Zi licenses Multi-language Smart Text Input Software to the Research Institute of TV and Electro-Acoustics of the Ministry of Information Industries of the People's Republic of China
CALGARY, July 26 /CNW/ - Zi is pleased to announce it has licensed its
Multi-language Smart Text Input Software to the Research Institute of TV and
Electro-Acoustics of the Ministry of Information Industries (MII) of the
People's Republic of China, also known as the No.3 Institute. The Institute
and Zi will cooperate to provide the Zi Input software on a range of set top
box devices to be sold in China and for export in international markets. The
Institute is a Government body directly owned by the MII, headquartered in
Beijing. It was founded in 1960. The Institute adapts set top box designs to
suit the specific needs of the Chinese consumer and is currently working with
several set top box solutions from leading international semiconductor
manufacturers.
Zi Corporation's license with the MII establishes a preferred input
solution for the design and manufacture of set top boxes in China. Zi's
multi-language smart text input software system is now available to all
Chinese manufacturers of TV set top boxes and other consumer information
appliances. The Institute plays a major role in quality assurance and
approval of television and broadcasting products, including set top boxes,
sold in the domestic market. Some of the senior members of the Institute also
sit on many central government regulatory bodies, which set standards for
television and broadcasting technology. In addition to its statutory role,
the Institute also completes broadcasting systems solutions for large-scale
cable television and satellite broadcasting projects in China.
Chinese Government estimates show that Chinese families currently own 317
million television sets, 40 million VCD machines and almost 20 million
television game consoles. Telephone line penetration has reached 50% in the
cities. There are 70 million cable television subscribers in China and the
government plans to link all cities and towns to cable television by the end
of this year. Presently about 2000 cities and counties are already covered.
The objective is to make available to the Chinese consumer electronic content
such as Internet services, video on demand, music on demand and on-line
shopping.
Mr. Chen Ke, Chief Engineer of the Research Institute of TV and
Electro-Acoustics, said, ''We have been a pioneer in promoting the best in set
top box technology for the China market. Zi's state-of-the-art input
technology now opens up new opportunities for our partners both inside and
outside China to make set top box technology more interactive and
user-friendly in both Chinese and other languages.''
''This agreement with the MII's Research Institute of TV and
Electro-Acoustics is another key series of endorsement of Zi's technology in
China. The MII has been playing a major role in promoting the consumer
Internet and on-line service industry in China. As part of this process, the
Institute develops access terminal reference designs best suited to the
Chinese set top box manufacturers.'' noted Antoine Blondeau, Senior
Vice-President of Marketing and Sales at Zi Corporation. ''The Institute's
high requirements for mass-market solution for Chinese text input on a set top
box have been fulfilled by Zi's input technology.''
Zi Corporation's goal is to create modern electronic technology more
accessible to people in a way that is consistent with their language and
culture. By connecting technology to language, Zi Corporation brings smart
text input to the mass market for devices such as mobile phones, TV set top
boxes, computers and information appliances.
Certain statements in this press release constitute ''forward-looking
statements'' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 including, without limitation, statements concerning the
anticipated benefits to Zi Corporation of its agreement with No.3 Institute.
The expected inclusion of Zi Input technology in products developed by No.3
Institute and potential license, royalty and maintenance fee amounts involve
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of Zi Corporation to be materially different from
any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include uncertainties in the ability
to successfully collaborate with No.3 Institute; the ability of Zi Corporation
to successfully design, develop, and deliver any application that complies
with No.3 Institute's specifications and is accepted by No.3 Institute; the
ability of Zi Corporation to successfully meet specific delivery dates set
forth by No.3 Institute; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully
integrate and maintain compatibility with No.3 Institute's technology;
possible failure to continue to be selected as the Chinese character-based
language enabling technology by No.3 Institute; the ability of No.3 Institute
to successfully market and distribute any of its products incorporating Zi
technology; economic conditions in Asia; the risks of doing business in
foreign countries including China; and the risks and uncertainties referred to
in Zi Corporation's Report of Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 1998
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no
assurance that Zi Corporation will achieve commercial success through the
agreement described herein.
NEITHER THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE NOR NASDAQ HAVE APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
For further information: Zi Corporation, Mangager, Investor/Media
Relations (403) 233-8875, E-mail: investor@zicorp.com, Web site:
zicorp.com; No. 3 Institute of the Ministry of Information
Industries, Mr. Chen Ke, Chief Engineer, 86-10-6436-3131
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