Video Ezy Integrates Verimatrix's Forensic Watermarking Into Electronic Video Rental

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS--(Marketwire - September 12, 2008) - IBC2008 -- Verimatrix, setting the standard in content security technologies that enhance the value of pay-TV networks, today announced that Australian-based Video Ezy will be integrating VideoMark™ in the commercial rollout of its ground-breaking Electronic Video Rental service. The Video Ezy deployment complements a number of design wins for VideoMark in on-demand and hospitality applications where the advantages of a layered content security solution for high definition (HD) video are well recognized. Verimatrix will be demonstrating VideoMark capabilities on set-top boxes (STBs) and PCs at IBC2008, Stand 4.B45.

Video Ezy's novel Electronic Video Rental service enables customers to download HD and standard definition (SD) movies from an in-store kiosk to a portable storage device for later viewing at home. The Electronic Video Rental service takes traditional movie rental to the next level by using abundant and increasingly affordable portable memory technology, combined with the latest security technology and video compression standards in a patented package. The Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS™) for IPTV was selected for its flexibility and ease of integration to protect premium content. VideoEzy has integrated the extra layer of watermarking to trace back pirated content to the last authorized user, thus expanding the security perimeter.

"Verimatrix and its VCAS content protection solutions have been instrumental partners in our development of the Electronic Video Rental service," said Andrew Gardiner, general manager of Video Ezy. "We see VideoMark forensic watermarking as an important additional layer of protection for our highest value HD content."

VideoMark is the industry's first secure and invisible content tracking solution that enables forensic, user-specific marking of video at each STB or PC client in a pay-TV system. The end-to-end VideoMark service includes recovery of the unique client identification from all unauthorized analog and digital distribution formats. VideoMark has been selected for a range of worldwide deployments to ensure that pay-TV operators can offer differentiated services including early release windows for HD and super premium content. VideoMark provides a powerful security layer that complements encryption, conditional access (CA) and digital rights management (DRM) technologies and is being required by more content owners. VideoMark complies with the rigorous requirements of the Digital Cinema Initiatives, LLC (DCI).

"We are thrilled to see the growing momentum in worldwide deployment of VideoMark. Content owners, our customers and partners have always responded positively to the idea of forensic watermarking that can trace piracy to the source. Now we are seeing a wave of system deployments enabled by our forward-thinking customers," said Steve Oetegenn, chief sales and marketing officer at Verimatrix.

About Video Ezy

Established in 1983, Video Ezy is Australia's leading home video channel and one of Australia's leading franchise operators. Over 510 stores are operating in Australia today, with over 7,000,000 customers registered. Over half of these customers are significantly active, representing over half of the households in Australia. Franchise Entertainment Group operates the business through the region and there are an additional 500 Video Ezy stores in New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Fiji and Singapore. Video Ezy has implemented a sophisticated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Point of Sale system ("Ezy Retail") that is recognised as world class. It enables network wide analysis of customer buying behaviour and trends, as well as specific target marketing of individual customers at point of sale. Please visit www.videoezy.com.au

About Verimatrix

Verimatrix sets the standard for software-based content security and revenue enhancement technologies in pay-TV networks, with a global customer base of service providers. The Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS™) offers a suite of next-generation technologies that has been independently audited and ranked as the global leader in IPTV content protection. The company's 3 Dimensional Content Security approach, built around VCAS, enables secure delivery of content to multiple devices across multiple networks using multiple layers of protection techniques. Maintaining close relationships with major studios, broadcasters, industry organizations and partner ecosystem helps address the challenges facing pay-TV networks of today, and those of tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.verimatrix.com.