Netscape allegedly plagiarizes Hostway's latest online promotion

Viral marketing is supposed to spread a company's message from consumer to consumer. But Web hosting leader Hostway.com claims it has found a well-known Internet company copying its popular viral promotion, "Bob's Cube," in an apparent case of online plagiarism.

Hostway said it found striking similarities between its BobsCube.com (launched on April 1, 2005), a lighthearted interactive visit to a typical office worker's cubicle, and Netscape's "The Cubicle" (launched on May 27, 2005). Designed by www.15letters.com , Hostway's Bob's Cube has averaged nearly 10,000 visits per day while receiving "Site of the Day" awards from www.coolhomepages.com and www.favouritewebsiteawards.com .

"With the great buzz Hostway has received, its no wonder Netscape wanted to join the fun," said John Lee, Hostway's vice president of marketing. "The team at Hostway is extremely flattered that Netscape chose Bob's Cube to inspire its design of The Cubicle. We're eagerly awaiting Netscape's thank you letter."

Web site links:
* Hostway's Bob's Cube launched on April 1: www.bobscube.com
* Netscape's Cubicle launched on May 27: netcenter.netscape.com/netcenter/?promo=cubicle

About Hostway
Hostway Corporation provides Web hosting and managed services to more than 300,000 customers worldwide. Hostway helps individuals, small businesses and large enterprises achieve more value from state-of-the-art Web-based technologies by reducing their complexity and cost. Founded in 1998, Hostway is one of the five largest Web hosting companies in the world with offices in North America (Chicago, Tampa and Vancouver), Europe (London and Amsterdam), Asia (Seoul) and Australia (Sydney). For more information about Hostway Corporation, please visit www.hostway.com or call 1-888-290-5170.

Contact:
Jennifer Mussman, Hostway, (312) 994-7720,
Jennifer.Mussman@hostwaycorp.com
Drew Mitchell, Hostway, (312) 994-7714,
Drew.Mitchell@hostwaycorp.com

Web Sites:
www.hostway.com
www.bobscube.com
netcenter.netscape.com/netcenter/?promo=cubicle
www.15letters.com
www.coolhomepages.com
www.favouritewebsiteawards.com

Source: Hostway Corporation