software.net, an Internet-based
software superstore, signed an exclusive global agreement to use Preview Software’s TimeLOCK to
provide “try-before-you-buy” functionality for the thousands of PC software
applications offered for download at its electronic software stores.
The agreement between software.net and Preview Software extends to all of the
software.net sites, including: software.net, the Netscape Software Depot by
software.net and www.sfgate.com.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Said Kendall Fargo, director of sales and marketing at software.net: “Preview
Software’s TimeLOCK benefits both software publishers and users. With
TimeLOCK, software publishers are able to give their customers a hands-on
evaluation of product features without the threat of piracy. Electronic
distribution allows users to evaluate or purchase software solutions any time
they want.”
“Leveraging Preview’s latest technologies, software.net now can provide their
customers the ability to download, try and then purchase software titles
securely from many of the most visible Web sites on the Internet,” said Karl
Hirsch, founder and executive vice president of Preview Software.
TimeLOCK is a KPMG/Microsoft-approved, secure electronic software
distribution technology that gives software publishers and distributors the
ability to safeguard products sold online from misuse and piracy.
Using RSA’s BSAFE encryption technology in TimeLOCK, vendors can encode a
product’s selling price and the length of time an evaluation will be valid.
TimeLOCK also uses the BSAFE software to issue digitally signed license
certificates upon purchase, as a further measure to reduce software piracy.
Headquartered in Cupertino, CA, Preview Software provides solutions for
software publishers and online resellers to enable electronic software
distribution through the Internet and via CD-ROM.