Avid Technology, Inc. Reinstates Policy of Including Free Software Upgrades in New Avid Assurance Contracts.

Business/Technology Editors

NAB 2002

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2002

Customers who purchase new assurance contracts will receive all

software upgrades free-of-charge for life of contract

Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced that it has reinstated the policy of including free software upgrades in all new Assurance contracts purchased through Avid or a qualified reseller. When a customer purchases any Avid Assurance contract, they will be entitled to free software upgrades during the life of the contract.

"The Avid Assurance program is designed to give customers extra peace-of-mind about their investment," said Tom McGurren, director, Americas Customer Support for Avid. "With our reinstated policy to include free software upgrades, in addition to the excellent customer support we already offer, Avid not only increases the overall benefits of the Avid Assurance program, but also significantly lowers the total cost of ownership for the customer."

Avid Assurance entitles customers to unlimited telephone support (during designated business hours), advanced exchange on qualified parts, discounted replacement of qualified parts and, now, free software upgrades. Avid Assurance Plus, which includes an additional year of hardware warranty and 24x7 phone support (which gives unlimited access around the clock), are extra-priced options on most Avid(R) systems. For more details about the program benefits, 2002 pricing and coverage and the new policy for free software upgrades, visit or contact Avid Assurance at 800-949-2483 (option #6).

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid Technology, Inc. delivers the solutions that Make, Manage and Move Media(TM). As a recognized digital standard for professionals who Make the world's media -- from video, audio and film to animation, special effects and streaming media -- Avid's products are used to make more television and news shows, commercials, music videos and CDs, corporate/industrial productions and major motion pictures combined than any other nonlinear editing manufacturer in the world. Building on its award-winning heritage, which includes several Emmy(R) awards as well as an Oscar(R) statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design and engineering of the Avid Film Composer(R) systems for motion picture editing, Avid is extending its reach by redefining how digital media is shared, stored and distributed. To Manage today's increasingly rich collection of dynamic media, Avid provides powerful servers, networks and media tools to help customers search files, share media and collaborate on new productions, both locally and globally. Avid's solutions also empower users to easily Move media, whether on air, over cable or satellite or through the Internet. Like no other media company today, Avid's end-to-end solutions span the continuum of media creation, management and distribution. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Tewksbury, MA. More information about the company is available at www.avid.com.

(c) 2002 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product specifications and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, and Make, Manage and Move Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. Oscar is a registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Grammy is a registered trademark of The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.