Major Step into Strategically Important Market for CoreMedia / Customized Client-Based DRM Packager Available for Asian Content Providers

CoreMedia, the content technology experts, today announced that Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT / TSE:6501, “Hitachi”) has selected CoreMedia’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) solution for deployment in local operator infrastructures in Japan and other leading Asian markets. The solution is an important component in service delivery platforms and enables mobile operators as well as content providers to build an end-to-end mobile service for premium content such as true tones, music tracks or video clips.

CoreMedia, which has successfully implemented content technology solutions for leading telecommunications and media companies across Europe, is broadening its offering to include solutions with special focus on the world’s leading telecommunication markets – Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and other Asian countries.

By using CoreMedia’s solution, Hitachi can customize mobile content delivery solutions for local Japanese operators. As part of the collaboration, CoreMedia has developed a new version of its DRM Packager for Hitachi, which is customized specifically for the needs of Asian content providers who require the encryption of content before it is deployed to an operator. The client-side packager is part of CoreMedia’s modular DRM for Mobile Services solution, which is based on the Open Mobile Alliance’s DRM standard. The CoreMedia Offline Packager makes PC-based editing and packaging of content for DRM available to content providers, as well as the en bloc transfer of rights to the ingest server.

Hitachi will implement CoreMedia’s DRM solution for operators across the Asia-Pacific region with content from over 2,000 content providers, among them various music labels, games provider, and others. Both companies are also conducting joint research and development projects for mobile operators and content providers in Asia.

“We are excited about our collaboration with CoreMedia,” said Kansuke Kuroyanagi, Chief Projectmanager of Hitachi, Ltd. “We chose CoreMedia’s DRM technology for several reasons, among them the company’s commitment to interoperability and open standards such as the Open Mobile Alliance’s (OMA). We were also impressed by CoreMedia’s track record of implementing successful content technology solutions for leading companies worldwide – we could not find another solution with such fast and effective time to market.”

“CoreMedia is as strong as its partner network,” noted Sören Stamer, CEO and Co-Founder of CoreMedia. “Hitachi is a perfect fit, especially for the Asian-Pacific market place. Encouraged by Hitachi, we have developed sophisticated customer-focused technologies with a special focus on the Asian markets, which hold a great potential for mobile operators and content providers alike. Together, we deliver a crucial component for local service delivery platforms as of today.”

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About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT/TSE:6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 326,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2003 (ended March 31, 2004), consolidated sales totaled 8,632.4 billion yen (U.S.$81.4 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.hitachi.com

About CoreMedia – The Content Technology Experts

CoreMedia AG is a leading provider of state-of-the-art standard software for content management systems (CMS), digital rights management (DRM) and multi-channel delivery. Specializing on the high-end market for demanding content technology, including mobile service delivery, CoreMedia is an active member of the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) and a leading mobile DRM provider.

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, CoreMedia employs over 120 employees and maintains a global network of partners that includes 500 professional consultants. CoreMedia combines the innovative power of a university spin-off with the sustainability of a founder-operated business and the stability of Deutsche Telekom as main shareholder.

With over 1,000 sold licenses, CoreMedia is one of today’s most successful software companies worldwide. Leading enterprises have implemented CoreMedia Smart Content Technology for sophisticated service delivery and integrated information management. Over 100 of the foremost companies in 20 countries within the telecommunications, media, industrial, financial and public service sectors have successfully employed CoreMedia’s technology, among them industry leaders such as Bertelsmann, Continental, DaimlerChrysler, Deutsche Telekom, Debitel, O2, EPCOS, NEC/Mitsubishi, Nokia, SEAT, T-Mobile, T-Online, Vodafone, SEAT, RWE, Wincor Nixdorf, and the German government.