Breakthrough In Digital Security Spurs PHISH To Offer New Year's Eve Concert Tracks Via Internet

PHISH, the superstar Warner Elektra recording artist, will offer selected tracks from the band's New Year's Eve concert for sale via the Internet after each set, spurred by the availability of the eLicense System, a new technology for securing, distributing and selling music online.

The event marks the first time a recording artist for a major label has offered live concert tracks secured for sale via the Internet immediately after the performance. The band, with approval from Warner Elektra, made the decision to sell selected tracks in a secure MP3 format based on the advantages offered by the eLicense System. The new technology was developed by ViaTech, Inc., a leading provider of software for securing all forms of digital content for electronic distribution. The company's patent-pending eLicense System prevents piracy, offers customizable trials, is file format and player independent, and offers built-in electronic order processing so purchasing the music is quick and easy. In addition, the system's protection feature remains with the music as it is emailed from one PHISH fan to another with a listen-before-you-buy feature.

The PHISH performances take place on December 30 and 31 in the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation near Naples and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It will be one of the largest live concerts celebrating the millennium. The band will play a number of sets over the two days, and will offer a three- to five-minute track from each set for sale at $1.00 per track shortly after the conclusion of the set. The eLicense software will allow three plays of each downloaded secure MP3 file, after which the consumer can buy the selection for the rights to unlimited plays on three different PC's.

"There are many vendors claiming to have security options that PHISH could have considered for this project. We are thrilled that they chose our solution which is available today," said Bob Doherty, ViaTech, Inc. President. "What separates our eLicense System from the others is that it combines robust security, a listen-before-you-buy feature, super-distribution capabilities, and e-commerce built into the product so it avoids the cumbersome purchasing and security process involved with so many other systems."

ViaTech's eLicense System is a unique, totally integrated solution for securing digital content for electronic distribution and e-commerce. It is the only system that offers built-in e-commerce, which allows consumers to try or make a purchase using the very same secure file downloaded from supedistribution. It works with any file format and all the most popular software media players, and is based on an open-ended architecture that will enable it to work with the ongoing developments in secure music electronic distribution.

"With our eLicense System, the music never comes out of the secure 'digital wrapper'," explained Doherty. "So it can be securely emailed from friend to friend, and every one of those people have the opportunity to listen and buy. In our view, eLicense provides the most secure and comprehensive electronic licensing solution available."

ViaTech is a Natick, Massachusetts-based company with expertise in securing all forms of digital content. It provides electronic licensing technology, electronic software distribution (ESD) and e-commerce capabilities for some of the industry's largest online software resellers and publishers, including Digital River and SystemSoft. More information about the company can be found at its website: www.elicense.com.