LOS ALTOS, Calif., Nov. 2, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- FreeHand Systems International, Inc. (Pink Sheets:FSYI), announced today that it has acquired Denmark-based SheetMusicNow A/S. This acquisition ensures FreeHand's position as one of the largest source for downloadable digital sheet music and further enhances its reputation as a leader in the digital music industry whose revolutionary patented technology is shaping the future of distribution and performance of sheet music. In addition to its digital sheet music business, FreeHand is the developer, manufacturer and marketer of the world's first digital music tablet, the MusicPad Pro(r) Plus.
The acquisition of SheetMusicNow.com adds digital distribution rights to an additional 32,000 plus titles of which 15,000 are already digitized and online. These titles constitute the largest independent catalog of digitized classical and jazz sheet music available to download and print.
FreeHand's CEO Kim Lorz commented, "We are pleased to add these internationally recognized classical and jazz sheet music titles to our catalog and look forward to merging them into our current library of over 45,000 titles. With this acquisition and our planned combining of our current sheet music website, sunhawk.com, with SheetMusicNow.com, we will be able to provide a quality and effective resource for musicians searching for music in all musical genres."
SheetMusicNow.com distributes digital sheet music from publishers including Universal Editions, Schott Musik International, The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Josef Weinberger, Ltd., Chanterelle, Verlag, Muzyka (Moscow), TARA Publications and Pizzicato. The portfolio contains works by world famous artists including the original works of Chick Corea, Sir James Galway, David Liebman, Steven Isserlis, Michal Petri, Bent Fabric, Andreas Staier and Stephen Hough.
Jonathan Irons, CEO of SheetMusicNow.com said, "In addition to the website, www.SheetMusicNow.com we're excited to continue building revenue streams via institutions such as public libraries and universities. Plus, now we can expand all of this to take advantage of the amazing technology provided by the MusicPad Pro."
FreeHand Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Freehand Systems International, Inc, and is the a leader in digital sheet music publishing www.sunhawk.com and is the manufacturer of the first digital music tablet, the MusicPad Pro(r) Plus. The pad utilizes innovative patented technology.
Investor Relations: 480.609.0468, Heather Owens, www.otcinfo.net for FreeHand Systems International, Inc. 95 First Street, Suite 200 Los Altos, CA 94022 www.freehandsystems.com
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements regarding potential sales, the success of the company's business, as well as statements that include the word "believe" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of FreeHand Systems International, Inc. to differ materially from those implied or expressed by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the risk factors included in FreeHand Systems International, Inc.'s Annual Report and any subsequent reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act. This press release speaks as of the date first set forth above and FreeHand System Internationals, Inc. assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to factors such as the lack of capital, timely development of products, inability to deliver products when ordered, inability of potential customers to pay for ordered products, and political and economic risks inherent in international trade.