VeriSign’s Ojom Mobile Entertainment Publishing
Unit and Sony Pictures Digital Team to Deliver Mobile Games Based on
Entertainment Properties
Agreement Solidifies Commitment to Deliver Top Movies and TV Titles
to Consumers of Mobile Gaming Content
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - May 11, 2005 –
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure
services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, and Sony
Pictures Digital today announced that VeriSign’s mobile games publishing
unit, Ojom, has signed a licensing agreement to develop and distribute
mobile games based on select movie and television titles from Sony Pictures
to mobile carriers and wireless users worldwide. As an adjunct
to the ongoing development and distribution of mobile content by Sony
Pictures Digital, the deal with Ojom will help meet growing consumer
demand and bring more titles from Sony Pictures’ vast library of entertainment
properties into the mobile marketplace.
Titles in Ojom’s initial licensing agreement include: Men in Black, Jerry
Maguire, Charlie’s Angels, and the television series “Starsky and Hutch.” Ojom and Sony Pictures Digital will jointly manage distribution,
leveraging the strengths of both organizations and their long established
partnerships. This will maximize the availability of products for consumers,
making content widely available from day one.
“It’s clear that mobile phones are being used for
more than making calls. VeriSign and Ojom are committed to delivering
creative, entertaining content to our mobile carriers and their consumers,
so they can enjoy the many features of their mobile device,” said Mahi
de Silva, senior vice president, VeriSign Wireless Services. “The
combination of Ojom’s strength in creating innovative mobile content
and Sony’s extensive catalog of popular entertainment titles gives us
the ability to deliver creative mobile games that will be engaging and
entertaining.”
“Recognizing the explosive growth in the mobile market,
Sony Pictures Digital is pursuing deals like this in order to respond
rapidly to the increased consumer demand for content and maximize our
library by extending more of our properties into the digital marketplace,”
said Mike Arrieta, senior vice president, Sony Pictures Digital.
“Ojom and Sony Pictures Digital share a common vision to create superior
entertainment and the Sony Pictures library provides us with an incredible
wealth of beloved properties to bring to mobile users.”
Games and content will be available in the second
half of the year in the United States and Europe.
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), operates intelligent infrastructure
services that enable businesses and individuals to find, connect,
secure, and transact across today’s complex global networks. Additional
news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.
About Ojom
Ojom GmbH, part of the VeriSign, Inc. family, is a leading publisher
of mobile entertainment. Ojom offers an exceptionally diverse portfolio
of premium, innovative, branded content to mobile operators, virtual
retailers, and handset manufacturers worldwide. As the premier
mobile entertainment publisher within VeriSign’s Digital Content Services
Unit, Ojom’s publishing and development services enable service providers
to generate revenue while providing an entertaining consumer experience.
Ojom has published titles in more than 50 countries, through major mobile
operators and leading consumer content portals, as well as directly
to top handset manufacturers.
About Sony Pictures Digital
Sony Pictures Digital leads Sony Pictures Entertainment’s CG production,
animation, online games, mobile entertainment and digital sales and
marketing. With imagination and technological innovation, Sony Pictures
Digital is a leader in the creation and distribution of next generation,
mass-market digital entertainment. Sony Pictures Digital is a pioneer
in the development of the digital marketplace, connecting people and
entertainment through Sonypictures.com, Sony Pictures Mobile and strategic
alliances.
For more information, contact:
VeriSign Media Relations: Leslie Rubin, lrubin@verisign.com,
650-426-5363
VeriSign Investor Relations: Tom McCallum, tmccallum@verisign.com,
650-426-3744
Sony Pictures Digital PR Contact: Don Levy, dlevy@sonypictures.com,
310-840-7315
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 uncertainty
of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly
operating results due to such factors as the risk that VeriSign's announced
strategic relationships, including the relationship described herein,
may not result in additional products, services, customers, profits
or revenues; and increased competition and pricing pressures. 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, 2004 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.
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