Sharman Networks Launches New Version, Kazaa v2; Industry-Leading File-Sharing Program Adds Unique Functionality

Business Wire, Sept 23, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2002

Sharman Networks Limited today releases Kazaa v2, the latest version of its Kazaa Media Desktop (KMD) software. With more than 120 million downloads to date, KMD is the peer-to-peer application of choice for multiple forms of digital media. Kazaa v2 sets a new standard for peer-to-peer functionality.

"We've given users better options and more tools than ever before," said Sharman Networks CEO Nikki Hemming. "Shared playlists lets them promote collections of their own work, participation levels rewards those who contribute and anti-virus measures improves security."

Building upon the success of previous versions, Kazaa v2 introduces a host of new features.

-- Web Search: Use standard KMD interface to search the Web.

-- Customizable Skins: Change the basic desktop interface with a skin, giving different layout and display options. One skin comes with KMD and two more can be downloaded. More skins will be released soon.

-- Shared Playlists: Create unique shared playlists of your own content and share it as a collection. You can also search for and download compilations of files created by other users and premium content providers.

-- Improved Image Handling: More image formats supported through the Theater view.

-- Integrity Rating: Files rated by peers according to technical quality and completeness of meta data. This will improve reliability of files, and reduce the likelihood that low integrity files will be shared.

-- Participation Level: Users frequently sharing their own content and rating files are rewarded with higher priority in download queues to encourage positive contributions.

-- Integrated Anti-Virus Protection: Shared folders can be automatically scanned on startup of KMD and during each download for greater protection against infection and spread of viruses.

-- Expanded Online Help Section: Kazaa.com offers quicker orientation for new users with a new user page, Quick Guide, User Guide, and updated FAQ.

Business Relationships

Sharman's stated commitment to expand Kazaa Media Desktop user benefits has resulted in best-of-breed offerings from key allies in a variety of categories. Newly formed strategic relationships include:

-- Music -- Cornerband.com, an online music community, which

offers KMD users the opportunity to experience emerging bands

and vote in the 30 Best-Bands promotion, while giving

subscribing musicians an opportunity to promote, sample and

sell their music

-- Anti-Virus -- Bullguard, a leading Internet security provider,

which delivers anti-virus protection and offers full-suite

security solutions to users

-- Broadband -- Tiscali, one of the largest Internet service

providers in Europe, offering broadband Internet for

peer-to-peer users

Additionally, Kazaa Showcase launches with links in KMD to premium content such as the latest music, video and software from Altnet.

About Sharman Networks Limited

Sharman Networks Limited distributes the popular Kazaa Media Desktop software, the leading peer-to-peer file transfer application that allows users to search, download, organize and interact with a variety of files. Founded in 2002, Sharman Networks is a consortium of private investors with multimedia interests. Sharman Networks provides distributed computing software applications that are pioneering the digital revolution. Sharman Networks is a worldwide operation, based in Australia, with offices in Europe. For more information about the Kazaa Media Desktop, Sharman Network's leading P2P software application, please visit Kazaa.com.