America Online Blocks Interoperability Between Odigo Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger

Business Wire, June 11, 2000

Business & High Tech Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 2000

Internet giant blocks IM compatibility feature

of Odigo Messenger 2.5 ten days after release

Odigo, Inc., the developers of the Odigo Messenger, today announced that America Online has blocked user access between AIM (America Online Instant Messenger) and Odigo Version 2.5, which was launched on May 31st (available for free at www.Odigo.com).

"We are quite disappointed that AOL has responded to our interoperability in this fashion", stated Avner Ronen, Odigo's VP of Strategic Development. "We provided AOL interoperability as an option for our users because of an overwhelming call for it. IMs are an everyday application for over 100 million people worldwide and are poised to be a key infrastructure for Internet commerce, brand marketing and customer service. Without IM interoperability the social surfer suffers, the Internet consumer suffers, business communication suffers, and ecommerce suffers - everyone loses."

AOL has, in the past year, blocked Microsoft, Yahoo, AT&T and Prodigy from offering similar instant messaging interoperability. Today's blocking however, which came without warning from AOL, is the first time AOL has responded to a small, private messaging company with blocking - a possible indication that AOL is concerned with the growing demand for the innovative functionality and style of the Odigo Messenger. Indeed, new registrations for Odigo's innovative messenger had been an impressive, and rapidly growing, 5,000 per day in May. Since launching AIM interoperability, Odigo reports over 100,000 new registered users.

"AOL's blocking our interoperability is - for our young company and committed employees - an unfortunate manner in which to gain validation for our product," Mr. Ronen added.

Odigo has attempted to contact AOL with hopes of working out a mutually agreeable solution, thus far with no response. In the mean time, Odigo vows to press on for other IM interoperability and for an IM standard platform.

"We are currently discussing our next move regarding AIM interoperability," stated Ronen. "We want to work with AOL to forge an agreement that will benefit all IM users".

By providing interoperability with AIM, Odigo had effectively provided Odigo users the largest possible domain to seek, meet and greet fellow surfers on the Internet. Having already been interoperable with ICQ (since January), the launch of Odigo 2.5 effectively created the most accessible Internet Messaging Platform ever - providing access to over 100 million IM users. Though now blocked by AOL, Odigo remains interoperable with ICQ.

About Odigo, Inc.

Odigo, Inc., a leading provider of real time communication and commerce platforms, is a U.S.-based company with wholly owned R & D facilities in Israel. The Odigo team is made up of over 80 enthusiastic employees.

The company is dedicated to providing Odigo partners and Internet users with the most interoperable, technologically advanced and easy-to-use communication and commerce platform. The company has developed private-labeled Odigo Messengers for over 55 ISPs, Portals, and Websites worldwide, including FortuneCity, Prodigy, Sprint Canada, and StarMedia.

The Odigo Messenger is redefining communication. Offering multiple communication and navigation features, including interoperable real-time messaging, buddy lists, voice messaging, chat-on-page, and website note posting, this revolutionary tool brings a world of opportunity and interesting people right to the user(1)s desktop. The Odigo Messenger can be downloaded, for free, at www.odigo.com.