OTTAWA, Canada - August 28, 2006 - Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX:WIN) ("Wi-LAN" or "the Company") today announced the hiring of two key executives. Mr. William (Bill) Middleton joins Wi-LAN as Vice President, Licensing & General Counsel and Mr. Jung Yee as Chief Technology Officer. Both begin their first official day at Wi-LAN today.
Mr. Middleton joins Wi-LAN from Nygard International, where he was Vice President, Legal Services and General Counsel. Mr. Middleton was previously General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of MOSAID Technologies Inc., a leading Canadian technology licensor, and also has many years of private practice experience with two major national law firms.
"During his years at MOSAID, Bill was instrumental in managing its patent litigations and was a significant contributor to the success of its licensing program," said Jim Skippen, President and CEO of Wi-LAN. "I am pleased to have him join Wi-LAN to assist with the negotiation of license agreements, to direct our patent litigation and to help manage the licensing program."
Mr. Yee joins Wi-LAN from IceFyre Semiconductor where he was the Chief Technology Officer and one of the Company’s founders. Mr. Yee has over 20 years experience in research and development in the electronics industry. He is an authority on wireless systems, including WiFi, Bluetooth, WiMAX, CDMA, and GSM. Mr. Yee is the former chairman of the IEEE 802.16 MAC task group.
"Jungis well known in Canada for his expertise in the wireless field, and will be a key contributor to Wi-LAN’s licensing initiatives," said Mr. Skippen. "Jung will provide technical assistance and support for licensing discussions and litigation as well as expert analysis of Wi-LAN’s patent acquisition opportunities."
About Wi-LAN Inc.
Wi-LAN holds key patents in the areas of WiFi, CDMA2000, WCDMA and WiMAX. Wi-LAN has licensed its technology to many companies. Wi-LAN is a charter member of the WiMAX Forum (www.wimaxforum.org).
Forward Looking Information
Certain statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, may include forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties. These may include, without limitation, statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties related to all aspects of the wireless communications industry and the global economy. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not restricted to, the Company’s almost total reliance on the licensing of its patent portfolio to generate revenues and cash flows; the enforceability of the Company’s patents; the need to acquire or develop new patents to continue to grow its business; the Company’s need for investment to translate its intellectual property position into sustainable profit in the market; the need to attract, develop and retain key officers and employees; and the risk that changes in patent legislation or in the interpretation or application of patent litigation could materially adversely affect the Company. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ from information contained herein, when estimates and assumptions have been used to measure and report results. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.
All trademarks and brands mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners.
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For more information please contact:
Wi-LAN Inc. | | Genoa Management |
Steve Bower, CFO
1 (613) 688-4898
E-mail: sbower@wi-lan.com
Website: www.wi-lan.com | | Amir Nayeri
1 (866) 430-6247
E-mail: info@genoa.ca
Website: www.genoa.ca |