SOURCE: Widevine Technologies

August 18, 2008 09:00 ET

CinemaNow Selects Widevine® to Enable Multiplatform Content Distribution to Consumer Electronics Devices and PCs

Widevine's Open DRM and Digital Copy Protection Solution Enables CinemaNow Users to Download Digital Content Regardless of Computing Platform or Browser

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - August 18, 2008) - Widevine Technologies, the only provider of multiformat, multiplatform DRM and digital copy protection solutions, today announced it has been selected by CinemaNow, an innovator in digital entertainment technology that delivers high-quality Hollywood movies, TV shows and music videos, to secure multiplatform distribution of CinemaNow content to major consumer electronics (CE) devices and PCs. CE devices will ship to retail with CinemaNow's 'CE Store' application embedded with Widevine's content protection. The embedded solution enables a secure and interoperable experience, allowing consumers to securely enjoy Hollywood feature films and other premium content whether at home or on the go.

"Widevine's technology helps CinemaNow expand delivery of high-quality digital content across any CE device or platform," said Jesse Keane, CTO of CinemaNow. "With the integration of Widevine's multiplatform and multiformat solution, we ensure our content partners receive the highest level of protection, which is a key factor in their ongoing support for CinemaNow's open platform and domain-based business model."

CinemaNow also employs Widevine content protection to secure delivery of content from the company's website. CinemaNow will be one of the first to securely distribute premium content on all major consumer platforms running Windows, Mac or Linux. Customers will have unparalleled flexibility in accessing the portal using Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or the Opera browser.

A growing group of consumers has previously been unable to enjoy digital content which was protected by Microsoft's Windows Media DRM. Widevine's open DRM and digital copy protection solution enables online CinemaNow users to purchase, stream and download movies, TV shows and music videos regardless of their computing platform or browser -- greatly increasing CinemaNow's reach while still meeting the security standards of the studios.

"Widevine's selection by the leader in online movie and content distribution is a tremendous validator of our online content protection capabilities," said Brian Baker, Widevine CEO. "CinemaNow has been the very first to this market and has an unmatched legacy and history in the premium online digital content market. CinemaNow's strategy is closely aligned with Widevine's strategy to seamlessly expand consumer's ability to watch premium content on the device of their choice, wherever and whenever they want."

About Widevine Technologies, Inc.

Widevine is the only provider of multiplatform and multiformat DCAS, DRM, digital copy protection and forensic watermarking solutions for content owners, telco, cable and internet service operators.

More than 130 service providers and 160 web properties utilize Widevine solutions to enable the acquisition and distribution of premium studio and broadcaster content to a wide range of consumer devices. Widevine makes it possible to protect internet and pay TV revenues while creating new service opportunities through the secure distribution, identification and tracking of digital content.

An innovator and holder of more than 30 patents, the company continues to develop innovative technologies and solutions that solve the multiplatform and multiformat content protection and digital forensic needs of content owners and operators globally.

Widevine is a privately held corporation headquartered in Seattle, WA, funded by Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), Charter Ventures, Constellation Ventures, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd (DNP), PaceSetter Capital Group, Phoenix Partners, TELUS (NYSE:TU) and VantagePoint Venture Partners.

For more information: www.widevine.com

About CinemaNow

CinemaNow, Inc. (www.cinemanow.com) is an innovator in digital entertainment technology, delivering high-quality Hollywood movies, TV shows and music videos to users across multiple platforms. Founded in 1999, CinemaNow has partnered with some of the biggest brands in consumer electronics and digital entertainment including ARCHOS, DivX, EchoStar Communications, Hewlett-Packard, Macrovision, Microsoft, Samsung, Sonic Solutions and Technicolor to deliver thousands of video titles directly to consumers. CinemaNow works with more than 250 licensors including 20th Century Fox, Disney, EMI, HDNet, IFC, Lionsgate, MGM, Miramax, NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures, Sony, Sundance Channel, Vivendi Entertainment and Warner Bros.

All Rights Reserved. Widevine, Widevine Cypher, Cypher Virtual SmartCard, Cypher VOD, Cypher DCP, Cypher Broadcast, Cypher Express and Widevine Mensor are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Widevine Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. No express or implied warranties are provided for herein and all specifications are subject to change. The descriptions of Widevine Technologies' patents and other intellectual property herein are not intended for use in a legal proceeding to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the patents or their claims, or indicate that a Widevine patent claim(s) are materially required to perform or implement any of the listed items.