering into the asset purchase agreement. Comcast and Cox also expressed significant concerns regarding our pending bankruptcy appeal and the potential impact it could have on the consummation of the asset sale. As a result, Comcast and Cox indicated that they were not prepared to proceed with the asset sale unless we agreed to dismiss our bankruptcy appeal prior to the execution of the transaction documents. We expressed concern about dismissing the bankruptcy appeal prior to the execution of the transaction documents because of the risk that we would be prejudiced if such execution did not take place after the dismissal of the bankruptcy appeal. After extensive discussions among the parties and their respective representatives (including bankruptcy counsel), the parties agreed in principle that the effectiveness of the transaction documents would not occur until an order was issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissing our bankruptcy appeal.

        During the period from November 2004 unitl execution of the asset purchase agreement with Double C, our board of directors held several meetings at which our management, legal counsel and, in many instances, Allen & Company informed the board of the status and progress of our strategic process, including meetings on November 29, December 14, December 17 and December 29, 2004. Our management provided updates on negotiations with Company X, on the one hand, and Cox and Comcast, on the other hand, and received guidance from the board of directors on continuing negotiations.

        On January 4, 2005, our board of directors held a meeting to discuss the status of the strategic process. Our management provided an update to the board of directors on the discussions to date with Comcast and Cox, including the terms and conditions relating to the proposed acquisition. A representative of Skadden Arps then provided an update on the status of negotiations and described the principal open issues, and members of management discussed the points that remained to be negotiated with respect to them. In particular, our management informed the board of directors that while the parties were making significant progress in resolving many outstanding major issues, we were still awaiting a specific proposal from Comcast and Cox with respect to the non-exclusive license arrangement that they expressed a desire to enter into contemporaneously with the asset sale. Management also discussed the demand by Comcast and Cox for the dismissal of our bankruptcy appeal as a condition to proceeding with the asset sale. In this regard, representatives of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Liberate's bankruptcy counsel, updated the board of directors on the status of the bankruptcy appeal and provided their assessment of the likelihood of success of our appeal. A representative of Skadden Arps provided the board an analysis comparing the key transaction terms of the current acquisition proposal from Company X (including terms relating to economic value and closing contingencies) with the current acquisition proposal from Comcast and Cox and also advised the board of directors of its legal obligations and fiduciary duties in the context of the proposed asset sale to Double C. Our board of directors discussed a number of open issues and provided guidance and direction to counsel and management with respect to negotiating the open issues.

        On January 6, 2005, Comcast and Cox proposed detailed terms of the license arrangements that they would require in connection with the asset sale. Cox proposed that the parties amend the existing Software License Agreement with the Cox affiliate to provide for a reduction in the existing royalty rate, eliminate the obligation to pay annual minimum license fees, grant an option to extend the term for an additional five year period and provide for access to the source code of our North America Navigator Platform for use in developing and deploying products. Comcast proposed to enter into a license substantially identical to the Software License Agreement with the Cox affiliate, as proposed to be amended.

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        Also on January 6, 2005, we had a conference call with Company X to discuss their response to our revised draft of the asset purchase agreement. Company X conveyed to us their positions on the outstanding issues.

        On January 7, 2005, our board of directors again met to consider the terms and conditions of the Comcast and Cox proposal. Our management reviewed in detail with the board of directors the terms and conditions of the proposed acquisition by Double C, as well as the terms of the proposed amendment to the existing Software License Agreement with the Cox affiliate and the license agreement proposed by Comcast, and the potential strategic benefit of licensing our software to Comcast and Cox, and recommended that we negotiate for maintaining the annual minimum fees and restricting the use of source code for use solely with subscribers of Comcast and Cox. Our board of directors expressed general approval of management's recommendation to continue negotiations with respect to the proposed asset sale agreement and related licenses. Management and a representative from Skadden Arps then updated the board of directors on the discussions to date with Company X, including the conference call that we held with Company X on the afternoon of January 6, 2005 to review outstanding major terms and conditions of Company X's proposal. A representative of Skadden Arps provided an updated analysis comparing the key transaction terms of the Company X proposal with the Comcast and Cox proposal. Allen & Company provided its preliminary assessment of the two acquisition proposals and reviewed for the board of directors the discussions it held with potential strategic partners in the preceding 10 months, the outcome of those discussions to date and the fact that the only definitive proposals resulting from those discussions were the proposals from Company X and Comcast and Cox. Our management and Allen & Company also noted for the board of directors that the price of Company X's shares of common stock had declined materially since the parties had reached an understanding on consideration in November 2004 and the current value of the shares of common stock as of January 7, 2005 offered by Company X as consideration for all the assets of Liberate appeared to provide less consideration to us than the cash consideration offered by Comcast and Cox for the North America business. The board of directors also discussed the potential risks associated with making an investment in Company X's common stock and other unfavorable aspects of the transaction proposed by Company X, including post-closing indemnification obligations and a number of significant closing contingencies that were not required in the Comcast and Cox proposal. Finally, a representative of Skadden Arps further advised the board of directors of its legal obligations and fiduciary duties in the context of the proposed transaction. The board of directors expressed general support for the proposed acquisition transaction with Comcast and Cox, and provided management with guidance on the negotiation of remaining outstanding issues.

        Beginning on January 7, 2005, we continued negotiations with Comcast and Cox on the terms and conditions of the definitive agreements with them and Double C. On January 8, 2005, we held a conference call with Comcast and Cox to further discuss the amendment to the Software License Agreement with the Cox affiliate and the proposed license agreement with Comcast. On the morning of January 9, 2005, we held a conference call with Comcast and Cox to discuss the final terms of the asset purchase agreement, the license agreements and other agreements related thereto.

        The board of directors met again during the afternoon of January 9, 2005. At this meeting, members of management described the terms of the license arrangements that had been negotiated with Comcast and Cox. A representative of Skadden Arps updated the board of directors on the status of open issues and the proposed final resolution of those issues and provided a summary of the terms of the definitive documentation for the proposed transaction with Double C. A representative of Allen & Company provided an analysis of the transaction and delivered Allen & Company's opinion (later confirmed in writing) that the consideration to be received by Liberate in the proposed transaction was fair, from a financial point of view, to Liberate. A copy of the written opinion of Allen & Company is attached to this proxy statement as Annex C. Following discussion, our board of directors unanimously determined that the asset sale pursuant to the asset purchase agreement with Double C was expedient and for the best interests of Liberate, approved the asset purchase agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and resolved to recommend that our stockholders approve

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the sale of substantially all of the assets relating to our North America business pursuant to the asset purchase agreement with Double C. In addition, the board of directors also approved the filing of a motion to dismiss our bankruptcy appeal in order to proceed with the transaction as contemplated with Double C.

        Later on January 9, 2005, Liberate and Double C and our respective affiliates, including Cox and Comcast, executed signature pages to the asset purchase agreement and other transaction documents, including the amendment to the Software License Agreement with the Cox affiliate and the Software License Agreement with an affiliate of Comcast, and delivered such signature pages to Skadden Arps to be held in escrow until receipt of an order from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissing our bankruptcy appeal. The escrow agreement among the parties required us to use our best efforts to obtain such dismissal.

        On the morning of January 10, 2005, prior to the opening of the stock market, we issued a press release announcing that we had reached an agreement with Double C for sale of substantially all of the assets relating to our North America business pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, subject to dismissal of our bankruptcy appeal. Later that day, we filed a motion with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to dismiss our appeal of the Bankruptcy Court's dismissal of our bankruptcy petition under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

        On January 14, 2005, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissed with prejudice our bankruptcy appeal and the asset purchase agreement and other transaction documents became effective as of that date.

Reasons for the Asset Sale

        In reaching its decision to approve and recommend the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale, our board of directors consulted with our management and financial and legal advisors, and considered a variety of factors, including the following:

        Alternatives.    Our board of directors considered the fact that, over a period of approximately 14 months, we solicited indications of interest from a number of parties in potential strategic transactions with Liberate, including the possible sale of all or a portion of Liberate's assets or business. Several potential strategic partners previously identified for Liberate had indicated little interest or had discontinued discussions with us. Only Company X and Double C made definitive acquisition proposals. The unanimous view of our board of directors was that the final agreement with Double C was the best available alternative for Liberate and our stockholders, taking into account the terms of the transaction, including price and type of consideration, assumed liabilities and closing contingencies. In particular, our board of directors considered the proposal made by Company X, including the fact that the value of the shares of common stock offered by Company X as consideration provided significantly less certainty than the cash consideration offered by Double C, due to the volatility of Company X's shares and that, the share price of Company X had declined materially since the parties had reached an understanding on consideration in November 2004 and thus the current value of the shares as of January 7, 2005 offered by Company X for all of our assets was less than that offered by Double C for our North America business only. Also, the terms and conditions of Company X's proposal were less favorable in a number of ways, including with respect to post-closing indemnification obligations and significant closing contingencies, than the terms and conditions of Double C's proposal.

        The Opportunities and Challenges Facing Liberate and the Uncertainties Surrounding Liberate's Ability to Achieve Business Success.    Our board of directors considered the opportunities and challenges facing us, as well as the uncertainties surrounding our ability to successfully execute our business plan. Specifically, our board of directors considered the opportunities and challenges relating to, among other things, our history of operating losses, the failure of our software platform to achieve wide commercial adoption and deployment by U.S. cable customers, the uncertainty of successfully licensing

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our software platform to additional cable customers and the uncertainty of securing license agreements providing for significant license fees and on-going royalties. Our board of directors also considered the challenges and risks we face in achieving these successes given that large cable companies are increasingly adopting strategies of internal development rather than licensing third party software platforms such as ours. If one or more major cable companies were to develop its own technology, the prospects of Liberate's licensing business would be significantly diminished without a potential licensing transaction with such cable companies. Our board of directors considered the significant risks that we would be unable to secure licensing arrangements with enough cable customers to generate sufficient revenues to achieve profitability. In addition, our board of directors also considered the lack of prospects for potential licensing transactions in the near future; the technology risks of commercial deployment of our new version of TV Navigator software for the North America market; the untested nature of our new subscription royalty model; the potential adoption of technologies by our competitors, such as Microsoft Corporation, OpenTV or an internal development group controlled by one of the large cable companies; the ongoing need to successfully defend against patent infringement actions against us; and the risk of meeting market expectations regarding the pace of signing new licensing agreements for our software platforms.

        Fairness Opinion.    Our board of directors considered the oral opinion of Allen & Company delivered at the January 9, 2005 meeting of the board of directors, and subsequently confirmed in writing as of January 9, 2005, to the effect that, as of such date, and based upon and subject to the matters set forth in its opinion, the $82 million in cash, subject to adjustment, and the assumption by Double C of specified liabilities and obligations of Liberate and Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. relating to the North America business to be received by Liberate in the asset sale is fair, from a financial point of view, to Liberate.

        Business Synergies.    Our board of directors considered the business synergies between Liberate and Double C. Comcast and Cox, as co-owners of Double C, each has an intimate understanding and appreciation of our North America software platforms and our development and engineering organization. Our software will have an opportunity to achieve wide adoption in the North American cable industry with the backing of two of the largest cable companies in the U.S. Our board of directors believed that these facts would increase the likelihood of the consummation of the asset sale.

        Terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement.    Our board of directors considered the general terms and conditions of the asset purchase agreement, and, with the assistance of legal counsel, considered in detail specific provisions of the asset purchase agreement, including: (i) the definition of material adverse effect; (ii) the prohibition on our solicitation of other acquisition proposals, but the ability of Liberate to engage in any negotiations concerning, provide any confidential information or data to, and otherwise have any discussion with, any person relating to an alternative proposal if we receive an unsolicited alternative proposal that our board of directors determines is reasonably likely to lead to a superior proposal and certain requirements are met; (iii) the ability of our board of directors to withdraw its recommendation to our stockholders with respect to the asset sale (but not terminate the asset purchase agreement) in the exercise of its fiduciary duties and under specified conditions; (iv) the triggering of rights of affiliates of Comcast and Cox to obtain the source code for our North America Navigator Platform and the reimbursement of Double C's resasonable costs and expenses up to a maximum of $800,000 upon the termination of the asset purchase agreement by Purchaser under certain circumstances; (v) the fact that no third party customer consents would be required as a condition to consummating the asset sale and (vi) the fact that there are no indemnification provisions and no escrowed funds under the asset purchase agreement, except for our covenants not to liquidate or dissolve Liberate prior to six months after the closing of the asset sale and to retain at least $40,000,000 (less 50%, up to a maximum of $20,000,000, of any payments made after January 14, 2005 to the landlord of our former offices in San Carlos, California, including payments made in settlement of any disputes or for unpaid rent) in cash or cash equivalents until the earlier of termination of the asset purchase agreement or six months after the closing of the asset sale.

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        Employment Offers.    Our board of directors also considered that Double C and an affiliate of Comcast would extend offers of employment to all employees who are actively employed in and/or primarily provide services to our North America business.

        Lack of Financing Condition.    Our board of directors considered that the purchase price in the asset purchase agreement is in cash and is not tied to Liberate's ongoing financial performance or operating results and Double C's obligation to consummate the asset sale is not subject to any financing contingencies, providing greater certainty for Liberate and our stockholders.

        Guaranty.    Our board of directors considered the fact that Comcast and Cox were prepared to execute a guaranty whereby each would guarantee severally (and not jointly) the full and timely payment and performance by Double C of its obligations set forth in the asset purchase agreement.

        Taxable Transaction.    Our board of directors considered that although the asset sale will result in a taxable gain to Liberate for United States federal income tax purposes, a substantial portion of the taxable gain is anticipated to be offset by current year losses from operations and available net operating loss carryforwards.

        Terms of the Licensing Arrangements.    Our board of directors considered whether the terms of the Software License Agreement and related Technology Support Agreement with the Comcast affiliate and the amendment to the Software License Agreement with the Cox affiliate would have an effect of impeding competing offers and whether the financial terms of these agreements represented fair value for Liberate. With the assistance of its legal and financial advisors, our board of directors concluded that the license arrangements represented reasonable commercial terms, and that the license arrangements would not likely impede competing bids for a purchase of such assets or our entire company. The board of directors also considered that Comcast and Cox had made it clear that they had no interest in pursuing an acquisition transaction without having such license arrangements in place.

        Expenses.    Our board of directors also considered that Liberate will incur costs and expenses in connection with completing the asset sale which are estimated to be approximately $3,100,000 and there will be substantial management time and effort devoted to closing the asset sale, which could cause disruptions to our business.

        Employee Expenses.    Our board of directors considered that under employment agreements with certain executives, Liberate will be required to make termination payments to these executives if their employment is terminated following the asset sale. The total cost of such payments would be approximately $2,250,000 in the aggregate.

        Risk of Not Completing Asset Sale.    While our board of directors expects to complete the asset sale, our board of directors also considered that there is no assurance that all conditions to the parties' obligations to complete the asset sale will be satisfied or waived and, as a result, it is possible that the asset sale may not be completed.

        The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by our board of directors is not exhaustive. Our board of directors did not quantify or attach any particular relative or specific weight to the various factors it considered in reaching its determination that the asset sale is fair to and in the best interests of Liberate and its stockholders. Rather, the determination to recommend that our stockholders approve the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale was made after consideration of all of the factors taken as a whole. In addition, individual members of our board of directors may have given different weights to different factors.

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Recommendation of Our Board of Directors

        Our board of directors has determined that the asset sale is expedient and for the best interests of Liberate and its stockholders. Our board of directors has unanimously approved the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale and recommends that the stockholders vote in favor of the proposal to approve and adopt the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement.

Opinion of Our Financial Advisor

        Our board of directors retained Allen & Company to act as Liberate's financial advisor in connection with a review and analysis of our potential strategic alternatives, including the sale of our North America business. As part of the engagement, Allen & Company was requested to consider whether the cash consideration to be received by Liberate in the asset sale was fair, from a financial point of view, to Liberate. At a meeting of the board of directors held on January 9, 2005, Allen & Company delivered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing, to the effect that, as of January 9, 2005, the consideration to be received by Liberate in the sale of our North America business is fair, from a financial point of view, to Liberate.

        The full text of Allen & Company's written opinion is attached as Annex C to this proxy statement, and describes the assumptions made, matters and factors considered, procedures followed and limits on the review undertaken in rendering the opinion. The summary description of Allen & Company's opinion contained in this document should be reviewed together with the full text of the written opinion, which you are urged to read carefully in its entirety. The summary of the opinion of Allen & Company set forth in this document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Allen & Company's written opinion.

        Allen & Company's opinion is for the benefit of our board of directors and its opinion was rendered to the board of directors solely in connection with its consideration of the sale of our North America business. Allen & Company's opinion is not intended to, and does not, constitute a recommendation to any holder of Liberate's common stock as to whether such holder should vote to approve any matter related to the sale of our North America business. Allen & Company's opinion does not address the relative merits of the sale of our North America business versus any alternative business transaction that might be available to Liberate, or Liberate's underlying decision to pursue the sale of our North America business.

        In arriving at its opinion, Allen & Company, among other things:

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        In rendering its opinion, Allen & Company assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information that was available to Allen & Company from public sources, that was provided to Allen & Company by Liberate or its representatives, or that was otherwise reviewed by Allen & Company. Allen & Company did not assume any responsibility for, and did not conduct, any independent verification of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets of Double C or Liberate, including our North America business, or the solvency of any of their respective affiliates. In addition, Allen & Company assumed no obligation to conduct any physical inspection of the properties or facilities of the North America business. With respect to the financial forecasts referred to above, Allen & Company assumed that they were reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best then-currently available estimates and judgments of the management of Liberate as to the future financial performance of Liberate generally and our North America business in particular, and that such financial information was materially complete. Allen & Company assumed no responsibility for, and expressed no view as to, those forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based. Further, Allen & Company's opinion was necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on the date of its opinion, and the information made available to Allen & Company as of the date of its opinion. In rendering its opinion, Allen & Company assumed that the asset sale will be consummated on the terms set forth in the asset purchase agreement, without any waiver or modification by the parties to the asset purchase agreement of any material terms or conditions contained in the asset purchase agreement, and that obtaining the regulatory and other approvals necessary in connection with the sale of our North America business will not have an adverse effect on the ability of Liberate, Double C or their respective affiliates to consummate the sale of our North America business on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the asset purchase agreement. Allen & Company also assumed that no material changes would be made to the asset purchase agreement or any related documents from the drafts Allen & Company reviewed for purposes of rendering its opinion, and that the representations and warranties of Double C and Liberate contained in the asset purchase agreement are true and complete in all respects material to Allen & Company's analysis. Allen & Company also assumed that management of Liberate is not aware of any information or facts that would make the information provided to Allen & Company incomplete or misleading, and that there had been no material change to Liberate's or our affiliates' assets, financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects since the date of the last financial statements made available to Allen & Company prior to the date of its opinion. In regard to all legal, financial reporting and accounting matters, Allen & Company relied on (i) the advice of counsel (ii) public filings made by Liberate and (iii) reports provided by Liberate to Allen & Company. In rendering its opinion, Allen & Company did not attempt to assign any value to any other arrangements entered into by Liberate, Double C and their respective affiliates in connection with the asset purchase agreement, including the technology cross-license to be entered into by the parties to the asset purchase agreement.

        This summary is not a complete description of Allen & Company's opinion to our board of directors or the financial analyses performed and factors considered by Allen & Company in connection with its opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex analytical process

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involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore, a fairness opinion is not readily susceptible to summary description. Allen & Company believes that its analyses and this summary must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and factors or focusing on information presented in tabular format, without considering all analyses and factors or the narrative description of the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying Allen & Company's analyses and opinion.

        In performing its analyses, Allen & Company considered industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters existing as of the date of its opinion, many of which are beyond the control of Liberate. No company or business used in the analyses as a comparison is identical to Liberate, and an evaluation of the results of those analyses is not entirely mathematical. Rather, the analyses involve complex considerations and judgments concerning financial and operating characteristics and other factors that could affect the acquisition, public trading or other values of the companies or business segments analyzed. The estimates contained in Allen & Company's analysis and the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by its analyses. In addition, analyses relating to the value of businesses or securities do not necessarily purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which businesses or securities actually may be sold. Accordingly, Allen & Company's analyses and estimates are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty. The type and amount of consideration payable in the sale of our North America business was determined through negotiation among the parties to the transactions, and the decision to enter into the transactions was solely that of board of directors. Allen & Company's opinion and financial analyses were only two of many factors considered by the board of directors in its evaluation of the transactions and should not be viewed as determinative of the views of the board of directors or Liberate management with respect to the sale of our North America business or the consideration to be paid in connection with the asset sale.

        The following are summaries of the material financial and comparative analyses utilized by Allen & Company in arriving at its opinion. Some of these summaries include information in a tabular format. In order to understand fully the financial analyses used by Allen & Company, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary. The tables do not constitute a complete description of the analyses.

        Discounted Cash Flow Analysis.    Allen & Company performed two discounted cash flow analyses to estimate the present value of the future unlevered, after-tax cash flows of Liberate's North America business. A discounted cash flow analysis is a traditional valuation methodology used to derive a valuation of an asset by calculating the "present value" of estimated future cash flows of the asset. "Present value" refers to the current value of future cash flows or amounts and is obtained by discounting those future cash flows or amounts by a discount rate that takes into account macro-economic assumptions and estimates of risk, the opportunity cost of capital, expected returns and other appropriate factors.

        The first discounted cash flow analysis was based on financial estimates for the fiscal years ending May 31, 2005 through May 31, 2009 provided to Allen & Company by Liberate's management. Using a range of discount rates of 13.0% to 16.0%, based on a weighted average cost of capital analysis performed by Allen & Company and terminal values based on 3.0x to 6.0x estimated 2009 revenues, Allen & Company calculated an implied valuation range for Liberate's North America business of between $10.9 million and $37.5 million. Allen & Company noted that the consideration to be paid by Double C for the North America business is $82 million pursuant to the asset purchase agreement. Allen & Company's decision to calculate terminal values based on revenue multiples was based on the fact that, according to Liberate's projections, Liberate's North America business was not projected to generate positive free cash flows by 2009, the final year of the forecast period.

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        The second discounted cash flow analysis Allen & Company performed used a longer-term set of financial projections in order to evaluate the effect on valuation of a perpetual growth rate method of capitalizing free cash flow. Allen & Company generated an extended financial forecast based on the financial estimates through 2009, as provided by Liberate, supplemented by five additional years of projections, based on reasonable growth and profitability margins as assumed by Allen & Co in conjunction with Liberate. Using a range of discount rates of 13.0% to 16.0%, based on a weighted average cost of capital analysis performed by Allen & Company, and terminal values based on 4.0% to 6.0% perpetual growth rate applied to estimated 2014 unlevered free cash flow, Allen & Company calculated an implied valuation range for Liberate's North America business of between $11.0 million and $29.7 million. Allen & Company noted that the consideration to be paid by Double C for the North America business is $82 million pursuant to the asset purchase agreement.

        Comparable Company Analysis.    Allen & Company compared certain financial and operating multiples for Liberate's North America business with the corresponding financial and operating multiples for the following group of selected publicly traded companies that Allen & Company deemed to be generally comparable to Liberate's North America business. The comparable companies, which are listed below, represent selected companies in the interactive television industry:

        Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.

        NDS Group plc

        OpenTV Corp.

        SeaChange International, Inc.

        TiVo Inc.

        Allen & Company calculated the "enterprise value" (as defined below) of each of the comparable companies as a multiple of estimated revenues for the calendar years ending 2004, 2005 and 2006, and, where applicable, as a multiple of both estimated gross profit and estimated earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, for the calendar years ending 2004, 2005 and 2006. Enterprise value was calculated as the sum of equity value, debt, preferred stock and minority interests, less cash and any unconsolidated interests. The results of this analysis are summarized below:

 
   Comparable Multiple Range
Metric
  Low
   Median
   Mean
   High
Enterprise Value Multiples                
  2004E Revenues   2.1x   2.6x   3.3x   6.3x
  2005E Revenues   1.6x   2.8x   2.8x   5.6x
  2006E Revenues   1.0x   2.2x   2.5x   4.2x
 
2004E Gross Profit
 
4.6x
 
5.1x
 
7.4x
 
12.5x
  2005E Gross Profit   4.0x   4.4x   6.3x   10.4x
  2006E Gross Profit   6.6x   6.6x   6.6x   6.6x
 
2004E EBITDA
 
12.8x
 
14.1x
 
16.5x
 
22.6x
  2005E EBITDA   9.5x   10.9x   13.9x   21.4x
  2006E EBITDA   5.8x   8.8x   8.8x   11.9x

        Allen & Company compared this range of implied multiples to the 10.8x multiple of 2005 estimated calendar-year revenues and 8.9x 2006 estimated calendar-year revenues for Liberate's North America business implied by the $82 million price to be paid by Double C, which exceeded the range of 2005 estimated and 2006 estimated multiples of the comparable companies. Since Liberate's North America business is not projected to produce profits until after 2006, no basis existed to which to compare the multiples of gross profit and EBITDA of the comparable companies.

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        To calculate the multiples utilized in the comparative company analysis, Allen & Company used publicly available information concerning the historical and projected financial performance of the comparable companies, including public historical financial information and recent Wall Street analyst reports containing future revenue, gross profit and EBITDA estimates.

        No company utilized in the comparative company analysis is identical to Liberate's North America business. Interpreting the results of this analysis therefore requires weighing complex considerations and judgments regarding the financial and operating characteristics of Liberate's North America business and the comparable companies, as well as other factors that could affect their public trading values. The numerical results are not in themselves meaningful in analyzing the contemplated transaction as compared to the comparable companies.

        Comparable Company Analysis Plus Enterprise Value Premium.    Allen & Company also applied an enterprise value premium analysis to the range of implied enterprise values from the comparative company analysis above. To derive a range of enterprise value premiums, Allen & Company analyzed merger and acquisition transactions involving transaction amounts up to $150.0 million in value that had been completed since 2000 in the software industry. This analysis yielded a range of enterprise value premiums from 0.9% to 519.2%, with a median premium of 35.5%, based on the transaction value relative to its value one day prior to announcement of the applicable transaction.

        Allen & Company applied the low (0.9%), median (35.5%) and high (519.2%) premiums to Liberate's implied value, based on the range of enterprise value to revenue multiples as described under "Comparable Company Analysis," of Liberate's North America business based on its 2005 estimated and 2006 estimated calendar-year revenues. This analysis yielded implied enterprise values for Liberate's North America business of between $9.0 million and $262.0 million, with medians of $25.0 million (based on 2005 estimated calendar-year revenues) and $28.0 million (based on 2006 estimated calendar-year revenues). Allen & Company compared this range of implied enterprise values for Liberate's North America business to the $82.0 million enterprise value to be paid by Double C for Liberate's North America business in the asset sale.

        Comparative Transaction Analysis.    Using publicly available information, Allen & Company considered selected transactions in the interactive television industry that Allen & Company deemed to be generally similar to the proposed transaction. Specifically, Allen & Company reviewed the following transactions that it deemed to be generally comparable to the proposed asset sale:

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        Using publicly available information concerning historical financial performance, Allen & Company calculated the transaction values for these comparable transactions as a multiple of revenue of the target companies for the twelve months immediately preceding the announcement of the respective transactions, or LTM revenue. This analysis resulted in the following multiples of LTM revenue:

High   28.8x
Mean   7.8x
Median   4.0x
Low   1.3x

        Allen & Company compared this range of implied multiples to the 10.8x multiple of 2005 estimated calendar-year revenue implied by the price to be paid by Double C in the proposed asset sale.

        No company utilized in the comparative transaction analysis is identical to Liberate's North America business nor is any transaction identical to the proposed asset sale between Liberate and Double C. An analysis of the results therefore requires complex considerations and judgments regarding the financial and operating characteristics of Liberate's North America business and the companies involved in the comparable transactions, as well as other factors that could affect their publicly-traded and/or transaction values. The numerical results are not in themselves meaningful in analyzing the proposed asset sale as compared to the comparable transactions.

        Allen & Company is a nationally recognized investment banking firm that, as part of its investment banking business, is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, private placements and related financings, bankruptcy reorganizations and similar recapitalizations, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, and valuations for corporate and other purposes. Liberate retained Allen & Company based on those qualifications as well as its familiarity with Liberate, its management and the industry.

        In addition, in the ordinary course of Allen & Company's business, Allen & Company and its affiliates may have long or short positions, either on a discretionary or nondiscretionary basis, for it and its affiliates' own account or for those of its and its affiliates' clients, in the securities of Liberate and/or the affiliates of Double C. Allen & Company has in the past performed financial advisory services for affiliates of Double C for which it has received customary fees. Allen & Company does not have an equity interest in Liberate or in the affiliates of Double C.

        Under the terms of an engagement letter, dated as of February 26, 2004, Liberate has agreed to pay Allen & Company 1.75% of the consideration received for the asset sale. Liberate has also agreed to reimburse Allen & Company for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable fees of Allen & Company's legal counsel and all reasonable travel, database and courier expenses in connection with this engagement, and to indemnify Allen & Company and certain related persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws, relating to or arising out of Allen & Company's engagement.

Vote Required to Approve the Asset Sale and the Asset Purchase Agreement; Stockholder Voting Agreement

        Under Section 271 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and under our Amended and Restated Bylaws, the asset sale requires approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. If we fail to obtain the stockholder approval of the asset sale, we will not be able to consummate the asset sale and either Liberate or Double C may terminate the asset purchase agreement.

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        As of            , David Lockwood, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and the Lockwood Fund LLC (a private investment fund managed by Lockwood Capital Advisors LLC, of which Mr. Lockwood is the Managing Member) together owned of record            shares, representing approximately            % of our outstanding common stock. Mr. Lockwood and Lockwood Fund have entered into a stockholder voting agreement pursuant to which each has appointed Double C as such stockholders' proxy and attorney-in-fact to vote the shares held by such stockholder as of the record date in favor of the proposal approving and adopting the asset sale and the asset purchase agreement. A copy of the stockholder voting agreement is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement.

Conditions to Completion of the Asset Sale; Termination of the Asset Purchase Agreement

Conditions to Completion of the Asset Sale

        The parties' obligations to consummate the asset sale are subject to the prior satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth below:

        Double C's obligation to consummate the asset sale is also subject to the prior satisfaction or waiver of the additional conditions set forth below:

        Liberate and Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd.'s obligations to consummate the asset sale are also subject to the prior satisfaction or waiver of the additional conditions set forth below:

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        For purposes of the asset purchase agreement, a material adverse effect on Liberate, Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd., Double C or any affiliate thereof, means a material adverse effect on (i) the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of such entity and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (ii) the ability of such entity to perform its obligations under the asset purchase agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement. A material adverse effect on the assets to be sold means a change, event, violation, inaccuracy, circumstance or effect that materially and adversely affects the ownership, value, or use of the such assets in the aggregate. A material adverse effect on our North America business means a change, event, violation, inaccuracy, circumstance or effect that materially and adversely affects the business, assets or liabilities of our North America business.

        In determining whether there has been or will be a material adverse effect, none of the following factors may be taken into account: (i) any change, event, violation, inaccuracy, circumstance or effect resulting from: (A) compliance with the terms and conditions of the asset purchase agreement, (B) the announcement or pendency of the asset sale, (C) changes affecting the industry in which such person, the assets to be sold or the North America business, as applicable, operates generally or the United States economy generally (which changes in each case do not disproportionately affect such person, the assets to be sold or the North America business, as applicable, in any material respect) and (D) changes affecting general worldwide economic or capital market conditions (which changes in each case do not disproportionately affect such person, the assets to be sold or the North America business, as applicable, in any material respect), (ii) stockholder class action litigation relating to the asset purchase agreement and (iii) any failure by such person or the North America business, as applicable, to meet published revenue or earnings projections (in the absence of a material deterioration in the business or financial condition of such person or the North America Business, as applicable, that would otherwise constitute a material adverse effect but for this clause).

Termination of the Asset Purchase Agreement

        The asset purchase agreement may be terminated and the asset sale abandoned at any time prior to the closing (whether before or after stockholder approval) under the following circumstances:

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Effect of Termination

        If the asset purchase agreement is terminated, it shall become void with no liability on the part of any party thereto, except (i) for damages or other liability resulting from any willful or intentional breach and (ii) that Liberate may be required under certain circumstances to reimburse Double C for its reasonable costs and expenses, up to a maximum of $800,000. In addition, affiliates of Cox and Comcast will have certain rights under their respective licensing agreements, as discussed in "Agreements Related to the Asset Purchase Agreement" on page 36.

Agreements Related to the Asset Purchase Agreement

        Concurrently with entering into the asset purchase agreement, we entered into a Software License Agreement and a related Technical Support Agreement with an affiliate of Comcast and amended our existing Software License Agreement with an affiliate of Cox. At the closing of the asset sale, we will enter into a Technology Cross-License with Double C. The agreements with the Cox affiliate and the Comcast affiliate and the Technology Cross-License are described in greater detail below.

        Software License Agreement with Cox.    Under the Software License Agreement by and between Liberate and an affiliate of Cox, dated December 22, 2003, as amended, Liberate agreed to develop and deliver its TV Navigator 5.x platform for use by Cox and its affiliates in their cable television systems. Under the Cox Software License Agreement, the Cox affiliate is obligated to pay us a subscription-based license fee, with minimum annual license fees. The fees and certain other terms under this arrangement are to be no less favorable than the most favorable terms for such licenses and services under our agreements with any other customer. This agreement will be assigned to Double C in the asset sale.

        Amendment to Cox License Agreement.    Concurrently with reaching agreement on the sale of our North America business, we entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Cox License Agreement whereby we agreed, among other things:

1.
that if the asset purchase agreement is terminated for any reason (except by us as a result of a breach by Double C under the asset purchase agreement), the Cox affiliate may elect, within 30 days of termination of the asset purchase agreement, to obtain the source code for our North America Navigator Platforms, and upon such election the Cox affiliate will have a worldwide, non-exclusive, irrevocable license, subject to the Cox affiliate's ongoing obligations to pay minimum license fees and ongoing royalties, to the licensed Liberate software and source code for the purposes of developing and distributing products and services to its subscribers and those of its affiliates;

2.
to reduce the rate of the subscription-based license fee and the annual minimum license fees; and

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3.
to grant the Cox affiliate the right to extend the term of the Cox Software License Agreement for an additional 5 year term upon written notice to Liberate.

        Software License Agreement and Technology Support Agreement with Comcast.    Concurrently with reaching agreement on the sale of our North America business, we entered into a Software License Agreement with an affiliate of Comcast. The terms of the Comcast Software License Agreement are substantially the same as the terms of the Cox License Agreement, as amended by the Cox License Amendment, except that if the asset purchase agreement is terminated for any reason (except by us as a result of a breach by Double C under the asset purchase agreement), the Comcast affiliate has the right to elect to terminate the Comcast Software License Agreement. In the event that the Comcast affiliate elects to terminate the Software License Agreement, its obligation to pay license fees thereunder would cease. In addition, the obligation of the Comcast affiliate to pay license fees is deferred until a termination of the asset purchase agreement. If the asset purchase agreement is terminated for any reason (except by us as a result of a breach by Double C under the asset purchase agreement), the Comcast affiliate may elect, within 30 days of termination of the asset purchase agreement, to obtain the source code for our North America Navigator Platforms, and upon such election, the Comcast affiliate will have a worldwide, non-exclusive, irrevocable license, subject to the Comcast affiliate's ongoing obligations to pay minimum license fees and ongoing royalties, to the license Liberate software and source code for the purposes of developing and distributing products and services to its subscribers and those of its affiliates. We also entered into a related Technology Support Agreement with the Comcast affiliate. The terms of the Technology Support Agreement are substantially the same as the terms of a corollary Technology Support Agreement with the Cox affiliate. These agreements will be assigned to Double C in the asset sale.

        Technology Cross-License.    At the closing of the asset sale, we will also enter into a Technology Cross-License with Double C pursuant to which the parties will cross-license technology and intellectual property to one another following the closing of the asset sale for purposes of the continued conduct of their respective businesses.

Nature of Our Business After the Asset Sale

        We will continue to operate our remaining business of providing software and services for digital cable systems in Europe following the consummation of the asset sale to Double C. We will continue our efforts to resolve outstanding liabilities. We also intend to evaluate and potentially explore all available strategic alternatives. We will continue to work to maximize stockholder interest with a goal of returning value to our stockholders. Although our board of directors has not yet made any determination, such strategic alternatives may include a sale of our remaining Non-North America business, an extraordinary dividend or other transaction to maximize stockholder value.

Interests of Certain Persons in the Asset Sale

        Our executive officers, David Lockwood, Philip Vachon, Gregory Wood and Patrick Nguyen, and non-employee directors, Charles N. Corfield, Patrick S. Jones, David C. Nagel and Robert R. Walker, hold unvested stock units or unvested options to purchase shares of common stock that will become fully vested, by their terms, in connection with the consummation of the asset sale. The numbers of unvested stock units and stock options subject to accelerated vesting, as of January 31, 2005, are set forth in the table below.

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UNVESTED STOCK UNITS AND STOCK OPTIONS SUBJECT TO ACCELERATED VESTING

 
   Unvested Options to
Purchase Shares of
Common Stock
   Exercise Price of
Unvested
Stock Options
   Unvested Stock Units
David Lockwood   704,167   $ 1.75   —
Philip Vachon   956,250   $ 2.39   80,000
Gregory Wood   704,167   $ 1.75   120,000
Patrick Nguyen   704,167   $ 1.75   120,000
Charles N. Corfield   —         7,692
David C. Nagel   —         7,692
Robert R. Walker   —         7,692
Patrick S. Jones   —         7,692

        In addition, Liberate has entered into employee retention agreements with our executive officers, David Lockwood, Philip Vachon, Gregory Wood and Patrick Nguyen. Under the terms of the retention agreements, in connection with the asset sale, each of these executive officers would become entitled to receive a payment equal to twice his total taxable compensation for the prior fiscal year, with a minimum payment of $500,000 and a maximum payment of $750,000, upon actual or constructive termination of his employment within one year following the closing of the asset sale. In that event, based on their taxable compensation for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, Messrs. Lockwood, Vachon, Wood and Nguyen would be entitled to severance payments equal to approximately $500,000, $750,000, $500,000 and $500,000, respectively, or an aggregate of $2,250,000. These retention agreements will not be assigned to Double C, and will remain obligations of Liberate following, the asset sale.

        In accordance with the asset purchase agreement, Liberate and Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. have agreed to use their commercially reasonable best efforts, including the payment of any customary retention payments, necessary to induce Liberate's executive officers to remain employed by Liberate through the closing of the asset sale. Our board of directors has not yet approved any such retention payments.

Tax Consequences of the Asset Sale

        The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences from the asset sale. This discussion does not address any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, or foreign jurisdiction.

        The sale of assets by Liberate pursuant to the asset purchase agreement will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, Liberate will recognize gain or loss with respect to the sale of assets pursuant to the asset purchase agreement in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of the consideration received for each asset over the adjusted tax basis in the asset sold. The amount of consideration will include the amount of liabilities assumed, for United States federal income tax purposes, by Double C in the asset sale. Although the asset sale will result in a taxable gain to Liberate, we believe that a substantial portion of the taxable gain will be offset by current year losses from operations and available net operating loss carryforwards.

Selected Pro Forma Financial Information

        Pro forma financial information is attached to this proxy statement as Annex D. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations give effect to the asset sale as if it had occurred on June 1, 2003, and the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet gives effect to the asset sale as if it had occurred on November 30, 2004.

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No Appraisal Rights

        Our stockholders will not experience any change in their rights as stockholders as a result of the asset sale. Neither Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation nor our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for appraisal or other similar rights for dissenting stockholders in connection with this transaction. Accordingly, Liberate stockholders will have no right to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.

Regulatory Approvals

        The asset sale is subject to review by the United States Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice under the HSR Act. Under the HSR Act, Liberate and Double C are required to make pre-acquisition notification filings and to await the expiration or early termination of the statutory waiting period prior to completing the acquisition. These filings were made on February 4, 2005.

        Even after the expiration of the statutory waiting period and completion of the acquisition, either the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice or the United States Federal Trade Commission may challenge, seek to block or block the acquisition under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or desirable in the public interest. In addition, in some jurisdictions, a competitor, customer or other third party may initiate a private action under the antitrust laws challenging or seeking to enjoin the acquisition before or after completion. Liberate cannot be sure that a challenge to the acquisition will not be made or that, if a challenge is made, Liberate and Double C will prevail.

        Other than applicable U.S. antitrust laws, Liberate is not aware of any other regulatory requirements or governmental approvals or actions that may be required to consummate the asset sale, except for compliance with the applicable regulations of the SEC in connection with this proxy statement and compliance with the Delaware General Corporation Law in connection with the asset sale. Should any such approval or action be required, it is presently contemplated that such approval or action would be sought. There can be no assurance, however, that any such approval or action, if needed, could be obtained and would not be conditioned in a manner that would cause the parties to abandon the asset sale.

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THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

        This section of the proxy statement contains a summary of the material provisions of the asset purchase agreement. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the asset purchase agreement attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. We recommend that you carefully read the complete asset purchase agreement for the precise legal terms and other information that may be important to you.

Assets to be Sold

        Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the asset purchase agreement, we are selling to Double C substantially all of the assets used in our North America business, including the following:

40

Assets to be Retained

        We will retain all of our other assets, including the following:

41

Liabilities to be Assumed

        In connection with the purchase of the assets, Double C will assume certain liabilities related to our North America business, including:

Liabilities to be Retained

        We will retain all liabilities not assumed by Double C, including liabilities relating to:


Consideration for the Assets

        Double C has agreed to pay Liberate $82 million in cash for the assets to be sold, subject to adjustment as described below. Comcast and Cox have executed a guaranty whereby they have severally, and not jointly, unconditionally guaranteed the full and timely payment and performance by Double C of its obligations under the asset purchase agreement and all other agreements and instruments executed in connection with the asset sale.

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Purchase Price Adjustments

        The consideration paid by Double C for the assets shall be adjusted as follows:

        At least 10 business days prior to the closing, we will deliver to Double C a preliminary determination of the adjustments described above. We will negotiate in good faith with Double C to resolve any disputes and to reach an agreement prior to the closing date on the preliminary adjustments to the purchase price paid at closing. Within 90 days after the closing date, Double C will deliver to us a final determination of any adjustments which were not calculated as of the closing date and any corrections to our preliminary report. If we determine that there are any discrepancies, we will negotiate in good faith with Double C to resolve them. If we cannot resolve the discrepancies we will jointly retain a national independent public accounting firm not regularly engaged by us or Double C to make a final determination.

Representations and Warranties

Representations and Warranties of Liberate and Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd.

        In the asset purchase agreement, we make a number of representations and warranties to Double C, including with respect to the matters set forth below:

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Representations and Warranties of Double C

        In the asset purchase agreement, Double C makes a number of representations and warranties to us, including with respect to the matters set forth below:

Covenants

        Under the asset purchase agreement, we have made a number of covenants, including the following:

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Non-Solicitation Covenant

        Under the asset purchase agreement, we have agreed not to (and to not permit our subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, employees or agents to) (i) solicit, encourage, initiate or otherwise facilitate or participate in any inquiries, negotiations or discussions with respect to an alternative proposal, (ii) cooperate with or furnish non-public information in connection with an alternative proposal, or (iii) approve, enter into or take any other actions with respect to an alternative proposal. Under the asset purchase agreement, an alternative proposal means any proposal (other than (a) as contemplated by the asset purchase agreement, (b) as otherwise proposed by Double C or its affiliates, or (c) solely with respect to the sale of all or part of our Non-North America business) regarding (i) a merger, consolidation, tender offer, share exchange or other business combination or similar transaction involving Liberate, (ii) the issuance by Liberate of any equity interest in or any voting securities of Liberate which constitutes 20% or more of the total of such equity interests or voting securities of Liberate, (iii) the acquisition in any manner of 20% or more of the consolidated assets of Liberate or Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. or any equity interest of Liberate's subsidiaries, (iv) the acquisition by any person of beneficial ownership or a right to acquire beneficial ownership of, or the formation of any "group" (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which beneficially owns, or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of, 20% or more of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of Liberate or (v) any transaction for any material portion of the assets to be transferred to Double C in the asset sale or our North America business or any transaction the effect of which would be reasonably likely to prohibit, restrict or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement; or the occurrence of any of the transactions described in clauses (i)-(v) above or any public announcement of a proposal, plan or intention to do any of the foregoing or any agreement to engage in any of the foregoing.

        At any time prior to our stockholders' approval and adoption of the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale, and if we are not otherwise in material violation of the non-solicitation covenant, the non-solicitation covenant does not prohibit us from engaging in discussions or negotiations with, or furnishing confidential information concerning us and our business and assets to, a person who makes a written, unsolicited, bona fide alternative proposal after our board of directors by vote has determined in its good faith judgment (after consultation with outside legal counsel), that such alternative proposal is reasonably likely to lead to a superior proposal and that failure to take such action would result in a reasonable probability that our board of directors would breach its fiduciary duties to our stockholders

45


under applicable law for purposes of determining whether such alternative proposal is a superior proposal.

        In connection with a bona fide alternative proposal that is a superior proposal and is received prior to the time of our stockholders' approval and adoption of the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale, our board of directors may change its recommendation if: (i) our board of directors by vote determines in its good faith judgment that failure to do so would result in a reasonable probability that it would breach its fiduciary duties to our stockholders, after receiving the advice of its outside legal counsel, (ii) we have complied with in all material respects with our obligation to provide Double C an opportunity to propose an amendment to the asset purchase agreement to provide for terms and conditions no less favorable than the superior proposal, as determined by our board of directors, and our board of directors has considered in good faith and consistent with its fiduciary duties any proposed changes to the asset purchase agreement proposed by Double C, (iii) after taking into account any such proposed changes by Double C, such alternative proposal remains a superior proposal, and (iv) we have complied in all material respects with our obligations under the covenants regarding the stockholder meeting, the proxy statement and no solicitation.

        For purposes of the non-solicitation covenant, a superior proposal is an alternative proposal that

        and,

Non-North America Business Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Covenants

        Liberate and Liberate Technologies Canada, Ltd. have agreed for a period of one year from the closing of the asset purchase not to solicit for employment or employ any of our employees who are actively employed in and/or primarily provide services to our North America business who accepts an offer of employment from Double C or a Comcast affiliate. We have also agreed for a period of five year from the closing of the asset purchase not to develop, market, license, grant forbearances not to sue, or grant any rights to or authorize the use of, any Non-North America intellectual property (including the Non-North America Navigator Platforms) for commercial use or deployment in the United States, Canada or Mexico.

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        We have also agreed to require any purchaser of our Non-North America business to agree (i) to be bound by the above non-solicitation and non-competition covenants for the remainder of the restrictive period; (ii) to be bound by the terms of the Technology Cross-License Agreement; and (iii) that the foregoing covenants may be enforced directly by Double C and, in some cases, by affiliates of Double C. If we consummate the sale of our Non-North America business prior to consummating the asset sale, we have also agreed to require the purchaser of our Non-North America business to enter into the Technology Cross-License Agreement.

Double C Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Covenants

        Double C and its affiliates have agreed for a period of one year from the closing of the asset purchase not to solicit for employment or employ any of our employees who are not employed in and/or primarily provide services to our North America business. Double C and its affiliates have also agreed for a period of five years after the closing of the asset sale not to develop, market, license, grant forbearances not to sue, or grant any rights to or authorize the use of, any North America intellectual property (including the Non-North America Navigator Platforms) for commercial use or deployment in Europe (except for use on cable systems or broadband systems owned or operated by Double C, Comcast and Cox, along with their respective affiliates).

Labor and Employee Benefit Matters

        Under the asset purchase agreement, Liberate and Double C have agreed, among other things, that Double C or one of its subsidiaries will extend offers of employment to all employees located in Canada who are actively employed in and/or primarily provide services to our North America business and that an affiliate of Comcast will extend offers of employment to certain employees located in the United States who are actively employed in and/or primarily provide services to our North America business. Double C or Comcast's applicable affiliate shall provide each employee who accepts such offer with (i) a base salary no less favorable than such employee's base salary immediately prior to the closing and (ii) health and welfare benefits comparable in the aggregate to (a) if employed by Double C, those provided under Liberate's plans in effect immediately prior to the closing or (b) if employed by Comcast's applicable affiliate, those provided to similarly situated employees.

        Liberate and Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. have each agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to induce all employees who are actively employed in and/or primarily provide services to our North America business (whether located in the United States or Canada) to remain employed with us through the closing of the asset sale. Liberate and Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. have further agreed to use their commercially reasonable best efforts, including the payment of any customary retention payments, necessary to induce Liberate's executive officers to remain employed by Liberate through the closing of the asset sale.

        From January 14, 2005 to the closing of the asset sale, Liberate and Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. have each agreed that we and our affiliates will not solicit for employment (after closing of the asset sale) any employee actively employed in and/or primarily providing services to our North America business. Furthermore, for a period of one year after the closing of the asset sale, Liberate and Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. are restricted from soliciting for employment or employing any employee who accepts an offer of employment from Double C or a Comcast affiliate.

Closing Conditions

        The parties' obligations to consummate the asset sale are subject to the prior satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth below:

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        Double C's obligation to consummate the asset sale is also subject to the prior satisfaction or waiver of the additional conditions set forth below:

        Liberate and Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd.'s obligations to consummate the asset sale are also subject to the prior satisfaction or waiver of the additional conditions set forth below:

Termination; Expense Reimbursement

Termination

        The asset purchase agreement may be terminated and the asset sale abandoned at any time prior to closing (whether before or after stockholder approval) under the following circumstances:

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Effect of Termination

        If the asset purchase agreement is terminated, it shall become void with no liability on the part of any party thereto, except (i) for damages or other liability resulting from any willful or intentional breach and (ii) reimbursement of Double C's reasonable costs and expenses, as described below. In addition, affiliates of Cox and Comcast will have certain rights under their respective licensing agreements, as discussed in "Agreements Related to the Asset Purchase Agreement" on page 36.

Expense Reimbursement

        We have agreed to reimburse Double C's reasonable costs and expenses up to a maximum of $800,000 if: (i) an alternative proposal has been made to us or our stockholders, or has been publicly announced, and not withdrawn, and the asset purchase agreement is terminated by us or Double C because the closing has not occurred by October 14, 2005; (ii) the asset purchase agreement is terminated by us or Double C because our stockholders do not approve the asset purchase agreement; or (iii) the asset purchase agreement is terminated by Double C if (a) our board of directors fails to recommend the asset purchase agreement, withdraws, modifies or qualifies its recommendation in a manner adverse to Double C, fails to reconfirm its recommendation within five business days after a written request to do so or recommends that our stockholders approve, accept or tender their shares in response to any alternative proposal, (b) we breach our non-solicitation covenant, (c) we enter into (or our board of directors authorizes entry into) a letter of intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar undertaking with respect to any alternative proposal or (d) Liberate or Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. materially breaches any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in a manner that is not curable.

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Amendment; Assignment

Amendment

        The asset purchase agreement may be amended by action of all the parties, via action taken or authorized by their respective boards of directors, at any time before or after approval of the asset sale by our stockholders. After approval by our stockholders, no amendment shall be made which by law requires further approval by our stockholders without such further approval. The asset purchase agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.

Assignment

        The asset purchase agreement and the rights and obligations thereunder are not assignable or transferable by us or Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd., on the one hand, or, Double C, on the other hand (other than following the closing by operation of law or in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all the assets of Liberate or Double C) without the prior written consent of the other. However, Double C may assign in whole or in part its rights and obligations under the asset purchase agreement to any affiliate without our consent, and may assign its rights to acquire any assets owned or held by Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. and to employ employees of Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. to a newly formed subsidiary, provided that Double C shall remain liable for its obligations thereunder and any such assignee must satisfy any representations, requirements, obligations or covenants of Double C in respect of any tax elections or any other tax matters.

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VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

        The following table shows how much of our common stock was beneficially owned as of January 31, 2005 by (i) each known holder of 5% or more of our common stock, (ii) each director, (iii) each executive officer and (iv) all current directors and executive officers as a group. To our knowledge and except as set forth in the footnotes to the table, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable. Unless indicated otherwise, each holder's address is c/o Liberate Technologies, 2655 Campus Drive, Suite 250, San Mateo, California 94403.

        The column labeled "Options/Units" below reflects shares of common stock that are subject to options or stock units that are currently exercisable or will become vested or exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2005. Those shares are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these options or units, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Percentage ownership is based on 106,072,130 shares outstanding on January 31, 2005.

        The following table does not include interests of our executive officers and non-employee directors in unvested stock units or unvested options to purchase shares of our common stock that will become fully vested, by their terms, in connection with the consummation of the asset sale. For a discussion of such interests, see "Interests of Certain Persons in the Asset Sale" on page 37.


Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership

Beneficial Owner
   Shares
   Options/Units
   Total
   Percent of
Class
  
CCM Master Fund, Ltd.(1)   15,764,621   —   15,764,621   14.9 %
David Lockwood(2)   12,032,901   650,000   12,682,901   11.9 %
Double C Technologies, LLC(3)   12,032,901   —   12,032,901   11.3 %
OZ Management, L.L.C.(4)   10,368,180   —   10,368,180   9.8 %
Highfields Capital Management LP(5)   10,000,000   —   10,000,000   9.4 %
Glenview Capital Management, LLC(6)   5,766,500   —   5,766,500   5.4 %
Philip A. Vachon   16,506   814,583   831,089   *  
Gregory S. Wood   27,911   650,000   677,911   *  
Patrick P. Nguyen   17,911   650,000   667,911   *  
Dr. David C. Nagel   5,882   197,179   203,061   *  
Charles N. Corfield   49,284   97,109   146,393   *  
Patrick S. Jones   5,882   3,846   9,728   *  
Robert R. Walker   5,882   3,846   9,728   *  
All current directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)   12,162,159   3,066,563   15,228,722   14.0 %
*
Less than 1% of our outstanding shares of common stock.

(1)
Includes 15,744,521 shares owned directly by CCM Master Fund, Ltd., 13,600 shares held by Grant R. Coghill, and 6,500 shares held by Grace A. Coghill. Clint D. Coghill is the managing member of Coghill Capital Management, L.L.C., an entity that serves as the investment manager of CCM Master Fund, Ltd. Clint D. Coghill also serves as the investment custodian for Grant R. Coghill and Grace A. Coghill. The address of CCM Master Fund, Ltd. and the other beneficial owners of these securities is One North Wacker Drive, Suite 4725, Chicago, IL 60606. This information has been taken from a Schedule 13G/A filed by the beneficial owners on February 20, 2003.

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(2)
Shares include 3,807,201 shares owned directly by Mr. Lockwood and 8,225,700 shares owned directly by Lockwood Fund LLC. Mr. Lockwood is managing member of Lockwood Capital Advisors LLC, which is the managing member of Lockwood Fund LLC. The address of the principal office of Lockwood Fund LLC and Lockwood Capital Advisors LLC is c/o Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Stuart D. Freedman, Esq.

(3)
Double C Technologies, LLC, pursuant to a stockholder voting agreement dated as of January 14, 2005, has acquired the right to vote the shares held by David Lockwood and Lockwood Fund LLC in favor of the proposal to approve and adopt the asset purchase agreement and the asset sale. Double C and certain of its affiliates may be deemed to beneficially own 12,032,901 shares. The address of Double C is 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. The information regarding Double C has been taken from a Schedule 13D filed on January 24, 2005.

(4)
OZ Management, L.L.C. and Daniel S. Och, its Senior Managing Member, may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of all these shares. This amount includes 9,671,343 shares beneficially owned by OZ Master Fund, Ltd., of which OZ Management, L.L.C. is the principal investment manager. The address of OZ Management, L.L.C. and Daniel S. Och is 9 West 57th Street, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10019. The address of OZ Master Fund, Ltd. is c/o Goldman Sachs (Cayman) Trust, Limited, P.O. Box 896, G.T. Harbour Centre, Second Floor, North Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I. This information has been taken from a Schedule 13G filed on February 13, 2004.

(5)
The 10,000,000 shares are directly owned by Highfields Capital I LP, Highfields Capital II LP and Highfields Capital Ltd. (which directly owns 6,969,110 of the shares). These shares are also beneficially owned by Highfields Capital Management LP, the investment manager to the three direct owners; Highfields GP LLC, the General Partner of Highfields Capital Management LP; and Jonathon S. Jacobson and Richard L. Grubman, the Managing Members of Highfields GP LLC. The address of Highfields Capital Management LP, Highfields GP LLC, Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Grubman is c/o Highfields Capital Management, 200 Clarendon Street, 51st Floor, Boston, MA 02116. The address of Highfields Capital Ltd. is c/o Goldman Sachs (Cayman) Trust, Limited, Harbour Centre, Second Floor, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I. This information has been taken from a Schedule 13G filed on July 8, 2003.

(6)
These shares are beneficially owned by Glenview Capital Management, LLC, Glenview Capital GP, LLC, Glenview Capital Partners, L.P., Glenview Capital Master Fund, Ltd. and Glenview Institutional Partners, L.P. The address of Glenview Capital Master Fund, Ltd. is c/o Goldman Sachs (Cayman) Trust, Limited, Harbour Centre, North Church Street, P.O. Box 896GT, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I. The address for all other entities is 399 Park Avenue, Floor 39, New York, NY 10022. This information has been taken from a Schedule 13G filed on January 30, 2004.

Stockholder Proposals

        Only such business will be conducted at this special meeting as will have been brought by our board of directors before the meeting pursuant to the attached Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders.

        If you want to submit a proposal for presentation at our 2005 Annual Meeting, you must submit it to us by May 17, 2005, in order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and related proxy materials for that meeting. Otherwise, if you intend to present a proposal at the 2005 meeting without including that proposal in Liberate's proxy materials, you must provide advance notice of the proposal to Liberate not earlier than July 1, 2005 nor later than July 31, 2005. Address all stockholder proposals to Liberate Technologies, 2655 Campus Drive, Suite 250, San Mateo, California 94403, Attn: General Counsel. We reserve the right to reject, rule out-of-order, or take other appropriate action with respect

52


to any proposal that does not comply with applicable requirements, including conditions established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We advise you to review our Amended and Restated Bylaws, which contain this and other requirements with respect to advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws were filed with the SEC as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 10-K filed on September 16, 2003, which can be viewed by visiting our investor relations website at http://investors.liberate.com and may also be obtained by writing to our General Counsel at our principal executive office (2655 Campus Drive, Suite 250, San Mateo, CA 94403).


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        Liberate files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that Liberate files with the SEC at the SEC's public reference rooms at Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549.

        Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. These SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the Internet worldwide web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

        You should rely only on the information contained in this proxy statement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained in this proxy statement. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. This proxy statement does not constitute a solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction where, or to or from any person to whom, it is unlawful to make a proxy solicitation. This proxy statement is dated            , 2005. You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date other than that date, unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies. The mailing of this proxy statement to our stockholders does not create any implication to the contrary.


OTHER MATTERS

        The board of directors knows of no other matters to be presented for stockholder action at the meeting. However, if other matters do properly come before the meeting, the board of directors intends that the persons named in the proxies received by Liberate will vote upon those matters in accord with their best judgment.

By order of the board of directors,

David Lockwood
 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

San Mateo, California
                  , 2005

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ANNEX A
  
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and between
  
DOUBLE C TECHNOLOGIES, LLC,
   
LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES,
   
and
   
LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES CANADA, LTD.
  
Dated as of January 14, 2005

A-1


TABLE OF CONTENTS


ARTICLE I
 
DEFINITIONS
 
A-7

1.1
 
Certain Defined Terms
 
A-7

1.2
 
Additional Definitions
 
A-14

1.3
 
Terms Generally
 
A-15

ARTICLE II
 
CLOSING AND PURCHASE PRICE
 
A-15

2.1
 
Sale and Transfer of the Assets
 
A-15

2.2
 
Assets Not Transferred
 
A-16

2.3
 
Assumed and Excluded Liabilities
 
A-17

2.4
 
Closing; Purchase Price
 
A-18

2.5
 
Seller's Deliveries at the Closing
 
A-19

2.6
 
Purchaser's Deliveries at the Closing
 
A-20

2.7
 
Tax Allocation
 
A-21

2.8
 
Tax Proration
 
A-21

2.9
 
Sales Taxes
 
A-21

2.10
 
Risk of Loss
 
A-21

2.11
 
Tax Reporting
 
A-21

2.12
 
Canadian Taxes
 
A-22

ARTICLE III
 
CERTAIN ACTIONS
 
A-22

3.1
 
Seller Stockholder Meeting
 
A-22

3.2
 
Proxy Statement
 
A-23

3.3
 
Reasonable Best Efforts
 
A-23

ARTICLE IV
 
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND THE CANADIAN SUBSIDIARY
 
A-24

4.1
 
Authority; No Conflicts; Governmental Consents; Corporate Matters
 
A-24

4.2
 
SEC Filings; Financial Statements; Absence of Changes
 
A-26

4.3
 
Proxy Statement
 
A-28

4.4
 
Taxes
 
A-28

4.5
 
Assets Other than Real Property Interests
 
A-29

4.6
 
Real Property Interests
 
A-29

4.7
 
Intellectual Property
 
A-29

4.8
 
Contracts
 
A-31

4.9
 
Legal Proceedings
 
A-32
         

A-2


4.10
 
Licenses; Compliance with Regulatory Requirements
 
A-33

4.11
 
Employee Benefits Matters
 
A-33

4.12
 
Labor and Employee Relations
 
A-35

4.13
 
Fairness Opinion
 
A-36

4.14
 
Recommendation of the Seller Board
 
A-36

4.15
 
Vote Required
 
A-36

4.16
 
Brokers
 
A-36

4.17
 
Transactions with Affiliates
 
A-36

4.18
 
No Investment Company
 
A-36

4.19
 
Insurance
 
A-36

4.20
 
Rights Agreement
 
A-37

ARTICLE V
 
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
 
A-37

5.1
 
Authority; No Conflicts; Governmental Consents
 
A-37

5.2
 
Proxy Statement
 
A-38

5.3
 
Litigation
 
A-38

5.4
 
Brokers
 
A-38

5.5
 
Interim Operations of Purchaser
 
A-38

5.6
 
Capital Resources
 
A-38

ARTICLE VI
 
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
 
A-39

6.1
 
Access to Information
 
A-39

6.2
 
Confidentiality
 
A-39

6.3
 
Public Announcements
 
A-41

6.4
 
Ordinary Conduct
 
A-41

6.5
 
Seller's Bankruptcy
 
A-44

6.6
 
No Solicitation
 
A-44

6.7
 
Insurance
 
A-46

6.8
 
Accounts Receivable
 
A-47

6.9
 
Non-Competition
 
A-47

6.10
 
Cooperation
 
A-48

6.11
 
Tax Matters
 
A-49

6.12
 
Waiver of Bulk Sales Requirement
 
A-49

6.13
 
Non Transferable Assets
 
A-49

6.14
 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act Compliance
 
A-50

6.15
 
Liquidation of Seller
 
A-50
         

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6.16
 
Patent Lawsuit and Other Legal Proceedings
 
A-51

6.17
 
Patent Filings
 
A-51

6.18
 
Transition Services
 
A-51

ARTICLE VII
 
LABOR AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS
 
A-52

7.1
 
Offers of Employment
 
A-52

7.2
 
Retention of Business Employees
 
A-52

7.3
 
Certain Liabilities
 
A-52

7.4
 
No Obligation to Maintain Employees or Plans
 
A-53

7.5
 
Post-Closing Solicitation of Business Employees
 
A-53

7.6
 
COBRA
 
A-53

7.7
 
Records
 
A-54

7.8
 
FICA
 
A-54

7.9
 
Restrictive Covenant
 
A-54

7.10
 
Assignment
 
A-54

ARTICLE VIII
 
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
 
A-55

8.1
 
Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Purchaser, Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary
 
A-55

8.2
 
Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Purchaser
 
A-55

8.3
 
Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary
 
A-56

ARTICLE IX
 
TERMINATION
 
A-56

9.1
 
Termination by Mutual Consent
 
A-56

9.2
 
Termination by Either Purchaser or Seller
 
A-57

9.3
 
Termination by Seller
 
A-57

9.4
 
Termination by Purchaser
 
A-57

9.5
 
Effect of Termination and Abandonment
 
A-58

ARTICLE X
 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
A-58

10.1
 
Assignment
 
A-58

10.2
 
Survival
 
A-58

10.3
 
No Third-Party Beneficiaries
 
A-59

10.4
 
Expenses
 
A-59

10.5
 
Equity Relief
 
A-59

10.6
 
Amendments
 
A-59

10.7
 
Notices
 
A-59

10.8
 
Interpretation; Exhibits and Schedules
 
A-60
         

A-4


10.9
 
Counterparts
 
A-60

10.10
 
Severability
 
A-61

10.11
 
Waiver of Compliance; Consents
 
A-61

10.12
 
Entire Agreement
 
A-61

10.13
 
Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction
 
A-61

10.14
 
Joint Participation in Drafting this Agreement; Construction
 
A-62

10.15
 
Further Assurances
 
A-62

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Exhibits


Exhibit A
 
Technology Cross License


List of Schedules


Schedule 1.1(a)(i)
 
Assigned Contracts

Schedule 1.1(a)(ii)
 
Non-North America Intellectual Property

Schedule 1.1(a)(iii)
 
North America Intellectual Property

Schedule 2.2(j)
 
Excluded Assets

Schedules 2.4(c) and (d)
 
Preliminary Schedule of Cash Consideration Adjustments

Schedule 6.4
 
Ordinary Conduct

Schedule 6.8
 
Employee Receivables

Schedule 6.17
 
Patent Filings

A-6


ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

        This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of January 14, 2005, by and among DOUBLE C TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Purchaser"), LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES, a Delaware corporation ("Seller"), and LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES CANADA, LTD., a corporation organized under the laws of Canada (the "Canadian Subsidiary").

        WHEREAS, Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary are engaged in the business of developing, marketing and selling software and related services for cable systems that are intended to enable cable operators to provide interactive television and other services;

        WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire that Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary sell, transfer, convey and assign to Purchaser all of the specified assets, properties, interest in properties and rights of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary used, held for use or intended to be used in the North America Business, and that Purchaser purchase and acquire the same, subject to the assumption by Purchaser of the specified liabilities and obligations of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary identified in this Agreement that relate to the North America Business, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;

        WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to the parties' willingness to enter into this Agreement, Purchaser and Seller will at the Closing enter into the Technology Cross License in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Technology Cross License"); and

        WHEREAS, immediately prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, as a condition and inducement to Purchaser's willingness to enter into this Agreement, each of David Lockwood and Lockwood Fund LLC, who each directly or indirectly beneficially owns shares of the Seller Common Stock, has executed and delivered to Purchaser a voting agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "Voting Agreement").

        NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

        1.1    Certain Defined Terms.    

        As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

        "Action" means any claim, action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority.

        "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term "control" (including its correlative meanings, the terms "controlling", "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, each of Comcast Parent and Cox Parent, and each of their respective Affiliates, shall be deemed an Affiliate of Purchaser.

        "Alternative Proposal" means (A) any proposal (whether or not in writing and whether or not delivered to Seller's stockholders generally), other than (x) as contemplated by this Agreement, (y) as otherwise proposed by Purchaser or its Affiliates or (z) solely with respect to the sale of all or part of the Non-North America Business, regarding (i) a merger, consolidation, tender offer, share exchange or

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other business combination or similar transaction involving Seller, (ii) the issuance by Seller of any equity interest in or any voting securities of Seller which constitutes 20% or more of the total of such equity interests or voting securities of Seller, (iii) the acquisition in any manner, directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of the consolidated assets of Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary or any equity interest of its Subsidiaries, (iv) the acquisition by any Person of beneficial ownership or a right to acquire beneficial ownership of, or the formation of any "group" (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) which beneficially owns, or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of, 20% or more of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of Seller or (v) any transaction for any material portion of the Transferred Assets or the North America Business or any transaction the effect of which would be reasonably likely to prohibit, restrict or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (B) the occurrence of any of the transactions described in clauses (i)-(v) of (A) above or any public announcement of a proposal, plan or intention to do any of the foregoing or any agreement to engage in any of the foregoing.

        "Assigned Contracts" means those Contracts listed on Schedule 1.1(a)(i) hereto and the Canadian Lease.

        "Bill of Sale" means the bill of sale in a form reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser and Seller pursuant to which title to the Transferred Assets will be conveyed by Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary to Purchaser.

        "Business Employees" means all employees of the Seller and its Affiliates who are employed in and/or primarily provide services to the North America Business and who reside in the United States or in Canada.

        "Canadian Lease" means the Lease Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2003, between the Canadian Subsidiary and Old Oak Properties Inc., relating to the Canadian Leased Property, together with the Lease Amending Agreement in the form provided to Purchaser (or with such changes as are consented to by Purchaser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) if it is executed prior to the Closing.

        "Canadian Leased Property" means the real property located at 150 Dufferin Avenue, London, Ontario N6A 5N6, Canada (including all buildings, improvements and structures located thereon and all rights, privileges, easements and appurtenances thereto) leased to the Canadian Subsidiary pursuant to the Canadian Lease.

        "Code" means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

        "Comcast License" means, collectively, the Comcast/Liberate Software License Agreement and the Technical Support Agreement, in each case entered into by Seller and Comcast STB Software LIB, LLC on the date hereof.

        "Comcast Parent" means Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation.

        "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission and the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        "Contract" means any contract, agreement, license, lease, sales or purchase order or other legally binding undertaking or commitment, whether written or oral, including any amendments and other modifications thereto.

        "Copyrights" means all registered or unregistered copyrights (including those in computer software and databases), and all registrations and applications to register the same and all renewals thereof, and all moral rights associated with such copyrights.

        "Cox License" means the Amendment No. 5 to Cox/Liberate Software License Agreement entered into by Seller and CoxCom, Inc. on the date hereof.

A-8


        "Cox Parent" means Cox Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation

        "DGCL" means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

        "Employee Benefit Plan(s)" means any and all "employee pension benefit plans" (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), "employee welfare benefit plans" (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), whether or not subject to the provisions of ERISA, and all other benefit plans (including all employment, bonus, deferred compensation, old age, part-time, incentive compensation, stock ownership, stock purchase, stock appreciation, restricted stock, stock option, "phantom" stock, performance, stock bonus, paid time off, perquisite, fringe benefit, vacation, severance or other plan, program, policy, agreements, arrangement or understandings (whether or not legally binding) whether or not subject to the provisions of ERISA) that are maintained or contributed to, or required to be maintained or contributed to, by Seller, the Canadian Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate for the benefit of any current or former employee of Seller, the Canadian Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate.

        "Employment Contracts" means Contracts, whether oral or written, relating to a Business Employee, including any communication or practice relating to a Business Employee which imposes any obligation on Seller or any of its Subsidiaries.

        "Equity Securities" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof, and in any event includes any common stock, any limited partnership interest, any limited liability company interest and any other interest or security having the attendant right to vote for directors or similar representatives.

        "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

        "ERISA Affiliate" means any entity that is required to be treated as a single employer together with Seller under Section 414 of the Code or 4001 of ERISA.

        "Europe" means the member states of the European Union as of the date hereof.

        "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

        "Excluded Leases" means (i) the Circle Star Lease Agreement dated April 27, 1999 by and between Circle Star Center Associates, L.P. and Network Computer, Inc. (former name of Liberate Technologies) (the "Circle Star Lease"), (ii) Sublease dated as of December 7, 2001, between Liberate Technologies and DemandTec Inc., (iii) Sublease dated as of November 1, 2002, between Liberate Technologies and di Carta, Inc., (iv) Office Lease Agreement dated December 12, 2003 between EOP-Peninsula Office Park, L.L.C. and Liberate Technologies, (v) Agreement of Assignment dated December 22, 2000 between Kobe Steel Europe Limited, Liberate Technologies B.V., and Liberate Technologies, relating to the Underlease of Third Floor of the building known as 174/177 High Holborn, London WC1, dated January 18, 1991 between Target Holdings Limited and Kobe Steel Europe Limited, and any amendments or addendums to, or any other agreements by the parties thereto relating to, any of the foregoing.

        "GAAP" means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States applied in a manner consistent with the most recently published financial statements of the Person with respect to which the reference to GAAP is made.

        "Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any federal, state, provincial, local, municipal, foreign (including supranational) or other political subdivision, any government or quasi-governmental entity of any nature, thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including, without limitation, any

A-9


administrative department, court, commission, board, bureau, agency, authority or instrumentality thereof.

        "Governmental Order" means any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority.

        "HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

        "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof), (i) every liability of such Person (A) for borrowed money, (B) evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments (whether or not negotiable), (C) for reimbursement of amounts drawn under letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person, (D) issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding accounts payable), (E) relating to a capitalized lease obligation and all debt attributable to sale/leaseback transactions of such Person, (F) secured by a Lien (other than Permitted Liens described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of the definition of Permitted Liens), (G) relating to swaps, options, caps, collars, hedges, forward exchanges or similar agreements or (H) that would be reflected in a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; and (ii) every liability of others of the kind described in the preceding clause (i) that such Person has guaranteed or which is otherwise its legal liability.

        "Intellectual Property" means all of the following: (i) all Patents, (ii) all designs, methods, processes, technology and inventions and any derivatives thereof (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), all improvements thereto and enhancements thereof, (iii) all Trademarks, Internet domain names, URLs and applications therefor, (iv) all Copyrights, (v) all mask works and all applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith, (vi) all know-how, including, but not limited to, Trade Secrets, (vii) all computer software (including data and related documentation, fixes, new releases, enhancements, updates, additions and/or modifications, source code and object code), (viii) all platforms, applications, interfaces, products, systems and services, and (ix) all other proprietary rights including intellectual property and intangible property rights. In the case of Intellectual property owned or licensed by Seller, such Intellectual Property shall include (x) all copies and tangible embodiments of any of the Transferred Assets (in whatever form or medium), including any notebooks, logs, files (including any files maintained by Seller's Patent, Copyright, Trade Secret and Trademark counsel(s)), records, data or documentation relating to the Transferred Assets or the Excluded Assets, as applicable, and (y) all of Seller's and its Subsidiaries' books, records and ledger sheets associated with the Transferred Assets or the Excluded Assets, as applicable.

        "Law" means any foreign, federal, state, provincial or local statute, law, ordinance, regulation, administrative regulations, administrative act, rule, code, judgment, order, requirement or rule, including common law.

        "Legal Proceeding" means any private or governmental claim, action, suit, complaint, arbitration, mediation, legal or administrative proceeding or investigation.

        "Liabilities" means any and all debts, liabilities, commitments and obligations of any kind or nature, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured or determined or determinable, asserted or unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, including those arising, reported or claimed under any Law, Legal Proceeding, Action or Governmental Order.

        "License Agreements" means all agreements (whether written or oral and whether with Seller or its Subsidiaries or any third parties), including license agreements, research agreements, development agreements, distribution agreements, settlement agreements, consent to use agreements and covenants not to sue to which the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or otherwise bound, granting any right to use, exploit or practice any North America Intellectual Property or restricting the right of Seller or its Subsidiaries to use or enforce any North America Intellectual Property.

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        "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, charge, assignment, encumbrance, easement, lease, sublease, covenant, right of way, option, claim, restriction, lien (statutory or other) or security interest.

        "Material Adverse Effect" on a Person means a material adverse effect on (i) the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (ii) the ability of such Person to perform its obligations under, and to consummate the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement; "Material Adverse Effect" on the Transferred Assets means an Effect (as defined below) that materially and adversely affects the ownership, value, or use of the Transferred Assets in the aggregate, and a "Material Adverse Effect" on the North America Business means an Effect that materially and adversely affects the business, assets or liabilities of the North America Business; provided, however, in no event shall any of the following be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a Material Adverse Effect: (A) any change, event, violation, inaccuracy, circumstance or effect (any such item, an "Effect") resulting from compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (B) any Effect resulting from the announcement or pendency of the transactions contemplated hereby, (C) any Effect that results from changes affecting the industry in which such Person, the Transferred Assets or the North America Business, as applicable, operates generally or the United States economy generally (which changes in each case do not disproportionately affect such Person, the Transferred Assets or the North America Business, as applicable, in any material respect), (D) any Effect that results from changes affecting general worldwide economic or capital market conditions (which changes in each case do not disproportionately affect such Person, the Transferred Assets or the North America Business, as applicable, in any material respect), (E) stockholder class action litigation arising from or relating to this Agreement and (F) any failure by such Person or the North America Business, as applicable, to meet published revenue or earnings projections, which failure shall have occurred in the absence of a material deterioration in the business or financial condition of such Person or the North America Business, as applicable, that would otherwise constitute a Material Adverse Effect but for this clause (F). For the avoidance of doubt, compliance with (and the consequences thereof) the terms of this Agreement shall not be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred or shall be expected to occur for any and all purposes of this Agreement.

        "Nasdaq" means the National Market System of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

        "Non-North America Business" means Seller's and its Subsidiaries' businesses other than the North America Business, including the business of developing, marketing and selling Non-North America Navigator Platforms and related services for cable systems that are intended to enable cable operators to provide interactive television services outside the United States, Canada and Mexico.

        "Non-North America Intellectual Property" means (i) all of Seller's and its Subsidiaries' Intellectual Property embodied in or associated solely with the Non-North America Navigator Platforms that is owned by or licensed to Seller and its Subsidiaries and used or held for use solely in connection with the Non-North America Business and (ii) all Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 1.1(a)(ii) hereto, but excluding any of Seller's and its Subsidiaries' Registered North America Intellectual Property Rights issued or to be issued in the United States, Canada and/or Mexico with a priority date prior to the Closing.

        "Non-North America Navigator Platforms" means (i) all of Seller's and its Subsidiaries' software, technology and associated documentation used or held for use solely in connection with the Non-North America Business and (ii) all software, technology and associated documentation set forth on Schedule 1.1(a)(ii) hereto, but excluding North America Navigator Platforms.

        "North America Business" means all the businesses conducted by Seller and its Subsidiaries in North America, including Seller's and its Subsidiaries' business of developing, marketing and selling North America Navigator Platforms and related services for cable systems that are intended to enable

A-11


cable operators to provide interactive television services in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but excluding activities of Seller and its Subsidiaries in North America primarily related to its corporate functions or businesses conducted outside of the United States, Canada and Mexico.

        "North America Intellectual Property" means the Intellectual Property embodied in or associated with the North America Navigator Platform that is owned by or licensed to Seller and its Subsidiaries and used or held for use in connection with the North America Business, including the items set forth on Schedule 1.1(a)(iii) hereto and all of Seller's and all of its Subsidiaries' Intellectual Property issued or to be issued with a priority date prior to the Closing in the United States, Canada and Mexico regardless of whether such Intellectual Property relates to the North America Navigator Platform, but excluding Non-North America Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 1.1(a)(ii).

        "North America Navigator Platforms" means all software, including source and object code, Seller's LMC card technology, and associated documentation (i) developed and marketed by Seller and its Subsidiaries under the name TV Navigator 2.x, Navigator 3.x and Navigator 5.x or (ii) developed or assigned for use in connection with the Open Cable Application Platform.

        "Patent Lawsuit" means the action titled OpenTV, Inc. v. Liberate Technologies, Case No. C-02-00655 SBA pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, but only to the extent set forth in the complaint dated February 7, 2002.

        "Patents" means issued patents and pending patent applications (including provisional patent applications), and any and all divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, renewals, reexaminations, and extensions thereof, any counterparts claiming priority therefrom, utility models, patents of importation/confirmation, supplementary protection certificates, certificates of invention and similar statutory rights.

        "Permitted Liens" means such of the following as to which no enforcement, collection, execution, levy or foreclosure proceeding shall have been commenced: (a) Liens for Taxes, assessments, and governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable; (b) Liens imposed by Law, such as materialmen's, mechanics', carriers', workmen's and repairmen's liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business securing obligations that (i) are not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days and (ii) are not in excess of $10,000 in the case of a single property or $50,000 in the aggregate at any time; (c) pledges or deposits to secure obligations under workers' compensation laws or similar legislation or to secure public or statutory obligations; and (d) Liens arising under conditional sales contracts and equipment leases with third parties entered into in the ordinary course of business.

        "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.

        "Registered North America Intellectual Property Rights" mean any legal rights in any pending applications for, or registrations or issuances or grants of, any North America Intellectual Property before any Governmental Authority responsible for issuing or registering any of the North America Intellectual Property, other than those that have been formally abandoned or allowed to lapse by the Seller or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the exercise of reasonable business judgment.

        "Retained Litigation" means all causes of action, claims, demands, rights and privileges of Seller and any of its Subsidiaries against (i) Source Suite Acquisition LLC, Source Suite LLC, Source Media, Inc., Insight Communications Company, Inc. (but only to the extent to which they are attributable to the period prior to Closing), (ii) former officers of Seller, or (iii) other third parties to the extent not relating to the Transferred Assets or the North America Business including causes of

A-12


actions, claims and rights under or relating to insurance policies relating thereto, but excluding the Patent Lawsuit.

        "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

        "Seller Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Seller.

        "Seller Disclosure Letter" means the disclosure letter, dated as of the date hereof, delivered by Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary to Purchaser.

        "Seller Subsidiary" means Navigator Technologies LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware.

        "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity controlled by such Person directly or indirectly through any other Subsidiary of such Person or in which such Person owns directly or indirectly through any other Subsidiary of such Person more than 50% of the outstanding common stock or other outstanding Equity Securities ordinarily entitled to vote in such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, the Canadian Subsidiary shall be deemed a Subsidiary of Seller for purposes of this Agreement.

        "Tax" or "Taxes" means any and all taxes and other similar charges of any kind imposed by any governmental or taxing authority, including: federal, state, provincial, local or foreign income, gross receipts, net wealth, net worth, equity, sales, use, turnover, ad valorem, value-added, environmental, capital, unitary, intangible, franchise, profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security (or similar), excise, severance, stamp, transfer, real estate transfer, occupation, premium, property, alternative or add-on minimum tax, customs duty or other tax or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest or penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed with respect thereto.

        "Tax Return" means any return, statement, report or form (including any related or supporting schedules, statements or information, and including any amendment thereof) filed or required to be filed with or submitted to any Governmental Authority in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax or in connection with the administration, implementation or enforcement of or compliance with any Law relating to any Tax.

        "Trade Secrets" means all categories of trade secrets as defined in the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, including confidential research and development, know-how, formulas, ideas, inventions and invention disclosures not part of a Patent or published patent application, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, methods, schematics, technology, data (including, but not limited to, all business and technical information, and information and data relating to research, development, analytical methods, processes, formulations and compositions), research summary data, research raw data, laboratory notebooks, procedures, proprietary technology and information, blueprints, designs, drawings, flowcharts, block diagrams, specifications, customer and supplier lists, pricing and cost information, and business and marketing plans and proposals.

        "Trademarks" means registered and unregistered trademarks, trade dress, service marks, logos and designs, trade names, internet domain names, commercial symbols, corporate names and all registrations renewals and applications in connection therewith together with all translations, adaptations, derivations and combinations thereof and all goodwill associated therewith.

        "Transaction Documents" means (a) this Agreement, (b) the Bill of Sale, (c) the Technology Cross License, (d) the Comcast License, (e) the Cox License and (f) any agreement, certificate or similar instrument delivered by the parties at the Closing, including the instruments delivered under Section 2.5 and Section 2.6.

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        "United States" means the United States of America, including its territories and possessions and including Puerto Rico.

        1.2    Additional Definitions.    

        The following additional terms have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Section indicated below next to such term:

Defined Term
   Section
Acquisition Proposal   3.1
Agreement   Preamble
Antitrust Laws   3.3
Assumed Liabilities   2.3(a)
Canadian Benefit Plans   4.11(e)
Canadian Subsidiary   Preamble
Cash Consideration   2.4(b)(i)
Closing   2.4(a)
Closing Date   2.4(a)
COBRA Coverage   7.6
Employee Receivables   6.8
Environmental Laws   4.10(b)
Excluded Assets   2.2
Excluded Liabilities   2.3(b)
Fairness Opinion   4.13
Final Report   2.4(f)
Governmental Consent   4.1(c)(ii)
Governmental Filing   4.1(c)(ii)
Injunction   3.3
Licenses   4.10(a)
Material Contract(s)   4.8(a)
Non-Transferable Asset   6.13(a)
Payroll Taxes   7.8
Permits   4.10(a)(i)
Preliminary Report   2.4(e)
Proxy Statement   3.2(a)
Purchaser   Preamble
Purchaser Expenses   9.5(a)(ii)
Records   2.1(g)
Representatives   6.2(a)
Restricted Period   7.5(a)
Restricted Persons   6.6(a)
Restrictive Period   6.9(a)
Sarbanes-Oxley Act   6.14
Seller   Preamble
Seller Balance Sheet   4.2(b)
Seller Board   3.1
Seller Bylaws   3.1
Seller Charter   3.1
Seller Commission Filings   4.2(a)(ii)
Seller Financials   4.2(b)
Seller Rights Agreement   4.20
Seller Special Meeting   3.1
     

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Superior Proposal   6.6(b)
Technology Cross License   Recitals
Termination Date   9.2
Transferred Assets   2.1
Transferred Employees   7.1
TV Navigator 3.x   4.7(k)
Violation   4.1(c)(iv)
Voting Agreement   Recitals

        1.3    Terms Generally.    

        The definitions set forth or referenced in this Agreement shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words "include", "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation". The words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import refer to this Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules) in its entirety and not to any part hereof unless the context shall otherwise require. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Unless the context shall otherwise require, any references to any statute or regulation are to it as amended and supplemented from time to time (and, in the case of a statute or regulation, to any successor provisions). Any reference in this Agreement to a "day" or number of "days" (without the explicit qualification of "business day") shall be interpreted as a reference to a calendar day or number of calendar days. If any action or notice is to be taken or given on or by a particular calendar day, and such calendar day is not a business day, then such action or notice shall be deferred until, or may be taken or given on, the next business day. References to the term "business day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or day on which banks in New York City, New York are authorized or required by law to close. References to the terms "$" and "dollars" shall mean U.S. dollars.


ARTICLE II

CLOSING AND PURCHASE PRICE

        2.1    Sale and Transfer of the Assets.    

        Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date, Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary will sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver to Purchaser, and Purchaser will purchase, acquire and accept from Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary, all of Seller's and the Canadian Subsidiary's and their other Subsidiaries' right, title and interest in and to all of the business, properties, rights, claims and assets (except the Excluded Assets) of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary and their other Subsidiaries set forth in this Section 2.1 (collectively, the "Transferred Assets"), with such changes, additions or deletions therein or thereto from the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date as may be expressly permitted under this Agreement. The Transferred Assets consist of:

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        In furtherance of the foregoing, Seller shall cause Seller Subsidiary to take all actions necessary to transfer and assign all of its right, title and interest in and to any of the Transferred Assets to Purchaser at the Closing, including the execution of instruments pursuant to Sections 2.5(c) and 2.5(g).

        2.2    Assets Not Transferred.    

        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the following assets are not included in the Transferred Assets and shall be retained by Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary (the "Excluded Assets"):

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        2.3    Assumed and Excluded Liabilities.    

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        2.4    Closing; Purchase Price.    

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        2.5    Seller's Deliveries at the Closing    

        At the Closing, Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Purchaser the following:

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        2.6    Purchaser's Deliveries at the Closing.    

        At the Closing, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller the following:

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        2.7    Tax Allocation.    

        2.8    Tax Proration.    

        Any ad valorem, property or similar Taxes with respect to the Transferred Assets or the North America Business shall be prorated on a per diem basis through the close of business on the Closing Date, with Seller being responsible for all of such prorated Taxes attributable to the period on or before the close of business on the Closing Date and Purchaser being responsible for all of such prorated Taxes attributable to the period after the close of business on the Closing Date. The Cash Consideration shall be increased or decreased as required to effectuate the resulting amount payable by Purchaser or Seller.

        2.9    Sales Taxes.    

        Seller and Purchaser shall each pay fifty percent of all sales, use, excise, transfer, value added, and similar Taxes (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding income and capital Taxes) imposed by any Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.

        2.10    Risk of Loss.    

        Until the Closing, any loss of or damage to the Transferred Assets from fire, casualty or any other occurrence shall be the sole responsibility of Seller.

        2.11    Tax Reporting.    

        Subject to any Tax elections agreed to be filed by the parties pursuant to the terms of this Agreement in order to reduce, mitigate or eliminate the amount of any Tax that could be imposed with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, all parties hereto intend that the sale and transfer of the Transferred Assets pursuant to this Agreement will be a fully taxable transaction. None of Purchaser, Seller, the Canadian Subsidiary or any of their respective Affiliates will, subject to any such Tax elections that are agreed to be filed by the parties, take any position on any federal, state, provincial, local or foreign income or franchise Tax Return, or take any other Tax reporting position that is inconsistent with the treatment of the sale and transfer of such assets as a fully taxable transaction.

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        2.12    Canadian Taxes.    

        Sections 2.8 and 2.9 of the Agreement shall not apply to any Canadian Taxes related to the Transferred Assets of the Canadian Subsidiary. In respect of any Canadian Taxes related to the Transferred Assets of the Canadian Subsidiary:


ARTICLE III

CERTAIN ACTIONS

        3.1    Seller Stockholder Meeting.    

        Seller and its Board of Directors (the "Seller Board") shall take all action necessary in accordance with applicable Law and Seller's Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Seller Charter") and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the "Seller Bylaws") to duly call and hold, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date hereof, a meeting of the Seller's stockholders (the "Seller Special Meeting") for the purpose of considering and voting upon a resolution approving and adopting this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Acquisition Proposal"). The Seller Special Meeting shall be duly called and held as provided in the preceding sentence even if the Seller Board withdraws or modifies its recommendation of the Acquisition Proposal as provided in Section 6.6. Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by Purchaser, the only matters Seller shall propose to be acted on by Seller's stockholders at the Seller Special Meeting shall be the Acquisition Proposal and related matters incidental to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Subject to Section 6.6, the Seller Board will recommend that the Seller's stockholders vote in favor of approval

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and adoption of the Acquisition Proposal and Seller will use its reasonable best efforts to solicit from its stockholders proxies in favor of such approval and adoption and take all other action necessary or advisable to secure the vote or consent of the stockholders of Seller required by the DGCL, the Seller Charter, the Seller Bylaws or otherwise to effect the transactions contemplated hereby. Seller shall not require any vote greater than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of Seller Common Stock for approval of the Acquisition Proposal. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Seller may adjourn or postpone the Seller Special Meeting to the extent necessary to ensure that any necessary supplement or amendment to the Proxy Statement is provided to its stockholders in advance of a vote on the Acquisition Proposal or, if as of the time for which the Seller Special Meeting is originally scheduled (as set forth in the Proxy Statement) there are insufficient shares of Seller Common Stock represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the Seller Special Meeting.

        3.2    Proxy Statement.    

        3.3    Reasonable Best Efforts.    

        Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and applicable Law, each of the parties hereto shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable, including such actions or things as any other party hereto may reasonably request in order to cause any of the conditions to such other party's obligation to consummate such transactions specified in Article VIII to be fully satisfied. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the parties shall (and shall cause their respective directors, officers and Subsidiaries, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause their

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respective Affiliates, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants and representatives, to) consult and fully cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to each other in (i) the preparation and filing with the Commission of the Proxy Statement and any necessary amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing; (ii) using all reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary consents, approvals, waivers, licenses, permits, authorizations, registrations, qualifications, or other permissions or actions by, and giving all necessary notices to and making all necessary filings with and applications and submissions to, any Governmental Authority or other Person; (iii) filing all pre-merger notification and report forms, if any, required (x) under the HSR Act (y) by the antitrust laws of the United Kingdom and (z) pursuant to such other antitrust Laws of the European Union and other Governmental Authorities that may be applicable (the HSR Act and any applicable antitrust Laws of the United Kingdom, the European Union and other Governmental Authorities being referred to herein as the "Antitrust Laws") and, in each case responding to any requests for additional information made by any Governmental Authority pursuant to the Antitrust Laws and HSR Act; (iv) using all reasonable best efforts to cause to be lifted any permanent or preliminary injunction or restraining order or other similar order issued or entered by any court or Governmental Authority (an "Injunction") of any type referred to in Sections 8.2(d) and 8.3(c); (v) providing all such information about such party, its Subsidiaries and its officers, directors, partners and Affiliates to, and making all applications and filings with, any Governmental Authority or other Person as may be necessary or reasonably requested in connection with any of the foregoing; and (vi) in general, consummating and making effective the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that in order to obtain any consent, approval, waiver, license, permit, authorization, registration, qualification, or other permission or action or the lifting of any Injunction, or causing to be rescinded or rendered inapplicable any statute, rule or regulation, referred to in clause (ii) or (iv) of this sentence, no party shall be required to pay any consideration (other than customary filing and similar fees), to divest itself of any of, or otherwise rearrange the composition of, its assets or to agree to any of the foregoing or any other condition or requirement that limits, restricts or otherwise imposes requirements on the existence or operations of the parties or any of their respective Affiliates.


ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND THE CANADIAN SUBSIDIARY

        Except as set forth in the Seller Disclosure Letter prepared by Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary and delivered to Purchaser simultaneously with the execution hereof, the Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary each hereby represents and warrants, jointly and severally, to Purchaser as follows:

        4.1    Authority; No Conflicts; Governmental Consents; Corporate Matters.    

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        4.2    SEC Filings; Financial Statements; Absence of Changes.    

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        4.3    Proxy Statement.    

        None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of Seller for inclusion or incorporation by reference in, and that is included or incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, will, at the time of mailing of the Proxy Statement to the Seller's stockholders or at the time of the Seller Special Meeting or any other meeting of the Seller's stockholders to be held in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, 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 were made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement and the furnishing thereof by Seller will comply in all respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the DGCL.

        4.4    Taxes    

        (i)    Each of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary has filed or caused to be filed in a timely manner (taking into account valid extensions of time to file) all income Tax Returns and all other material Tax Returns it was required to file with respect to the Transferred Assets and the North America Business, and all such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all material respects; (ii) each of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary has paid or caused to be paid, or has made adequate provision on the most recent Seller Financials for the payment of, all Taxes shown as owing on any such Tax Return and all other material Taxes owed by such entity with respect to the Transferred Assets and the North America Business (whether or not such Taxes are shown on any Tax Return); (iii) each of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary has duly and timely withheld, remitted and paid all Taxes required by Law to have been withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid, credited or owing to any Persons, including, without limitation, independent contractors, officers and employees, and any Person who is a non-resident of Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada); (iv) the Canadian Subsidiary has duly and timely collected all amounts on account of any sales or transfer taxes, including goods and services, harmonized sales and provincial or territorial sales taxes, required by Law to be collected by it and has duly and timely remitted, and will duly and timely collect and remit, to the appropriate Governmental Authority, any such amounts required by Law to be collected and remitted by it in respect of any matter, transaction or event arising prior to Closing; (v) none of the Tax Returns filed by Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary with respect to the Transferred Assets or the North America Business is currently being audited by any taxing authority, and there are no other examinations, requests for information or other administrative or judicial proceedings pending or threatened in writing with respect to any Taxes of Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary that could materially and adversely affect Purchaser after the Closing; (vi) no taxing authority has asserted in writing any deficiency or claim for additional Taxes against, or any adjustment of Taxes relating to, Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary with respect to Transferred Assets or the North America Business; (vii) there are no outstanding Liens for taxes that have been filed by any taxing authority against any of the Transferred Assets except Liens for current Taxes that are not yet due and payable or being contested in good faith; (viii) the Canadian Subsidiary will not sell or otherwise transfer a "United States real property interest," within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code, to Purchaser (or an Affiliate of Purchaser) in connection with this Agreement; (ix) the Canadian Subsidiary (A) is not, and has never been, treated as a U.S. corporation pursuant to Section 1504(d) of the Code, and (B) is not, and has never been, a party to a "cost sharing arrangement," as that term is used in Section 1.482-7 of the Treasury Regulations, or a party to a comparable arrangement under Canadian tax law; and (x) the Transferred Assets of the Canadian Subsidiary (A) constitute a business or part of a business for purposes of Section 167 of the Excise Tax Act (Canada) and (B) comprise all or substantially all of the property of the Canadian Subsidiary that can be reasonably regarded as being necessary for Purchaser to carry on such business or part as a business for purposes of the Excise Tax Act (Canada).

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        4.5    Assets Other than Real Property Interests.    

        4.6    Real Property Interests.    

        Seller has made available to Purchaser a true and complete copy of the Canadian Lease. The Canadian Lease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect and represents the entire agreement between the landlord and the Canadian Subsidiary with respect to such property. Neither the Canadian Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary, any other party to such lease is in breach or default in any material respect of such lease, and, to the knowledge of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary, no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a material Violation under such Canadian Lease. The Transferred Assets include no other real property interest of any kind.

        4.7    Intellectual Property.    

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the representations and warranties of this Section 4.7 only apply to Transferred Assets being conveyed to the Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.1 and the conduct of the North America Business, other than as set forth in Section 4.7(k). Except as set forth in Section 4.7 of the Seller Disclosure Letter (where applicable):

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        4.8    Contracts.    

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        4.9    Legal Proceedings.    

        Other than the Patent Lawsuit and except as set forth in Section 4.9 of the Seller Disclosure Letter, or as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Seller, the North America Business or the Transferred Assets, as of the date of this Agreement, there is no (a) Legal Proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary, threatened in writing, against, involving or affecting the North America Business or the Transferred Assets, (b) material judgment, decree, Injunction, rule, or order of any Governmental Authority against the North America Business or the Transferred Assets, or (c) Legal Proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary, threatened in writing, against Seller or any Subsidiary of Seller that seeks to restrain, enjoin or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that seeks damages in connection therewith. Seller

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has delivered or made available to Purchaser a true and complete copy of all pleadings and other filings related to the Patent Lawsuit.

        4.10    Licenses; Compliance with Regulatory Requirements.    

        4.11    Employee Benefits Matters.    

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        4.12    Labor and Employee Relations.    

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        4.13    Fairness Opinion.    

        The Seller Board has received the opinion of Allen & Company LLC to the effect that, as of the date hereof, the Cash Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to Seller (the "Fairness Opinion"). Seller has delivered to Purchaser a true and complete copy of the executed Fairness Opinion. Seller will include an executed copy of the Fairness Opinion in or as an annex to the Proxy Statement.

        4.14    Recommendation of the Seller Board.    

        As of the date of this Agreement, the Seller Board, by vote at a meeting duly called and held, has approved this Agreement, determined that the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of Seller and Seller's stockholders and has unanimously adopted resolutions (which resolutions have not, as of the date of this Agreement, been rescinded or modified) recommending approval and adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby by the stockholders of Seller and directing that this Agreement be submitted to a vote at the Seller Special Meeting.

        4.15    Vote Required.    

        The only vote of stockholders of Seller required under the DGCL, the Nasdaq National Market requirements, the Seller Charter, the Seller Bylaws or otherwise in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, is the adoption and approval of the Acquisition Proposal by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of Seller Common Stock voting as a single class, and no other vote or approval of or other action by the holders of any capital stock of Seller is required for such approval and adoption.

        4.16    Brokers    

        No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries that is or will become an Assumed Liability or will otherwise be payable by Purchaser.

        4.17    Transactions with Affiliates.    

        Except as set forth in Section 4.17 of the Seller Disclosure Letter, no Affiliate of Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary (other than each other) owns any property or right, tangible or intangible, that is used in the North America Business.

        4.18    No Investment Company.    

        Seller is not an "investment company" subject to the registration requirements of, or regulation as an investment company under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

        4.19    Insurance.    

        Seller has made available to Purchaser a list of, and true and complete copies of, all insurance policies and fidelity bonds relating to the North America Business. There is no material claim by Seller or its Subsidiaries pending under any of such policies or bonds relating to the North America Business or the Transferred Assets as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriters of such policies or bonds or in respect of which such underwriters have reserved their rights. All premiums due under all such policies and bonds have been timely paid and Seller and its

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Subsidiaries have otherwise complied in all material respects with the terms and conditions of all such policies and bonds.

        4.20    Rights Agreement.    

        Seller and the Seller Board have taken all necessary action under the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2003, by and between Seller and Equiserve Trust Company, N.A. (the "Seller Rights Agreement"), to (i) render the Seller Rights Agreement inapplicable to the sale of the Transferred Assets and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Voting Agreement, and (ii) provide that (A) Purchaser shall not be deemed an "Acquiring Person" (as defined in the Seller Rights Agreement) as a result of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Voting Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and (B) no "Distribution Date" or "Stock Acquisition Date" (each as defined in the Seller Rights Agreement) shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby. No Distribution Date or Stock Acquisition Date has occurred prior to the date hereof. Seller has provided Purchaser with a true and complete copy of the Seller Rights Agreement in effect on the date hereof.


ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

        The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary as follows:

        5.1    Authority; No Conflicts; Governmental Consents.    

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        5.2    Proxy Statement.    

        None of the information concerning Purchaser supplied or to be supplied by Purchaser for inclusion or incorporation by reference in, and that is included or incorporated by reference in, the Proxy Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, will, at the time of mailing to the Seller's stockholders or at the time of the Seller Special Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

        5.3    Litigation.    

        As of the date of this Agreement, there is no action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any court or Governmental Authority pending or, to the knowledge of Purchaser, overtly threatened against or involving Purchaser that is expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser or that questions or challenges the validity of this Agreement or any action taken or to be taken by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

        5.4    Brokers.    

        No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Purchaser, that is or will be payable by Seller.

        5.5    Interim Operations of Purchaser.    

        Purchaser was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and for purposes of operating the North America Business after Closing, and Purchaser engaged in no business activity, has conducted no operations and has incurred no liability prior to the date of this Agreement, other than in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

        5.6    Capital Resources.    

        Purchaser has, and will have at the Closing Date, sufficient cash or access to cash to pay the Cash Consideration, as adjusted, to Seller.

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ARTICLE VI

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

        6.1    Access to Information.    

        6.2    Confidentiality.    

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        6.3    Public Announcements.    

        Each party shall consult with, and use commercially reasonable efforts to accommodate the comments of, the other parties before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statement (whether written or oral) with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, unless otherwise required by applicable Law or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with or rules of any securities exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or the Nasdaq Stock Market (in which case the party issuing or making such press release or other public statement shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to consult with the other parties before issuing such press release or making such other public statement). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, upon execution of this Agreement and upon the Closing, Seller and Purchaser will consult with each other with respect to the issuance of a joint press release with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

        6.4    Ordinary Conduct.    

        Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth in Schedule 6.4, from the date hereof until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the Closing, Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary each covenants and agrees, unless expressly contemplated by this Agreement or unless Purchaser shall otherwise consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed:

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        6.5    Seller's Bankruptcy.    

        Seller represents and warrants that it is not currently in bankruptcy and that no bankruptcy court approval is required to fully effectuate the Acquisition Proposal. Seller represents and warrants that prior to the date hereof its appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California (docketed as Case No. 04-31394-TEC), which appeal was pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (docketed as Case No. 3:04-cv-03854-JSW), has been dismissed and all court approvals necessary for such dismissal have been issued or granted. Seller covenants that it will not commence further bankruptcy proceedings prior to the Closing. Seller has delivered to Purchaser a true and correct copy of the order (certified if available) of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California dismissing such appeal.

        6.6    No Solicitation.    

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        6.7    Insurance.    

        Seller shall keep, or cause to be kept, all material insurance policies presently maintained relating to the North America Business, the Seller Subsidiary or the Canadian Subsidiary, or the Transferred Assets, or replacements therefor, in full force and effect through the Closing. Following the Closing,

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Seller shall have no obligation to insure the Transferred Assets against any loss in or under any insurance policy of Seller or its Affiliates, and Purchaser shall have no rights or obligations with respect to any such policy.

        6.8    Accounts Receivable.    

        From and after the Closing, Purchaser shall remit to Seller all accounts receivable attributable to or arising out of the North America Business billed or accrued with respect to the period prior to the close of business on the Closing Date and other related items that are included in the Excluded Assets. Purchaser shall have no collection obligations with respect to any such accounts. Schedule 6.8 sets forth the name of each Business Employee who has an outstanding payroll advance under the Canadian Subsidiary's computer purchase program or has a travel advance balance, including the total amount outstanding and the payroll reduction schedule for each such employee. Seller and Purchaser agree that the Transferred Assets will include these receivables for each Business Employee who becomes a Transferred Employee (the "Employee Receivables") and the Cash Consideration shall be increased by the aggregate amount of the Employee Receivables for the Transferred Employees set forth on Schedule 6.8. Purchaser shall have no obligation to continue the computer purchase program on its existing terms.

        6.9    Non-Competition.    

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        6.10    Cooperation.    

        Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other and shall cause their respective officers, employees, agents, auditors and representatives to cooperate with each other after the Closing to facilitate the orderly transition of the North America Business to Purchaser and to minimize any disruption to the respective businesses of Seller or the North America Business that might result from the transactions contemplated hereby. Neither party shall be required by this Section 6.10 to take any action that would unreasonably interfere with the conduct of its business or incur extraordinary expenses.

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        6.11    Tax Matters.    

        6.12    Waiver of Bulk Sales Requirement.    

        Each of the parties waives compliance with any applicable bulk sales laws, including, without limitation, the Uniform Commercial Code Bulk Transfer provisions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in respect of the purchase and sale of the Transferred Assets under this Agreement, Purchaser shall not require Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary to comply, or to assist the Purchaser to comply, with the requirements of the Bulk Sales Act (Ontario).

        6.13    Non Transferable Assets.    

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        6.14    Sarbanes-Oxley Act Compliance.    

        The Seller shall continue its existing and planned efforts to comply with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act"), and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder, including preparing appropriate controls, procedures and documentation to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and, in a timely manner, Item 308 of Regulation S-K promulgated thereunder.

        6.15    Liquidation of Seller.    

        Seller covenants and agrees that it will not take any action, or permit any action to be taken, with respect to the liquidation or dissolution of Seller (including, but not limited to, a board resolution, stockholder action or filing a certificate of dissolution) that would result in a liquidation or dissolution

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of Seller prior to the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date. In addition, Seller covenants and agrees that it will retain and maintain at least $40,000,000 (less 50% (up to a maximum of $20,000,000) of any payments made after the date hereof to the landlord under the Circle Star Lease, including payments made in settlement of any disputes or for unpaid rent) in cash or cash equivalents at all times from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date. After the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Purchaser on a monthly basis a certificate signed by its Chief Financial Officer (or if Seller no longer employs a Chief Financial Officer, another member of senior management with knowledge as to the matters set forth in this Section 6.15) certifying that Seller is in compliance with its covenant under the preceding sentence and the amount of cash or cash equivalents as of the end of the applicable calendar month.

        6.16    Patent Lawsuit and Other Legal Proceedings    

        Effective upon the Closing, Purchaser shall assume the defense of and control the Patent Lawsuit. The Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates, officers, directors and employees to, cooperate with Purchaser in connection with Purchaser's defense of the Patent Lawsuit. Such cooperation shall include making available to Purchaser and its counsel documents, officers, directors and employees to the extent reasonably requested by Purchaser. Seller shall obtain the prior written consent of Purchaser before entering into any settlement or compromise with respect to, consenting to the entry of any judgment in, or otherwise terminating, any Retained Litigation or any other Legal Proceeding if such settlement, compromise, judgment or termination would have an adverse effect on the Transferred Assets or the North America Business.

        6.17    Patent Filings    

        Prior to the Closing, Seller shall take all commercially reasonable actions necessary to vest in Seller, the Canadian Subsidiary or the Seller Subsidiary, as applicable, legal and record ownership of and title to the Patents included in the North America Intellectual Property, including the preparation and execution of any necessary additional documentation and the recordation of any necessary additional documentation in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, all in a form reasonably acceptable to Purchaser and suitable for recordation with applicable Governmental Authorities. In furtherance of the foregoing, prior to the Closing Seller shall take or cause to be taken the actions described in Schedule 6.17. Seller shall cause its Subsidiaries to take any necessary actions in furtherance of the foregoing. Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser that after giving effect to the filings described in Schedule 6.17 no other filings or actions will be required to reflect record ownership of the Patents included in the North America Intellectual Property in the name of Seller, the Canadian Subsidiary or the Seller Subsidiary, as applicable, in the records of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

        6.18    Transition Services    

        From the date hereof until the date that is six months after the Closing Date, Seller shall reasonably cooperate with Purchaser, without additional charge to Purchaser, in effecting the transition of the North America Business from Seller to Purchaser and Purchaser's commencement of the operation thereof, including assisting Purchaser in obtaining replacement Contracts (at Purchaser's expense) for any Contracts used by Seller in its operation of the North America Business that are not Assigned Contracts.

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ARTICLE VII

LABOR AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS

        7.1    Offers of Employment.    

        Not less than thirty (30) business days prior to the Closing Date, Purchaser or one of its Subsidiaries shall offer employment to all of the actively employed Business Employees listed on Section 4.12 of the Seller Disclosure Letter who are located in Canada, such employment offers to become effective as of the Closing. Not less than thirty (30) business days prior to the Closing Date, one of Comcast Parent's Affiliates shall offer employment to all of the actively employed Business Employees listed on Section 4.12 of the Seller Disclosure Letter who are located in the United States, such employment offers to become effective as of the Closing. For purposes of this Article VII, references to "Purchaser" shall also mean Purchaser's Subsidiary who will make offers to the Business Employees located in Canada or employ the Transferred Employees located in Canada as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Business Employee who is listed on Section 4.12 of the Seller Disclosure Letter and who has not received an offer according to the preceding sentences and returns to active employment status upon the earlier of the expiration of their approved leave of absence or the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date, an offer of employment shall be made to such Business Employee upon his or her return to active employment status. The Business Employees who accept any such offer and become employees of Purchaser or Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliate as of the Closing or, in the case of Business Employees who return to active employment status upon the earlier of the expiration of their approved leave of absence or the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date, as of the first day they commence employment with Purchaser or one of Comcast Parent's Affiliates, shall be referred to as the "Transferred Employees." Effective as of the Closing, or upon commencement of employment with Purchaser or one of Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliates, Purchaser or Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliate shall provide each Transferred Employee with (i) a base salary no less favorable than the base salary in effect immediately prior to Closing, (ii) in the case of employment by Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliate, health and welfare benefits comparable in the aggregate to those provided to similarly situated employees of Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliate and (iii) in the case of employment by Purchaser, health and welfare benefits comparable in the aggregate to those provided under the Great West Life Group Benefit Plan, the RBC Group Long Term Disability Income Plan and the RBC Group Basic AD&D Plan as in effect immediately prior to Closing.

        7.2    Retention of Business Employees.    

        Each of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary shall use commercially reasonable efforts to induce all of the Business Employees to remain employed by the Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary, as applicable, from the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Seller nor the Canadian Subsidiary shall in any event be required to make any retention payments to any of the Business Employees. Each of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary shall use commercially reasonable efforts, including the payment by Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary of any customary retention payments, necessary to induce the executive officers of Seller to remain employed by Seller from the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date. Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary shall each provide Purchaser and its Affiliates with reasonable access to, and reasonable opportunities to communicate with, the Business Employees who are offered employment with the Purchaser or one of its Affiliates.

        7.3    Certain Liabilities.    

        All debts and liabilities relating to all Business Employees, including any liabilities accrued under the Employee Benefit Plans, related to periods of employment prior to commencement of employment with the Purchaser or Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliate, and including any severance costs with

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respect to termination of Business Employees in connection with the Closing, shall remain with and be paid by the Seller and its Affiliates. All claims, allegations, obligations, debts and liabilities relating to any Transferred Employees, which are attributable solely and exclusively to their employment with Purchaser or Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliate on or after the Closing shall be the exclusive responsibility of Purchaser or Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliate. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7.3, as of the Closing Date, Purchaser or Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliate, whichever Person employs any Transferred Employee as of the Closing Date, shall credit each such Transferred Employee with the aggregate amount of vacation properly accrued under the vacation policy of Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary to the extent the Cash Consideration was decreased therefor. After the Closing Date, such Transferred Employees shall be entitled to utilize such vacation credits in accordance with the vacation policies maintained by the Purchaser or Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliate, whichever is appropriate. Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary agree to update at Closing Section 4.12 of the Seller Disclosure Letter and include on such updated Section 4.12 the properly accrued vacation for each Transferred Employee listed therein as of the Closing Date.

        7.4    No Obligation to Maintain Employees or Plans.    

        The terms of this Article VII shall not entitle any Business Employee to remain in the employment of Purchaser or one of its Affiliates or affect the right of Purchaser or one of its Affiliates to terminate any Transferred Employee at any time, or affect the right of Purchaser or one of its Affiliates to establish, modify or terminate any employee benefit plan or any benefit under any such plan at any time.

        7.5    Post-Closing Solicitation of Business Employees.    

        7.6    COBRA.    

        Purchaser or Comcast Parent's applicable Affiliate, whichever Person employs the Transferred Employees as of the Closing Date, shall provide continued health and medical coverage to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Code, Part 6 of Title I of ERISA or any other applicable Law ("COBRA Coverage") to all Transferred Employees (and their spouses, dependents and beneficiaries) with respect to all "qualifying events" (as such term is defined under Sections 4980B(f)(3) of the Code or 603 of ERISA) or other triggering events described under the applicable Law whether they occur or

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occurred before, on or after the Closing Date. All other COBRA Coverage shall remain the obligation of Seller.

        7.7    Records.    

        The Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary shall make available to Purchaser all personnel records relating to the Business Employees to the extent permitted by applicable Law.

        7.8    FICA.    

        If Purchaser is a successor employer to Seller within the meaning of Revenue Procedure 2004-53, Seller will transfer to Purchaser any records or copies thereof (including, but not limited to, IRS Forms W-4 and California Employee Withholding Allowance Certificates) relating to withholding and payment of United States federal, state, and local income, disability, unemployment, FICA, and similar taxes ("Payroll Taxes") with respect to wages paid by Seller during the 2005 calendar year to Employees. In accordance with Revenue Procedure 2004-53 and comparable state and local Payroll Tax laws, (i) Purchaser agrees to provide Employees with Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, for the 2005 calendar year setting forth the aggregate amount of wages paid to, and Payroll Taxes withheld in respect thereof, to Employees for the 2005 calendar year by Seller and Purchaser as predecessor and successor employers, respectively, and (ii) Seller agrees to cooperate fully with Purchaser in connection therewith. The Canadian Subsidiary will transfer to Purchaser as of the Closing Date any records or copies thereof relating to withholding and payment on account of Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial income, employment insurance, social insurance, Canada pension plan, workman's compensation and similar taxes and contributions with respect to wages paid by the Canadian Subsidiary during the 2005 calendar year to Employees. The Canadian Subsidiary agrees to cooperate fully with Purchaser in connection therewith.

        7.9    Restrictive Covenant.    

        Each of the Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have assigned to Purchaser all of Seller's and the Canadian Subsidiary's rights, title and interest in and to any proprietary information, confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition or similar agreement entered into with any Business Employee, including any former Business Employee. In the event that such agreements cannot be assigned to Purchaser, Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary shall take all necessary actions to enforce such agreements on behalf of Purchaser in accordance with the terms of such agreements. Following the Closing Date, Seller shall, and shall cause its employees to, comply with any restrictions included in any nondisclosure, confidentiality or other similar agreement included in the Assigned Contracts.

        7.10    Assignment.    

        At the request of Purchaser, each of the Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have any insurance contracts related to any Employee Benefit Plan providing health, welfare or retirement benefits to Transferred Employees employed in Canada assigned to Purchaser at the Closing and shall provide to Purchaser upon request all relevant information with respect to any such Employee Benefit Plan. Notwithstanding the preceding, Purchaser shall not assume any obligation or liability arising prior to the Closing with respect to any assigned insurance contracts unless expressly agreed to in writing by the parties.

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ARTICLE VIII

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

        8.1    Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Purchaser, Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary.    

        The respective obligations of Purchaser, on the one hand, and Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary, on the other hand, to effect the Closing are subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions, any of which, to the extent permitted by applicable law, may be waived by Purchaser or Seller (which waiver by Seller shall be binding on the Canadian Subsidiary):

        8.2    Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Purchaser.    

        The obligations of Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby are also subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of each of the following additional conditions, unless waived by Purchaser:

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        8.3    Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary.    

        The obligations of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby are also subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of each of the following additional conditions, unless waived by Seller (which waiver by Seller shall be binding on the Canadian Subsidiary):


ARTICLE IX

TERMINATION

        9.1    Termination by Mutual Consent.    

        This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing, whether before or after the approval by stockholders of Seller referred to in Section 8.1(a), by mutual written consent of Seller (which consent by Seller shall be binding on the Canadian Subsidiary) and Purchaser.

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        9.2    Termination by Either Purchaser or Seller    

        This Agreement may be terminated (upon notice from the terminating party to the other party) and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing by either Purchaser or Seller (which termination by Seller shall be binding on the Canadian Subsidiary) if (i) the Closing Date shall not have occurred on or before the date that is nine months after the date hereof, whether such date is before or after the date of approval by the stockholders of Seller (the "Termination Date"); provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this clause (i) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the direct or indirect cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing Date to occur by the Termination Date; (ii) subject to (i) hereof and Seller's right to adjourn and postpone the Seller Special Meeting pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement, the approval of the Acquisition Proposal by the stockholders of Seller shall not have been obtained at the Seller Special Meeting and at any duly held adjournment or postponement thereof; provided, that the right to terminate pursuant to this clause (ii) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement proximately contributed to the failure to obtain such approval of the stockholders of Seller; or (iii) any order, decree or ruling permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall become final and non-appealable (whether before or after the approval by the stockholders of Seller). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Seller's right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to any provision hereof shall not be available to Seller if it has not satisfied its obligation to place the "Source Code" in escrow in accordance with Section 9.3 of the Comcast License and Section 1 of the Cox License (which amends Section 9.3 of the Cox/Liberate Software License Agreement).

        9.3    Termination by Seller.    

        This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing, whether before or after the approval by stockholders of Seller referred to in Section 8.1(a), by action of the Seller Board (which termination by Seller shall be binding on the Canadian Subsidiary) if Purchaser breaches or fails in any material respect to perform or comply with any of its covenants and agreements contained herein or breaches any of its representations and warranties in any material respect, in each case that is not curable, such that the conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a) cannot be satisfied.

        9.4    Termination by Purchaser.    

        This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing, whether before or after the approval by the stockholders of Seller referred to in Section 8.1(a), by Purchaser (i) if the Seller Board shall have (A) failed to recommend this Agreement to the Seller's stockholders, (B) withdrawn or modified or qualified in a manner adverse to Purchaser its recommendation of this Agreement (including by express communication to the Seller's stockholders or by refusing to call the Seller Special Meeting or mail the Proxy Statement or submit the matters to a vote of the Seller's stockholders), (C) failed to reconfirm its recommendation of this Agreement within five business days after a written request by Purchaser to do so, or (D) recommended to Seller's stockholders that they approve, accept or tender their shares in response to any Alternative Proposal; (ii) if Seller or any of the other Restricted Persons shall take any other action that results in a material breach of Section 6.6; (iii) if the Seller shall have entered into (or the Seller Board shall have authorized the Seller to enter into) a letter of intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar undertaking with respect to any Alternative Proposal; or (iv) if Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary breaches or fails in any material respect to perform or comply with any of its covenants or agreements contained herein, or breaches any of its representations and warranties in any material respect, in each case that is not curable, such that the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a) cannot be satisfied.

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        9.5    Effect of Termination and Abandonment.    


ARTICLE X

GENERAL PROVISIONS

        10.1    Assignment.    

        This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable by Seller or the Canadian Subsidiary, on the one hand, or, Purchaser, on the other hand (other than following the Closing by operation of law or in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all the assets of Seller or Purchaser) without the prior written consent of the other; provided, that Purchaser may assign in whole or in part its rights and obligations hereunder to any Affiliate of Purchaser without the consent of any other party hereto, and it being acknowledged that Purchaser may assign its rights to acquire any Transferred Assets owned or held by the Canadian Subsidiary and to employ employees of the Canadian Subsidiary to a newly formed subsidiary of Purchaser; provided, further, that Purchaser shall remain liable for its obligations hereunder and any such assignee must satisfy any representations, requirements, obligations or covenants of the Purchaser in respect of any Tax elections or any other Tax matters.

        10.2    Survival.    The covenants to be performed prior to the Closing set forth in this Agreement shall not survive the Closing and shall terminate, and be of no further force or effect, upon the

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Closing. The representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement shall not survive the Closing and shall thereafter terminate and be of no further force or effect. All covenants (i) involving the payment of funds or (ii) to be performed at and after the Closing set forth in this Agreement (including without limitation the covenants in Sections 6.9, 6.15 and 7.5) shall survive the Closing until fully performed in accordance with their terms.

        10.3    No Third-Party Beneficiaries.    

        This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any person or entity, other than the parties hereto and permitted assignees, any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

        10.4    Expenses.    

        Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby will be paid by the party incurring such cost or expense, except that the fee for filing under the HSR Act and other Antitrust Laws will be borne one-half by Purchaser and one-half by Seller.

        10.5    Equity Relief.    

        The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity without the necessity of demonstrating the inadequacy of monetary damages or the posting of a bond.

        10.6    Amendments.    

        This Agreement may be amended by action of all the parties hereto, by action taken or authorized by their respective Boards of Directors, at any time before or after approval and adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby by the stockholders of Seller, but, after any such approval by the stockholders of Seller, no amendment shall be made which by law requires further approval by such stockholders of Seller without such further approval. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.

        10.7    Notices.    

        All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or telecopy (which is confirmed), or sent, postage prepaid, by registered, certified (return receipt requested) or express mail, or reputable overnight courier service (providing proof of delivery) and shall be deemed given when so delivered by hand, or telecopied, or if mailed, three days after mailing (one business day in the case of express mail or overnight courier service), to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party specified by like notice, provided that notice of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt thereof) as follows:

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        10.8    Interpretation; Exhibits and Schedules.    

        The headings contained in this Agreement, in any Exhibit or Schedule hereto and in the table of contents to this Agreement, are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule or Exhibit, but not otherwise defined therein, shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement.

        10.9    Counterparts.    

        This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when such counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party.

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        10.10    Severability.    

        Any term or provision of this Agreement that is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid, void or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration, area or applicability of the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid, void or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision.

        10.11    Waiver of Compliance; Consents.    

        Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any failure of the parties to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition herein may be waived by the party entitled to the benefits thereof only by a written instrument signed by the party granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure. Whenever this Agreement requires or permits consent by or on behalf of a party, such consent shall be given in writing in a manner consistent with the requirements for a waiver of compliance as set forth in this Section 10.11.

        10.12    Entire Agreement.    

        This Agreement, including the exhibits hereto and the documents, schedules, certificates and instruments referred to herein, and the other Transaction Documents embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby. There are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings, other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein or therein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to transactions contemplated hereby.

        10.13    Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.    

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        10.14    Joint Participation in Drafting this Agreement; Construction.    

        The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein shall have independent significance. If any party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty, or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant. When a reference is made in this Agreement to the Seller Disclosure Letter, such reference shall be to the disclosure letter delivered by Seller on the date hereby and not to any supplement to, or change or modifications of, such disclosure schedule. The parties acknowledge that disclosure of information in one section of the Seller Disclosure Letter, with specific reference to the Section or Subsection of this Agreement to which the information stated in such disclosure relates shall be deemed as proper disclosure for other sections or parts of the disclosure letter only to the extent such a matter is disclosed in such a way as to make its relevance to the information called for by such other Section or Subsection readily apparent.

        10.15    Further Assurances.    

        Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the parties hereto will use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. From time to time after the Closing Date, without further consideration, Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary each will, at its expense, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such documents to Purchaser as Purchaser may reasonably request in order to more effectively vest in Purchaser good title to the Transferred Assets (subject to Seller's and the Canadian Subsidiary's representations and warranties hereunder) and to evidence the representations and warranties of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary hereunder. From time to time after the Closing Date, without further consideration, Purchaser will, at Purchaser's expense, execute and deliver such documents to Seller as Seller may reasonably request in order more effectively to consummate the sale of the Transferred Assets pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary shall cooperate with any reasonable requests made by Purchaser in connection with the enforcement or defense of Purchaser's rights in the Transferred Assets. In addition, at Purchaser's expense, Seller agrees to cooperate with Purchaser in documenting past patent prosecution and litigation practice and strategy. Seller, at its own expense, will cause its counsel(s) to cooperate with Purchaser's counsel(s) with respect to the transfer of the Transferred Assets, including any files maintained by Seller's patent counsel that relate to the Transferred Assets. Seller hereby consents to the disclosure by Seller's patent counsel(s) to Purchaser of confidences and secrets that relate to the Transferred Assets.

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

    LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES

 
 
By:
 
/s/  DAVID LOCKWOOD      
        Name:   David Lockwood
        Title:   CEO

 
 
LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES CANADA, LTD.

 
 
By:
 
/s/  PATRICK NGUYEN      
        Name:   Patrick Nguyen
        Title:   Executive Vice President

 
 
DOUBLE C TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

 
 
By:
 
/s/  ROBERT S. PICK      
        Name:   Robert S. Pick
        Title:   Authorized Signatory

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GUARANTY

        Each of COMCAST CORPORATION ("Comcast Parent") and COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ("Cox Parent") hereby unconditionally guarantees, subject to the allocations and limi tations contained in the following sentence, the full and timely payment and performance by Purchaser of Purchaser's obligations set forth in this Asset Purchase Agreement and in all other agreements and instruments hereafter executed in connection with the transactions contemplated herein. Seller, Comcast Parent and Cox Parent acknowledge and agree that the obligations of Comcast Parent and Cox Parent under this Guaranty shall be several and not joint and that any enforcement of this Guaranty by Seller against Comcast Parent and Cox Parent for payment obligations or monetary damages shall be allocated between Comcast Parent and Cox Parent such that Comcast Parent shall bear two-thirds or 66 and 2/3 percent of any such payment or damages and Cox Parent shall bear one-third or 33 and 1/3 percent of any such payment or damages. The guarantee provided herein is an absolute and continuing guarantee and shall not be affected by any amendment of the foregoing Asset Purchase Agreement, or any renewal or extension of the time for performance by Purchaser of any of its obligations thereunder, or any indulgences or waivers with respect thereto. Each of Comcast Parent and Cox Parent waives any and all defenses and discharges it may have or otherwise be entitled to as a guarantor or surety hereunder and further hereby waives presentment for payment or performance, notice of nonpayment or nonperformance, demand and protest. Each of Comcast Parent and Cox Parent has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute this Guaranty and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by each of Comcast Parent and Cox Parent of this Guaranty have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of each of Comcast Parent and Cox Parent. This Guaranty has been duly executed and delivered by each of Comcast Parent and Cox Parent and is, assuming the due and valid authorization of this Asset Purchase Agreement by Seller, a valid and binding obligation of each of Comcast Parent and Cox Parent, enforceable against each of Comcast Parent and Cox Parent in accordance with its terms (except insofar as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, or by principles governing the availability of equitable remedies).

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    COMCAST CORPORATION

 
 
By:
 
/s/  ROBERT S. PICK      
        Title:   Senior Vice President

 
 
COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

 
 
By:
 
/s/  JAMES O. ROBBINS      
        Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 
 
LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES

 
 
By:
 
/s/  DAVID LOCKWOOD      
        Title:   CEO

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ANNEX B

THIS STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES AN IRREVOCABLE PROXY APPOINTMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS' SHARES OF LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES.


STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT

        STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of January 14, 2005 (this "Agreement"), by and among Double C Technologies, LLC ("Purchaser") and the stockholders of Liberate Technologies ("Seller") identified as the signatories hereto (collectively, the "Principal Stockholders," and each a "Principal Stockholder").

        WHEREAS, in connection with the execution of this Agreement, Purchaser and Seller are entering into an Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2005, by and among Purchaser, Seller and Liberate Technologies Canada, Ltd. (the "Canadian Subsidiary"), as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (the "Asset Purchase Agreement"), which provides for, among other things, the sale, transfer, conveyance and assignment by Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary to Purchaser of all the specified assets, properties, interest in properties and rights of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary in the North America Business (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) in accordance with the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement;

        WHEREAS, Purchaser would not enter into the Asset Purchase Agreement unless each Principal Stockholder were to enter into this Agreement;

        WHEREAS, each Principal Stockholder is the record or Beneficial Owner of the number of Owned Shares (as defined herein) set forth opposite such Principal Stockholder's name on Schedule I hereto;

        WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of each of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary has, prior to the date of execution of this Agreement, duly and validly approved and adopted the Asset Purchase Agreement; and

        WHEREAS, as a stockholder of Seller, each Principal Stockholder will benefit from the Asset Purchase Agreement.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Purchaser's entry into the Asset Purchase Agreement, each Principal Stockholder agrees with each other and Purchaser as follows:

        1.    Certain Definitions.    Capitalized terms not expressly defined in this Agreement will have the meanings ascribed to them in the Asset Purchase Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement:

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        2.    Representations and Warranties of Principal Stockholders.    Each Principal Stockholder represents and warrants as follows:

        For all purposes of this Agreement, Owned Shares shall include any shares of Seller as to which Beneficial Ownership is acquired by a Principal Stockholder after the execution hereof.

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        3.    Covenant to Vote.    

        4.    Irrevocable Proxy.    Each Principal Stockholder hereby appoints Purchaser and any designee of Purchaser, each of them individually, each such Principal Stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact pursuant to the provisions of Section 212 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote and act on each such Principal Stockholder's behalf and in each such Principal Stockholder's name, place and stead with respect to such Principal Stockholder's Owned Shares, at any annual, special or other meeting of the stockholders of Seller, and at any adjournment or postponement of any such meeting, held during the term of this Agreement and to act by written consent with respect to each such Principal Stockholder's Owned Shares, at all times during the term of this Agreement with respect to the matters referred to in, and in accordance with, Section 3(a) hereof. Each Principal Stockholder affirms that this proxy is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable. Each Principal Stockholder shall take such further action or execute such other instruments as may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this proxy. Except in order to vote the Owned Shares in accordance with Section 3(a), each Principal Stockholder covenants and agrees not to grant any subsequent proxy with respect to such Principal Stockholder's Owned Shares, and further covenants and agrees that any such proxy, if granted, shall not be valid or effective.

        5.    Limitations on Transfer.    Each Principal Stockholder agrees that he or it will not, without the prior written consent of Purchaser, (a) directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any contract, option, commitment or other arrangement or understanding with

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respect to the sale, transfer, pledge, assignment or other disposition of, any of the Owned Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock of Seller, and (b) take any action that would prohibit, prevent or preclude such Principal Stockholder from performing its obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the granting of a power of attorney with respect to the Owned Shares, depositing the Owned Shares in a voting trust or entering into any other stockholder voting agreements with respect to the Owned Shares, provided, however, that a Principal Stockholder may transfer any of its Owned Shares to a Permitted Transferee without the prior written consent of Purchaser if such Permitted Transferee executes a counterpart of this Agreement agreeing to be bound by this Agreement and agrees in writing to hold such Owned Shares (or interest in such Owned Shares) subject to all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, provided that the Principal Stockholder shall remain liable under this Agreement in all respects. Each Principal Stockholder further agrees that this Agreement and each Principal Stockholder's obligations hereunder shall attach to such Principal Stockholder's Owned Shares and shall be binding upon any person or entity to which legal or beneficial ownership of such Owned Shares may pass, whether by operation of law or otherwise, including without limitation such Principal Stockholder's heirs, guardians, administrators or successors. Each Principal Stockholder further covenants and agrees not to request that Seller register the transfer (book-entry or otherwise) of any certificate or uncertificated interest representing any of such Principal Stockholder's Owned Shares, unless such transfer is made in compliance with this Agreement and acknowledges that Purchaser and Seller may notify Seller's transfer agent of the terms hereof. Each Principal Stockholder agrees, if requested by Purchaser, that such Principal Stockholder shall tender its Owned Shares for the inscription of a legend consistent with this Agreement.

        6.    Consent to this Agreement.    Each Principal Stockholder hereby consents, for purposes of any stockholders' agreement or other agreement or commitment among the stockholders of Seller, to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each other Principal Stockholder (and waives any rights such Principal Stockholder would otherwise have pursuant to any such stockholders' agreement or other agreement or commitment by virtue of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement). Each Principal Stockholder further consents and authorizes Purchaser and Seller to publish and disclose in the Proxy Statement (including all documents filed with the Commission in connection therewith) its identity and ownership of the Owned Shares and the nature of its commitments, arrangements and understandings under this Agreement.

        7.    Specific Performance.    Each Principal Stockholder agrees that irreparable damage to Purchaser would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by it in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that Purchaser shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement by each Principal Stockholder and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which it is entitled at law or in equity, and that each Principal Stockholder waives the posting of any bond or security in connection with any proceeding related thereto.

        8.    Counterparts.    This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to constitute an original. This Agreement shall not be effective as to any party hereto until such time as this Agreement or a counterpart hereof has been executed and delivered by each party hereto (which delivery may be by facsimile).

        9.    Remedies Cumulative.    All rights, powers and remedies provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity shall be cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise of any thereof by Purchaser shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise of any other such right, power or remedy by Purchaser.

        10.    No Waiver.    The failure of Purchaser to exercise any right, power or remedy provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity, or to insist upon

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compliance by any Principal Stockholder hereto with its obligations hereunder, and any custom or practice of the parties at variance with the terms hereof, shall not constitute a waiver by Purchaser of its right to exercise any such or other right, power or remedy or to demand such compliance.

        11.    Stockholder Capacity.    Each Principal Stockholder is executing this Agreement solely in his or its capacity as beneficial owner of the Owned Shares and not in its fiduciary capacity as a director or officer of Seller. Nothing herein shall prohibit, prevent or preclude such Principal Stockholder from taking or not taking any action in his capacity as an officer or director of the Company.

        12.    Termination.    This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier to occur of (a) the Closing Date and (b) the date of termination of the Asset Purchase Agreement in accordance with its terms. Nothing in this Section 12 shall relieve or otherwise limit the liability of any party for breach of this Agreement.

        13.    Governing Law.    This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

        14.    Severability.    If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to Purchaser. Upon such a determination, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner so that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

        15.    Successors and Assigns.    The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided that no Principal Stockholder may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of Purchaser.

        16.    Entire Agreement.    This Agreement (together with the Asset Purchase Agreement and the other agreements and documents expressly contemplated hereby and thereby) embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter.

        17.    Amendments.    This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.

[Signature page follows]

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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Principal Stockholder and Purchaser have duly executed this Stockholder Voting Agreement as of the date first above written.

    DOUBLE C TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

 
 
By:
 
/s/  ROBERT S. PICK      
    Name:   Robert S. Pick
    Title:   Authorized Signatory

 
 
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS:

 
 
/s/  DAVID LOCKWOOD      
David Lockwood

 
 
LOCKWOOD FUND LLC

 
 
By:
 
/s/  DAVID LOCKWOOD      
    Name:   David Lockwood
    Title:   Managing Member


SPOUSAL CONSENT

        I, the undersigned, being the spouse of David Lockwood, a stockholder of Liberate Technologies (the "Company"), hereby acknowledge that I have read and hereby approve that certain Stockholder Voting Agreement dated as of January 14, 2005 in favor of Double C Technologies, LLC (the "Voting Agreement"). I hereby agree to be irrevocably bound by the Voting Agreement and that any community property interest that I may have in the Owned Shares shall be similarly bound by the Voting Agreement. I hereby appoint my spouse, David Lockwood, as my attorney-in-fact with respect to the exercise of any rights or the performance of any obligations under the Voting Agreement.

Date: January 14, 2005        

 
 
Signature:
 
/s/  NAJA LOCKWOOD      
    Name
(Printed):		   Naja Lockwood

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SCHEDULE I

OWNED SHARES AND OPTIONS

Stockholder
   Owned Shares
   Options Held
David Lockwood   3,807,201   1,300,000
Lockwood Fund LLC   8,225,700   —
   
 
  TOTAL   12,032,901   1,300,000
   
 


ANNEX C

[ALLEN & COMPANY LLC LETTERHEAD]

January 9, 2005          

Members of the Board of Directors
Liberate Technologies
2655 Campus Drive, Suite 250
San Mateo, California 94403

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We understand that Double C Technologies LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Purchaser"), Liberate Technologies, a Delaware corporation ("Seller"), and Liberate Technologies Canada, Ltd., corporation organized under the laws of Canada (the "Canadian Subsidiary"), propose to enter into an Asset Purchase Agreement, substantially in the form of the draft dated January 8, 2005 (the "Agreement"), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, among other things, Purchaser will purchase from Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary all of the specified assets, properties, interest in properties and rights of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary in their North American business (the "North American Business") for $82 million in cash, subject to adjustment, and the assumption by Purchaser of specified liabilities and obligations of Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary relating to the North American Business (collectively, the "Consideration"). The sale by Seller and the Canadian Subsidiary to Purchaser of the North American Business and the assumption of such liabilities and obligations is referred to herein as the "Transaction." The terms and conditions of the Transaction are more fully set forth in the Agreement.

        You have requested our opinion, as of the date hereof, as to the fairness to Seller, from a financial point of view, of the Consideration to be received by Seller in the Transaction. In connection with this opinion, we have, among other things:

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        In rendering our opinion, we have assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information that was available to us from public sources, that was provided to us by Seller or its representatives, or that was otherwise reviewed by us. We have not assumed any responsibility for, and did not conduct, any independent verification of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets of Purchaser or Seller, including the North American Business, or the solvency of Purchaser, Seller or any of their respective affiliates. In addition, we have not assumed any obligation to conduct any physical inspection of the properties or facilities of the North American Business. With respect to the financial forecasts referred to above, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the management of Seller as to the future financial performance of Seller generally and the North American Business in particular, and that such financial information is materially complete. We assume no responsibility for, and express no view as to, such forecasts or the assumptions on which they are based. Further, our opinion is necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on the date hereof, and the information made available to us as of the date hereof. In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that the Transaction will be consummated on the terms described in the Agreement, without any waiver or modification by the parties thereto of any terms or conditions thereof material to our analysis, and that obtaining the regulatory and other approvals necessary in connection with the Transaction will not have an adverse effect on the ability of Purchaser, its affiliates or Seller to consummate the Transaction on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement. We also have assumed that there have been no changes made to the Agreement or any related documents from the drafts we reviewed for purposes of rendering our opinion material to our analysis, and that the representations and warranties of Purchaser and Seller contained in the Agreement are true and complete in all respects material to our analysis. We also have assumed that management of Seller is not aware of any information or facts that would make the information provided to us incomplete or misleading, and that there has been no material change to Seller's or Canadian Subsidiary's assets, financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects since the date of Seller's last financial statements made available to us. We have relied on the advice of counsel and independent accountants to Seller as to all legal, financial reporting and accounting matters. In rendering our opinion, we have not attempted to assign any value to, any other arrangements being entered into by Seller, Canadian Subsidiary, Purchaser and their respective affiliates in connection with the Agreement, including, without limitation, the technology cross license to be entered into by the parties to the Agreement.

        We have acted as financial advisor to Seller in connection with the Transaction and will receive a fee for our services. In addition, Seller has agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities arising out of our engagement. As part of our investment banking business, we are regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, private placements and related financings, bankruptcy reorganizations and similar recapitalizations, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, and valuations for corporate and other purposes and have in the past provided financial advisory services to affiliates of Purchaser and received fees for the rendering of such services. In addition, in the ordinary course of our business, we and our affiliates may have long or short positions, either on a discretionary or nondiscretionary basis, for our and our affiliates' own account or for those of our and our affiliates' clients, in the securities of Seller, Purchaser and/or their respective affiliates.

        Our engagement and the opinion expressed herein are for the benefit of the Board of Directors of Seller and our opinion is rendered to the Board of Directors of Seller in connection with its consideration of the Transaction. This opinion is not intended to, and does not, constitute a recommendation to any holder of Seller's common stock as to whether such holder should vote to

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approve any matter related to the Transaction. Our opinion does not address the relative merits of the Transaction as compared to any alternative business transaction that might be available to Seller, or Seller's underlying decision to pursue the Transaction.

        Furthermore, our engagement and the opinion expressed herein are not intended to confer rights or remedies upon Purchaser or any of its affiliates, or any stockholder of Seller or any other person or entity other than the Board of Directors of Seller. It is understood that this opinion is for the information of the Board of Directors of Seller and may not be used for any other purpose without our prior written consent, except that this opinion may be included in its entirety in any filing made by Seller with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Transaction.

        Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Consideration to be received by Seller in the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to Seller.


 
 
Very truly yours,
ALLEN & COMPANY LLC

 
 
By:
 
/s/  JOHN H. JOSEPHSON      
        Name:   John H. Josephson
        Title:   Managing Director

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ANNEX D


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

        Liberate Technologies ("Liberate") entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of January 14, 2005, with Liberate Technologies Canada Ltd. and Double C Technologies, LLC ("Double C"), a Delaware limited liability company majority owned and controlled by Comcast Corporation with a minority investment by Cox Communications, Inc. Under the terms of the Agreement, Double C will receive substantially all of the assets, including patents and other intellectual property, and will assume certain limited liabilities related to Liberate's North America business. Liberate will receive cash consideration of approximately $82 million. The Agreement is subject to Liberate stockholder approval, Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust approval and other customary closing conditions.

Pro Forma Financial Information.

        The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared based on the historical financial statements of Liberate after giving effect of the sale to Double C of substantially all of the assets and the assumption by Double C of certain liabilities related to the North America business, and the assumptions and adjustments described in the accompanying notes to these unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations give effect to the disposal of the North America business by Liberate as if it had occurred on June 1, 2001 and the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet gives effect to the disposal of the North America business by Liberate as if it had occurred on November 30, 2004. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information was derived by adjusting the historical financial statements of Liberate for the removal of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses associated with the North America business and the pro forma adjustments described in the footnotes. Upon completion of the transaction, Liberate will record a gain from the transaction. The sale of assets by Liberate pursuant to the Agreement will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, Liberate will recognize gain or loss with respect to the sale of assets pursuant to the Agreement in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of the consideration received for each asset over the adjusted tax basis in the asset sold. Although the asset sale will result in a taxable gain to Liberate, we believe that a substantial portion of the taxable gain will be offset by current year losses from operations and available net operating loss carryforwards.

        The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information, including the notes thereto should be read in conjunction with, the audited historical consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Liberate's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2004, and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Liberate's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2005.

        The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the financial position or results of operations that would have actually been reported had the disposition occurred June 1, 2001 for statements of operation purposes and as of November 30, 2004 for balance sheet purposes, nor is it necessarily indicative of the future financial position or results of operations. The pro forma adjustments are based upon information and assumptions available at the time of filing this statement.

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
As of November 30, 2004
(In thousands)

 
   Historical
Liberate
   North
America
Business
Adjustments
   Other
Adjustments
(See Note 3)
   Pro Forma
Ongoing
Business
  
Assets                          

Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 207,987   $ —   $ 82,000   $ 289,987  
  Accounts receivable, net     3,561     (683 )   —     2,878  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets     1,552     (406 )   —     1,146  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total current assets     213,100     (1,089 )   82,000     294,011  
  Property and equipment, net     1,775     (1,281 )   —     494  
  Deferred costs related to warrants     1,791     (1,791 )   —     —  
  Restricted cash     10,741     —     —     10,741  
  Other assets     36     (36 )   —     —  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total assets   $ 227,443   $ (4,197 ) $ 82,000   $ 305,246  
   
 
 
 
 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Accounts payable   $ 2,996   $ (221 ) $ —   $ 2,775  
  Accrued liabilities     18,967     (199 )   3,100     21,868  
  Accrued payroll and related expenses     958     (482 )   —     476  
  Short term deferred revenues     4,391     (4,005 )   —     386  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total current liabilities     27,312     (4,907 )   3,100     25,505  
  Long term excess facilities charges     20,022     —     —     20,022  
  Long term deferred revenues     8,114     (3,500 )   —     4,614  
  Other long-term liabilities     2,416     —     —     2,416  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total liabilities     57,864     (8,407 )   3,100     52,557  
   
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies                          
Stockholders' equity:                          
  Common stock     1,057     —     —     1,057  
  Contributed and paid-in capital     1,502,994     (3,462 )   —     1,499,532  
  Deferred stock-based compensation     (7,384 )   3,462     —     (3,922 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
(1,960
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(1,960
)
  Accumulated deficit     (1,325,128 )   4,210     78,900     (1,242,018 )
   
 
 
 
 
    Total stockholders' equity     169,579     4,210     78,900     252,689  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 227,443   $ (4,197 ) $ 82,000   $ 305,246  
   
 
 
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2004
(In thousands, except per share data)

 
   Historical
Liberate
   North
America
Business
Adjustments
   Other
Adjustments
   Pro Forma
Ongoing
Business
  
Revenues:                          
  License and royalty   $ (271 ) $ 1,029   $ —   $ 758  
  Service     2,051     (1,246 )   —     805  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total revenues     1,780     (217 )   —     1,563  
   
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues:                          
  License and royalty     34     (27 )   —     7  
  Service     2,272     (1,708 )   —     564  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total cost of revenues     2,306     (1,735 )   —     571  
   
 
 
 
 
    Gross margin     (526 )   1,518     —     992  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:                          
  Research and development     7,599     (5,497 )   —     2,102  
  Sales and marketing     1,304     (239 )   —     1,065  
  General and administrative     6,808     (315 )   —     6,493  
  Excess facilities charges and related asset impairment     5,622     —     —     5,622  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total operating expenses     21,333     (6,051 )   —     15,282  
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss from operations     (21,859 )   7,569     —     (14,290 )
  Interest Income, net     1,171     3     —     1,174  
  Other income (expense), net     282     (612 )   —     (330 )
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss from continuing operations before income tax provision     (20,406 )   6,960     —     (13,446 )
  Income tax provision     135     (93 )   —     42  
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss from continuing operations     (20,541 )   7,053     —     (13,488 )
  Gain on sale of discontinued operations from prior periods     80     —     —     80  
   
 
 
 
 
    Net loss   $ (20,461 ) $ 7,053   $ —   $ (13,408 )
   
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted net loss per share   $ (0.19 )             $ (0.13 )
   
             
 
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share     105,683                 105,683  
   
             
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended May 31, 2004
(In thousands, except per share data)

 
   Historical
Liberate
   North
America
Business
Adjustments
   Other
Adjustments
   Pro Forma
Ongoing
Business
  
Revenues:                          
  License and royalty   $ (263 ) $ 2,435   $ —   $ 2,172  
  Service     8,875     (3,142 )   —     5,733  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total revenues     8,612     (707 )   —     7,905  
   
 
 
 
 

Cost of revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  License and royalty     597     (331 )   —     266  
  Service     5,317     (3,438 )   —     1,879  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total cost of revenues     5,914     (3,769 )   —     2,145  
   
 
 
 
 
    Gross margin     2,698     3,062     —     5,760  
   
 
 
 
 

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Research and development     16,325     (9,452 )   —     6,873  
  Sales and marketing     3,007     (204 )   —     2,803  
  General and administrative     13,587     (487 )   —     13,100  
  Amortization of deferred costs related to warrants     1,831     —     —     1,831  
  Restructuring costs     1,406     —     —     1,406  
  Amortization and impairment of intangible assets     22     —     —     22  
  Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation     10     —     —     10  
  Impairment of deferred costs related to warrants     4,969     —     —     4,969  
  Excess facilities charges and related asset impairment     4,022     —     —     4,022  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total operating expenses     45,179     (10,143 )   —     35,036  
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss from operations     (42,481 )   13,205     —     (29,276 )
Interest Income, net     2,224     4     —     2,228  
Other income (expense), net     530     (48 )   —     482  
   
 
 
 
 
Loss from continuing operations before income tax provision     (39,727 )   13,161     —     (26,566 )

Income tax provision (benefit)
 
 
138
 
 
(165
)
 
—
 
 
(27
)
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss from continuing operations     (39,865 )   13,326     —     (26,539 )
Loss on discontinued operations from prior periods     (3,075 )   —     —     (3,075 )

Gain on sale of discontinued operations from prior periods
 
 
9,538
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
9,538
 
   
 
 
 
 
    Net loss   $ (33,402 ) $ 13,326   $ —   $ (20,076 )
   
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted net loss per share:                          
  Continuing operations   $ (0.38 )             $ (0.25 )
  Discontinued operations     0.06                 0.06  
   
             
 
Basic and diluted net loss per share   $ (0.32 )             $ (0.19 )
   
             
 
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share     104,805                 104,805  
   
             
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

D-4


Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended May 31, 2003
(In thousands, except per share data)

 
   Historical
Liberate
   North
America
Business
Adjustments
   Other
Adjustments
   Proforma
Ongoing
Business
  
Revenues:                          
  License and royalty   $ 6,501   $ (2,275 ) $ —   $ 4,226  
  Service     18,893     (8,121 )   —     10,772  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total revenues     25,394     (10,396 )   —     14,998  
   
 
 
 
 

Cost of revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  License and royalty     1,315     (600 )   —     715  
  Service     24,262     (19,458 )   —     4,804  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total cost of revenues     25,577     (20,058 )   —     5,519  
   
 
 
 
 
    Gross margin     (183 )   9,662     —     9,479  
   
 
 
 
 

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Research and development     26,080     (5,006 )   —     21,074  
  Sales and marketing     18,783     —     —     18,783  
  General and administrative     45,538     (282 )   —     45,256  
  Amortization of deferred costs related to warrants     3,837     —     —     3,837  
  Restructuring costs     8,586     (72 )   —     8,514  
  Amortization and impairment of intangible assets     1,670     —     —     1,670  
  Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation     1,299     —     —     1,299  
  Excess facilities charges and related asset impairment     25,094     —     —     25,094  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total operating expenses     130,887     (5,360 )   —     125,527  
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss from operations     (131,070 )   15,022     —     (116,048 )
Interest Income, net     6,977     4     —     6,981  
Other income (expense), net     (14,028 )   (9 )   —     (14,037 )
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss from continuing operations before income tax provision     (138,121 )   15,017     —     (123,104 )
Income tax provision     1,560     (185 )   —     1,375  
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss from continuing operations     (139,681 )   15,202     —     (124,479 )
Loss on discontinued operations from prior periods     (50,110 )   —     —     (50,110 )
Gain on sale of discontinued operations from prior periods     (177 )   —     —     (177 )
   
 
 
 
 
Net loss before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle     (189,968 )   15,202     —     (174,766 )
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax     (209,289 )   —     —     (209,289 )
   
 
 
 
 
    Net loss   $ (399,257 ) $ 15,202   $ —   $ (384,055 )
   
 
 
 
 

Basic and diluted net loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Continuing operations   $ (1.34 )             $ (1.20 )
  Discontinued operations     (0.48 )               (0.48 )
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle     (2.00 )               (2.00 )
   
             
 
Basic and diluted net loss per share   $ (3.82 )             $ (3.68 )
   
             
 
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share     104,500                 104,500  
   
             
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

D-5


Unaudited Pro-Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended May 31, 2002
(In thousands, except per share data)

 
   Historical
Liberate
   North
America
Business
Adjustments
   Other
Adjustments
   Proforma
Ongoing
Business
  
Revenues:                          
  License and royalty   $ 32,251   $ (13,838 ) $ —   $ 18,413  
  Service     38,212     (16,553 )   —     21,659  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total revenues     70,463     (30,391 )   —     40,072  
   
 
 
 
 

Cost of revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  License and royalty     2,091     (954 )   —     1,137  
  Service     40,414     (33,118 )   —     7,296  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total cost of revenues     42,505     (34,072 )   —     8,433  
   
 
 
 
 
    Gross margin     27,958     3,681     —     31,639  
   
 
 
 
 

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Research and development     44,580     (4,659 )   —     39,921  
  Sales and marketing     26,137     —     —     26,137  
  General and administrative     12,484     (283 )   —     12,201  
  Amortization of deferred costs related to warrants     12,047     —     —     12,047  
  Restructuring costs     3,075     —     —     3,075  
  Amortization and impairment of intangible assets     220,742     —     —     220,742  
  Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation     1,669     —     —     1,669  
  Impairment of deferred costs related to warrants     44,840     —     —     44,840  
Excess facilities charges and related asset impairment     9,904     —     —     9,904  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total operating expenses     375,478     (4,942 )   —     370,536  
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss from operations     (347,520 )   8,623     —     (338,897 )
Interest Income, net     15,968     7     —     15,975  
Other income (expense), net     (2,798 )   36     —     (2,762 )
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss before income tax provision     (334,350 )   8,666     —     (325,684 )
Income tax provision     737     (113 )   —     624  
   
 
 
 
 
    Net loss   $ (335,087 ) $ 8,779   $ —   $ (326,308 )
   
 
 
 
 

Basic and diluted net loss per share
 
$
(3.16
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(3.07
)
   
             
 
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share     106,144                 106,144  
   
             
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

D-6


NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Basis of Pro Forma Presentation

        The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information of Liberate has been prepared based on the historical consolidated balance sheet of Liberate as of November 30, 2004 and the historical consolidated statements of operations for Liberate for the years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and the six months ended November 30, 2004, after giving effect to the adjustments and assumptions described below.

        Liberate and its North America business employ accounting policies that are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. In management's opinion, all material adjustments necessary to reflect fairly the pro forma financial position and pro forma results of operations of Liberate have been made.

        The ongoing activity presented in these unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements represents Liberate's Non-North America business and corporate assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses that will not be divested in the asset sale. The pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only, and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results and financial position that might have been achieved had the transaction described above occurred on the dates indicated, nor is it necessarily indicative of the operating results and financial position that may occur in the future.

Note 2. Pro Forma Assumptions

North America business:

        The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information of Liberate's Non-North America business has been prepared based on Liberate's historical consolidated financial records as of November 30, 2004 and for the years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and the six months ended November 30, 2004, after giving effect to the following adjustments and assumptions:

D-7

Note 3. Other Pro Forma Adjustments

        The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared as if the divestiture was completed on November 30, 2004 for balance sheet purposes and as of June 1, 2001 for statement of operations purposes and reflect the following pro forma adjustments:

Total consideration   $ 82,000  
Transaction costs     (3,100 )
   
 
Net total proceeds     78,900  
Assets acquired by buyer     (4,197 )
Liabilities assumed by buyer     8,407  
   
 
Pro forma net gain   $ 83,110  
   
 

        Liberate does not anticipate any significant taxes on the net gain from the sale transaction, due to available net operating losses and tax credits. Accordingly, no adjustment has been recorded, in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements, to reflect any tax effect on net gain arising from the disposal of the North America business.

Note 4. Unaudited Pro Forma Earnings Per Share Data

        Basic and diluted pro forma earnings per share were calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding of Liberate for the years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and for the six months ended November 30, 2004. For all periods presented, a net loss was recorded, therefore the net loss per share on a diluted basis is equivalent to basic net loss per share becuase the effect of including all outstanding stock options, stock units and warrants in the earnings per share calculation would be anti-dilutive.

Note 5. Litigation

        Liberate is party to several legal matters described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2005. Pursuant to the Agreement, Double C will assume the liabilities associated with the OpenTV patent litigation, OpenTV, Inc. v Liberate Technologies, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to the extent set forth in the complaint dated February 7, 2002 (including attorneys' fees and other costs of defending such action but only to the extent such attorneys' fees and costs arise or are incurred following the closing of the asset sale). The other legal matters described in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q will remain with Liberate.

D-8



QuickLinks

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD , 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY TERM SHEET
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ASSET SALE, THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND THE SPECIAL MEETING
THE SPECIAL MEETING OF LIBERATE STOCKHOLDERS
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
RISK FACTORS
THE ASSET SALE
UNVESTED STOCK UNITS AND STOCK OPTIONS SUBJECT TO ACCELERATED VESTING
THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
OTHER MATTERS
ANNEX A ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exhibits
List of Schedules
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
ARTICLE II CLOSING AND PURCHASE PRICE
ARTICLE III CERTAIN ACTIONS
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND THE CANADIAN SUBSIDIARY
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
ARTICLE VII LABOR AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS
ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
ARTICLE IX TERMINATION
ARTICLE X GENERAL PROVISIONS
GUARANTY
ANNEX B
STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT
SPOUSAL CONSENT
SCHEDULE I OWNED SHARES AND OPTIONS
ANNEX C
ANNEX D
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2004 (In thousands, except per share data)
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations For the Year Ended May 31, 2004 (In thousands, except per share data)
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations For the Year Ended May 31, 2003 (In thousands, except per share data)
Unaudited Pro-Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations For the Year Ended May 31, 2002 (In thousands, except per share data)
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS