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LONDON, U.K. and CLEVELAND, OH – January 28, 2002 – OverDrive, Inc., (www.overdrive.com) a leading provider of technology enabling the secure management and distribution of digital content over global networks, is very pleased to announce that WHSmith.co.uk was recently named “Best eBook Website” by Web User magazine.  Web User is a highly-rated computer publication based in the U.K.  WHSmith.co.uk (ebooks.whsmith.co.uk) topped eBook competitors Amazon.co.uk and Barnes & Noble.com, finishing in first place with the Gold Award.  OverDrive, a strategic partner of Microsoft Corporation and Adobe Systems, Inc., delivers proven technology for the trusted fulfillment and resale of premium content from the world’s leading media companies.

Web User magazine commented in its review of the eBookstore:

“…a superb site packed with titles and extra goodies”

“It’s all very quick and easy to follow…”

“…e-book beginners are helpfully guided by a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions.”

WHSmith.co.uk is a member of the OverDrive Digital Content Network – a group of top-tier global media companies and retailers focused on the secure distribution of content, music, video and audio over the Internet. OverDrive’s massive digital inventory supplies the thousands of titles that can be purchased on www.whsmith.co.uk.  Customers can choose their eBook selections from over 60 categories and also enjoy free extracts and interviews with authors while shopping.  The eBooks, optimized for the Microsoft Reader and Adobe Acrobat eBook Reader formats, are instantly downloaded to the customer’s personal computer, Pocket PC or notebook.

“We are very excited to be named the best place to shop for eBooks on the Internet,” said Ross Beadle, Commercial Marketing Director, WHSmith.co.uk. “In partnership with OverDrive, our team has worked really hard to build an online store that gives users the ability to instantly download any title they choose along with a pleasant shopping experience.”  Steve Potash, President and CEO of OverDrive said, “The eBook market is growing steadily and gaining more acceptance. We’re proud to be leading the way by delivering proven, cutting-edge technology for digital content distribution on the Web.”

WHSmith.co.uk. is powered by OverDrive’s enterprise-class Digital Content Distribution technology that enables global media providers to deploy large-scale eCommerce web sites, with full-scale support for digital rights management (DRM).

About WHSmith.co.uk

WHSmith.co.uk, the interactive arm of multi-channel retailer WHSmith (London: SMWH), offers 2.1 million products on its award-winning website. With over 200 years of retail experience, WHSmith is one of the best-known retail brands on British high streets. WHSmith.co.uk was mentioned in the Henley Centre Survey as being the fourth ‘most trusted website in the UK’, and also voted ‘Website of the Year’ at the E-tail 2000 Conference. In June 2001, WHSmith.co.uk was ranked 5th (by unique visitors) in the MMXI top 10 online retailers.

About OverDrive, Inc.

OverDrive, Inc. is a leading provider of technology enabling the secure management and distribution of digital content over global networks. As a strategic partner with Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Adobe Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADBE), OverDrive delivers proven technology for trusted fulfillment and resale of premium content from the world’s leading media companies.  The OverDrive Digital Content Network is the premier distribution site for digital media on the Web.  As a Principal Member of the Open eBook Forum (OeBF), OverDrive is strategically focused on driving specifications and standards for the emerging and rapidly evolving electronic publishing industry.  The company was founded in 1986, and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

Contact:

Jennifer A. Jackson

OverDrive, Inc.

(216) 573-6886 ext. 207

jjackson@overdrive.com

 

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