SOFTWARE PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION ISSUES DESKTOP SOFTWARE PACKAGING
GUIDELINES

SPA SOFTWARE PACKAGING SIG LEADS INDUSTRY IN GUIDELINES TO PROMOTE
CONSISTENT CONSUMER AND RETAILER PACKAGING INFORMATION

August 28, 1995 (Washington, D.C.) -- The Software Packaging Special
Interest Group (SPSIG), of the Software Publishers Association (SPA), is
issuing today recommended practices and guidelines for desktop software
packaging. For over five years packaging standards have been an important
and controversial issue for the software industry.The new SPA guidelines
are expected to bring considerable benefits to consumers and retailers
alike, and are the first of their kind to be issued by the software
industry.

The guidelines being issued by SPA are not intended as standards imposed on
software publishers. They are recommendations that encourage consistent
language and placement of information from which customers and retailers
will derive benefit. Consistent placement of information on packages will
make it easier to find important retail information and reduce the number
of returns based on language confusing to the consumer.

The various aspects of software packaging targeted by SPSIG's in its
recommended practices and guidelines, are placement of the title, SKU
identification, ratings, systems requirements, and platform and media
specifications; the size of the package; and the package's construction.
In setting out these guidelines, the SPSIG seeks to reduce the amount of
goods damaged in shipment and make the product as "Theft Proof" as
possible, while still encouraging creativity and environmental awareness.

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of
the personal computer software industry. Founded in April 1984 by 25
companies, the SPA has grown to a membership of nearly 1200 member firms.
Its domestic and international members include major business, consumer
and education software publishers, as well as many smaller emerging
companies and hardware systems manufacturers. The SPA's associate
membership includes firms with industry-related products and services that
benefit from alliances with the software publishers. The SPA is committed
to promoting the industry and addressing industry issues as they affect
the membership.

Software Publishers Association
1730 M St, Northwest, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036
202-452-1600,  Fax: 202-223-8756
 
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