Atlanta – June 20, 2006 – Atlanta residents trying to break the cycle of crime and poverty in their lives will have a new opportunity to do so, thanks to a technology donation from Microsoft.

The Georgia Justice Project (GJP), a criminal defense agency serving Atlanta’s indigently accused, will receive a donation of computers and accompanying software from Microsoft to support a computer-based skills training program, increasing participants’ ability to earn a higher-paying income. Microsoft has committed to donating a computer and software package for each person enrolled in the program through 2006.

“We are extremely grateful to Microsoft for this generous gift,” said Georgia Justice Project Executive Director Douglas B. Ammar. “These computers are the cornerstone of our employment skills training programs. When our clients have the right tools and resources, they can accomplish anything they aspire to – we’re thrilled that Microsoft has joined us in helping them strive for a better way of life.”

On June 20 at 10:00 a.m., GJP will announce Microsoft’s donation during a special recognition event at the nonprofit’s site, located at 438 Edgewood Avenue in Atlanta. Microsoft executives – including Vice President of Deputy General Counsel Nancy Anderson and Senior Attorney Mary Jo Schrade – will join GJP staff, volunteers and community leaders to announce the donation.

Comprised of lawyers and social workers, GJP works to ensure justice for the indigent criminally accused. By offering a holistic approach, GJP assists its clients in establishing crime-free lives in order to become more productive citizens, even offering clients employment at the agency-operated landscaping company or other outside companies. Through a comprehensive support program, all GJP clients have access to individual and group counseling, literacy education classes, GED instruction, transportation access, case management and regular follow-up to ensure client success.

Microsoft’s donation was made through the company’s Genuine Software Initiative, which was developed to combat software counterfeiting and other forms of software piracy. All of the computers donated to GJP were obtained through Microsoft’s test purchase program, which allows Microsoft to purchase computers from companies that are suspected dealers of counterfeit and infringing software. If Microsoft uncovers pirated software on the computers, they may file charges against the company from which they were purchased – an action pursued against five Atlanta-based computer resellers on June 5. When the computers do not contain any pirated or counterfeit software, many are donated to social service organizations such as GJP.

“By aiding clients both during and long after their criminal cases, the Georgia Justice Project provides an invaluable service to the men and women of Atlanta, and we are honored to support them through this donation,” said Microsoft Greater Southeast District Manager Kristen Kliphouse. “Microsoft is committed not only to serving the Atlanta community, but also to protecting our channel partners and consumers from dishonest business practices and the threats posed by illegal software and software components. Through this donation, we were able to address both needs in a way that will benefit everyone.”

"Enabling competent legal representation for those who are least able to afford it," said Rep. John Lewis, "is one hallmark of a just society. By offering the Georgia Justice Project’s clients access to technology and job training, Microsoft is helping these men and women realize their value to our community. When institutions like the Georgia Justice Project and Microsoft work together and use their resources to serve the community, they exemplify the greatest gifts a responsible corporation can make to our nation."

About the Georgia Justice Project (GJP)
An unlikely mix of lawyers, social workers and a landscaping company, the Georgia Justice Project (GJP) defends people accused of crimes and, win or lose, stands by their clients as they rebuild their lives. Founded in Atlanta in 1986, GJP’s mission is to ensure justice for these individuals, and to use a holistic approach in helping them to lead crime-free lives as productive citizens. The organization provides its clients with pro bono legal counsel, training, counseling and social services jobs with its landscaping company, New Horizon Landscaping. The recidivism rate for GJP clients stands at less than one-third of the national average. Most recently, GJP has been recognized as a 2006 Annie E. Casey Foundation Family Counts Honoree.

For more information, please visit www.gjp.org.

About Microsoft Community Affairs
Microsoft and its employees have long recognized the importance of being engaged in supporting communities around the world. Last year the company donated $61 million in cash and $273 million in software to 9,000 nonprofit organizations. A majority of the company’s community investments are made in support of Unlimited Potential, a global program that supports community technology centers in IT skills training. Unlimited Potential is part of the company’s commitment to broaden digital inclusion and enhance workforce development to a quarter of a billion people by 2010.

More information on Microsoft’s community investments can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/unlimitedpotential.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

''Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.''

For more information, please contact:

Erica Stoddard

Airfoil Public Relations – High Tech PR

(248) 304-1450

stoddard@airfoilpr.com