Altnet Licenses TrueNames Patent to Sharman Networks Ltd.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2003 Altnet, the first peer-to-peer application developed to give consumers easy access to rights managed digital media files, announced today that it has licensed its TrueNames patent to Sharman Networks Sharman Networks is a company headquartered in Australia and incorporated in Vanuatu. It owns the rights to the KaZaA file sharing software. It was created for this purpose in 2001 when the original owners of KaZaA were sued in the Netherlands. Ltd., owner of Kazaa Media Desktop. TrueNames is a method of identifying data based on the actual content of a file, rather than by the file name, origin, location, address, or other information that can easily be changed. A unique identifier With reference to a given (possibly implicit) set of objects, a unique identifier is any identifier which is guaranteed to be unique among all identifiers used for those objects and for a specific purpose. , or hash, is assigned to the data using an algorithm in a patented process. Networking applications can use the hash to identify files correctly. "Altnet is very focused on the infringement of the TrueNames patent and we believe that many of today's active peer-to-peer applications may be in direct violation," stated Kevin Bermeister Kevin Bermeister has developed substantial businesses in the computers, video games and multimedia industries. He established Ozisoft in 1982, based in Sydney, Australia, which was one of the first interactive multimedia companies. , CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Altnet. "Altnet targeted its initial energies on negotiating a license with our first and largest distribution partner, Sharman Networks, and hopes to reach similar agreements with other peer-to-peer applications in the future. We're very focused on preserving the integrity of the patent and realizing the potential it offers peer-to-peer applications and content owners." "Securing a license for the TrueNames patent is another important step towards Sharman Networks' long term objectives to lead the P2P See peer-to-peer and point-to-point. market in developing compelling reasons for users, artists and content holders to support the future of this amazing technology," said Nikki Hemming Nikki Hemming (born 1967) is the CEO and part owner of Sharman Networks and President of LEF Interactive, an agency based in Sydney, Australia, responsible for promoting and developing Kazaa, a peer-to-peer file sharing network, since 2002. , CEO of Sharman Networks. "Sharman is committed to delivering the best possible Kazaa Media Desktop and the continuous development of a simple and rewarding experience for sharing authorized and licensed content." The TrueNames patent, # 5978791, was co-developed in 1994 by Ron Lachman, Altnet's Chief Scientist. The patent was licensed by Brilliant Digital Entertainment on October 18, 2002 and entitles Brilliant Digital Entertainment and Altnet to sublicense to third parties in the field of use that covers peer-to-peer technology. Altnet distributes more digital rights managed files than any other network and is the largest distributor of Microsoft DRM See Windows Media Rights Manager. . Altnet recently unveiled its new platform, the Altnet Peer Points Manager, which is distributed via the Kazaa Media Desktop and select Focus Interactive Toolbars. The Altnet Peer Points Manager incentivizes and rewards users of peer-to-peer applications with goods and services In economics, economic output is divided into physical goods and intangible services. Consumption of goods and services is assumed to produce utility (unless the "good" is a "bad"). It is often used when referring to a Goods and Services Tax. in exchange for the sharing and use of licensed files available through Altnet's TopSearch. About Altnet Altnet is the first peer-to-peer network (1) A network of computers configured to allow certain files and folders to be shared with everyone or with selected users. Peer-to-peer networks are quite common in small offices that do not use a dedicated file server. created to give consumers easy access to secure content that originates from content owners. The company's TopSearch product integrates with applications and web sites via the Internet allowing content owners to purchase keyword search terms that direct users to their secure content. Altnet also provides cost-effective bandwidth functions for enterprise customers and content owners. Altnet is a subsidiary of Brilliant Digital Entertainment (AMEX AMEX See: American Stock Exchange :BDE See Borland Database Engine. ). About Brilliant Digital Entertainment Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc. (AMEX:BDE) is a developer of 3D rich media advertising and content creation technologies for the Internet. It sells its b3d Studio content creation and authoring toolset to enable the creation and delivery of interactive, streaming, real-time 3D graphics over the Internet, and licenses its ad serving technology to the content and advertising communities. The b3d Studio toolset is targeted for use by studios, production houses, web content suppliers and advertising agencies to produce entertainment, advertising and music content for consumers distributed over the Internet. Brilliant also licenses its Brilliant Banner ad serving technology to the web-based advertising industry. Find out more at www.brilliantdigital.com. For further information about BDE, please contact Robin Gore at 818/615-1500 x528 or rgore@bde3d.com. |
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