FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Press Contact: Lauren Monroe 212.584.4330 [email protected]
WORLDS.COM Inc. and PAID, INC. sign reciprocal licensing agreements
Agreements cover Worlds’ patented 3D software and content development and Paid, Inc.’s patented e-Commerce platforms and fulfillment
BOSTON, August 12, 2008 -- Worlds (www.Worlds.com) (OTC: WDDD), the pioneer platform in 3D virtual communities with rich immersive 3D environments, and PAID, INC. (OTCBB: PAYD) announced today that they have signed cross licensing agreements to leverage each other’s patented software platforms for each company’s strategic benefit. The alliance includes Paid’s merchandising of WORLDS.COM 3D content development and the integration of PAID’s patented e-commerce technology into WORLDS’ online 3D marketplace.
The three-year contract with option for renewal is expected to open an evolving series of links to increase web site traffic, enhance the experience of WORLDS.COM users and members of PAID-managed celebrity fan clubs, and aggressively grow the revenue and profits of both companies and their clients. As an early pioneer in 3D online merchandise sales, WORLDS.COM CEO Thom Kidrin clearly places the initial emphasis on PAID’s ecommerce capture and fulfillment role.
Thom Kidrin said, "Having operated over 50 online ecommerce stores within 3D worlds for artists such as David Bowie and Aerosmith beginning in 1997, Worlds appreciates the multiple challenges in large scale fulfillment and customer service. Paid’s patented platform and experience in the ecommerce market affords Worlds a unique set of features to offer our users with confidence and a seamless user experience. We are also attracted by the nature of PAID’s relationship consulting services in the areas of sports and music industry marketing, and we see ourselves creating new revenue-generating strategies together as part of the natural progression of our business relationship."
PAID’s ecommerce technology will be integrated into WORLDS.COM by yearend 2008, and simultaneously PAID will begin to offer its celebrity clients a 3D immersive web presence. This relationship also breaks new ground as a licensing opportunity under which WORLDS.COM can broker the use of PAID, Inc.’s patented shipping calculation technology when signing or renewing contracts with their clients.
Keith Garde, President of Paid, Inc. celebrity services, noted, "By establishing an overarching relationship between PAID and WORLDS.COM, we have opened the door to expand further into recording artists, sports figures and other well-known brands to reach greater traffic through partnership."
This multi-dimensional partnership has such potential for mutual benefit that the "natural progression" approach should have far-reaching impact in the real world, the virtual world and additional marketplaces such as mobile telephony, sponsorship and advertising sales and the introduction of a 3D fan experience via PAID’s membership-driven client web sites.
The Internet is still basically a 2D experience as an outgrowth of print media that emulates other flat forms of traditional media. 3D virtual worlds represent the next trend in the interactive relationship between celebrities and their fan bases and can include exclusive fan-only experiences such as video previews, virtual voice chats with the celebrities, Avatar interaction within the fan community and more. In parallel, WORLDS.COM now has the capability to introduce PAID’s one of a kind ecommerce platform to WORLDS’ new or existing clients, which today include some of the world's most familiar brands and entertainment entities.
Other exciting developments to watch for include the potential of mobile promotions strategies and the creation and sale of new, PAID-inspired virtual merchandise as the companies fully explore the potential applications of leveraging each other’s technology platforms.
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About Worlds:
Worlds.com, Inc. (OTC PK: "WDDD") is the 1st pioneering platform in massive multi-user 3D virtual communities and rich immersive environments. (US Patent 6,219,045 and 7,181,691B1) Worlds leverages its patented proprietary technology in partnership with brand leaders in specific market segments to offer visitors multi-user environments that have interactive Avatars, rich media graphics, text chat, voice-to-voice chat, video/audio, Web 2.0 tools and e-commerce. The 3D communities allow visitors to interact and communicate with each other in their Avatar persona as well as participate in a multitude of shared experiences such as chat, watching movies, listening to music/playlists, shopping, text messaging, sharing profiles, learning, collaborating plus much more throughout the 3D destinations. Besides partnering with existing content providers that have strong brands, rich media assets and an existing following, Worlds also encourages individuals to create their own virtual spaces, communities and unique Avatars with easy-to-use tools.
About Paid, Inc.:
Paid, Inc. operates a diversified set of businesses, including its celebrity services and AuctionInc ecommerce technology businesses. Using proprietary patented technology, PAID's innovative AuctionInc brand shipping calculation and auction management software and services are utilized to streamline online auctions, ecommerce and web site development and hosting. PAID, Inc.’s celebrity services provides celebrities and organizations with official Web sites and fan club services that include e-commerce storefronts, ticketing and fan experience packages and web site content to attract tens of thousands of visitors daily. The Company also sponsors autograph signing events and other sports marketing services for sports clientele. The Company's common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol PAYD. For further information, visit http://www.paid.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to Worlds and Paid, Inc., that are based on the beliefs of each company’s respective management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Companies. Such statements reflect the current views of the Companies with respect to future events including estimates and projections about its business based on certain assumptions of its management, including those described in this Release. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including, among other factors, changes in demand for the Companies’ services and products, and changes in technology. Additional risk factors are included in each Company’s public filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as hoped, anticipated, believed, estimated, preparing or expected. The Companies do not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACTS:
For PAID, Inc.: Julie Shepherd of Accentuate PR, +1-815-479-1833, [email protected]
For WORLDS.COM: Lauren Monroe 212-584-4330, [email protected]