Miramax Films And SightSound.com Reach Internet Pay-Per-View Agreement

Films To Be Available For Download From Miramax Web sites

19-Apr-00

Miramax Films and SightSound.com have reached an agreement to make available for download 12 films on the Internet for non-exclusive pay-per-view distribution, it was announced by company Co-Chairmen Bob and Harvey Weinstein. The specific titles are still to be determined. The Web sites from which the films can be downloaded will be operated by Miramax. SightSound.com will encode and encrypt the selected films and process eCommerce transactions for Miramax. The agreement ensures that Miramax will retain the majority of download eCommerce revenue generated by its films. The films will be available for download only in the United States. ""As use of the Internet is rapidly expanding, SightSound.com has provided us with an excellent opportunity to try this new medium for distribution of our films,"" said Harvey Weinstein. ""Weíre excited about making quality films available to an Internet viewing audience,"" said Scott Sander, CEO and President of SightSound.com. ""While others just talk about their future distribution methods, we applaud Miramax for being a trend-setter."" The deal was negotiated on behalf of Miramax by Charles Layton, Executive Vice President, Office of the Co-Chairman and Bob Osher, Co-President of Production. Scott Sander and Ari Emanuel of Endeavor represented SightSound.com. Miramax has released some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful independent feature films of the past decade including ""Shakespeare In Love,"" ""The Cider House Rules,"" ""The Talented Mr. Ripley,"" ""Life is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella),"" ""Good Will Hunting,"" ""Pulp Fiction,"" ""The English Patient,"" ""Scream,"" ""The Crying Game,"" ""The Piano,"" ""Il Postino,"" ""Cinema Paradiso,"" ""The Wings Of The Dove,"" ""My Left Foot,"" ""Sling Blade,"" ""Kolya"" and ""Farewell My Concubine,"" among many others. The company has been honored with 148 Academy AwardÆ nominations, including 10 Best Picture nominations, and 42 Academy Award wins. SightSound.com, a five-year-old Internet company based in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, has been a leader in online distribution of movies and music. The company was the first to sell music online in 1995; the first to rent full-length movies online in 1999; and will be the first to release an Internet feature film on May 5, 2000.