NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                              For Further Information:
                                                             Karen Crowther
                                                               707 937-3320

        Congressman Lantos Calls for Boycott of U.S. Software

In a move condemned by U.S. software publishers, Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Cal) told
the Congressional Telecommunications Subcommittee chairman, Edward Markey (D-
Mass) during the June 29 hearings on the Sega TV channel, that he is prepared
to take steps to block U.S. software publishers from the market via a
nationwide boycott.  He added that "We will take whatever kind of legal steps,
whatever kind of commercial pressure, and whatever kind of embarrassing
exposure is necessary."

Congressman Lantos has been pushing for rating of video games which he
describes as "filthy and disgusting".  He wants the U.S. publishers to use an
expensive ratings system sponsored by the Japanese corporation, Nintendo.  The
U.S. publishers have proposed the American Game Labeling System.  According to
U.S. Software Industry spokeswoman, Karen Crowther, "The Japanese system is a
thinly disguised plan to put Nintendo's small U.S. competition out of
business."  She asserts that under the Nintendo system, one of her member's
$39 CDROM discs of games will cost 1.5 million dollars to rate.

Crowther says the Japanese system is primarily aimed at Nintendo/Sega
cartridge games whereas the American system can be used for all types of
electronic games, including those on the "Information Highway". Under the
American Game Labeling System, computer games will be rated on content in the
categories of Violence, Sex/Nudity and Language. "The systems give similar
information but the Japanese system, designed by a billion dollar company, is
too expensive for the smaller U.S. competition", states Crowther.  "We have
nothing to be embarrassed about, however Lantos should be embarrassed to be
helping Nintendo block U.S. companies from market."  In the same hearing, it
was asserted that Nintendo's sales account for 10% of the U.S. trade deficit
with Japan.

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