Statement of Bertelsmann Regarding Napster Decision

NEW YORK, USA/HAMBURG, Germany (PROTEXT/February 12, 2001):Today's decision is another step in the process of accommodatingthe legitimate rights of copyright holders and the importantinterests of Napster users. Bertelsmann is committed toimplementing a win-win strategy, one that secures and compensatesthe rights of artists, copyrights holders and the music industrywhile also enabling Napster to provide music lovers with a first-class file-sharing system. That is why Bertelsmann did the dealwith Napster in the first place and why we will redouble ourefforts to reach a mutually satisfactory solution. AndreasSchmidt, President and CEO of Bertelsmann eCommerce Group says,"File sharing is here to stay, and we will continue working tobuild a membership- based Napster service that will be supportedby the music industry." Contact information: All areas outsidethe United States: Frank Sarfeld Bertelsmann eCommerce Groupoffice: +49 40-822 262-420 mobile: +49 179-292 8494 mobile: +1646-752-3170 Within the United States: Liz Young Bertelsmann,Inc. office: +1 212-782-1120 mobile: +1 917-327-1055

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