WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Dec. 15, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Altnet, a subsidiary of Brilliant Digital Entertainment (AMEX:BDE), a leading provider of secure digital media via Internet and peer-to-peer technologies, announced today that, on the basis of information provided by BigChampagne, Altnet is satisfied that BigChampagne is not infringing any issued claim of Altnet's patents.
On November 11, 2003, Altnet issued cease and desist notices to nine companies that it believed were using its patented digital file identifying technology without its permission. BigChampagne is the only company to have responded to the cease and desist letter and to have demonstrated to the satisfaction of Altnet that it has not engaged in any activity that constitutes an infringement of Altnet's patented TrueNames file identifying technology. Further, Altnet is satisfied that BigChampagne did not use such technology to assist the Recording Industry Association of America in identifying people sharing files who then were sued for copyright infringement.
"After discussing the issue with BigChampagne and reviewing the facts they presented, Altnet apologizes to BigChampagne for any miscommunication or false impression created by Altnet's press release that BigChampagne was engaged in any wrongful conduct. Clearly, it was not," said Derek Broes, executive vice president of worldwide operations for Altnet and Brilliant Digital.
Broes added, "However, the fact remains that there are still eight firms who have been served notice and who have failed to respond, let alone provide any evidence of non-infringement. We will not permit companies to use Altnet's TrueNames file identifying technology to spoof, track or interdict files on file sharing networks without our permission."
The eight firms still under notice from Altnet are BayTSP, Cyveillance, Media Defender, Media Sentry, NetPD, Inc., Overpeer, Inc., Ranger Online and Vidius.
Altnet's TrueNames technology facilitates the identification of unique files on a massively distributed network by using a unique file hash identifier that enables one to track, retrieve, monitor and charge for the distribution of content. TrueNames is a method of identifying data based on the actual contact of the file, rather than by the file name, origin, location, address or other information that can be easily changed. A unique identifier, or hash, is assigned to the data using an algorithm in a process protected by United States Patent Nos. 5,97,8,791 and 6,415,280.
About Altnet
Altnet is the leading peer-to-peer distributor of secured digital media that originates from content owners. Altnet reaches an estimated 70,000,000 users and is the number one issuer of rights managed music in the world. Altnet's products integrate with websites, applications and peer-to-peer networks to allow Internet users to simply and easily locate, download, preview and purchase digital content. Altnet is a subsidiary of Brilliant Digital Entertainment (AMEX:BDE).