CNET Download.com and Protexis Launch Integrated Trial Product Promotion and e-commerce Service for Software Publishers

Business Wire, Feb 24, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO -- Turns CNET Download.com, the Leading Trial Software Web site, into Highly Efficient, Self-Service Sales Channel

CNET Download.com, the world's leading download resource(1) and a property of CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNET), and Protexis, provider of software e-commerce solutions, today announced the launch of Upload.com Merchant Services, a self-service trial product promotion and e-commerce solution for software publishers.

Now available at www.upload.com, the low-cost service combines Protexis' patented e-commerce technology with access to Download.com's monthly audience of tens of millions of software enthusiasts, who download more than 2.3 million software trial versions every day. By enabling publishers to automate the process of marketing trial software, then converting trial users into paying customers, Upload.com Merchant Services dramatically enhances the efficiency of the software sales process.

In addition to core features including trial enablement, copy protection, and global e-commerce capabilities, the Web-based Upload.com Merchant Services offers a number of benefits designed to help software publishers grow their businesses, including:

--Time-to-market: 15 minute file configuration using post-compile technology

--Cost savings: Competitively priced fixed transaction fee, with no monthly minimum or hidden e-commerce costs

--Scalability: Ability to use enabled .exe files and hosted payment pages anywhere online

--Flexibility: More than 60 global payment types accepted, enabling publishers to enter new markets

--Turn-key: Publishers centrally manage all trial promotion, sales volume, and revenue across the Web, giving small publishers instant access to global markets

CNET Download.com has been instrumental to the success of leading software publishers such as Webroot Software Inc., WinZip, and PC Tools. These and thousands of other software publishers rely on CNET Download.com and its broad audience to build their customer bases by exposing end users to free trials. Before Upload.com Merchant Services gave software publishers the option to embed e-commerce capabilities, publishers listing trial versions through CNET Download.com were required to handle all e-commerce and product activation capabilities themselves. Now, CNET Download.com's enormous user base will benefit from a single, start-to-finish software evaluation and buying process that makes it simple to purchase trial software directly from the publisher once it has expired.

"Upload.com Merchant Services is exciting for both software publishers and CNET Download.com users," said Scott Arpajian, senior vice president of CNET Download.com. "For publishers, it connects the dots between our massive software trial listings and the actual sale, and for customers, it offers a seamless product evaluation and buying process. Best of all, because of our existing access to a massive audience of software buyers, we are able to leverage our economy of scale to offer publishers extremely competitive pricing."

Trial enablement, e-commerce technology, and copy protection are available to software publishers as a package offering, or al-a-carte. All options come with a comprehensive list of payment processing features, including:

--Local Tax Support - Easily configurable tax rules help maintain compliance according to local standards

--Merchant Account - Publishers that use Protexis as their merchant of record rid themselves of all fraud, reconciliation, refund, and chargeback management

--Fund Settlement - Automated monthly check delivery to every publisher creates a hands-free online sales channel with no upfront or management costs

--24/7 e-commerce Support - Multi-lingual payment support and dispute resolution ensure higher customer satisfaction and increased retention

"Today, nearly all software is available for trial, download and purchase online, but until now, publishers were left to implement the required technology and e-commerce from multiple, high-cost outsourcing providers," said Karl Hirsch, CEO of Protexis. "This painstaking process has resulted in an inconsistent end-user experience, and an inability to truly drive sales conversion of their products. This partnership is a first for the market because it provides a simple, easy-to-use solution for software publishers, allowing them to focus on developing better products and improving their opportunity for success."

About CNET Networks

CNET Networks, Inc. is a worldwide media company and creator of content environments for the interactive age. CNET Networks takes pride in being "a different kind of media company," creating richer, deeper interactive experiences by combining the wisdom and passion of users, marketers and its own expert editors. CNET Networks' leading brands - such as CNET, GameSpot, MP3.com, Webshots, and ZDNet - focus on the personal technology, entertainment, and business technology categories. The company has a strong presence in the US, Asia and Europe.