With the release of Punch WebGroups 4.0, the latest edition of Punch Networks' secure file storage, synchronization and collaboration service, users can now upload all of their MP3 files to Punch Networks' servers and play them at any time from any web browser using FreedomAudio's Java-based FreedomAudio Player. Special security and privacy features prevent the anonymous file redistribution that strips the music publishers' and copyright holders' rights to limit reproduction and redistribution.

Files stored in Punch WebGroups can be accessed only by the customer, the original publisher or others who have been explicitly invited. In this way Punch WebGroups creates an exclusive, personal, private and secure collaboration environment, instead of an all-inclusive general public "posting" area like those on Kazaa and the defunct Napster.

As a result, users who once had to carry CDs back and forth in order to listen to their favorite music at work now can access all of their MP3s from anywhere - simply by logging in to WebGroups - without worrying about anyone else being able to access or download their music files.

"With Punch WebGroups 4.0, anyone can listen to music without constant interruptions from advertisements or the need to install rogue file sharing software that makes them feel guilty searching the Internet trying to download music they like," said R. David L. Campbell, Punch Networks' President, Chairman and Founder. "Our solution gives consumers the ability to enjoy their favorite music anytime, anywhere, while offering protection for the music industry."

"By audio-enabling WebGroups with the FreedomAudio player, individuals can now securely control access to their personal audio oasis," said Rolande Kendal, chief developer of FreedomAudio.

About Punch WebGroups 4.0
Punch WebGroups was the Internet's first online storage service (first launched on Excite.com in 1999) and is now one of the Internet's largest and most secure file storage, synchronization and collaboration services. With over 145,000 customers in 68 countries, WebGroups serves companies ranging in size from less than 10 employees to the Fortune 500 and the United States military. Punch WebGroups is available on the Web at http://www.punchwebgroups.com and through a network of reseller partners.

About Punch Networks
Founded in 1995 in Seattle, Washington, Punch Networks is a global leader in secure Web-based file storage, collaboration and synchronization. Most of Punch Networks technology can be experienced directly over the web through its flagship retail service, Punch WebGroups. Punch Networks licenses Punch WebGroups as a retail or wholesale service provider and licenses the WebGroups' core Paris Server to companies and organizations for installation on their own networks. Punch Networks also has a full suite of client and server Software Development Kits and Application Programming Interfaces to allow third party developers to directly integrate many of the secure file storage and distributed synchronization features of the Paris Server into their own applications. For more information, visit http://www.punchnetworks.com, email info@punchnetworks.com, or call (206) 343-7661.

About FreedomAudio
FreedomAudio is a high-fidelity Web-page audio player from Copia Technologies. It requires defacto Java 1.1 and extends the user's Java system with a small (275k byte) single-click install. With its FreedomAudio technology, Copia is in the unique position of being able to develop new media-streaming portals and applications in novel ways, where the major media players are not designed to go. FreedomAudio supports mixed-media synchronization. Webcam and client-side record and stream-to-the-Web versions are under test. More information is available at http://www.freedomaudio.com, or via email at kendal@freedomaudio.com.