Microsoft Annual Report 2003 -- Form 10-K Item 15

Exhibit 10.1

MICROSOFT CORPORATION

2001 STOCK PLAN

(as amended and restated effective June 12, 2003)

1. Purpose of the Plan. The purposes of this Stock Plan are to attract and retain the best available individuals for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to such individuals, and to promote the success of the Company's business by aligning the financial interests of Employees and Consultants providing personal services to the Company or to any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company with long-term shareholder value.

Awards granted hereunder may be Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Awards, or SARs, at the discretion of the Board and as reflected in the terms of the Award Agreement.

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) "Award" shall mean any award or benefits granted under the Plan, including Options, Stock Awards, and SARs.

(b) "Award Agreement" shall mean a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Awardee setting forth the terms of the Award.

(d) "Board" shall mean (i) the Board of Directors of the Company or (ii) both the Board and the Committee, if a Committee has been appointed in accordance with Section 4(a) of the Plan.

(e) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(f) "Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee appointed by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 4(a) of the Plan, if one is appointed; provided, however, if the Board of Directors appoints more than one Committee pursuant to Section 4(a), then "Committee" shall refer to the appropriate Committee, as indicated by the context of the reference.

(g) "Common Shares" shall mean the common shares of Microsoft Corporation.

(h) "Company" shall mean Microsoft Corporation, a Washington corporation and any successor thereto.

(i) "Consultant" shall mean any person, except an Employee, engaged by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, to render personal services to such entity, including as an advisor.

(j) "Continuous Status as a Participant" shall mean (1) for Employees, the absence of any interruption or termination of service as an Employee, and (2) for Consultants, the absence of any interruption, expiration, or termination of such person's consulting or advisory relationship with the Company or the occurrence of any termination event as set forth in such person's Award Agreement. Continuous Status as a Participant shall not be considered interrupted (i) for an Employee in the case of sick leave, maternity leave, infant care leave, medical emergency leave, military leave, or any other leave of absence authorized in writing by a Vice President of the Company prior to its commencement, and (ii) for a Consultant, in the case of any temporary interruption in such person's availability to provide services to the Company which has been authorized in writing by a Vice President of the Company prior to its commencement.

(k) "Conversion Options" shall mean the Options described in Section 6(c) of the Plan.

(l) "Employee" shall mean any person, including an officer, who is a common law employee of, receives remuneration for personal services to, is reflected on the official human resources database as an employee of, and is on the payroll of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A person is on the payroll if he or she is paid from the payroll department of the Company, or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Persons providing services to the Company, or to any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to an agreement with a staff leasing organization, temporary workers engaged through or employed by temporary or leasing agencies, and workers who hold themselves out to the Company, Parent, or Subsidiary to which they are providing services as being independent contractors, or as being employed by or engaged through another company while providing the services are not Employees for purposes of this Plan, whether or not such persons are, or may be reclassified by the courts, the Internal Revenue Service, the U. S. Department of Labor, or other person or entity as, common law employees of the Company, Parent, or Subsidiary, either solely or jointly with another person or entity.

(m) "Effective Date" shall mean January 1, 2001.

(n) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(o) "FLSA" shall mean the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended.

(p) "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean any Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(q) "Maximum Annual Participant Award" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

(r) "Nonqualified Stock Option" shall mean an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(s) "Option" shall mean a stock option granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.

(t) "Parent" shall mean a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

(u) "Participant" shall mean an Employee or Consultant.

(v) "Plan" shall mean this 2001 Stock Plan, including any amendments thereto.

(w) "Share" shall mean one Common Share, as adjusted in accordance with Section 14 of the Plan.

(x) "SAR" shall mean a stock appreciation right awarded pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.

(y) "Stock Award" shall mean a grant of Shares or of a right to receive Shares or their cash equivalent (or both) pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan.

(z) "Subsidiary" shall mean (i) in the case of an Incentive Stock Option a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, and (ii) in the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option, a Stock Award or an SAR, in addition to a subsidiary corporation as defined in (i), a limited liability company, partnership or other entity in which the Company controls 50 percent or more of the voting power or equity interests.

3. Shares Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Sections 14 and 16 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares (increased, proportionately, in the event of any stock split or stock dividend with respect to the Shares) which may be awarded and delivered under the Plan shall not exceed the sum of (a) any Shares available for future awards, as of the Effective Date, under the Microsoft Corporation 1991 Stock Option Plan, as amended ("1991 Stock Plan") and (b) any Shares that are represented by awards under the 1991 Stock Plan which, after the Effective Date, are forfeited, expire, are cancelled without delivery of Shares, or otherwise result in the return of Shares to the Company. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Shares.

If an Award should expire or become unexercisable for any reason without having been exercised in full, the undelivered Shares which were subject thereto shall, unless the Plan shall have been terminated, become available for future Awards under the Plan.

4. Administration of the Plan.

(a) Procedure. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company.

(i) The Board of Directors may appoint one or more Committees each consisting of not less than two members of the Board of Directors to administer the Plan on behalf of the Board of Directors, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may prescribe. Once appointed, such Committees shall continue to serve until otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.

(ii) From time to time the Board of Directors may increase the size of the Committee(s) and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, or fill vacancies however caused.

(b) Powers of the Board. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have the authority, in its discretion: (i) to grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Awards, and SARs; (ii) to determine, in accordance with Section 11(b) of the Plan, the fair market value of the Shares; (iii) to determine, in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Plan, the exercise price per share of Awards to be granted; (iv) to determine the Participants to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted and the number of Shares to be represented by each Award; (v) to interpret the Plan; (vi) to prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; including the form of Award Agreement, and manner of acceptance of an Award, (vii) to determine the terms and provisions of each Award to be granted (which need not be identical) and, with the consent of the Awardee, modify or amend each Award; (viii) to authorize conversion or substitution under the Plan of any or all Conversion Options; (ix) to accelerate or defer (with the consent of the Awardee) the exercise date of any Option; (x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effectuate the grant of an Award previously granted by the Board; and (xi) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

(c) Effect of Board's Decision. All decisions, determinations, and interpretations of the Board shall be final and binding on all Participants and Awardees.

5. Eligibility.

(a) Awards may be granted to Participants and to persons to whom offers of employment as an Employee have been extended; provided that Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to Employees. For avoidance of doubt, directors are not eligible to participate in the Plan unless they are Employees or Consultants.

(b) The maximum number of Shares with respect to which an Award or Awards may be granted to any Participant in any one taxable year of the Company (the "Maximum Annual Participant Award") shall not exceed 20,000,000 Common Shares (increased, proportionately, in the event of any stock split or stock dividend with respect to the Shares). If an Option is in tandem with an SAR, such that the exercise of the Option or SAR with respect to a Share cancels the tandem SAR or Option right, respectively, with respect to each Share, the tandem Option and SAR rights with respect to each Share shall be counted as covering but one Share for purposes of the Maximum Annual Participant Award.

6. Options.

(a) Each Option shall be designated in the written or electronic option agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of the Shares with respect to which Options designated as Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Employee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.

(b) For purposes of Section 6(a), Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the fair market value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

(c) Options converted or substituted under the Plan for any or all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights held by employees, consultants, advisors or other option holders granted by entities subsequently acquired by the Company ("Conversion Options") shall be effective as of the close of the respective mergers and acquisitions of such entities by the Company. The Conversion Options may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that stock appreciation rights in the acquired entity shall only be converted to or substituted with Nonqualified Stock Options. The Conversion Options shall be options to purchase the number of Common Shares determined by multiplying the number of shares of the acquired entity's common stock underlying each such stock option or stock appreciation right immediately prior to the closing of such merger or acquisition by the number specified in the applicable merger or acquisition agreement for conversion of each share of such entity's common stock to a Common Share (the "Merger Ratio"). Such Conversion Options shall be exercisable at an exercise price per Common Share (increased to the nearest whole cent) equal to the exercise price per share of the acquired entity's common stock under each such stock option or stock appreciation right immediately prior to closing divided by the Merger Ratio. No fractional Common Shares will be issued upon exercise of Conversion Options. In lieu of such issuance, the Common Shares issued pursuant to each such exercise shall be rounded to the closest whole Share. All other terms and conditions applicable to such stock options and stock appreciation rights prior to closing of the acquisition, including vesting, shall remain unchanged under the Conversion Options.

7. Stock Awards.

(a) Stock Awards may be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan. The maximum aggregate number of Shares underlying all such Stock Awards shall not exceed 80,000,000 Common Shares (increased, proportionately, in the event of any stock split or stock dividend with respect to the Shares). Any Stock Award granted to an Employee who is non-exempt for purposes of the FLSA shall include a vesting period of not less than six (6) months. After the Committee determines that it will offer a Stock Award, it will advise the Awardee in writing or electronically, by means of an Award Agreement, of the terms, conditions and restrictions, including vesting, if any, related to the offer, including the number of Shares that the Awardee shall be entitled to receive or purchase, the price to be paid, if any, and, if applicable, the time within which the Awardee must accept the offer. The offer shall be accepted by execution of an Award Agreement in the manner determined by the Committee.

(b) Unless the Committee determines otherwise, the Award Agreement shall provide for the forfeiture of the non-vested Common Shares underlying such Stock Award upon the Awardee ceasing to be a Participant. To the extent that the Awardee purchased the Shares granted under such Stock Award and any such Shares remain non-vested at the time the Awardee ceases to be a Participant, the cessation of Participant status shall cause an immediate sale of such non-vested Shares to the Company at the original price per Common Share paid by the Awardee.

8. SARs.

(a) The Committee shall have the full power and authority, exercisable in its sole discretion, to grant SARs to selected Awardees. The Committee is authorized to grant both tandem stock appreciation rights ("Tandem SARs") and stand-alone stock appreciation rights ("Stand-Alone SARs") as described below.

(b) Tandem SARs.

(i) Awardees may be granted a Tandem SAR, exercisable upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish, to elect between the exercise of the underlying Section 6 Option for Common Shares or the surrender of the Option in exchange for a distribution from the Company in an amount equal to the excess of (A) the fair market value (on the Option surrender date) of the number of Shares in which the Awardee is at the time vested under the surrendered Option (or surrendered portion thereof) over (B) the aggregate exercise price payable for such vested Shares.

(ii) No such Option surrender shall be effective unless it is approved by the Committee, either at the time of the actual Option surrender or at any earlier time. If the surrender is so approved, then the distributions to which the Awardee shall become entitled under this Section 8(b) may be made in Common Shares valued at fair market value on the Option surrender date, in cash, or partly in Shares and partly in cash, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

(iii) If the surrender of an Option is not approved by the Committee, then the Awardee shall retain whatever rights he or she had under the surrendered Option (or surrendered portion thereof) on the Option surrender date and may exercise such rights at any time prior to the later of (A) five (5) business days after the receipt of the rejection notice or (B) the last day on which the Option is otherwise exercisable in accordance with the terms of the instrument evidencing such Option, but in no event may such rights be exercised more than ten (10) years after the date of the Option grant.

(i) An Awardee may be granted a Stand-Alone SAR not tied to any underlying Option under Section 6 of the Plan. The Stand-Alone SAR shall cover a specified number of Common Shares and shall be exercisable upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish. Upon exercise of the Stand-Alone SAR, the holder shall be entitled to receive a distribution from the Company in an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate fair market value (on the exercise date) of the Common Shares underlying the exercised right over (B) the aggregate base price in effect for those Shares.

(ii) The number of Common Shares underlying each Stand-Alone SAR and the base price in effect for those Shares shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Stand-Alone SAR is granted. In no event, however, may the base price per Share be less than the fair market value per underlying Common Share on the grant date.

(iii) The distribution with respect to an exercised Stand-Alone SAR may be made in Common Shares valued at fair market value on the exercise date, in cash, or partly in Shares and partly in cash, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

(d) The Common Shares underlying any SARs exercised under this Section 8 shall not be available for subsequent issuance under the Plan.

9. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date. It shall continue in effect until terminated under Section 17 of the Plan.

10. Term of Award. The term of each Award shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant. However, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Option is granted, owns Shares representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall be no more than five (5) years from the date of grant.

11. Exercise Price and Consideration.

(a) The per Share exercise price under each Award shall be such price as is determined by the Board, subject to the following:

(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option, owns shares representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the fair market value per Share on the date of grant.

(B) granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the fair market value per Share on the date of grant.

(ii) Except for Conversion Options under Section 6(c), the per Share exercise price under a Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR shall be no less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the fair market value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing (or any other provision of the Plan), Options and SARs that are granted to Employees who are non-exempt for purposes of the FLSA, shall satisfy the requirements for exclusion from regular rate of pay for purposes of the FLSA and shall have an exercise price that is at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair market value of the underlying Shares at the time of grant; furthermore, such Options or SARs shall not be exercisable within the six (6) month period immediately following the date of grant, except, if so provided in the Award Agreement, in the event of the Awardee's death, disability, or retirement, upon a change in corporate control of the Company, or under such other circumstances as are permitted under the FLSA or rules and regulations thereunder.

(iii) The maximum aggregate number of Shares underlying all Nonqualified Stock Options and SARs with a per Share exercise price of less than fair market value on any grant date that may be granted under this Plan is 50,000,000 Shares (increased, proportionately, in the event of any stock split or stock dividend with respect to the Shares).

(iv) The maximum aggregate number of Shares underlying all Stock Awards with a per Share price of less than fair market value on any grant date that may be granted under this Plan is 80,000,000 Shares (increased, proportionately, in the event of any stock split or stock dividend with respect to the Shares).

(b) The fair market value per Share shall be the closing price per share of the Common Share on the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") on the date of grant. If the Shares cease to be listed on Nasdaq, the Board shall designate an alternative method of determining the fair market value of the Shares.

(c) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Award, including the method of payment, shall be determined by the Board at the time of grant and may consist of cash and/or check. Payment may also be made by delivering a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale proceeds necessary to pay the exercise price. If the Awardee is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, he may, in addition, be allowed to pay all or part of the purchase price with Shares which, as of the exercise date, the officer has owned for six (6) months or more. If the Awardee is a participant in the 1998 Microsoft Corporation Stock Option Gain And Bonus Deferral Program, he may in addition be allowed to pay all or part of the purchase price of any deferred Option with Shares. Shares used by officers to pay the exercise price shall be valued at their fair market value on the exercise date.

(d) Prior to issuance of the Shares upon exercise of an Award, the Awardee shall pay any federal, state, and local income and employment tax withholding obligations applicable to such Award. If an Awardee is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, he may elect to pay such withholding tax obligations by having the Company withhold Shares having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld, and any Award under the Plan may permit or require that such withholding tax obligations be paid by having the Company withhold Shares having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The value of the Shares to be withheld shall equal the fair market value of the Shares on the day the Award is exercised. The right of an officer to dispose of Shares to the Company in satisfaction of withholding tax obligations shall be deemed to be approved as part of the initial grant of an Award, unless thereafter rescinded, and shall otherwise be made in compliance with Rule 16b-3 and other applicable regulations.

12. Exercise of Award.

(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Award granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Board at the time of grant, and as shall be permissible under the terms of the Plan.

An Award may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

An Award shall be deemed to be exercised when written or electronic notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award by the person entitled to exercise the Award and full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Award is exercised has been received by the Company. Full payment may, as authorized by the Board, consist of any consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 11(c) of the Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the share certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Shares subject to the Award, notwithstanding the exercise of the Award. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such share certificate promptly upon exercise of the Award. In the event that the exercise of an Award is treated in part as the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option and in part as the exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option pursuant to Section 6(a), the Company shall issue a share certificate evidencing the Shares treated as acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option and a separate share certificate evidencing the Shares treated as acquired upon the exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option, and shall identify each such certificate accordingly in its share transfer records. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the share certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 14 of the Plan.

Exercise of an Award in any manner and delivery of the Shares subject to such Award shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Award, by the number of Shares as to which the Award is exercised.

(b) Termination of Status as a Participant. In the event of termination of an Awardee's Continuous Status as a Participant, such Awardee may exercise his or her rights under any outstanding Awards to the extent exercisable on the date of termination (but in no event later than the date of expiration of the term of such Award as set forth in the Award Agreement). To the extent that the Awardee was not entitled to exercise his or her rights under such Awards at the date of such termination, or does not exercise such rights within the time specified in the individual Award Agreements, the Awards shall terminate.

(c) Disability of Awardee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12(b) above, in the event of termination of an Awardee's Continuous Status as a Participant as a result of total and permanent disability (i.e., the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of twelve (12) months), the Awardee may exercise the Award, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that would have accrued had the Awardee remained in Continuous Status as a Participant for a period of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Participant ceased performing services as a result of the total and permanent disability. Such exercise must occur within eighteen (18) months (or such shorter time as is specified in the grant) from the date on which the Participant ceased performing services as a result of the total and permanent disability (but in no event later than the date of expiration of the term of such Award as set forth in the Award Agreement). To the extent that the Awardee was not entitled to exercise such Award within the time specified herein, the Award shall terminate.

(d) Death of Awardee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12(b) above, in the event of the death of an Awardee:

(i) who is at the time of death a Participant, the Award may be exercised, at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death, by the Awardee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Award by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that would have accrued had the Awardee continued living and remained in Continuous Status as a Participant twelve (12) months after the date of death; or

(ii) whose Award has not yet expired but whose Continuous Status as a Participant terminated prior to the date of death, the Award may be exercised, at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death, by the Awardee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Award by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that had accrued at the date of termination.

(e) Notwithstanding subsections (b), (c), and (d) above, the Board shall have the authority to extend the expiration date of any outstanding option in circumstances in which it deems such action to be appropriate (provided that no such extension shall extend the term of an Award beyond the date on which the Award would have expired if no termination of the Employee's Continuous Status as a Participant had occurred).

13. Non-Transferability of Awards. An Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Awardee, only by the Awardee; provided that the Board may permit further transferability, on a general or specific basis, and may impose conditions and limitations on any permitted transferability.

14. Adjustments to Shares Subject to the Plan.

The number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, the Maximum Annual Employee Award and the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Award, as well as the price per Share covered by each such outstanding Award, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination, or reclassification of the Shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding, and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an Award.

In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise provided by the Board. The Board may, in the exercise of its sole discretion in such instances, declare that any Award shall terminate as of a date fixed by the Board and give each Awardee the right to exercise an Award as to all or any part of the Shares subject to an Award, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, each Award shall be assumed or an equivalent award shall be substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation, unless such successor corporation does not agree to assume the Award or to substitute an equivalent award, in which case the Board shall, in lieu of such assumption or substitution, provide for the Awardee to have the right to exercise the Award as to all of the Shares subject to Awards, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. If the Board makes an Award fully exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Board shall notify the Awardee that the Award shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Award will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

15. Time of Granting Awards. The date of grant of an Award shall, for all purposes, be the date on which the Company completes the corporate action relating to the grant of such Award and all conditions to the grant have been satisfied, provided that conditions to the exercise of an Award shall not defer the date of grant. Notice of a grant shall be given to each Participant to whom an Award is so granted within a reasonable time after the determination has been made.

16. Substitutions and Assumptions. The Board shall have the right to substitute or assume Awards in connection with mergers, reorganizations, separations, or other transactions to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies, provided such substitutions and assumptions are permitted by Section 424 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The number of Shares reserved pursuant to Section 3 may be increased by the corresponding number of Awards assumed and, in the case of a substitution, by the net increase in the number of Shares subject to Awards before and after the substitution.

17. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable (including, but not limited to amendments which the Board deems appropriate to enhance the Company's ability to claim deductions related to stock option exercises); provided that any increase in the number of Shares subject to the Plan, other than in connection with an adjustment under Section 14 of the Plan, shall require approval of or ratification by the shareholders of the Company.

(b) Participants in Foreign Countries. The Board shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures, and subplans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws of foreign countries in which the Company or its Subsidiaries may operate to assure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants performing services in such countries and to meet the objectives of the Plan.

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment or termination of the Plan shall not affect Awards already granted and such Awards shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Awardee and the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Awardee and the Company.

18. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

19. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

20. No Employment/Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon any Participant the right to an Award or to continue in service as an Employee or Consultant for any period of specific duration, or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining such person), or of any Participant or Awardee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate such person's services at any time for any reason, with or without cause.

21. Shareholder Approval. The Plan is subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November 9, 2000.

*All share numbers in the Plan reflect the 2-for-1 stock split effected February 2003.

Exhibit 10.8

2003 INDEMNIFICATION TRUST AGREEMENT

This 2003 INDEMNIFICATION TRUST AGREEMENT ("Trust" or "Agreement") is established as of June 30, 2003, between MICROSOFT CORPORATION, a Washington corporation ("Grantor"), and BNY WESTERN TRUST COMPANY ("Trustee"), whose address is Two Union Square, Suite 1720, 601 Union Street, Seattle, Washington 98101-2321, and, as an additional party, William G. Reed, Jr. (the "Beneficiaries' Representative").

RECITALS

A. The Grantor has established this Trust to be a source of indemnification for the Grantor's directors who are eligible for such indemnification as stated in this Trust as it is in effect from time to time.

B. The Grantor has determined, after due diligence, that it has and will derive substantial economic benefits of this Trust, including economic terms that are more favorable to the Grantor than obtaining protection for its directors through the current director insurance market.

C. The Grantor's Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") provide for mandatory indemnification of the Grantor's directors to the maximum extent provided by law, and as such, this Trust is not an exclusive source of indemnification for such directors.

D. The Grantor has determined that the Trust is necessary in order for the Grantor to attract and retain the most qualified directors.

E. The capitalized terms have the meaning ascribed to them in the body of this Trust.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, the Grantor transfers to the Trustee funds as stated on Exhibit A of this Agreement and the Trustee acknowledges receipt of the funds and accepts the trust created hereby and agrees that it will hold all property which it may receive hereunder, as custodian IN TRUST, for the purposes and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, and Grantor, Trustee and Beneficiaries' Representative agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

"Act" means the Washington Business Corporation Act RCW 23B or succession legislation.

"Cash" means (a) currency of the United States, and (b) certificates of deposit or time deposits having, in each case, a tenor of not more than six (6) months, issued by any U.S. commercial bank or any branch or agency of a non-U.S. bank licensed to conduct business in the U.S. having combined capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 (including the Trustee and its affiliates.).

"Claim" or "Claims" includes, without limitation, any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, derivative, criminal, administrative, investigative, or otherwise, initiated by a person other than the Beneficiary (including any Claims by or in the right of Grantor), unless the Claim was initiated by the Beneficiary in good faith to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under the Articles, this Trust or applicable statute.

"Covered Act" means any act or omission (including, without limitation, any alleged breach of duty, neglect, error, misstatement, misleading statement, or otherwise, or appearing as or preparing to be a witness) by a Beneficiary, and any Claim against such Beneficiary, by reason of the fact that that Beneficiary is or was a director of Grantor, or of any subsidiary or division, or is or was serving at the request of Grantor as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise.

"Corporate Securities" means USD denominated senior debt obligations that are obligations (whether direct or by virtue of guarantees) of corporations organized in the United States whose long-term, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities are rated at least "A" (or its equivalent successor rating) in the case of Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or "A2" (or its equivalent successor rating) in the case of Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

"Eligible Securities" means Cash, Treasury Securities, Government Securities and Municipal Securities, Corporate Securities, Money Market Funds and Other Eligible Securities. All Eligible Securities must be in a form suitable for delivery and retransfer, and must be capable of being priced by recognized third-party dealers.

"Excluded Claim" means any payment for Losses or Expenses in connection with any Claim the payment of which is Ultimately Determined to be prohibited by the Act, public policy, or other applicable law (including binding regulations and orders or, and undertakings or other commitments with, any governmental entity or agency) as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits Grantor to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted Grantor to provide prior to such amendment).

"Expenses" means any reasonable expenses incurred by Beneficiary as a result of a Claim or Claims made against him or her for Covered Acts including, without limitation, counsel fees and costs of investigative, judicial, or administrative proceedings and any appeals.

"Fines" shall include any fine, penalty or, with respect to an employee benefit plan, any excise tax, or penalty assessed with respect thereto.

"Government Securities" means bonds, notes, debentures, obligations or other evidence of indebtedness issued and/or guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Government National Mortgage Association, including mortgage participation certificates, mortgage pass-through certificates and other mortgage-backed securities, but excluding collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-related securities representing payments of interest only or principal only and REMIC securities and CMBS (commercial mortgage backed securities).

"Loss" means any amount which Beneficiary is legally obligated to pay as a result of any Claim or Claims made against him or her for Covered Acts including, without limitation, Fines, damages, judgments, costs of defense of any Claims and sums paid in settlement of any Claim or Claims, specifically including fees of plaintiff's counsel.

"Money Market Funds" means money market funds rated "AAAm" or AAAm-G by Standard & Poors Rating Service, including funds for which the Trustee or its affiliates provide investment advisory or other management services.

"Municipal Securities" means senior and unsubordinated debt obligations that are obligations (whether direct or by virtue of guarantees) of U.S. state or municipal issuers whose long-term, unsecured, unsubordinated, debt securities are rated at least "A" (or its equivalent successor rating) in the case of Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or "A2" (or its equivalent successor rating) in the case of Moody's Investors Service, Inc., excluding "A" or "A2" rated debt securities of housing and hospital issuers and municipal funds and partnerships where the rating is not based upon the rating of a third-party credit enhancer of such securities.

"Other Eligible Securities" means securities other than Cash, Corporate Securities, Treasury Securities, Government Securities, Money Market Funds and Municipal Securities mutually agreed upon in writing by Beneficiaries' Representative and Grantor.

"Treasury Securities" means securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, including United States Treasury obligations and any other obligations the timely payment of principal and interest of which is guaranteed by the United States Government.

"Ultimate Determination" means a final order from which there is no further right of appeal in any action in which a Beneficiary seeks indemnification. Such an order shall constitute the Ultimate Determination of the Beneficiary's right to indemnification from Grantor. "Ultimately Determined" shall have a correlative meaning.

ARTICLE 2

PRIOR COVERED ACTS AND CLAIMS

2.1 Indemnification for Covered Acts. The Beneficiaries (as defined below) under this Trust shall be indemnified for any Losses, Expenses or Fines that result from a Claim based on a Covered Act asserted while this Trust is in effect without regard to whether the Covered Act occurred on, before or after the establishment of this Trust.

2.2 Nonexclusive Remedy. The rights of Beneficiaries to indemnification from this Trust are limited to the assets of the Trust, but this does not limit the Beneficiaries' rights, if any, to indemnification (without duplication) from other Grantor arrangements or obligations, including but not limited to applicable insurance coverage.

ARTICLE 3

THE BENEFICIARIES AND THE

BENEFICIARIES' REPRESENTATIVE

3.1 The Beneficiaries. All present and future members of Grantor's Board of Directors shall be "Beneficiaries" of the Trust, provided, however, that if there is a "Change in Control" of Grantor no directors elected or appointed after or in connection with such Change in Control shall be entitled to be Beneficiaries who were not Beneficiaries prior to such Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Change of Control" shall mean (a) a tender offer or exchange offer where the purpose of such offer is to take over and control Grantor and such offer is accepted by owners of securities of Grantor representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of Grantor's then outstanding voting securities, (b) Grantor is merged or consolidated with another corporation and as a result of such merger or consolidation less than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall then be owned in the aggregate by the former shareholders of Grantor, (c) Grantor transfers substantially all of its assets to another corporation which is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of Grantor, or (d) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such twelve (12) month period were directors of Grantor cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of Grantor's Board of Directors. The Beneficiaries' Representative shall promptly notify the Trustee of a Change in Control. Any Beneficiary shall remain a Beneficiary despite his or her resignation, removal, or other failure to continue to be a member of Grantor's Board of Directors during the term of this Agreement. A person whose conduct gives rise to a right of indemnification both as a member of the Board of Directors and as an officer, shall be a Beneficiary hereunder as to all such conduct without being required to separate his or her activities between the role of director and the role of officer.

3.2 New Beneficiaries. If prior to a Change in Control an individual is duly elected to the Grantor's Board of Directors, Grantor agrees to notify the Trustee promptly of such election or appointment; provided, however, Grantor's failure to so notify the Trustee shall not affect in any way an individual director's rights as a beneficiary under this Trust. The Trustee shall have the right to rely on the accuracy and completeness of any statement provided to it by the Grantor's Secretary, Assistant Secretary or Chief Executive Officer as to the Beneficiary status of any individual.

3.3 Beneficiaries' Representative. Except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, all communications or demands made by and among the Trustee and the Beneficiaries are to be made through the individual then designated as the Beneficiaries' Representative. The Beneficiaries' Representative shall have the exclusive right to convey Demands (as defined below) from time to time on the Trustee to direct payment to one or more of the Beneficiaries.

3.4 Identity of Beneficiaries' Representative. The Beneficiaries' Representative shall be a Beneficiary who is a present or past nonemployee director of Grantor, designated in writing to the Trustee and Grantor from time to time by a majority of the then living nonemployee directors who are Beneficiaries under this Agreement. For this purpose a director who has not been employed by Grantor during the current year and the preceding three (3) years shall be regarded as a nonemployee director. The Trustee and Grantor shall be entitled to rely on the original appointment of that individual as the Beneficiaries' Representative unless notified in writing of a change in the Beneficiaries' Representative by a writing signed by the former Beneficiary Representative. A Beneficiary shall be deemed to have consented to such change in Beneficiaries Representative if such Beneficiary is provided with notice of such change in accordance with Section 8.6 of this Agreement and does not provide written notice of objection to such change within ten (10) days. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on such subsequent appointment as of the date such writing is received by the Trustee. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the accuracy and completeness of a written list delivered to the Trustee by Grantor, and certified by the Secretary of Grantor to be accurate and to have been prepared in good faith, identifying the individuals who constitute the then living past and present nonemployee directors who are Beneficiaries under this Agreement. In the absence of an effective appointment of a Beneficiaries' Representative, the Trustee or any Beneficiary may, after ten (10) days' written notice to all Beneficiaries and the Grantor, petition a court of competent jurisdiction at the expense of the Trust for appointment of a Beneficiaries' Representative who need not be a Beneficiary (if none are willing or able to serve), but shall in no event be an officer or director elected or appointed after a Change in Control who was not a Beneficiary prior to such Change in Control. The designation or appointment of a successor Beneficiaries' Representative shall become effective only upon the execution of a counterpart of this Agreement whereby such successor Beneficiaries' Representative shall assume and become bound by all the duties and responsibilities of a Beneficiaries' Representative under this Agreement.

3.5 Right of Beneficiaries to Receive Payments. The rights of the Beneficiaries to make a Demand and receive distributions from the Trustee shall not be affected or diminished in any way by the existence of any dispute between one or more Beneficiaries and Grantor, and the Trustee in making distributions from the Trust Fund (as defined below) shall be entitled to rely upon the simple Demand of a Beneficiary, as conveyed by the Beneficiaries' Representative pursuant to Section 4.7. Such distributions shall be made notwithstanding any notice or demand by or on behalf of Grantor that the distributions should not be made, whether based on Grantor's claim that any Beneficiary is not entitled to some or all of the amount of such distributions or otherwise. The Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability to Grantor for making any payment despite having received any such notice or demand by or on behalf of Grantor. The Trustee shall have no responsibility to inquire into the accuracy or truthfulness of any such notice or demand, whether from the Grantor or the Beneficiaries' Representative.

ARTICLE 4

THE TRUST FUND

4.1 Trust Fund; Grantor Trust. The Trustee shall hold all property received by it as custodian in Trust hereunder as one fund which, together with the income and gains therefrom and additions thereto, shall constitute the "Trust Fund." The Trust is intended to be a grantor trust within the meaning of Section 761 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and shall be construed accordingly. The Trust Fund shall not be paid to the Grantor or any trustee in bankruptcy of the Grantor, shall be held separate and apart from other funds of the Grantor, and shall be used exclusively for the purposes set forth herein.

4.2 Minimum Balance. Grantor shall deliver to the Trustee the amount stated in Exhibit A of this Trust Agreement (the "Minimum Balance"), to be held in trust, for the stated uses and purposes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall preclude Grantor from making additional transfers of funds from time to time to the Trustee, whether required under the terms of this Agreement or not, to be held in trust as part of the Trust Fund. If Grantor makes additional transfers of funds to the Trust Fund, such additional transfers shall be deemed an increase of the Minimum Balance and Exhibit A shall be automatically amended without further action by the parties hereto. The Grantor and the Beneficiaries' Representative shall periodically, but no less than every third anniversary of this Agreement, review the adequacy of the Minimum Balance.

4.3 Maintenance of Minimum Balance. The Trustee agrees to provide monthly reports to Grantor and the Beneficiaries' Representative showing the current fair market value of the Trust Fund. If any such report shows that the current fair market value of the Trust Fund is less than the Minimum Balance, then within ten (10) days after such report, Grantor agrees to deliver cash funds to the Trustee equal to the difference between the fair market value of the Trust Fund and the Minimum Balance so that the Trust balance is at least equal to the Minimum Balance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Grantor shall have no obligation to make payments to the Trustee in excess of $100,000,000 (including the initial transfer of funds) under or with respect to this Agreement.

4.4 Additional Contributions. Subject to the aggregate limitation of $100,000,000 set forth in Section 4.3, Grantor agrees to make additional contributions ("Additional Contributions") to the Trust Fund within ten (10) days after receipt of a written request from the Beneficiaries' Representative certifying in good faith that Claims have or are reasonably expected to be asserted against Beneficiaries and that estimated Losses and Expenses for all pending, threatened or anticipated Claims against all Beneficiaries are reasonably expected to exceed the then Trust Fund balance. A copy of such written certification shall be provided to the Trustee at the same time and in the same manner as it is provided to Grantor. Such written certification shall be accompanied by an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that, based on the information made known to such counsel, (a) the Claims are not Excluded Claims and (b) the amount requested is reasonable. Independent counsel shall be selected by the Beneficiaries' Representative and shall have no present or past professional relationship to the Beneficiaries who are the subject of the Claims.

4.5 Excess Balance. If at any time the fair market value of the Trust Fund shall exceed the Minimum Balance, plus any additional contributions which continue to be required pursuant to Section 4.4, Grantor shall be entitled to withdraw an amount equal to the excess over the said sum upon thirty (30) days' advance written notice to the Beneficiaries' Representative.

4.6 Direction of Investment. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, Grantor retains the right to direct the investment of the Trust Fund and Trustee shall have no duty to review or recommend investments; provided, however, that the Grantor shall only direct the Trustee to invest the Trust Fund in Eligible Securities in accordance with Grantor's current cash-management policies. If the Grantor instructs the Trustee to invest in securities other than in Cash, Government Securities, Municipal Securities, Money Market Funds or Treasury Securities, such instruction shall be accompanied by the written consent of the Beneficiaries' Representative as to the investment(s) in such Other Eligible Securities. Unless otherwise instructed by Grantor in writing, the Trustee shall initially invest the Trust Fund in the investments set forth on Exhibit B. If for any reason one or more investments on Exhibit B shall not be available, and Grantor shall fail to direct the Trustee pursuant to written instructions as to how to invest the Trust Fund (including the consent of Beneficiaries' Representative if the proposed investment is in other than Eligible Securities), the Trustee shall invest the Trust Fund in Money Market Funds. In the event the Trustee is required to make a distribution pursuant to Section 4.7 at a time when the Trust Fund has insufficient cash to cover such distribution, the Trustee shall seek the advice of the Grantor with regard to which Trust investments to liquidate in order to cover the required distribution; if the Grantor does not respond to the Trustee's inquiry within forty-eight (48) hours the Trustee shall use its discretion in choosing which investments to liquidate.

4.7 Distributions From Trust Fund.

4.7.1 Duties of Beneficiary. The Beneficiary shall certify in each demand regarding a Claim for a Covered Act (a "Demand") delivered to the Beneficiaries' Representative that (i) he or she is entitled to payment of at least the amount demanded, (ii) that no part of the Demand is precluded by RCW 23B.08.560 (a)-(c) or other provision in the Act or applicable successor statute, (iii) that the Beneficiary will repay to the Trust any amounts paid or applied to or for the use of such Beneficiary in the event of a Ultimate Determination that such payments are precluded by RCW 23B.08.560 (a)-(c), or in the event the Beneficiary receives payment for the same Claim from another source, (iv) that a request to the Grantor for indemnification has remained unsatisfied for 20 days and that no part of the amount then being demanded from the Trust Fund has been previously received from the Grantor, and (v) that he or she has complied with any applicable requirements of Grantor's Articles and policy with respect to indemnification, if any, with respect to the Demand.

4.7.2 Duties of Beneficiaries' Representative. The Beneficiaries' Representative shall convey a Beneficiary's Demand to the Trustee. Along with the conveyance of such Demand to the Trustee, the Beneficiaries' Representative shall submit, in a writing signed by the Beneficiaries' Representative, a statement (i) that such Demand is being made pursuant to the Articles, as such may be amended and restated from time to time, provided that any such amendment shall be given effect under this Agreement only to the extent that such amendment provides broader indemnification rights than existed prior to such amendment, (ii) that the Demand is for satisfaction of indemnification obligations, (iii) that the Demand is being made by a Beneficiary, (iv) the amounts being demanded by such Beneficiary, and (v) that he or she is not aware of any facts or conditions that would make indemnification pursuant to this Agreement inappropriate, provided, however, that the Beneficiaries' Representative has no duty to independently investigate the validity of a Demand.

4.7.3 Duties of Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver a copy of each Demand to Grantor as promptly as reasonably possible. As soon as practicable after any such Demand is conveyed by the Beneficiaries' Representative, subject to the provisions of Section 3.5, the Trustee shall distribute funds to the Beneficiary specified in such Demand in the amount and manner set forth therein. If the Trustee does not have sufficient funds to satisfy all pending Demands of Beneficiaries in full, the Trustee shall make all reasonable efforts to make pro rata payments, less any amounts due the Trustee, to the Beneficiaries as specified by the Beneficiaries' Representative. Upon the replenishment of the Trust Fund, if that occurs in accordance with Section 4.3, the Trustee shall continue to make pro rata distributions, less any amounts due the Trustee, until such Demand is satisfied or to satisfy subsequent Demands.

4.8 Taxes. The Grantor agrees to pay any and all taxes on the Trust Fund or the income thereof or which the Beneficiaries or the Trustee would otherwise be required to pay with respect to the interest of any person or person therein, and to provide the Trustee with proof of payment. This does not include any taxes payable upon an indemnification payment distribution from the Trust if the same would be taxable to the recipient beneficiary under applicable law.

4.9 Duties and Responsibilities of Beneficiaries' Representative. The Beneficiaries' Representative (and any successor Beneficiaries' Representative) shall have the following affirmative duties and responsibilities:

4.9.1 To demand deposits from the Grantor so as to maintain the Minimum Balance of the Trust in accordance with Section 3.3 and any Additional Contributions required by section 3.4;

4.9.2 To demand payment by the Trustee to a Beneficiary who has made a Demand and who, in the good faith judgment of the Beneficiaries' Representative, has satisfied the conditions for indemnification as set forth in this Agreement and the Articles, provided, however, that the Beneficiaries' Representative has no duty to independently investigate the validity of a Demand; and

4.9.3 To generally cause the Grantor and Trustee to discharge their respective responsibilities under this Agreement and the responsibilities of the Grantor under the Articles, including the bringing of legal actions and proceedings to enforce such agreement.

4.10 Investment Powers of the Trustee. Subject to the Grantor's rights pursuant to Section 4.6 to direct investment of the Trust Fund, the Trustee shall have those powers provided under Washington law with respect to any property at any time held by it and constituting part of the Trust Fund.

4.11 Administrative Powers of Trustee. Subject to the Grantor's right pursuant to Section 4.6 to direct investment of the Trust Fund in Eligible Securities, the Trustee shall have the power, to do any of the following:

4.11.1 To cause any investment to be registered and held in the name of one or more of its nominees, or one or more nominees of any system for the central handling of securities, without increase or decrease of liability;

4.11.2 To collect and receive any and all money and other property due to the Trust Fund and to give full discharge therefor;

4.11.3 To make investments and investment decisions in its discretion when the Grantor does not respond to a Trustee inquiry for directions within two (2) business days after the request; and

4.11.4 To hold uninvested, without liability for interest thereon, such monies received by the Trustee as the Trustee considers necessary to meet anticipated and imminent disbursements.

4.12 Adverse Determination. In the event the trust arrangement created hereby is deemed to be invalid or ineffective by a court of competent jurisdiction, whether in connection with the bankruptcy of one of the parties hereto or otherwise (an "Adverse Determination"), then the parties agree that the nature of their relationship shall be Grantor as debtor, Trustee as securities intermediary and Beneficiaries' Representative as secured party for the benefit of the Beneficiaries. To that end, and to secure the obligation of Grantor to indemnify Beneficiaries, Grantor hereby grants the Beneficiaries' Representative for the benefit of the Beneficiaries a continuing security interest in, and pledges all right title and interest in and to, the following (for purposes of this Section 4.12, the "Collateral"):

4.12.1 The Trust account and the Trust Fund, and any certificates or instruments representing or evidencing the Trust Fund, and all cash, investment property, interest, dividends, rights and other property at any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise issued, distributed or distributable in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the Trust Fund;

4.12.2 All other investment property and other property hereafter issued, delivered or deliverable to Trustee in substitution for or in addition to any of the foregoing, all certificates and instruments representing or evidencing such other property and all cash, investment property, interest, dividends, rights and other property at any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise issued, distributed or distributable after the date hereof in respect of or in exchange for any or all thereof; and

4.12.3 All proceeds of all of the foregoing.

Grantor and, at the direction of Beneficiaries' Representative, Trustee shall execute such other documents and instruments as Beneficiaries' Representative may reasonably require from time to time to perfect and protect its first priority security interest in the Collateral. In the event of an Adverse Determination, Beneficiaries' Representative shall have and shall be deemed to have had all the rights and remedies of a secured party under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC") and may exercise any of the rights and remedies available to it under the UCC as in effect from time to time in the State of Washington or otherwise available to it, including, without limitation, sale, assignment or other disposal of the Collateral in exchange for cash or credit. Grantor agrees that a Demand is also a notice of disposition under Section 9-611 of the UCC and that five Business Days is reasonable notice if notice of a disposition is required under Section 9-611. Furthermore, Grantor agrees that any Beneficiary may be the purchaser of the Collateral consisting of Cash, Corporate Securities, Government Securities or Municipal Securities at a private sale without notice because the Collateral is of a type sold on a recognized market or the subject of widely distributed standard price quotations. Beneficiaries' Representative shall provide Trustee with an Adverse Determination Notice as soon as practicable, although failure to provide such notice shall not affect the rights or obligations of the parties hereunder, except that Beneficiary shall not take any action with respect to Trustee as securities intermediary until such notice is provided. Except for the amounts due to Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3, Trustee waives any right of set-off, banker's lien or other lien or claim it may have to the Collateral.

Grantor covenants and agrees that it shall not pledge, assign, hypothecate or transfer its interest in the Trust account or the Trust Fund. Grantor further covenants and agrees that it shall not so direct Trustee, and Trustee agrees that it will not acknowledge or agree to any such pledge, assignment, hypothecation or transfer.

ARTICLE 5

RESIGNATION, REMOVAL, OR DEATH OF TRUSTEE

5.1 Resignation of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any time by filing its written resignation with Grantor and Beneficiaries' Representative. Such resignation shall take effect sixty (60) days from the date of such filing or upon appointment of a successor pursuant to Section 5.3, whichever shall first occur.

5.2 Removal of Trustee. Grantor and the Beneficiaries' Representative may remove the Trustee at any time by delivering to the Trustee a written notice of its removal and the appointment of a successor pursuant to Section 5.3.

5.3 Appointment of Successor Trustee.

5.3.1 Removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee shall take effect sixty (60) days following delivery to the Trustee of (i) an instrument in writing removing the Trustee and appointing such successor, executed by Grantor and accompanied by an instrument in writing signed by the Beneficiaries' Representative certifying that a majority of the then living Beneficiaries agree to such removal and appointment, and (ii) an acceptance in writing, executed by such successor, both acknowledged in the same form as this Agreement. The Trustee may agree to an earlier effective date. In the event of the death or dissolution of the Trustee, the successor trustee shall be appointed by the Grantor with the approval of the Beneficiaries' Representative, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and a writing to such effect and an acceptance in writing, as referred to above, shall be delivered to the Trustee. In order to qualify to serve as Trustee, any successor trustee must, at a minimum: (i) be authorized under state or federal law to exercise corporate trust powers, (ii) have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million, and (iii) be subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority.

5.3.2 All of the provisions set forth herein with respect to the Trustee shall relate to each successor with the same force and effect as if such successor had been originally named as Trustee under this Trust.

5.3.3 If a successor is not appointed within sixty (60) days after the Trustee gives notice of its resignation pursuant to Section 4.1, or within sixty (60) days after the Trustee's death or dissolution, the Trustee or the Beneficiaries' Representative may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction at the expense of the Trust for appointment of a successor.

5.4 Transfer of Fund to Successor. Upon appointment of a successor trustee as set forth above, the Trustee shall transfer and deliver the Trust Fund to such successor with authority to retain only reasonable reserves pending settlement of its final account as provided in Section 7.4.

ARTICLE 6

DURATION, TERMINATION, AND AMENDMENT OF TRUST

6.1 Term.

6.1.1 The term of this Trust shall be for a period of ten (10) years until June 30, 2013, unless extended or terminated according to the terms of this Trust. This Trust may be terminated by consent of a majority of the Grantor's Board of Directors and a majority of the then living Beneficiaries; provided, however, no such termination shall be effective (i) following a Change of Control, or (ii) so as to reduce indemnification otherwise available to a Beneficiary of this Trust for any Demand then existing and still pending or with respect to any later asserted Demand arising out of a Covered Act occurring before the effective date of such termination. Expiration or termination of this Trust shall operate prospectively only, so that all provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as to any Demand asserted prior to the effective date of expiration or termination relating to a Covered Act that occurs prior to the effective date of expiration or termination. The Grantor and the Beneficiaries' Representative shall notify the Trustee of termination of the Trust by, with respect to the Grantor, an instrument in writing executed by the Grantor together with a certified copy of the resolution of the Grantor's Board of Directors authorizing such termination and, with respect to the Beneficiaries' Representative, written evidence of the consent of a majority of the then living Beneficiaries. Termination by consent of the Grantor and majority of the then living Beneficiaries shall be effective on the later to occur of (i) the Grantor's board resolution and (ii) receipt by Beneficiaries' Representative of written consents from at least a majority of the then living Beneficiaries.

6.1.2 The Grantor and the Beneficiaries' Representative (jointly or separately) as applicable shall provide the Trustee and the Beneficiaries and their successors in interest with written notice of expiration thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date.

6.1.3 In the event of a proposed termination prior to the expiration of the term of this Trust, Beneficiaries may assert a Demand if, in such Beneficiaries' good faith judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that following such proposed termination, a Claim will be asserted arising out of a Covered Act that occurred before the effective date of such termination. If so made, such Demand(s) shall be treated as a then existing and still pending Demand hereunder.

6.2 Distribution Upon Termination. When this Trust expires or is terminated in accordance with Section 6.1, the Trustee shall distribute the Trust Fund to Grantor less any full and adequate provision or reserves for any distributions to be made pursuant to any outstanding demands under Section 4.7 and 6.1.2 and any deductions authorized or required by Section 7.3.

6.3 Amendment of Trust Instrument.

6.3.1 Except in the event of a change of control, this Trust may be amended by consent of a majority of the Grantor's Board of Directors, a majority of the then living Beneficiaries and the Trustee, provided, however, no such amendment shall be effective (i) following a Change of Control, or (ii) so as to reduce indemnification otherwise available to a Beneficiary of this Trust for any Claim then existing and still pending or with respect to any later asserted Claim arising out of a Covered Act occurring before the effective date of such amendment and provided further, that approval of the Trustee shall only be required if the proposed amendment affects in any way the Trustee's rights or duties under this Agreement. If the Trust is amended without the consent of the Trustee as provided above, the Grantor shall deliver notice of amendment to the Trustee or its successor in interest thirty (30) days prior to the proposed effective date of the amendment by an instrument in writing executed by the Grantor and the Beneficiaries' Representative, together with a certified copy of the resolution of the Grantor's Board of Directors authorizing such amendment. The Grantor shall send a copy of such notice to each individual Beneficiary or his or her successors in interest.

6.3.2 In the event of a proposed amendment of this Trust, Beneficiaries may assert a Demand if, in such Beneficiaries' good faith judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that following such proposed amendment, a Claim will be asserted arising out of a Covered Act that occurred before the effective date of such amendment and which will be affected by such amendment. If so made, such Demand(s) shall be treated as a then existing and still pending Demand hereunder.

ARTICLE 7

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRUSTEE

7.1 Duties of Trustee. The duties and liabilities of the Trustee shall at all times be limited to those expressly stated in this Agreement. The Trustee shall discharge its duties hereunder with the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims. The Trustee shall not be liable for any loss sustained by the Trust Fund by reason of the purchase, retention, sale, or exchange or any investment made in good faith and in accordance with the Grantor's written directions and the provisions of this Agreement.

7.2 Indemnification of Trustee. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized hereby or within the rights or powers conferred upon it hereunder, or taken or omitted by it in accordance with advice of counsel (which counsel may be of the Trustee's own choosing and which may be house counsel of the Trustee), and shall not be liable for any mistake of fact or error of judgment or for any acts or omissions of any kind unless caused by willful misconduct or gross negligence. Grantor agrees to indemnify the Trustee and hold it harmless against any and all liabilities, losses, claims, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), and damages incurred by it hereunder, except for liabilities, losses, claims, expenses, and damages incurred by the Trustee resulting from its own willful misconduct or gross negligence.

7.3 Expenses and Compensation. The Trustee shall pay from the Trust Fund, to the extent not paid by Grantor, the Trustee's reasonable expenses of administration of the Trust, including reasonable compensation of counsel (including house counsel) and any agents engaged by the Trustee to assist it in such administration. The Grantor shall pay the Trustee reasonable compensation for its services as Trustee hereunder and the Trustee shall have a lien on the Trust Fund for such compensation and expenses until paid.

7.4 Accounts of Trustees. The Trustee shall keep full accounts of all of its receipts and disbursements. Its financial statements, books, and records with respect to the Trust Fund shall be open to inspection by the Grantor or the Beneficiaries' Representative or their representatives at all reasonable times during business hours of the Trustee and may be audited not more frequently than once in each fiscal year by an independent certified public accountant engaged by the Beneficiaries' Representative. Within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year, or any termination of the duties of the Trustee, the Trustee shall prepare, sign, and submit in duplicate to Grantor an account of its acts and transactions as Trustee hereunder.

ARTICLE 8

MISCELLANEOUS

8.1 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement of this Agreement and the Trust created hereby shall be governed by the laws of the state of Washington. The parties irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any Washington State or United States Federal Court sitting in Seattle, Washington. Any proceeding with respect to this Trust shall be in King County Superior Court unless otherwise consented to by Grantor.

8.2 Successors. This Agreement and the Trust created hereby shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the spouses, heirs, personal and legal representatives, estates, successors, and assigns of the parties hereto and of the Beneficiaries.

8.3 Third Party Beneficiaries. The Beneficiaries are specifically acknowledged as third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and shall have the right to bring actions to enforce this Agreement where the Beneficiaries' Representative fails to bring such an action or fails to prosecute an action in good faith.

8.4 Enforcement Expenses. Grantor shall be responsible for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, incurred in any action brought to enforce or interpret this Agreement, whether brought by the Beneficiaries' Representative, a Beneficiary, the Trustee, or otherwise, unless the court determines that such Claim for enforcement was not brought in good faith or was frivolous.

8.5 Titles and Headings Not to Control. The titles to articles and headings of sections in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict the text of this Agreement, rather than any title or heading, shall control.

8.6 Notices, Consents and Other Communications. All notices, consents, or other communications required or contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered either by (a) personal delivery, (b) prepaid overnight courier, (c) postage prepaid return receipt requested certified mail or (d) facsimile pursuant to and subject to the terms of section 8.8. The other nit is the lack of a space in the clean version in section 4.6 between" in" and" Money Market Funds:

If to a Beneficiary: The last address given to the Trustee by each respective Beneficiary

If to Beneficiaries' Representative: The last address given to the Trustee by the Beneficiaries' Representative

If to Microsoft:	Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 Attention: Deputy General Counsel, Finance and Operations Telephone No.: (425) 882-8080 Facsimile No.: (425) 869-1327

With a copy to:	Preston Gates & Ellis LLP 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900 Seattle, WA 98104-1158 Attention: Kent Carlson Telephone No.: (206) 623-7580 Facsimile No.: (206) 623-7022

If to Trustee:	BNY Western Trust Company Two Union Square, Suite 1720 601 Union Street Seattle, WA 98101-2321 Attention: Corporate Trust Services Telephone No.: (206) 667-8904 Facsimile No.: (206) 667-8905

Notice by personal delivery shall be effective upon the date delivery is made and notice by certified mail or overnight courier shall be effective on the date it is recorded as delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or the overnight courier, respectively.

8.7 Force Majeure. From the effective date of this Agreement, the Trustee, or any successor in interest, shall not be considered in breach of or in default in its obligations with respect to any obligations created hereunder in the event of an unavoidable delay in the performance of such obligations due to unforeseeable causes beyond its control and without its fault or negligence, including, but not limited to, acts of God, or of the public enemy, acts of a government, acts of the other party, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, freight embargoes, earthquakes, explosion, mob violence, riot, inability to procure or general sabotage or rationing of labor, equipment, facilities, sources of energy, material or supplies in the open market, malicious mischief, condemnation, and unusually severe weather or delays of suppliers or subcontractors due to such causes or any similar event and/or occurrences beyond the control of the Trustee.

8.8 Facsimile Instruction. The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon facsimile transmission of written instructions and/or directions pursuant to this Agreement, provided, however, that: (a) the Grantor and/or Beneficiaries' Representative as applicable, subsequent to such facsimile transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions and/or directions to the Trustee in a timely manner, (b) such originally executed instructions and/or directions shall be signed by a person as may be designated and authorized to sign for the Grantor and/or Beneficiaries' Representative and, (c) the Grantor and/or Beneficiaries' Representative shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing such designated persons which such incumbency certificate shall be amended whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this agreement as of the day and year first above written.

Attest:		BNY WESTERN TRUST COMPANY ("Trustee")

By:	/s/ C. KENT CARLSON C. Kent Carlson	By:	/s/ PERRY TOBE Perry Tobe Assistant Vice President

Attest:		MICROSOFT CORPORATION ("Grantor")

By:	/s/ JOHN A. SEETHOFF John A. Seethoff Assistant Secretary	By:	/s/ STEVEN A. BALLMER Steven A. Ballmer Chief Executive Officer

Attest:		ADDITIONAL PARTY ("Beneficiaries' Representative")

By:	/s/ JOHN A. SEETHOFF John A. Seethoff	By:	/s/ WILLIAM G. REED, JR. William G. Reed, Jr.

In connection with the Annual Report of Microsoft Corporation, a Washington corporation (the "Company"), on Form 10-K for the year ending June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), Steven A. Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and John G. Connors, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, respectively, do each hereby certify, pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350), that to his knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

[A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Microsoft Corporation and will be retained by Microsoft Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.]