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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Widevine Granted Patent for Encrypting Multimedia Content

Robust patent portfolio enables cable, telco, mobile and internet video operators to protect multimedia content delivery across any network


Seattle, Feb. 20, 2007 –Widevine® Technologies, Inc. the world’s leading provider of downloadable content protection, forensic watermarking and digital copy protection solutions, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademarking Office issued Widevine a new patent for selectively encrypting multimedia content. It covers unique techniques for applying encryption to multimedia content such that it remains secure during storage in a VOD server, NPVR, Client PVR or PC hard drive. This uniquely provides the capability of digital ad insertion on encrypted content. In addition, this encryption technique is agnostic to network transport and enables the use of a single encryption method for secure content distribution over cable, telco, satellite, mobile and Internet to any set top box, personal video recorder, PC or mobile device.

This new patent is also the cornerstone of an entire patent portfolio which covers techniques required for operators to deliver a proven separable security solution as mandated by the FCC. Widevine’s portfolio is currently available for licensing.

“This portfolio enables service operators to license solutions that enable the secure delivery of broadcast, video-on-demand, streamed media and file downloads in multiple formats,” said Widevine CEO Brian Baker. “In a global marketplace where multimedia content must move freely and securely to a wide range of consumer devices, Widevine has acquired the necessary intellectual property rights for service providers to continue operating in the patent-laden world of DRM."

The portfolio covers the entire range of downloadable conditional access (DCAS) and digital rights management techniques operators require to enable delivery of multiple content formats to multiple devices across an IP-based network. Widevine’s patent portfolio is unique from other major licensors such as Intertrust and Microsoft, who have not anticipated the requirements of an entertainment industry that is grappling with the challenges of multimedia delivery to any device, any time.

John Branch, Principal at the intellectual property law firm of Darby & Darby says, “Widevine has early priority dates for the unique IP innovations it has filed in content security, which puts it in a positive position for licensing opportunities in the video delivery industry.”

“The video market is poised for tremendous growth and a key requirement for platforms in this market will be content security,” said Mike Wolf, analyst with ABI Research. “Widevine’s device, format and network-independent solutions allow cable, telco, internet and mobile operators to secure premium multimedia content that is required to differentiate their offering and attract consumers.”

According to Glenn Morten, Widevine’s Chief Technology Officer, “The cable industry, Consumer Electronics Association and FCC have struggled for many years to deliver separable security techniques and eliminate the conditional access duopoly that exists today. The duopoly has prevented consumers from using their device of choice—purchased at retail—to view content from their service operator. Content protection solutions must enable content to be acquired and consumed as the user desires. Widevine’s patent portfolio not only offers separable security to service operators today, it is proven at more than 120 operators worldwide.”

Widevine’s intellectual property portfolio now comprises seven issued U.S. and international patents, with 254 claims. Widevine has more than 45 other patents pending in the USPTO and international pipelines. Widevine’s patents cover content security for video delivery to multiple devices, in multiple formats on multiple platforms including:

  • Downloadable conditional access (DCAS): the basis of the FCC’s separable security requirement.
  • Selective encryption: to enable persistent encryption of broadcast and VOD content on any network transport including cable, telco, internet and mobile.
  • Protection of content post decryption: offer real-time, evolving detectors to monitor and respond to piracy.

In addition to this patent U.S. 7,165,175, previous patents issued include: U.S. 6,449,719 B1, U.S. 6,965,993 B2, U.S. 7,007,170 B2, U.S No.7,043,473, U.S. 7,150,045 and R.O.C. 1268080.

About Widevine Technologies, Inc.

Widevine is the world’s leading provider of downloadable content protection, forensic watermarking and digital copy protection solutions for over 120 video service providers worldwide. Widevine enables telco, internet, mobile, cable and satellite service operators to generate new revenue opportunities through the secure distribution, identification and tracking of multimedia content.

Utilizing a combination of downloadable conditional access, digital rights management and digital copy protection techniques, Widevine enables operators to acquire and distribute premium studio content and, through unique patented technologies, reduce video related capital and operational expenditures. An innovator in the industry and holder of seven patents, Widevine invented the renewable client security with the Cypher Virtual SmartCard™—which today protects more IP video set top boxes, personal video recorders, PCs, portable media players and mobile devices in the industry than any other vendor.

Widevine is a privately held corporation headquartered in Seattle, WA, funded by Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), Charter Ventures, Constellation Ventures, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd (DNP), PaceSetter Capital Group, Phoenix Partners, TELUS (NYSE: TU) and VantagePoint Venture Partners.

For more information see Widevine Technologies at www.widevine.com.

Media Contact:
Eric Moser
Ruder Finn Chicago (for Widevine Technologies)
Tel: +1 312 329 3908
mosere@ruderfinn.com

All trade names, trademarks, and/or service marks appearing herein are owned by their respective holders.