Press Release

RosettaBooks Launches First "Timed" eBook

Content 'self-destructs' after a time-based permit expires

August 7, 2001

In a demonstration of technology that could revolutionize the publishing industry and help jump-start the nascent eBook market, electronic publisher RosettaBooks today announced it is offering Agatha Christie's classic mystery "And Then There Were None" in a special time-based permit edition.

Released in conjunction with network publishing software provider Adobe Systems, Inc. and digital distribution services provider Reciprocal, Inc, the eBook is available for download at www.RosettaBooks.com in a special month-long "$1 for 10 hours of reading" campaign. Once downloaded, the eBook may be enjoyed for 10 hours, after which the book's "time-based permit" will expire, and the content will no longer be available.

Arthur Klebanoff, CEO of RosettaBooks, said, "We are delighted to take our marketing relationship with Adobe and our distribution services relationship with Reciprocal to the next level. RosettaBooks prides itself on being ePublishing leader for quality content, innovative marketing, and critically-acclaimed titles. This first of its kind offering of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None is just the beginning of a brave new world of literature and technology."

As part of the promotion, consumers will be able to enjoy And Then There Were None, for a full 10 hours after paying $1 via a secure web site. Reciprocal will process the financial transaction and issue a digital permit enabling the reader to access the title via the Adobe Acrobat eBook Reader. A reader can access the eBook as often as desired for a cumulative total of ten hours - more than ample time to read the 275-page mystery. After ten hours, the permit expires and the reader has the option of renewing the time based permit or purchasing a "permanent" electronic edition. The permit prohibits the printing of an eBook.

This technology empowers retailers and consumers with flexible pricing and purchasing options that could transform commercial transactions in the publishing industry.

"Adobe applauds RosettaBooks for being the first to explore the opportunities that `timed' eBooks bring to the publishing market," said Susan Altman Prescott, Vice President of Marketing, Cross Media Publishing at Adobe. "Timed eBooks offered in Adobe PDF open a number of innovative ways for publishers to market and sell books. For example, they offer a cost-effective way to distribute review copies and bound galleys with the layout, fonts and graphics intact."

"Reciprocal has implemented successful timed-out licenses for our music customers, and we're excited with the opportunity of this model to deliver real value for the publishing community and other industries," said John Schwarz, President and CEO of Reciprocal. "We're pleased to be working with RosettaBooks and Adobe on this innovative campaign, as it demonstrates our commitment to build the digital distribution market for our customers as well as consumers."

Those who wish to read an eBook for longer than 10 hours can purchase this and other classic titles at RosettaBooks.com in permanent format for $4.99.

About RosettaBooks

RosettaBooks is the leading electronic publisher dedicated exclusively to great books of the 20th century. RosettaBooks is a committed ePublisher, maximizing the resources of the web in opening a fresh dimension in the reading experience. RosettaBooks distributes titles through all commercially viable channels, including eBook retailers, promotional web sites, focused educational channels, and the company's own web site. All titles are available in a variety of formats. The RosettaBooks list includes Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein, 1984 by George Orwell and Sophie's Choice by William Styron.

About Reciprocal

Reciprocal delivers the business infrastructure for the distribution of digital assets by integrating critical functions, including e-commerce and electronic inventory management, with leading digital rights management (DRM) technologies. The Company provides comprehensive, easy-to-implement services that enable clients to realize new revenues and efficiencies while controlling digital assets and enabling a simple user experience. In partnership with other industry leaders, these flexible and scalable services address the requirements of the music, publishing, software and film industries, as well as others such as financial services and healthcare. The Company also offers strategic consulting and integration services that help content providers, distributors and web sites choose and implement the solution that best fits their business needs. More than 100 companies in the Americas, Europe and Asia have selected Reciprocal as their digital distribution services provider.