With IDC currently predicting an estimated 67 percent of Internet users will log on from outside the U.S. by 2003, Multicity added MultiAuctions to its suite of multilingual communications products to empower this rapidly growing base of non-English speaking Internet users to engage in the e-commerce activities of auctions. The MultiAuctions user interface is available in seven languages and provides instant translation of auction item names and descriptions in nine different languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. For the first time, consumer and business users around the world can post and bid in an auction in their native languages, and access an auction from the Web, a wireless device or within an E-mail program. Multicity.com's patent-pending In-the-Box™ technology also allows users to create and send a live auction to other people through their E-mail applications. The recipients receive the auction in their E-mail inboxes and they can instantly bid on items, add their own, or even forward the auction to others.

"We recognized the power of a decentralized international Internet and are already serving the different language needs of today's Web browsers in more than 70 countries around the world. MultiAuctions is our first product that will enable these users to have a multilingual e-commerce experience," said Alain Hanash, CEO of Multicity. "Multicity is creating opportunities never before available by opening the door for a variety of global auctions. Our In-the-Box technology, combined with the translation of product information, positions MultiAuctions as the only global auction tool truly capable of serving the diverse language needs of businesses and consumers in different countries around the globe."

The MultiAuctions product can be accessed on Multicity.com's home page at www.multicity.com. In addition, Webmasters of consumer or business sites can incorporate the auction tool into their Web sites. The Webmasters also have access to the merchandise listings of all the other auction sites using Multicity.com's auction product. These interconnected sites, combined with the other Web sites that are linked through Multicity.com's communications tools, have enabled Multicity to create one of the fastest growing international networks. Multicity.com's multilingual communications product suite includes instant translation-enabled chat rooms and instant messaging, message boards, Web polls, and profile matching. Available in up to 17 different languages, Multicity products are used by approximately 300,000 Web sites throughout the world.

MultiAuctions' Features

In-the-Box-Multicity.com's In-the-Box technology allows business or consumer users to send a live auction or specific bid item to the E-mail inbox of any number of recipients. This rapid distribution capability creates a powerful viral marketing and user acquisition tool that enables users to immediately reach a global, multilingual audience of potential buyers and sellers. In-the-Box technology also provides a creative alternative for consumers without a Web site, who want to post and sell merchandise. They can constantly monitor their bids and competing new bids, which are immediately displayed in the auction within their E-mail programs.

Instant Translation-The instant translation feature of MultiAuctions allows users to translate product information in nine different languages. This capability facilitates the universal reach of an individual auction by significantly lowering the language barriers for e-commerce on the Web. For example, someone can now post an item in German and sell it to another person in France.

Multilingual User Interface-The auction's user interface is available in seven different languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Dutch and Portuguese.

Global Network-MultiAuctions is part of Multicity.com's nNetworksm, an international network comprised of globally distributed sites incorporating Multicity.com's multilingual communications products. By creating a decentralized network, Multicity is promoting the creation of local content and fostering the growth of multicultural business and social interaction on the Internet.

Minicity™-The auction product is included in Multicity.com's Minicity™ business solution, which offers businesses the full range of the company's Web-based multilingual communications products and services. The business solution is provided to Multicity clients through the Application Service Provider (ASP) model. Since the products are hosted on Multicity.com's servers, business partners do not have to invest in additional hardware equipment, software applications or expanded bandwidth.

Wireless-Through the WAP-enabled feature, the auction tool allows users to bid on merchandise or search auction listings from wireless communications devices, such as mobile phones or PDAs.

Pricing and Availability

A fee-based version of MultiAuctions and the Minicity business solution is offered to companies. As part of the business solution, Multicity.com's clients can customize and brand the auction tool and Multicity.com's suite of multilingual communications products. They also have the option of connecting these products to the nNetworksm, Multicity.com's global network of international sites that is growing exponentially as more users incorporate Multicity.com's products into their Web sites.

Additionally, Multicity offers a free version of all of its products. Consumers can either visit www.multicity.com to use the products or simply integrate a few lines of HTML code into an existing Web site. In-the-Box technology also is freely available to anyone with an E-mail address. In addition to auctions, this technology enables users to send other Multicity products directly to people's E-mail inboxes, including the company's chat rooms, instant messenger and Web polls.

About Multicity
Multicity.com, located in Tysons Corner, Va., is empowering worldwide communication through the development of multilingual product suites. Available in a growing number of international