SongPro and RioPort Work Together to Deliver Secure Online Music and Multimedia Content for Upcoming Plug-In Module for Nintendo Game Boy Color and Nintendo Game Boy Advance

Business Wire, July 2, 2002

Business/Entertainment Editors & High-Tech Writers

SongPro, Inc., a new digital multimedia device and content distribution company, and RioPort, Inc., the leading music application service provider (ASP), today announced a technology and services partnership to deliver secure online music and multimedia downloads for SongPro's upcoming WMA/MP3 multimedia player plug-in for Nintendo(R) Game Boy(R) Color(R) and Nintendo(R) Game Boy(R) Advance(R). SongPro will utilize RioPort's PulseOne Media Service(TM) and Direct-to-Device (d2d)(TM) technology, allowing its device users to easily access a large library of secure music from major recording artists using their SongPro player and any PC.

SongPro and RioPort are combining efforts to create new content packaging technology that will bind secure WMA music tracks with graphics and text, such as album art, lyrics and other metadata, for synchronized display on the Game Boy(R) high-resolution screen. The resulting secure SongPro Audio (SPA) files will be playable only on SongPro's device, which also supports standard WMA and MP3 music playback. The SPA format opens up a new realm in digital content delivery, allowing for future multimedia content, such as storybooks, slide shows or other entertainment pastimes, to be enjoyed using an enabled portable device. Importantly, the SPA format creates a new paradigm in digital content delivery by enabling the imbedding of advertising within files. As with television and radio, this commercial component will allow SongPro to deliver high quality content to consumers free of charge. SongPro intends to license its software to other online sites that want to offer SPA tracks for its device, which will launch at retail this fall.

RioPort is providing SongPro with its complete PulseOne Media Service, delivering aggregated major label content, hosting and e-commerce infrastructure for SongPro's upcoming SongPro Network, a group of channel sites designed to serve users with content and community tools. Additionally, RioPort will provide SongPro with the necessary d2d firmware to ensure that the SongPro device can play back secure online music tracks using multiple formats and Microsoft's DRM. RioPort is currently the only music ASP that has secured the rights from major record labels to deliver commercial digital music to enabled portable devices like SongPro's offering.

To enable access to subscription content directly from the SongPro device, SongPro will utilize RioPort's Media Activation System (MAS), a DRM-agnostic d2d component that manages and enforces content usage rules, such as termination by play count, cumulative play time or time-based expiration for music tracks on the enabled device. The MAS functionality can also be used to enable video content and games on a pay-per-play basis in the future.

"RioPort is the clear partner of choice to execute on our content and delivery strategy for the SongPro device," said Dr. Marc Hannah, chief technology officer of SongPro, Inc. "RioPort's d2d technology is at the forefront in providing what companies like SongPro need to make secure commercial music delivery to portable devices a reality."

"I am very proud of how the RioPort team and SongPro team are working together to create SongPro's compelling new service," said Anthony Schaller, chief technology officer of RioPort, Inc. "We think the SongPro business model is a great example of how digital content delivery can increase revenue possibilities for content holders and artists."

About SongPro, Inc.

SongPro is a digital multimedia device and content distribution company that enables the delivery of open and secure content to the consumer marketplace. SongPro's premier product is the first multimedia player plug-in module for the Nintendo(R) Game Boy(R) that bridges the ever-popular world of handheld video gaming with the tidal wave of digital music and audio content. The SongPro module turns the millions of Nintendo(R) Game Boys(R) in use into affordable WMA/MP3 players with the unique ability to simultaneously display scrolling visuals, such as album art and lyrics. SongPro is developing the SongPro Network, giving its device users access to thousands of SPA music and multimedia files through the company site, partner sites, and digital docking stations.

About RioPort.com, Inc.

RioPort is the leading music application service provider, enabling e-tailers and consumer electronics manufacturers with industry-standard solutions for selling music to consumers in a simple, secure manner. RioPort's distribution partners include BestBuy.com, the MTVi Group, Radio Free Virgin, House of Blues, Bolt, and others. RioPort is backed by Oak Investment Partners, Vulcan Ventures, SONICblue, Microsoft Corp., Mitsubishi Corp., EMC Corp., Quantum Corp. and Macrovision Corp.