Coinstar Inc. Adds Latest Patent to Infringement Lawsuit Against CoinBank Automated Systems.

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 1998--Coinstar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSTR) today announced the addition of Coinstar's latest patent to its patent infringement lawsuit against CoinBank Automated Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Cash Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:CHNG).

The addition of this patent enlarges the company's current infringement claims against CoinBank Automated Systems Inc.

U.S. Patent No. 5,799,767 is Coinstar's fourth patent relating to its self-service coin processing machine and processes. The original suit, filed on June 18, 1997 in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division, alleges that certain CoinBank cash processing equipment infringes U.S. Patent No. 5,564,546. The action seeks both an injunction preventing further infringement of Coinstar's intellectual property and treble damages for CoinBank's willful infringement of Coinstar's patents.

"Our latest patent further protects our company's proprietary coin discrimination and cleaning processes which form the basis for providing fast and reliable self-service coin counting services," said Dan Gerrity, President and Chief Operating Officer of Coinstar Inc. "As the pioneer in the self-service coin counting industry, we have made substantial investments in research and development over the last eight years and we will take all steps necessary to protect against unlawful use of our inventions."

The Coinstar(R) machine accepts a consumer's unsorted change, quickly counting and sorting it. In return, the customer receives a voucher that can be exchanged at the supermarket checkstand for cash or credit toward purchases.

Coinstar Inc. develops, owns and operates a network of automated, self-service coin counting and processing machines that provide consumers with a convenient means of converting loose coins into cash. More than 4,400 Coinstar machines are installed in 39 states and 57 regional markets throughout the United States. Consumers can call 1-800-928-CASH or visit http://www.coinstar.com for the location of the nearest Coinstar machine.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from the results identified or implied in any forward-looking statement discussed herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks that are more fully described under the caption "Risk Factors" included in the most recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Coinstar, Inc.