Blackboard Awarded Patent on e-Learning Technology.

WASHINGTON -- Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ:BBBB), a leading provider of enterprise software and services to the education industry, announced that it has been issued a U.S. patent for technology used for internet-based education support systems and methods. The patent covers core technology relating to certain systems and methods involved in offering online education, including course management systems and enterprise e-Learning systems.

In addition, patents corresponding with the U.S. patent have been issued in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and are pending in the European Union, China, Japan, Canada, India, Israel, Mexico, South Korea, Hong Kong and Brazil.

The patented technology underpins Blackboard's e-Learning software applications, including the Blackboard Learning System(TM), WebCT Vista(TM) and WebCT Campus Edition(TM), and provides the advanced functionality enjoyed by millions of Blackboard users worldwide.

"For nearly a decade, Blackboard has been a thought leader in the e-Learning industry and has developed products that have helped to fundamentally alter how educational institutions and their educators teach and communicate with students," said Michael Chasen, CEO of Blackboard. "Our leadership in technology gave rise to innovations in our products which advanced e-Learning around the world and many of those innovations are now also embodied in our patent. We are committed to continuing the development of technologies which will enable educators to fully harness the potential of the internet to enhance the educational experience within their institutions."

Blackboard's patent portfolio also includes other patents pending in the U.S. and in jurisdictions around the world. More information about the issued U.S. patent is available at www.blackboard.com/patent.

About Blackboard

Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB) is a leading provider of enterprise software applications and related services to the education industry. Founded in 1997, Blackboard enables educational innovations everywhere by connecting people and technology. Blackboard solutions are used by millions of people at academic institutions around the globe, including colleges, universities, K-12 schools and other education providers, as well as textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve education providers and their students. Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. WebCT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackboard Inc.

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Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Blackboard and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2006 with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of July 26, 2006. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to July 26, 2006.