Thomson and VeriSign to Cooperate in Developing Digital Content Authentication and Authorization Service
Companies Partnering To Launch New Service in Mid-2005
PARIS & MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--Nov. 23, 2004--Thomson (NYSE:TMS)(Euronext Paris:18453) and VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq:VRSN) today announced plans to create an on-demand digital content authentication and authorization service bureau to support the secure delivery of electronic entertainment content over digital networks. The new service will provide transaction reporting and essential back-office functions to securely authenticate and authorize digital entertainment content such as movies, music and games. Thomson and VeriSign have recently completed successful proof of concept demonstrations with a variety of entertainment companies, telecom companies, technology companies and online retailers and plan to launch the service by mid-2005.
The new service is aimed at content providers and electronic content distributors and will utilize key technologies and expertise of Thomson`s Technicolor business and VeriSign`s authentication and network infrastructure. The service will leverage Technicolor`s expertise in content security, preparation, management and distribution; and its long standing relationships with entertainment providers. The service will also leverage VeriSign`s network security technology and large scale internet transaction authentication infrastructure that currently supports over 400,000 Web sites and 118,000 merchants, as well as VeriSign`s extensive Digital Content mediation and distribution platform. In addition, Thomson and VeriSign are developing proprietary technology, already demonstrated through proof of concept, to provide secure authentication and authorization of digital content and a seamless interface between a variety of home networking devices including personal video recorders, mobile devices, computers and recordable media.
With the worldwide growth of broadband and other high-speed networks, content owners are increasingly interested in growing the market for electronic delivery of content and developing new business models while preventing unauthorized file sharing and piracy. In addition, large telephone carriers continue to install fiber-based networks in homes and are working to deliver "triple play" service offerings (voice, data, and video) to consumers. Working together, Thomson and VeriSign will support the needs of both content owners and distributors by offering a third-party solution that will work across digital networks.
"Developing opportunities in electronic content management and distribution is one of our five strategic priorities, and the cooperative effort with VeriSign is a key step in this direction," said Frank Dangeard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Thomson. "We believe that creating trusted technology solutions will accelerate the development of new entertainment distribution business models and provide a reliable and trustworthy ecosystem for content owners, network operators, retailers and consumers."
"VeriSign is pleased to be working closely with Thomson to help bring digital content on demand solutions to market," said Stratton Sclavos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VeriSign. "Building on VeriSign`s successful Digital Content Services infrastructure, we believe that subscriber demand for entertainment services over broadband networks is the next significant area of growth for communications service providers."
Certain statements in this press release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management`s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to changes in global economic and business conditions, consumer electronics markets, and regulatory factors. More detailed information on the potential factors that could affect the financial results of Thomson is contained in Thomson`s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign`s actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others; the ability of VeriSign to successfully develop and market new services and customer acceptance of any new services; the risk that VeriSign`s announced strategic relationship with Thomson may not result in additional products, services, customers and revenues. More information about potential factors that could affect the company`s business and financial results is included in VeriSign`s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company`s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.
About Thomson - Partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries
Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) provides technology, systems and services to help its Media & Entertainment clients -- content creators, content distributors and users of its technology -- realize their business goals and optimise their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment. The Group intends to become the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA and THOMSON brands. For more information: www.thomson.net
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN) delivers intelligent infrastructure services that make the Internet and telecommunications networks more reliable and secure. Every day VeriSign helps thousands of businesses and millions of consumers conduct commerce and communications with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com
CONTACTS:
Thomson
Tom Bracken (US) (Press Relations)
+1-805-445-7293
Tom.bracken@thomson.net
Monica Coull (Press Relations)
+33 1 41 86 53 10
Monica.coull@thomson.net
Severine Camp (Investor Relations)
+33 1 41 86 57 23
Severine.camp@thomson.net
David Schilansky (Investor Relations)
+33 1 41 86 52 38
David.schilansky@thomson.net
Financial Dynamics
Lorie Lichtlen (Press Relations)
+33 1 47 03 68 10
Lorie.lichtlen@fd.com
Aurelie Gasnier (Press Relations)
+33 1 47 03 68 10
aurelie.gasnier@fd.com
VeriSign
Tom McCallum (Press Relations)
+1-650-426-3744
tmccallum@verisign.com
Leslie Rubin (US) (Investor Relations)
+1-650-426-5363
lrubin@verisign.com
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