SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 18, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- ARTISTdirect, Inc. (OTCBB:ARTD) today said that the rapid global growth of file sharing on peer-to-peer networks, combined with the dramatic expansion of broadband, is providing ARTISTdirect, through its MediaDefender subsidiary, with opportunities to expand its services and increase operating revenues.
The company is spearheading these efforts utilizing its sophisticated anti-piracy technology platform and an ability to access millions of peer-to-peer users seeking music, movie, television, video games and software content. ARTISTdirect is focusing on providing unique value-added services to allow advertisers, sponsors and customers opportunities to monetize this audience, as highlighted in today's Wall Street Journal article, "Record Labels Turn Piracy into a Marketing Opportunity," which featured the company's recent business initiatives in the music industry.
"Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the evolution, development, distribution and economics of media content. Through our position as a market leader in providing online anti-piracy and promotion services on peer-to-peer networks, we look forward to providing our cutting-edge technology to our partners in the music, movie, television, video games and software industries for expanded, targeted marketing and sponsorship opportunities through access to this growing audience," said Jon Diamond, chief executive officer of ARTISTdirect, Inc.
The ARTISTdirect Network (www.ARTISTdirect.com) is the third most-visited music destination on the Internet with approximately 15.7 million unique visitors in the United States (Source: comScore Media Metrix - Sept. 15, 2006) and approximately 41.3 million unique visitors worldwide. The company's MediaDefender subsidiary is the leading provider of anti-piracy solutions in the Internet-piracy-protection industry.
About ARTISTdirect, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, ARTISTdirect, Inc. is a digital media entertainment company that is home to an online music network and, through its MediaDefender subsidiary, is the leading provider of anti-piracy solutions in the Internet-piracy-protection industry. The ARTISTdirect Network (www.ARTISTdirect.com) is a network of web-sites offering multi-media content, music, news and information organized around shared music interests, music-related specialty commerce and digital music services.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This news release may contain "forward-looking" statements, which are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and include words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "may," "will" or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, the Company's actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained herein in order to reflect future events or circumstances. For a further description of various risks and uncertainties with respect to ARTISTdirect's business, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be viewed without charge on the Internet at www.sec.gov.