Oslo, Thursday, February 16, 2006
Press Release
LICENCE AGREEMENT FOR EUROPE - POTENTIAL VALUE USD 50 - 75 MILLION.
Blom has completed negotiations regarding important agreements for licensing and distribution of Pictometry® data.
Blom has completed negotiations regarding a 5 year agreement with undisclosed partner for use of Pictometry® images in Europe. The agreement will be formalised shortly. The agreement states that Blom will deliver Pictometry® data for all cities in Europe exceeding 50 000 inhabitants within the next 2 years. Blom will receive a USD 31 million for such a 5 year licence. If Blom provides updates of such cities after 2 years, our partner will be committed to acquire such updates at same terms in order to maintain certain exclusivity rights described in the agreement.
The parties have agreed that a separate agreement will be made to cover income from certain Business to Business concepts. It is the parties` intention that Blom will receive a share of such profits.
Blom anticipate that the total value of the contract will be between $ 50-75 million over a 5 year period.
Blom consider this agreement as a major breakthrough for the extensive investment in the Pictometry® license rights, and believe that the confidence given to Blom by the agreement will enhance the possibilities to establish additional sales and distribution channels in Europe.
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT FOR GREAT BRITAIN
Blom`s subsidiary in the UK, Simmons Aerofilms Ltd., has entered into an agreement with Ordnance Survey (OS), Great Britain`s national mapping agency, to provide OS with the exclusive right to sell Pictometry® image libraries into all market sectors in UK. While the IPR and copyright of the data will remain with Blom, OS will be selling the data through its extensive channels to new and existing customers.
According to the agreement, OS will sell the data on behalf of Blom. OS has an extensive and well respected sales team which has access to every market, organisation and government agency in GB. This model will allow Blom to concentrate on operations, technical support and continue to produce excellent products without having to establish large sales teams.
Blom is extremely pleased with the agreement and hopes that it will form a pattern for equivalent exclusive cooperation agreements for other countries in Europe. As mentioned previously in the stock market announcement of 27th September 2005, Blom has entered into an exclusive deal for the use of Pictometry® in a total of 16 European countries, with the goal being to develop the largest and most comprehensive image database for the whole of Europe within the next years.
Please contact CEO Dirk Blaauw tel.: +47 23115803 for further information.
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