First Time Fully-Protected, Time-Released Content Used To Help Build ISP Subscriber Base
- CHICAGO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — HyperLOCK Technologies, Inc. (www.hyperlock.com) today announced a strategic development agreement with UltraStar Internet Services, LLC, the management company of David Bowie’s new Internet service, BowieNet (www.davidbowie.com). Under the agreement, UltraStar will take advantage of HyperLOCK’s HyperCD® encryption technology to securely distribute exclusive David Bowie audio and video tracks via the Internet to new subscribers of BowieNet, which launched into cyberspace this week.This relationship represents a number of firsts for both companies. For example, BowieNet is the first Internet service provider to use exclusive time-released video and audio content as an incentive to drive subscribers to its site and increase enrollment. For HyperLOCK, the BowieNet HyperCD is the first commercial release of both a Microsoft® DirectX®- and an Apple® QuickTime 3.0®-enabled HyperCD.”We are excited about working with UltraStar to help build a subscriber base for BowieNet,” said Ken Park, vice president of new media development for HyperLOCK. “We’ve always seen HyperLOCK’s technology as a perfect compliment to an ISP enrollment disk, whether it be to deliver high-quality, exclusive content, enhanced e-commerce transactions or targeted video advertising. Our relationship with UltraStar represents a major paradigm shift in the concept of music distribution via the Web.”As part of a special enrollment program, new subscribers will receive a BowieNet HyperCD. The CD-ROM will contain the customized browser as well as two encrypted classic live David Bowie 50th Birthday video tracks never before released to the public, as well as an exclusive, time-released Bowie audio track, called “Fun.”
HyperLOCK Announces Agreement with UltraStar/BowieNet, page 2When the BowieNet HyperCD is installed and “unlocked” by HyperLOCK’s proprietary encryption technology, subscribers are seamlessly linked to the BowieNet Web site. There, members can instantaneously access audio and video content stored on the CD-ROM. Because they are already at the site, subscribers also can simultaneously browse, download information and make electronic purchases.BowieNet offers its subscribers high-speed Internet access, a customizable home page, a davidbowie.com e-mail address and 5 MB of Web site space. The subscriber also has uncensored access to news groups, chat rooms, online shareware, multi-player gaming and exclusive content from David Bowie. This content includes photos, chats, Bowie’s preferred links, live video feeds from his studio and exclusive access to the Thin White Duke’s private domain. “HyperLOCK’s HyperCD technology allows UltraStar to protect high-quality audio and video from piracy, while providing a way to offer a more exciting multimedia experience to users. With HyperCD, members of our ISP not only have access to these three exclusive David Bowie audio and video tracks, they’re also just one click away from all the unique multimedia goodies we have in store for them on the Bowienet site,” said Ron Roy, project manager at UltraStar. “We expect to work with HyperLOCK on additional Internet promotions in the future.”UltraStar is a management technology partnership that specializes in the arena of Internet services bringing major entertainment, sports and fashion clients to the world in a community-based forum delivered over the Web. A partnership between UltraStar and Concentric Network, Corp. provides the network services to run BowieNet.HyperLOCK’s HyperCD® and HyperDVD(tm) are the world’s first fully encrypted multimedia gateway technologies linking pre-recorded CD-ROM video and audio with real-time information on the Internet. Designed to address the Internet’s chronic bandwidth limitations, HyperLOCK’s technology opens the door for time-released Web programming, enhanced video advertising, QVC®-like electronic commerce, and comprehensive distance learning programs on the Web. HyperLOCK’s unique blend of technologies offer important two-way connectivity advantages for both the end-user and Web developer — providing many of the multimedia, control, security and revenue-generating features today on the Internet, even over a 14.4 dialup connection, that broadband technology might achieve in 25 years.HyperLOCK’s HyperCD and HyperDVD are used by such diverse companies as Apple Computers, Warner Bros. Online, BMG Online, Capital Records, UltraStar, Highway One Media Entertainment, Honeywell, Spiegel, Ameritech, JAMtv and the American Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons. For more information about HyperLOCK Technologies, please contact the company at 847/673-6200 or visit the Web site at (http://www.hyperlock.com.HyperDVD is a trademark of HyperLOCK Technologies, Inc. HyperCD is a registered trademark of HyperLOCK Technologies, Inc.