OSTA ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP FOR ITS MARKET DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Individuals Helped Spearhead the Development of Acclaimed OSTA Initiatives, including MultiRead, Universal Disk Format (UDF), and Disc/Device Compatibility Studies

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., March 29, 1999 - The Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA), today recognized the valued contributions of three of its former leaders: Brian J. Bartholomeusz of Eastman Kodak, Cornelis Klik of Philips Electronics and William Kopatich of Verbatim.

Each of these individuals, who recently concluded their leadership in the OSTA organization, has played an integral role in promoting compatibility and the long-term viability and use of writable optical storage technologies. They have also helped spearhead some of the organization's most important initiatives, including:

Universal Disk Format (UDF) - A universal file system specification, adopted for use on CD-R, CD-RW, DVD and other drives, that assures interchangeability of writable optical media.

MultiRead - An optical drive specification that enables all classes of CD discs (CD-Audio, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW) to be read on current and future CD and DVD devices.

CD Media and Drive Compatibility Testing - Industry-wide CD media and drive compatibility tests designed to ensure smooth migration paths for current users of optical storage technology to subsequent devices and to preserve users' investments in today's technologies.

Brian Bartholomeusz, Cornelis Klik and William Kopatich have each been awarded a commemorative plaque of appreciation by Jerry Shea, chairman of the board of directors of OSTA.

"These individuals have each made very significant contributions to OSTA's role, direction and international presence in the writable optical storage industry, helping further proliferate acceptance of the technology," said Ray Freeman, OSTA facilitator. "Having watched their contributions since their early days with the association, I cannot overstate their significance. I am indebted to Brian, Cor and Bill for the value they brought to OSTA and to the industry as a whole."

Brian J. Bartholomeusz, Eastman Kodak
Bartholomeusz joined OSTA in 1994, and served as chairman of the CD/DVD Physical Compatibility Subcommittee, which was formed to facilitate interchangeability of discs among all classes of CD and DVD products at the physical level. In this role, Bartholomeusz managed the development and completion of OSTA's CD-R device and drive compatibility study, an initiative seen by industry leaders as a catalyst for propelling the technology into mainstream applications.

In addition, Bartholomeusz greatly increased OSTA's visibility at various international forums and facilitated the development of a number of influential OSTA publications, including "CD-R and CD-RW Questions and Answers," the "CD-R Compatibility Study," and the "Running OPC (Optimum Power Control)" white paper. Bartholomeusz is currently serving as vice president of Strategic Business Development and president of US Operations for Multi Media Masters & Machinery.

Cornelis Klik, Philips Electronics
Klik joined OSTA in 1994 and immediately became a major influence in OSTA's growth by leading a worldwide industry forum dedicated to the burgeoning CD-R marketplace. Through this forum, agreement was reached on a common scheme of packet writing, assuring interchangeability of recorded CD-R discs. Klik expanded this cooperative industry forum to react to customer demands for rewritable CD optical technology. As chairman of the CD-Writable Committee, he oversaw multiple drive and media compatibility tests (CD-R/CD-ROM, CD/DVD) which helped propel writable CD technologies into the mainstream.

Under Klik's supervision as chairman, the CD-Writable Committee completed and issued OSTA's MultiRead Specification, which is designed to protect end-user investment in CD drives and media. The specification has been almost universally adopted by the CD and DVD drive industries. Klik also played an important role in the convergence of multiple packet writing proposals into a single format, specified within the UDF specification. He has recently retired from Philips after 30 years of service.

William Kopatich, Verbatim Corporation
Serving on OSTA's Board of Directors for five of his nearly twenty years of active involvement in the storage industry, Kopatich played key roles in the association's growth and success. He served as chairman of the board of directors from mid-1995 to mid-1998. Through his involvement in the early stages of OSTA's MultiRead specification and CD device/drive compatibility studies, Kopatich helped focus the association's attention and resources toward addressing consumer needs. This dedicated involvement helped shape OSTA as an international organization committed to protecting end-user investment in writable optical technology through the encouragement of widespread device/media compatibility. This reputation was reinforced with the development of the acclaimed Universal Disk Format (UDF) specification, issued by OSTA under Kopatich's chairmanship.

Kopatich is now serving as senior vice president and general manager of the Verbatim Corp. subsidiary, Laser Technologies.

OSTA Background
The Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA) was incorporated as an international trade association in 1992 to promote the use of writable optical technologies and products for storage of computer data. The organization's membership includes optical product manufacturers and resellers from three continents, representing more than 85 percent of worldwide writable optical product shipments. They work to shape the future of the industry through regular meetings of CD/DVD, file interchange, market development, magneto-optical and planning committees. Interested companies worldwide are invited to join the organization and participate in its programs by contacting an OSTA representative at 805/963-3853 or by addressing its Web site at www.osta.org.

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