SoftBook Press and NuvoMedia Jointly Propose "Open eBook File Format" Specification

Electronic Book Leaders Propose Critical Open eBook Specification Update To Promote and Expand Availability of Digital Content

MOUNTAIN VIEW/MENLO PARK, CA - November 9, 1999 - Further developing a common standard for digital reading material, NuvoMedia, Inc. makers of the Rocket eBook™ and SoftBook® Press, Inc, jointly announced today their draft of an "Open eBook File Format" specification. Designed to enhance the Open eBook (OEB) Publication Structure 1.0, the OEB File Format specifies how multiple files of a digital publication (i.e. chapters, graphics, copyright protection solutions) can be combined into the single file necessary for electronic delivery. The proposal will result in a common PC file extension for eBook content of .oeb (filename.oeb). As the only companies that currently have dedicated electronic book readers on the market, the agreement between NuvoMedia and SoftBook Press on a common file format represents another important milestone in the effort to dramatically increase the availability of digital content for electronic books.

The Open eBook Publication Structure 1.0, completed in September 1999, defines the format that content takes when it is converted to electronic form. Eliminating a major barrier to providing digital versions of books, magazines and other publications, the OEB Publication Structure enables publishers to produce a single electronic version of their content that can be read on multiple devices and platforms. Since content that is created using the OEB Publication Structure results in multiple files per publication, the proposed OEB File Format is the necessary evolution in the open standards process.

The OEB File Format provides an effective way to combine multiple files such as text and graphics into a single package for convenient electronic delivery. The OEB File Format is based upon the industry-standard Multipurpose Internet Markup Extension (MIME) that is in widespread use; most notably in email applications for file attachments. The OEB File Format will be proposed during the next meeting of the Open eBook Forum in December. The complete specifications are available from either http://www.nuvomedia.com/oebff/ or http://www.softbook.com/oebff/.

"The Open eBook Publication Structure represents a tremendous achievement by a new industry with diverse members to agree on an open standards process that is necessary to accelerate market growth," said Victor McCrary, technical manager for Information Storage and Integrated Systems at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). "The proposal for an OEB File Format represents a necessary and important continuation of that effort. Leveraging existing industry standards such as MIME for this next step is a proven and effective way to keep the process moving forward towards full interoperability for electronic content."

"SoftBook Press has been working on all the elements required for a growing, vibrant digital publishing industry for several years and we are committed to promoting and leveraging open standards to build the industry." Said James Sachs, CEO and chairman of SoftBook Press Inc. "Widespread availability of electronic reading materials are inevitable and this specification update is an important and necessary step in ensuring the industry's accelerated growth."

"People are most comfortable in a world where a complete work is stored in a single file; it's easy to copy, email, download, etc," said David Ornstein, Chief Technical Officer at NuvoMedia. "This specification gives us that in the Open eBook world. We are excited to work together with SoftBook Press on this new specification and about the increased simplicity that it will bring authors, publishers and consumers."

About NuvoMedia, Inc.

Headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices in New York, New York and located on the Web at www.nuvomedia.com, NuvoMedia is dedicated to becoming the electronic book distribution solution by providing a network infrastructure for publishers, retailers and end users to publish, distribute, purchase and read electronic content securely and efficiently over the World Wide Web.

About SoftBook Press, Inc.

SoftBook Press is creating the future of reading for both individuals and corporations through its system for secure, Internet-enabled distribution of ebooks and corporate documents. The company's products include the award-winning SoftBook Reader, the only ebook reader that can access content without going through a PC; and a patent-protected, Internet-based document distribution system that includes content preparation tools, Web site software modules, and document encryption and security services. The company's SoftBookstore distributes electronic versions of books and periodicals from leading publishers. SoftBook Press is a co-creator and strong supporter of the Open eBook specification. Based in Menlo Park, California, SoftBook Press is a privately held company. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.softbook.com/.