Thursday April 22, 8:59 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Zi Corporation
Zi Licenses Chinese Smart Text Input Software to
Planetweb
CALGARY, Alberta, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Zi Corporation (Toronto: ZIC - news;
Nasdaq: ZICA - news; ''Zi'') is pleased to announce that it has entered into a licensing and royalty agreement with Planetweb,
Inc. (''Planetweb'') to provide Zi Input software for integration with Planetweb's Internet software products for consumer
electronic devices such as telephones, TV set-top boxes, screen phones, video phones, DVD players, cable and satellite
receivers and video game systems.
''Within the Asia-Pacific region, Greater China represents a significant market opportunity for Internet appliances,'' said Jan L.
Gullett, CEO and President of Planetweb, Inc. ''Planetweb and Zi believe in a common vision of delivering mass market
software that is simple to learn and easy to use by the growing number of Chinese consumers that want to become part of the
on-line community.''
According to a recently published report by China's Ministry of Information Industry, there are 317 million television sets, 40
million VCD players and 25% telephone penetration in China. These statistics profile a target market for the software resulting
from the integration of Zi Input with Planetweb's Internet software for telephones, TV set-top boxes, screen phones,
DVD/VCD players and other Internet appliances.
''Planetweb values a mass market solution for Chinese smart text input that enhances the Internet experience,'' noted Michael
E. Lobsinger, Chairman and CEO of Zi Corporation. ''By entering into an agreement with Zi, Planetweb joins the growing list
of licensees of Zi smart text input for consumer devices such as TV set-top boxes and mobile phones.''
Founded in 1996, Planetweb, Inc., located in Mountain View, Calif., is a leading developer of Internet software products and
services for consumer electronics devices. The company's suite of products includes a powerful World Wide Web Browser,
Emailer, Chat (IRC), and Parental Control filtering, plus, a platform portal which includes Web content and services, for OEMs
interested in providing a complete Internet solution for their consumers. Already ported to multiple categories of platforms,
including a screen phones, video game consoles, video phones, and set-top box solutions, the Planetweb® software has been
shipped to manufacturers in the U.S., Singapore, Japan, Brazil and Finland.
Zi Corporation's goal is to make 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 Planetweb. The expected inclusion of Zi Input technology in products developed by Planetweb 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 Planetweb; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully design, develop, and deliver any application that
complies with Planetweb's specifications and is accepted by Planetweb; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully meet
specific delivery dates set forth by Planetweb; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully integrate and maintain compatibility
with Planetweb's technology; possible failure to continue to be selected as the Chinese character-based language enabling
technology by Planetweb; the ability of Planetweb 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, 1997 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.
SOURCE: Zi Corporation
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