Press Kit - Press Release

Contacts: Susan Holden Walsh, HoldenMcClurePR, 303-449-2526
Stephanie Kelso, Z-Axis President, 303-713-0200, stephanie.kelso@zaxis.com
Alan Treibitz, Z-Axis CEO and founder, 303-713-0200, alan.treibitz@zaxis.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Z-Axis Assists in $520.6 Million Patent Win for Eolas Over Microsoft
Interactive animated tutorials created by Z-Axis set the standard for this and future cases

DENVER, COLO, OCTOBER 16, 2003Z-Axis, the nationally acclaimed trial presentation technology and visual communications experts based in Denver, is proud to share the news that it played a crucial role in the recent landmark win in Eolas v Microsoft, in which a jury awarded Eolas and the University of California, $520.6 million, in its patent infringement case against Microsoft. The case is the second largest patent case ever, and only the second patent case on record to be lost by Microsoft.

In Eolas v Microsoft, the court determined that Microsoft infringed on U.S. Patent No. 5,838,906, which was issued to the University of California on Nov. 17, 1998 and licensed exclusively to Eolas in October 1994. The patent discloses the invention of software technology that enables browsers, such as Microsofts Internet Explorer, to offer interactive applications within the browser window. The patented technology was the first of its kind and changed the face of the Internet from browsing static pages to total interactivity. The verdict determined that Microsoft "improperly put patented Web browser technology into its Internet Explorer, helping the computer giant to win critical market share from rival Netscape Navigator." It did so without the consent of the patent holders.

Z-Axis' Role
The importance and responsibility of describing and illustrating this precedent-setting case in an efficient and technologically accurate way fell upon the team at Z-Axis, as they supported the litigation efforts of the law firm of Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Z-Axis' work on Eolas v Microsoft began nearly five years before the July 2003 trial as it prepared presentation materials for the Markman hearing. It was determined the best way to present the case was through the development of interactive tutorials for the judge to review, illustrating how a computer works. These evolved into tutorials interactively illustrating the patent. The tutorials provided the maximum flexibility to the trial team to convey a sense of interactivity, the heart of the case. Z-Axis pioneered the use of interactive trial exhibits more than 15 years ago.

The interactive animated tutorials for the Markman were a complete success. Over the five years between Markman and trial, Z-Axis refined dozens of tutorials using sound effects and the most sophisticated application of Flash technology. They also created new techniques for showing complex flow charts in an interactive manner. Such exhibits developed by Z-Axis included two interactive flow charts each showing two different figures in the patent and how they worked.

"While we could never discuss Eolas during the five years that we worked on the case, we were able to use the same concepts that we had developed for this case on other cases," shared Stephanie Kelso, president of Z-Axis. "Today, interactive animated tutorials have become a major portion of our business - not just in patent cases, but in aviation disasters, environmental litigation, commercial suits with timelines and others - thanks to the work we did for the Eolas suit."

For more information on the case, you can read the release on the Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi L.L.P website at http://rkmc.com/firm_news.asp?newsId=167&iba=Yes. For information on the technological communications provided by Z-Axis on this case others, visit the website at www.zaxis.com or call Stephanie Kelso at 303-713-0200.

About Z-Axis:
Z-Axis integrates research, strategic planning, graphic production, and technology to create convincing, winning litigation presentations. For twenty years, Z-Axis has proven itself to be an industry pioneer and leader in courtroom technology, as well as an innovator in courtroom animation. Combining a veteran's eye for strategy with the latest technological advancements, the Z-Axis team of professionals has a reputation for creating visual communications tools that are second to none, as evidenced in the development of its patented VuPoint system. Z-Axis services and supports its national and international clients from its Denver, Chicago, New York, Washington, DC, and California offices. For more information on the Z-Axis team, its capabilities and its clients, visit the website at www.zaxis.com or call 303-713-0200.

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