Tornado Group PLC Chooses Macrovision's SafeCast for Security and Digital Rights Management

LONDON--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 21, 2002--Macrovision UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Macrovision Corporation and the leading developer and supplier of digital rights management (DRM) and copy protection technologies, today announced a significant partnership with Tornado Group PLC (LSE:TDO), Europe's leading Digital Service Provider. Tornado has selected Macrovision's SafeCast(TM) to provide core security technology for bol.com, the online media and entertainment shop operated by the parent of BMG Entertainment, Bertelsmann AG.

SafeCast offers a comprehensive security solution for a variety of digital products, and includes a wide range of tools to help publishers distribute software and perform transactions securely over the Internet. Tornado has incorporated SafeCast into its Digital Media Distribution System (DMDS(TM)), which enables bol.com's customers to purchase and download games and other software directly onto their PCs. SafeCast ensures that the downloaded games cannot be used unless paid for and protects them from unauthorized copying after downloading, thus preventing piracy and preserving the publishers' revenue streams.

Neil Ferris, commercial director for Tornado, commented, "We looked for a DRM partner that had an established presence in the games and the software industries. We wanted publishers to readily release content to us for this new venture so we needed proven secure DRM technology."

Speaking about the partnership, Tony Prescott, managing director for bol.com, said, "I am delighted that we are able to lead the way in the UK for digital games downloads with two such highly esteemed and respected companies. I feel confident that this will be a great success and I look forward to a fruitful partnership with Macrovision and Tornado."

David Simmons, managing director at Macrovision UK Ltd, added, "Macrovision is the de facto standard for copy protection in the physical world with its SafeDisc® CD ROM product. Games publishers want the same security from the same partner as they start to distribute products and licenses via digital delivery."