Signature Brands Limited announces further growth at CD Plus.com Inc.
TORONTO, June 28 /CNW/ - Signature Brands Limited (''Signature Brands'')
is pleased to announce that CD Plus.com Inc. has become the first Canadian
company to offer copyrighted music over the Internet. The press release from
CD Plus.com Inc. is attached hereto as Schedule ''A'' for further information.
On May 17, 1999, Signature Brands announced that it had signed a
definitive agreement to acquire CD Plus.com Inc. subject to certain closing
conditions, including the approval of Signature Brands shareholders at the
Annual and Special Meeting to be held on July 28, 1999.
About Signature Brands
Signature Brands Limited is a publicly traded company. Its shares trade
on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SBX. In addition, there are
warrants outstanding exchangeable into common shares at 50 cents that trade on
the Canadian Dealer Network under the symbol SBZB.wt.
The information herein has not been approved or disapproved
by regulatory authorities
SCHEDULE ''A''
CD Plus.com Inc. Partners with Microsoft to Becomes First Canadian
Company to Offer Copyrighted Music Over the Internet
Using Microsoft Windows Media Technologies, CD Plus.com Will Offer
Secure Method for Selling Music On-Line
TORONTO, June 28 /CNW/ - CD Plus.com Inc. today announced that it will be
the first on-line retailer in Canada to offer fully encrypted and
copyright-protected music for sale over the Internet. CD Plus.com will work
with Microsoft Canada using Microsoft Windows Media Technologies to sell
single music tracks through its leading Canadian web site www.cdplus.com.
''The music industry has approached the Internet with great caution
because of its perceived vulnerability to piracy,'' says Lee Sienna, President
and CEO of CD Plus.com. ''The Microsoft Windows Media Technologies will enable
CD Plus.com to work with both the major and independent music labels and to
use the Internet to expand the reach of the Canadian music industry.''
As part of the Microsoft's Windows Media Technologies, the Digital Rights
Manager allows content authors to deliver songs, videos, and other media over
the Internet in a packaged, encrypted file format. Digital Rights Manager uses
encryption technology to protect content and give access to licensed users who
agree to respect the publisher's copyrights. CDPlus.com will also use the
Microsoft Windows Media Technologies to offer sample clips from CDs to their
potential customers.
''Microsoft is working with the music industry in developing new
technology to promote the legitimate use of digital property,'' says Neil
Froggatt, marketing manager, Windows Platform, Microsoft Canada. ''We are
excited to offer companies such as CD Plus.com a technology that enables the
distribution of music over the Internet while also protecting the rights of
Canadian artists and publishers.''
About MSN Canada
MSN Canada at msn.ca makes available to Canadians, on one Web
page, compelling Internet services, information, entertainment, a variety of
communication options including MSN Hotmail(TM) - the world's leading provider
of globally accessible free Web-based electronic mail. MSN also provides such
high-quality interactive services as MSN Encarta(R) multimedia encyclopedia,
MSN Expedia(TM) travel service, MSN Gaming Zone, MSN CarPoint(TM) online
automotive service, and many more for Microsoft Windows(R) and Apple
Macintosh(TM) users. Please visit the MSN Canada Web site at msn.ca.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq ''MSFT'') is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products
and services, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more
enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing
every day.
About CD Plus.com Inc.
CD Plus.com Inc. is Canada's leading Internet music retailer through the
www.cdplus.com Internet site. In addition, CD Plus.com also operates a
Canada-wide network of retail music stores in secondary markets across the
country. Currently, the Company operates over 100 stores nation wide under
several trade names including CD Plus, AVE Entertainment, Music Baron and
Music City.
CD Plus.com Inc. is one of the five largest music retailing chains in
Canada and is currently in the process of completing a reverse takeover
transaction involving Signature Brands Ltd. a company that is publicly traded
on the Toronto Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: SBX)
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Other product and
company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
-0- 06/28/1999
For further information: Jim Fisher, Director, (416) 869-4004; Frank Fini, Director, (416) 860-8812; CD Plus.com Inc.: Hill and Knowlton, Lee Sienna, President and CEO; Marie Macpherson; (416) 597-8500, (416) 413-4749; Microsoft Canada: Neil Froggatt, (905) 568-0434, ext. 4577
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