CenterSpan to Launch Socket 1.0 on May 31, 2000; Company to Commence Aggressive Customer Acquisition Campaign.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

HILLSBORO, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2000

CenterSpan(TM) Communications (Nasdaq:CSCC) announced today that on May 31, 2000 it will launch Socket 1.0(TM).

Socket, the Internet's first Group Activity Hub, combines instant messaging with the ability to detect and launch multi-player games and other collaborative applications between users. On May 31, Socket will be freely available from CenterSpan's Socket Web site (www.get-socket.com), as well as through a download arrangement with CNET, the leading download site on the Web.

The Socket 1.0 release will be accompanied by a comprehensive marketing blitz beginning May 31 targeting PC gamers and general Internet users. This initial marketing campaign will deliver over 7.5 million unique impressions via online media and reach over 4.5 million people through print advertising. The online campaign commences May 31 on pcgamer.com, gamecenter.com, and MSN Gaming Zone, among others. Print advertising will commence June 6 in Wired, Computer Gaming World, PC Gamer, Business 2.0 and Maximum PC. CenterSpan expects to distribute nearly 1,000,000 copies of Socket through CDs inserted into several of these publications. Hundreds of thousands of additional impressions are also expected from CenterSpan's agreement with CNET.

"We are going to raise awareness quickly," said Rob Smart, VP of Marketing and Business Development for CenterSpan. "We are building a brand and our message is clear. Socket's unique features enrich and expand online experiences for novice to expert users. The combination of our aggressive marketing campaigns and distribution partners will help us achieve the broadest and fastest reach possible."

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. Visit www.get-socket.com/beta to download the beta version of Socket.

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 opportunities, new revenue model and potential earnings 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 1999 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.