CenterSpan Communications Launches Public Beta for Socket 1.0.

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

HILLSBORO, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2000

CenterSpan Communications (Nasdaq:CSCC) today announced the release of the beta of Socket 1.0, the company's new Internet communications and collaboration software.

Socket combines instant messaging, text chat and audio conferencing with two exciting new capabilities, Compare & Share and Launch & Connect, which greatly simplify collaborative computing. Socket allows a user to:

-- See friends, family members or coworkers online

-- Communicate using instant messaging, text conferencing or voice conferencing


-- Share photos, music (e.g., MP3) and other files (e.g., Word and Excel files)


-- Easily find compatible collaborative applications (e.g., multi-player games)
that you have in common with your buddies

-- Launch those applications with one click of a button

"This release represents another significant milestone for CenterSpan," stated Frank G. Hausmann, CenterSpan's Chairman and CEO. "It is the first visible step in the deployment of our next generation Internet communication and collaboration solution. Socket is designed around the natural dynamics of small group environments and has a range of capabilities that encourage and facilitate e-commerce transactions."

About CenterSpan Communications Corporation

CenterSpan Communications Corp. is a developer of software applications for PC-to-PC text messaging and multi-point voice conferencing over the Internet enabling communication and collaborative information sharing. The company is focusing on next generation PC-to-PC communication and collaboration technologies that enable real-time small group multimedia interaction over the Internet.

This press release includes forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company's Internet community and communications initiative is a new business in a rapidly evolving market. Specific statements regarding the timely release of new products, new business model, potential earnings leverage, accelerated delivery of new product and distribution leverage are forward-looking statements. Historically, the ThrustMaster game controller hardware business has accounted for substantially all of the Company's assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's 1998 Form 10-K, which are available from the Company without charge, for a further description of the risks and uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements made by the Company, as well as to other aspects of the Company's business.