BVRP Software and Elibrium Announce Strategic Global Publishing Partnership

Business Wire, Dec 18, 2002

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

PARIS and SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2002

French Software Publisher Makes Majority Investment in Silicon

Valley-Based Developer of Best-Selling MySoftware(R) Product Line

Paris-based BVRP Software Group and Elibrium, Inc. today announced that BVRP has made a majority investment in San Mateo-based Elibrium. Under the terms of the agreement, BVRP will become a majority investor in the San Mateo-based developer of small and medium-sized business and personal productivity titles, including the best-selling MySoftware brand.

The transaction will dramatically enhance BVRP's network of international software publishing operations including U.S., British and French business units. BVRP's primary focus is software for mobile communications and Internet security. Additionally, BVRP can now utilize Elibrium's expertise to obtain retail distribution in the important U.S. market where it has focused primarily on OEM and enterprise customers through BVRP USA.

The agreement strengthens Elibrium's recently announced publishing model by expanding its distribution network to Europe, reinforcing Elibrium's competitive advantage in the growing software publishing market. Furthermore, Elibrium may now capitalize on BVRP's well-established OEM relationships and distribution channels for the MySoftware line of products.

Elibrium, Inc. publishes more than 30 different software titles including the best-selling MyMailList(TM), MyDeluxeInvoices&Estimates(TM), MyDataBase(TM), and MyLabels(TM) and MyProfessionalBusinessCards(TM). With more than 10 million users, Elibrium is the leader in the small business and personal productivity sector and one of the top ten professional software publishers in the U.S. with a market share of more than 31 percent (Source: NPD Intellect). Elibrium software is currently sold in thousands of outlets in the U.S., including Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Fry's and CompUSA.

Elibrium adds to BVRP's portfolio of brand name titles it can provide to its European distribution network and global Internet marketing operations. BVRP's software publishing/distribution subsidiaries include AB Soft in France and Kommunicate and Guildsoft, both in England. The company also has partnerships with major distributors MicroBasic in Germany and Questar in Italy.

Bruno Vanryb, chairman & CEO of BVRP Software, comments, "The BVRP group is already present in the United States with almost 25% of revenue posted through its subsidiary BVRP USA. The strength of Elibrium's products, sales channels and management team will allow us to make important headway and become the first software publisher to apply a "global publisher" strategy. With around 40% of our 2003 revenue realized in the U.S. and the ability to offer software in all countries through all distribution channels, it is with enthusiasm and confidence that we enter this new growth era for the BVRP Group."

"After 15 years of leadership in developing and distributing small business software, our model continues to mature as we offer publishing services to partner developers in the U.S. and now in Europe," said Christina Seelye, chairman & CEO of Elibrium Inc. "The partnership with BVRP Software represents a strategic opportunity for both companies, as it will enable Elibrium to meet its channel expansion goals, while enabling BVRP to enter the American distribution market. We are convinced that together, Elibrium and BVRP will offer the most complete development and publishing solution worldwide."

About Elibrium

For 15 years, Elibrium's best-selling MySoftware line of finance, communication, design, and information management tools has saved home office and small business customers time and money. Elibrium's new publishing

model provides high quality sales, marketing and operations services to help software developers expand their sales channel into retail stores. Since its founding, Elibrium has sold more than 20 million products, which are available at more than 7,000 outlets including leading retailers such as Staples, Office Depot, Office Max, CompUSA, Fry's and MicroCenter. Additional information: http://www.elibrium.com .

About BVRP Software

With subsidiaries located in France, Great Britain and the U.S. the BVRP Software Group, a worldwide leading publisher of communications software, is also a major provider of personal and professional software designed for Mobility, Security and Internet use. BVRP Software products are marketed in over 100 countries, through e-commerce, OEM partnerships and IT resellers. Ranked in the European Software Top 50 by Infoconomist in September 2002, the group posted revenue of $43.2 million in 2001. Since December 1996, BVRP Software has been listed on the Nouveau Marche of the Paris Stock Exchange (Euronext:5478). For further information: http://www.bvrp.com .