GenArts Inc., the premier provider of specialized visual effects software for the film, television and video industries, announced today end of life for Sapphire version 1 for Avid systems effective October 31, 2009.

For GenArts customers still running version 1, licenses will continue to function as usual, as long as the hardware to which it is locked is operational. However, any transfers, replacements or tech support inquiries will require an upgrade to version 3. A list of frequently asked questions can be found on the GenArts site at: www.genarts.com/support/sapphire/avid/v1eol

For more information about Sapphire v3 for Avid systems and a recent customer survey, please visit our Sapphire v3 Upgrade Program page: www.genarts.com/product/sapphire/avidv3upgrade

About GenArts
GenArts, Inc. is the premier provider of specialized digital visual effects for the film, broadcast and video industries. The GenArts Sapphire, Monsters and Raptors portfolio equips digital artists with a collection of state-of-the-art image processing and synthesis effects such as: glows, light rays, lens flares, lightning, film damage, fire and fluid effects. The effects seamlessly integrate as software plug-ins into leading editing and compositing systems from Adobe, Apple, Avid, Autodesk, Assimilate, Eyeon, FilmLight, The Foundry, Quantel and SGO. The company was founded in 1996 in Cambridge, Mass. www.genarts.com.