VitalSource and Aptara Ink Deal to Simplify Digital Book Publishing

Aptara Becomes a Certified VitalBook Provider

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 26, 2006 - VitalSource Technologies Inc. and Aptara are now making it simple for book publishers to create and distribute the highest quality digital books. Aptara is one of the first companies certified by VitalSource to offer VitalSource’s digital book format, VitalBooks™, to publishers.

For more than a decade, VitalSource has worked with education publishers to create and distribute digital books. Now, VitalSource is enabling companies that specialize in desktop publishing and content conversion, such as Aptara, to offer the service directly to publisher clients.

“The partnership with Aptara will allow VitalSource to offer its VitalBook format to more publishers and will allow publishers to take advantage of new business in the world of digital content,” said Frank Daniels III, VitalSource president and CEO. “By enabling companies like Aptara to convert files to VitalBook format, publishers can take digital books to market more quickly than ever before.”

VitalBooks are rights-protected digital files downloaded to the computer desktop, much like MP3 music files. They are portable and allow the user to make and share notes and highlights. All VitalBooks include bibliography support and multi-document search capabilities.

“Publishers already rely on content transformation companies such as Aptara to convert files,” said Daniels. “Now, publishers can turn to Aptara to get VitalBook versions of their existing titles and books that will soon be published. If you are a publisher who is ready to explore digital business opportunities, Aptara just made it a whole lot easier.”

Effective immediately, Aptara can convert most source files directly into the VitalBook format.

“The market for content transformation services is growing rapidly, and our customers are demanding new and efficient ways to turn static data into dynamic digital content,” said Ranjit Singh, President and CEO of Aptara. “We are focused on partnering with leading companies like VitalSource who deliver powerful yet cost effective solutions. We are pleased to be offering their solution to our growing base of globally-recognized customers.”

About VitalSource Technologies

VitalSource is a leading provider of digital content solutions in education. The company enables publishers, distributors and other partners to create and deliver textbooks and other content directly to users' computers in its proprietary VitalBook™ file format under a variety of scenarios, ranging from custom curriculum solutions to private-label bundled products, as well as single textbook and promotional content delivery to students and faculty in both secondary and post-secondary educational settings. The company is privately-owned with headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. For more information on VitalSource, please visit http://www.vitalsource.com.

About Aptara

Aptara delivers technologically-advanced and integrated content transformation solutions that enable customers to unleash the value of their content and uncover new revenue opportunities. Aptara delivers publishing, data conversion, learning & performance and content technology services to leading publishers, information aggregators, professional societies, government agencies, universities, libraries, research groups, major corporations, and financial institutions. Headquartered in Falls Church, VA, the company employs more than 3,500 people around the globe. For more information on Aptara and its services please visit www.aptaracorp.com.