I have found nothing which indicates a changed relationship:
America Online, Inc. Announces Alliances with Leading Secure Technology Companies
AOL to License Security and Electronic Commerce Technology from CyberCash, IBM InfoMarket, RSA Data Security, Terisa Systems and VeriSign
VIENNA, Va, May 15, 1996 -- America Online, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMER) today announced its intent to license key technologies for AOL's next-generation security and electronic commerce strategy. The relationships are with CyberCash, IBM infoMarket, RSA Data Security, Terisa Systems, and VeriSign.
"These new relationships will provide the building blocks for a secure electronic commerce platform," said David Gang, Vice President of Product Marketing, America Online, Inc. "The goal of our efforts is to create a practical, secure and scaleable electronic marketplace, and bring it to AOL's and GNN's rapidly growing member base."
Through AOL's use of these secure technologies, the participants plan to pool their collective expertise and explore opportunities to promote electronic commerce through tools that protect intellectual property rights. A secure commerce platform, for example, could provide users the ability to download fee-based, premium digital content, including research reports, music, games, and special event programming, from anywhere on the Internet.
America Online plans to integrate secure technologies into both the AOL service and AOL's Internet access service, Global Network Navigator (GNN). For example, AOL's next-generation Internet browser, currently in beta and scheduled for release this June for the Windows platform, incorporates full encryption capabilities, enabling AOL members to transmit information securely across the Internet. Additionally, AOL will incorporate RSA encryption into data transmitted within the AOL environment by year's end, giving members further confidence and security.
"Each of these companies is an industry leader in their respective fields and we are excited about sharing ideas with them and jointly exploring opportunities for electronic-based transactions," said Gang. "The participants recognize the significance of the many issues surrounding interactive services-based electronic transactions, including: privacy, digital identification, online payment and copyright protection."
CyberCash, a secure Internet payment service provider, is expected to be integrated into AOL's Global Network Navigator (GNN), Internet access service as early as fall of this year. CyberCash provides a "wallet" which allows users to "point and click" to select a credit card for payment. "AOL is a major provider of Internet access for consumers. This move will increase the ease-of-use consumers will have in shopping over the Internet and be a very positive force in the growth of electronic commerce," said Magdalena Yesil, Co- founder and Vice President, Marketing and Technology Industries, CyberCash.
IBM infoMarket uses secure cryptographic envelopes, or Cryptolope containers, to enable publishers to sell their content on the Internet and provide them with a mechanism for receiving payment from the users who purchase that content. "Secure payment methods are the key to creating a successful market for online archives and other copyrighted materials. We welcome AOL's move in this area," said Jeff Crigler, Vice President of IBM's infoMarket.
RSA, a recognized world leader in cryptography, has millions of copies of RSA encryption software and authentication tools in use worldwide. RSA's technology will allow the AOL community to make purchases and be assured that personal financial information is secure. Many of the technologies in the security and electronic commerce areas can trace their roots to the Public Key Cryptography Standard that is at the center of the RSA technology. In fact, CyberCash, Terisa, and VeriSign all use RSA's BSAFE(TM) toolkit as the encryption engine of their product offerings. "We are pleased with the opportunity to begin exploring ways to bring RSA's world standard of privacy to the AOL and GNN communities," said Jim Bidzos, president of RSA.
As an original investor in Terisa Systems, AOL intends to use Terisa's implementation of Secure Electronic Transport (SET), the standard for Internet credit card payment as defined by Visa and Mastercard. Terisa recently gave the first public demonstration of SET at Internet World in San Jose. "We're pleased to see AOL with a broad spectrum of alliances that will build momentum for consumer acceptance for electronic commerce," said John Gould, CEO of Terisa.
Additionally, VeriSign and AOL will work together to provide solutions for digital authentication services. "We believe that AOL is leading the way in providing a comprehensive set of security technologies to make Internet commerce a reality," said Stratton Sclavos, President and CEO of VeriSign. "Armed with our Digital IDs, AOL and GNN members will be able to perform secure electronic commerce transactions and access premium content and services."
America Online, Inc., (Nasdaq Symbol: AMER), based in Vienna, Va., is the largest and fastest- growing provider of online services in the world, with more than 5.5 million members. Through its services, AOL offers its subscribers a wide variety of services including electronic mail, conferencing, software, computing support, interactive magazines and newspapers, and online classes, as well as easy and affordable access to services on the Internet. AOL has established strategic alliances with dozens of companies, including Capital Cities/ABC, Viacom, Bertelsmann, IBM, Compaq, and American Express. Founded in 1985, AOL today has a global work force consisting of nearly 5,000 people. Personal computer owners can obtain America Online software at major retailers and bookstores or by calling 800-827-6364. |
