ioko and VeriSign's Kontiki Forge a First for British Film

ioko and VeriSign's Kontiki Forge a First for British Film

LONDON, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ioko, a specialist in digital and on-demand media, and Kontiki, which was recently acquired by VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, have partnered with the BBC to build and launch the BBC Film Network (www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/). The Film Network is an interactive showcase for new British filmmakers and gives viewers access to high-resolution short British film downloads from the website to watch on their personal computers (PCs).

The service, which is free to the first 10,000 subscribers, allows emerging British filmmakers to showcase their work online and gives viewers up-to-the-minute access to the latest short film releases.

Fearghal Kelly, media solutions director, ioko, said, "The digital media space is developing at a rapid rate, especially in the UK. It is with great pleasure that we continue to support this initiative that is geared toward promoting British film and taking UK talent and video content to the next level."

The interactive online service, which has been developed and managed by ioko, uses VeriSign's Kontiki Delivery Management System (DMS). By providing licensed distributed online media content, users now have access to entertainment that was previously limited to television and cinema channels. It brings an advanced level of quality screening to UK film lovers via PCs and enables British producers and filmmakers to distribute DVD-quality short films to a broader audience.

After subscribing to the service, viewers can receive email alerts on the three latest short films as they are released and when downloads begin. Subscribers automatically receive new films, eliminating the need to search for them. Once downloaded to a PC, films can be viewed repeatedly for 28 days, after which time files are automatically removed from the hard drive. Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology is used to grant a user license once the film commences playing and then monitors the usage period.

VeriSign's Kontiki platform was chosen because security, speed, value and ease-of-use were key business objectives for the service. Fast download speeds are ensured through legitimate, secure and managed P2P delivery technology, with an average download time of a short film taking 15 minutes using a one-megabit broadband connection.

"Working with the BBC for the last few years has been a great experience for our company. It is pushing the innovation envelope by offering customers exciting new services that feature compelling, high-quality video content," said Scott Sahadi, vice president of marketing and business development, VeriSign.

The network launched in April with: 'How To Tell If A Relationship Is Over,' a 90-second race through the tell-tale signs of a relationship meltdown featuring The Mighty Boosh's Julian Barratt; 'Fishy,' the appropriately named aquatic romance starring Shirley Henderson, a joint runner up in the BBC's Talent awards; and the award-winning Chris Shepherd animation, 'Dad's Dead.'

About ioko

ioko was established in 1996 to help commercial organisations apply cutting-edge technologies to create new, but practical, business solutions and applications. For ten years ioko has been working very successfully with some of Europe's best known companies, applying its technical knowledge and skills to design, build and run high quality IT systems. ioko has worked with media companies since its inception, mainly as a provider of systems integration services, but also providing managed services for customers like EMI, Channel 4 and Sky. ioko has worked with Sky for the last five years, managing the company's entire Internet platform including all web sites, video streaming services and customer portals. ioko is also the leading implementer of Kontiki software in Europe.

About VeriSign

VeriSign, Inc. operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable and protect billions of interactions every day across the world's voice and data networks. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.

Trademarks

VeriSign and other trademarks, service marks, and logos are registered or unregistered trademarks of VeriSign and its subsidiaries in the United States and in foreign countries.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results due to such factors as the inability of VeriSign to successfully develop and market new products and services and customer acceptance of any new products or services; the possibility that VeriSign's announced new services may not result in additional customers, profits or revenues; and increased competition and pricing pressures. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

Source: VeriSign, Inc.

CONTACT: John Griffin, Sales and marketing director of ioko,
+44-0-1904-438-000, or mobile, +44-0-77-1074-0789, or John.Griffin@ioko.com;
or James Hedges, BBC publicity, +44-0-20-8008-5294; or Rozzyn Boy, account
director, +44-0-20-7386-1490, or mobile, +44-0-77-9917-8996, or
Rozzyn.Boy@fireflycomms.com, or Suzanne Miller, account executive,
+44-0-20-7386-1404, or mobile, +44-0-78-8158-5373, or
Suzanne.Miller@fireflycomms.com, both of Firefly; or Lori Sinsley, Senior
Corporate Communications Manager of VeriSign Inc., +001-650-426-4716, or
mobile, +001-650-799-3993, or lsinsley@verisign.com

Web site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork
http://www.verisign.com/

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