00h00.com Expands Online Distribution of eBooks By Adding Support For Microsoft Reader / Readers to Benefit From Hundreds of Titles and the Clarity of Microsoft

FRANKFURT, Germany (PROTEXT) - Today at the Frankfurt BookFair, Editions 00h00.com SA ("zero hour dot com") and MicrosoftCorp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) announced that 00h00.com will expand its Website by introducing Microsoft(R) Reader-compatible versions ofits complete list of titles, while supporting the efforts ofMicrosoft to enhance the capabilities of Microsoft Reader.00h00.com also will make Microsoft Reader with ClearType(TM)display technology available for download from its Web site. As aresult, users will have access to the thousands of titlesavailable on the 00h00.com Web site when the French languageversion of Microsoft Reader ships early next year. The site alsowill offer other European language titles as they becomeavailable. Microsoft Reader is a new PC software application designed todeliver an on-screen reading experience that for the first timeapproaches the quality of reading on paper. Microsoft Reader isthe first product to include ClearType display technology, aMicrosoft innovation that greatly improves font resolution on LCDscreens for users of desktop or laptop PCs running the MicrosoftWindows(R) operating system as well as dedicated reading devices.In addition to incorporating the latest ClearType technology,Microsoft Reader also incorporates the traditions and benefits offine typography and design. It provides a clean, uncluttereddisplay; ample margins; full justification; proper spacing,leading and kerning; and powerful tools for bookmarking,highlighting and annotation. Microsoft Reader also includes abuilt-in dictionary as well as a library that can store andmanage a large collection of books and other documents. "eBooks are the next logical step in the evolution of thepublishing business," said Jean-Pierre Arbon, co-founder ofEditions 00h00.com. "The Internet knows no boundaries, and havingour eBookstore support Microsoft Reader ensures compatibilityaround the world." "Our agreement with Editions 00h00.com highlights the marriageof eBooks and the Internet," said Dick Brass, vice president ofTechnology Development at Microsoft. "Anyone in the worldinterested in obtaining eBooks in French will be able to perusetitles, order them directly from the Web, and then read them onPCs as well as a variety of dedicated reading devices." Microsoft Reader is expected to be available early next yearin English, with support for French and other language versionsavailable soon thereafter. Pricing for the 00h00.com eBooks hasnot yet been announced. 00h00.com is the leading European online publisher, offeringelectronic versions of books that are sent by e-mail withinminutes of an order. The company also offers print-to-order booksand books from the publisher's stock. Mostly in French, theParis-based Internet start-up ( http://www.00h00.com/ ) foundedin early 1998 offers a catalog of 500 titles, which grows at apace of one title per day. Many publishers have decided to workwith 00h00.com, from large publishing groups (such as Hachette,Havas, Gallimard, Flammarion, Le Seuil, etc.) to independentpublishers (such as L'Atalante, Blanche, Odile Jacob, FlorentMassot, A.M Metaille, Maurice Nadeau, Parigramme, etc.) inFrance, as well as in Quebec (including Boreal, La CourteEchelle, Fides and Lanctot) and Belgium (De Boek). 00h00.com plans to provide versions of its titles in all majorEuropean languages, starting with English, German, Italian,Spanish and Portuguese. The company will offer its titles in avariety of popular digital formats. Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in softwarefor personal computers. The company offers a wide range ofproducts and services for business and personal use, eachdesigned with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyablefor people to take advantage of the full power of personalcomputing every day. NOTE: Microsoft, ClearType and Windows are either registeredtrademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United Statesand/or other countries. Other product and company names hereinmay be trademarks of their respective owners. ots Original TextService: Microsoft Corp. Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.deContact: press only, Marjorie Marlein of Editions 00h00.com SA,33-1-44-54-84-94, or mmarlein@00h00.com; or Ann Junod Burkart,408-986-1140, or annjb@wagged.com, or Rapid Response Team, 503-443-7000, or rrt@wagged.com, both of Waggener Edstrom, forMicrosoft Corp. Web site: http://www.microsoft.com

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