BT, Worlds.com Sign Agreement
For 3D Sites on the Internet
Worlds.com Will Build Two Proprietary 'Worlds'
for BTopenworld's Internet Sites
New York, NY, July 31, 2000 – Worlds.com (OTC/BB: WDDD) and British Telecom (British Telecommunications plc [NYSE: BTY]) today announced they had reached an agreement for Worlds.com to build two proprietary three-dimensional sites for BTopenworld, the new high growth BT Internet business and its Uprush sites, in the United Kingdom.
Under terms of the contract, Worlds.com will provide its proprietary technology to Btopenworld, the Internet division of BT, and create and host co-branded web sites, featuring Worlds.com, specifically designed for users of BT Internet and its Uprush site. Worlds.com will also provide five original avatars for each new site.
Although the monetary value of the transaction was not disclosed, the companies said that payments to Worlds.com included development fees as well as continuing shared revenue.
"This is a significant milestone for the implementation of 3D technology on the Internet," said Steven G. Chrust, chairman of Worlds.com. "The reach and influence of BTopenworld expands the recognition of the value of 3D on the next generation of the Internet.
"This agreement reinforces the globalization of 3D technology which is occurring at an increasingly rapid pace," Chrust said. "We now have co-branded ventures with BT, Freeserve and Powertel in the UK; e-NewMedia in Pan Asian markets; Shinwon Telecom in South Korea, and Road Runner, David Bowie, Hanson and the New York Yankees in the U.S."
John Raczka, senior vice president of content, BTopenworld, said: "It is our goal at BTopenworld to make the user experience on our portals to be as immersive as possible. Worlds.com provides us with a unique application that brings added dimension to communications over the Internet."
About Worlds.com
Worlds.com, the Internet's premier 3D entertainment portal, leverages its proprietary technology to offer visitors a network of virtual, multi-user environments that have rich media graphics, text chat, voice-to-voice chat, streaming video and e-commerce. The environments are focused around entertainment interests and targeted communities such as
music, sports, and general entertainment environments. In the Worlds' Avatar Gallery, visitors select an avatar (3D character), and customize it into a personal virtual representation of themselves. The avatar is used to travel in and through the various virtual environments and participate in interactive activities involving entertainment, promotions, or e-commerce. Avatars can chat with one another, dance in a nightclub, e-shop, watch video clips and participate in other activities.
About BTopenworld
BTopenworld is BT's new international mass market Internet business which is focused increasingly on broadband and mobile services. It brings together in a single business BT's existing mass-market UK and international Internet service providers (ISPs), portals and Open, BT's digital interactive television joint venture. The business is also responsible for Genie, Europe's leading mobile portal and service provider. BTopenworld is responsible for the building of platforms, aggregation of content and the marketing of its services. BTopenworld is one of the largest ISP's in Europe and has joint venture businesses which include: LineOne; Open; Excite UK; Yu.com (Belgium); Arrakis (Spain); Infinito (Italy); Mantra Online (India); BT Looksmart; Anglia Campus.
Worlds.com is headquartered in New York City. For more information on Worlds.com, please contact Andrew Silver &/or Rebecca Fitts, Middleberg & Associates, (212) 699-2589/2663, andys@middleberg.com / rebecca@middleberg.com
Forward Looking Statements. Except for any historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the company's filings with the SEC. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.
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