Microsoft Signs Licensing Agreement With AOL

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 22, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it has signed a licensing agreement with America Online Inc. (NYSE
“AOL” ), the world’s leading interactive services company, for Microsoft® DirectX® multimedia API components. The nonexclusive distribution agreement will enable AOL to give consumers the ability to run the latest games and multimedia applications on their Windows® operating system-based PCs.

“We are thrilled to have DirectX 7.0 available through AOL,”
said Ted Hase, group program manager for DirectX at Microsoft.
“Consumers now have an additional resource from which to obtain the latest version of Microsoft’s multimedia API for an enhanced, intensified multimedia gaming experience.”

Built into the Windows operating system, DirectX technology is used by the majority of PC software developers to create game titles and multimedia software with superior 3-D graphics, sound effects and high-speed performance. Consumers who download DirectX 7.0 on their home PCs will be able to fully utilize the ultra-realistic qualities in the season’s hottest new PC software titles while receiving a significant performance boost in existing software.

“America Online works to make it as easy as possible for our members to get new resources and technology,”
said Lawrence Schick, executive director, Games, AOL.
“We are pleased to add Microsoft DirectX 7.0 to the multimedia downloads we currently provide on AOL.”

AOL members will be able to download DirectX from AOL’s PC Download Center.

Microsoft released DirectX 7.0 in September 1999.

DirectX was first introduced in 1995 and is now a recognized standard for multimedia application development. DirectX 7.0 is the sixth major release of DirectX.

Consumers can also download DirectX 7.0 by using the Windows Update feature in Windows 98, or from the DirectX Home User Web page ( http://microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/downloads/default.asp ). DirectX 7.0 is also available on CD-ROM, within new games and multimedia titles developed with DirectX 7.0, and in books about DirectX. In addition, it is automatically sent to subscribers to the MSDN TM Universal developer program.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft, DirectX, Windows and MSDN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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