ADBE: Adobe and VeriSign(VRSN) to Transform Distribution of Rich Media Online

VeriSign, Inc., (NASDAQ: VRSN) and Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ: ADBE), today announced their intent to collaborate on integrating Adobe® Flash® technologies with VeriSign’s peer assisted content distribution technology, setting a new standard in the delivery of high-quality video content. Both companies plan to integrate existing products and services and jointly develop new technologies that help media and entertainment companies bring content online. The first phase of the expected collaboration consists of VeriSign incorporating Adobe Flash Media Server 2 into its new globally deployed Intelligent Content Delivery Network (CDN), enabling publishers to deliver high fidelity video on-demand and MP3 audio streaming services across a high-performance, more secure and reliable CDN.

The two companies expect to work together to integrate future versions of next generation media technologies leveraging VeriSign’s Kontiki peer-to-peer technology and Adobe’s award winning Flash Video software. The combined services will allow companies to deliver customized interactive Flash Video experiences, including movies, TV shows, broadcast media, and user interface technologies. Through Adobe Flash Player, the ubiquitous cross platform client runtime installed on more than 700 million connected PCs and devices worldwide, users are able to instantly view video content. Publishers are expected to be able to lower their development, quality assurance, and customer support costs because the combined Flash/VeriSign service reduces the problems of deploying video on-demand applications across multiple platforms and browsers.

“VeriSign’s global reach and leadership in intelligent infrastructure services will give content providers the ability to deliver truly innovative and more secure Flash Video experiences to the widest possible audience worldwide,” said Bruce Chizen, chief executive officer at Adobe. “The ubiquity and power of Adobe Flash, combined with advanced streaming and media technologies from VeriSign, fundamentally changes how rich media content is deployed to consumers.”

Adobe’s Emmy award winning Flash Video technology is profoundly impacting the way video is distributed over the Internet. Today, television shows like Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Friday Night Lights are being delivered online with Flash Video, while the technology also powers the video capabilities of social networking sites such as YouTube and MySpace.

“With its technology and products reaching hundreds of millions of installations on PC and Mac platforms, Adobe has established an incredible reach on a global scale,” said Stratton Sclavos, chief executive officer at VeriSign. “By combining forces, we will offer customers a simpler, more cost effective way to create, manage and distribute high-quality, long form video content, revolutionizing the creation and distribution of rich media content online.”

VeriSign launched its breakthrough Intelligent CDN last month, offering content publishers the ability for the first time to combine both traditional CDN services, such as video streaming and clientless download with advanced peer to peer technology for long form content delivery. This allows media and entertainment companies to deliver the right viewer experience for every piece of content, while taking advantage of VeriSign’s trusted, secure and scalable global infrastructure.

Adobe and VeriSign plan to make specific product and service introductions later in 2007.