Protexis Unveils Hosted E-Commerce Services for Software Publishers

Publishers can use on-demand services and sell through any channel

November 1, 2004, Vancouver, BC – Protexis today announced it launched a complete suite of on-demand e-commerce services, Protexis Publisher Services, that help software publishers prepare, market, and sell software titles when, where, and how they choose. Protexis does not distribute software, unlike existing outsourced e-commerce alternatives, so publishers gain the freedom to distribute through any channel they wish, increasing revenue and success online.

Protexis Publisher Services includes three hosted modules, all of which launch today – Protexis Merchant Services, Protexis Registration & Trialware Services, and Protexis Licensing Services. Protexis built Protexis Publisher Services on its market-proven, patented technology platform.

"We think Protexis Publisher Services makes the state of software e-commerce more interesting. Publishers have a new ballgame. With Protexis, publishers can distribute through any channel they choose – online or offline – all in a fully-outsourced model. This removes barriers to digital commerce growth," said Karl Hirsch, CEO of Protexis.

"Publishers should have access to the best services, delivered as conveniently as possible, with no restrictions on where to distribute their titles," continued Hirsch. "That's the heart of Protexis's commitment to publishers."

About Protexis Publisher Services

Protexis Merchant Services is a secure payment-processing and transaction-management system that works 24/7 behind the scenes as an automated digital fulfillment center for software applications. It handles the logistics and management of selling on the internet for both large and small publishers, for one title or 100, and for direct sales as well as sales through third-party sites. Protexis Merchant Services includes:

Integrated trialware unlocking (when combined with Protexis Registration & Trialware Services)
Instant implementation without a merchant account or rapid integration with existing merchant accounts
Seamless integration with storefronts or directly into the product
24/7 fully redundant, secure data center and electronic transaction system
On-demand product licensing and purchase
24/7 account access to monitor and configure online sales activity

Key benefits include:

Easily enable customers' online product purchases
Dramatically increase conversions from trial to sale

Protexis Registration & Trialware Services is a hosted service that adds a complete customer registration system to an existing software application, and, if desired, converts the application into a trialware version for potential customers to "Try-Before-They-Buy". Features include:

Seamless customer registration for existing applications
Hosted dynamic registration and customer database
24/7 protected access to customer data
Embedded unlocking mechanism tied to payment processing

Key benefits include:

Instantly quantify the success of product distribution channels
Dramatically increase conversions from trial to sale
Easily target promotional messages and sales offers to specific users or general groups
Sell value-added services, such as technical support and upgrades, to customers

Protexis Licensing Services is a robust and highly-configurable licensing management system, combined with industry-proven anti-piracy and digital rights management (DRM) that enables publishers to define the rules and terms for product activation and usage. Features include:

Advanced cryptographic systems
Patented activation technology
internet, phone and fax activation capability
Supports stand-alone client, server and OEM-bundled applications
Publisher branded administration and customer-facing dialogs

Key benefits include:

Reduce costs associated with unauthorized software use and piracy
Increase consumer and reseller satisfaction
Easily track revenue and upgrade conversions
Increase revenue opportunities

Protexis Publisher Services may be applied separately to titles, or as an end-to-end e-commerce solution. Publishers apply and manage the services through a self-serve, 24/7, Web-based administrative area.

About Protexis

Protexis empowers software publishers with a state-of-the-art e-commerce platform that helps to build their online business, by reducing costs, increasing revenue opportunities and profitability, and building closer customer relationships. Its customers are leading software publishers, including CNET Networks, DivX Networks and Sage Technologies, and many others. Protexis technology enables the secure digital sale of millions of copies of software worldwide. Protexis is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with offices in Seattle, Washington. The company is privately-held, and its investors include CNET Networks [NASDAQ: CNET], Canadian Science and Technology Growth Fund, Inc. and Trudell Medical. For more information, please visit www.protexis.com.

For additional information on Protexis and its electronic software licensing products call 604.915.5200 or e-mail info@protexis.com.

Press Contact:
NeoTerra Group
Jessie Brumfiel
805.686.8407
jbrumfiel@neoterragroup.com

Note: This News Release may contain future-oriented information that is based upon the Protexis business plans.