Pollard Banknote Signs Tetris® License to Produce Themed Instant-win Lottery
Games

WINNIPEG, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - Pollard Banknote and Blue Planet Software, Inc., the company that manages the exclusive licensing rights to the Tetris® brand, today announced that a three-year contract has been signed granting Pollard Banknote the exclusive right to market instant-win lottery games based on the Tetris game. The instant-win games are available to lotteries effective immediately.

Created in 1984 by Russian-born mathematician Alexey Pajitnov, the Tetris game revolutionized puzzle games with distinctive "falling" blocks, called Tetriminos, that players could arrange in real time along the bottom of the rectangular playing field, or "matrix," in order to clear lines. To date, hundreds of millions of units have been sold.

Pollard Banknote anticipates that the engaging game mechanics of the Tetris game will naturally translate into the instant game market.

"This is an exciting, interactive brand among our offerings that goes well beyond a traditional instant game," said Sina Aiello, Director, Licensed Products, Pollard Banknote. "The nature of this brand invites cross-promotion with other Tetris licensees, making for a great value-added player experience."

The Tetris brand's key elements allow Pollard Banknote to extend the game play beyond the instant ticket. Among the many exciting possibilities for enhancing play are second chance draws for Tetris-themed merchandise.

And the market for Tetris games is significant: since the Tetris game's creation, it has been translated into more than 50 languages and is played in more than 50 countries worldwide. Guinness World Records' 2009 Gamers Edition named the game number 2 on its "Top 50 Console Games of All Time" list. In 2010, the Tetris game also became the best-selling mobile phone game of all time by surpassing 100 million paid mobile downloads.

"This new agreement with Pollard Banknote is an energizing venture for us as a company and for our fans," said Henk Rogers, CEO, Blue Planet Software, Inc. "In addition to the strong cross-promotion possibilities, our continued expansion with new licensees gives Tetris players increased access to the game with fresh, clever ways to 'play.' With instant-win games, we have an opportunity to interact with and reward our fans in a different way than we ever have."

This license was brokered with Pollard Banknote by Licensing Works!^® on behalf of Blue Planet Software, Inc. and The Tetris Company.

Pollard Banknote offers a completely integrated marketing solution for licensed games, including ticket design and manufacturing, prize structure consultation, merchandise selection and fulfillment, publicity and promotional opportunities, and second chance draw process management (including all customer service, Internet marketing, and post-game analysis).

About Pollard Banknote Limited
Pollard Banknote Limited ("PBL") is one of the world's leading full-service lottery vendors and is a major supplier to North America's charitable gaming industry. The company manufactures instant tickets and provides related programming, design, and marketing support. As well, PBL manufactures pull tab tickets and bingo paper, and supplies lottery management services (including warehousing and distribution). Established in 1907, PBL is owned approximately 73.5% by the Pollard family and 26.5% by public shareholders and currently serves more than 45 lotteries worldwide, including some of the largest and most respected lotteries in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America.

About the Tetris^® Brand
The Tetris^® brand is one of the leading and most distinctive video game brands and franchises in the world. In the game's 25-year history, hundreds of millions of units have been sold. Loved globally by people of all ages and all cultures, the Tetris game continues to be one of the most widely recognized video games of all time. Tetris Holding, LLC is the owner of Tetris rights worldwide and The Tetris Company, LLC is its exclusive licensee. The Tetris Company, through its agent Blue Planet Software, Inc., licenses and manages the Tetris intellectual property and franchise worldwide. Today, Blue Planet Software continues to work with licensees to deliver top quality Tetris products that are relevant, fun, and challenging for its millions of players. For the latest information about the Tetris brand and Tetris products, please visit www.tetris.com.

About Licensing Works, LLC (dba Licensing Works!^®)
Licensing Works!^® is a licensing and promotions company representing creators of original IP. In addition to the Tetris^® intellectual property, clients include: Zorro^® from Zorro Productions, Inc., Tarzan^® from Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., Buck Rogers in the 25th Century^® from The Dille Family Trust, MEG Toys' In My Pocket™ franchise and soon to be introduced Power Buggz^® line, Playtime Buddies™ from Visual Picnic, Inc., Swicherz™ from Swicherz, LLC, Moulin Rouge^® from Moulin Rouge S.A., and Kewpie^® from Jesco Imports, Inc. For more information about Licensing Works!^®, visit: www.licensingworks.us.

Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements and information which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this document, such statements include such words as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "plan," and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this document. There should not be an expectation that such information will in all circumstances be updated, supplemented, or revised whether as a result of new information, changing circumstances, future events, or otherwise.

For further information:

Sina Aiello ([email protected])
Director, Licensed Products
Phone: [phone]
www.pollardbanknote.com

Grayling Connecting Point for the Tetris® Brand
Victoria Krammen ([email protected])
Phone: [phone]