TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Limelight Networks, Inc.
(Nasdaq: LLNW) today announced that it has entered into a major new technology
and services agreement with Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) under which Limelight
will help improve the performance, scalability, and reliability of Internet
delivery of media content and online services, including video, music, games,
software, and social media, across Microsoft's global Internet properties.
Under the agreement, Microsoft and Limelight will cross-license certain
technologies, consider joint development projects in the future, and cooperate
on extending and improving their respective technology infrastructures.
Microsoft and Limelight have also entered into a multi-year relationship under
which Limelight Networks will continue to provide global media streaming and
content delivery services to Microsoft.
The new technology and services agreement is aimed at radically improving
user experiences across Internet media properties of Microsoft's globally
scaled internet services, which today serve over 460 million unique users per
month worldwide. By working together to solve, over time, the Internet's
challenges of media content performance, scale and reliability, Microsoft and
Limelight intend to deliver true globally scaled media-caliber experiences to
Internet-connected users, to any device in any format anywhere in the world.
"Today's digital media initiatives only hint at the full potential of the
Internet as a channel for distribution of traditionally produced content and
as a platform for the creation of new forms of media and entertainment
content," said Debra Chrapaty, Corporate Vice President - Global Foundation
Services of Microsoft. "Our agreement with Limelight Networks anticipates
Internet audiences and content offerings that are orders of magnitude larger
than today. Limelight's vision, service and technology leadership in Internet
delivery of media is a perfect fit with our own vision and initiatives toward
the future."
"Microsoft is widely recognized as a global leader in digital
entertainment," said Jeff Lunsford, chairman and CEO of Limelight Networks.
"We are proud to have been chosen for this strategic initiative based on our
network and technology's performance in delivering video for MSNBC.com and
game content and video downloads for Xbox Live. Microsoft's vision for a
connected experience closely aligns with our own, including delivery services
for the next generation, high definition Internet."
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and business realize their
full potential.
About Limelight Networks
Limelight Networks is a high-performance content delivery network for
digital media, providing massively scalable, global delivery solutions for
on-demand and live Internet distribution of video, music, games and social
media. Limelight Networks' infrastructure is optimized for the large object
sizes, large content libraries, and large audiences associated with compelling
rich media content. Limelight is the content delivery network of choice for
more than 850 of the world's top media companies, including Akimbo, Amazon
Unbox(TM), Belo Interactive, Brightcove, "BuyMusic" @ Buy.com, DreamWorks,
LLC, Facebook, FOXNews.com, IFILM, ITV Play, Metacafe, MSNBC.com, MySpace, NC
Interactive, Valve Software, Radio Free Virgin and Xbox Live. For more
information, visit http://www.llnw.com.
Safe-Harbor Statement
All forward-looking statements contained in this release are made within
the meaning of and pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are all
statements other than statements of historical facts, including but not
limited to statements concerning the company's ability to improve the
performance, scalability, and reliability of Internet delivery of media
content and online services across Microsoft's global Internet properties; and
all other statements concerning the plans, intentions, expectations,
projections, hopes, beliefs, objectives, goals and strategies of management.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events
and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed, projected or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the results expressed, projected
or implied by any forward-looking statements will be achieved, and readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date
hereof and are based on the current plans, goals, objectives, strategies,
intentions, expectations and assumptions of, and the information currently
available to, management. The Company assumes no duty or obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as the result
of changes in expectations, new information, future events, conditions or
circumstances or otherwise.
SOURCE Limelight Networks, Inc.
Contact: Kristen Leon of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1-415-547-7027, kristenl@waggeneredstrom.com, for Limelight Networks; or Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1-503-443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com, for Microsoft