Lawsuit Filed By Matthew Bender in New York

Reed International PLC
Elsevier NV
1 February 2000


Issued on behalf of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV


MATTHEW BENDER FILES LAWSUIT IN NEW YORK TO PROTECT SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENTS

Reed Elsevier plc announced today that its subsidiary, Matthew Bender &
Company, Inc. has filed a lawsuit in the State of New York against
Jurisline.com LLC.  The lawsuit alleges that Jurisline has fraudulently
obtained Matthew Bender products, and has sought to use those products in
developing a legal information service in breach of express restrictions in
its contracts with Matthew Bender.  

In a related lawsuit, Matthew Bender's fellow subsidiary, Reed Elsevier Inc.,
has been sued by Jurisline for declaratory relief relating to copyrights and
trademarks.  Jurisline has also alleged that Reed Elsevier Inc. has engaged in
anticompetitive behaviour and seeks damages and injunctive relief. 

Michael Jacobs, General Counsel of Matthew Bender, said, 'We believe that
Jurisline made material misrepresentations to our company in order to obtain
access to our Law-on Disc(tm) information service and has also breached
numerous provisions of our subscriber agreements.  We strongly believe that
our agreements are valid and enforceable, notwithstanding claims by Jurisline
that the contracts are preempted by copyright law.  Any other view is contrary
to law, the express intent of the US Congress, and business practices
universal throughout the information industry.'
                                                                             
Henry Horbaczewski, General Counsel of Reed Elsevier Inc., said, 'Jurisline's
claims are groundless and we will vigorously defend against them.'  

Enquiries:

London:              Susanna Smart  + 44 171 227 5670
Amsterdam:              Pieter Jobsis      + 31 20 515 9357
New York:              Tom Smellie      + 1 212 333 3810