From: SPollard@Brodeur.com Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 7:41 AM To: BillFoust@email.com Subject: RIM Announces Patent -- Protects Industry-Leading Technology Today, RIM announced that it has been granted a patent that may cause companies looking to replicate RIM's BlackBerry Wireless Email solution to re-evaluate their business strategy. A key technology to the success of BlackBerry, the patent is for the process of redirecting information between a host computer system (such as an office PC or server) and a mobile communications device (such as a wireless handheld) while maintaining a common electronic address between the host system and mobile device. This announcement is important because it recognizes RIM as the inventor of single mailbox integration and therefore protects the substantial resources that RIM has invested in the development of this technology over many years. RIM today also announced that it is filing suit against, Glenayre, for infringing on RIM's Single Mailbox Integration patent. The full press release is included below, in addition to some quotes from folks in the industry -- including industry executives, analysts and customers -- that have been cited in the media commenting on the importance of this single-mailbox integration technology (FYI). We'll touch base soon. Best, Scott Scott Pollard Brodeur for RIM 203.399.8245 The Industry Comments on RIM's Single Mailbox Integration technology: -- "Palm CEO Carl Yankowski has talked to financial analysts about his plans for `Out RIM-ing RIM,' but those plans aren't slated to come to fruition in the form of a device until late next year." As cited in the San Jose Mercury News, 10/1/00, Devices Take Next Step of Staying Connected -- "RIM's done a great job leading the wireless integration. They obviously came up with a device that--in the form of a pager that's now been expanded to look more like the PDA, with their 957 product, that is capable of extending e-mail from a Microsoft exchange user to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada." Thomas Beneasus, CIBC World Market analyst as cited on CNET Radio, 9/26/00, Morning Show -- "Founded last year by president and CEO Andy Rubin, chief technology officer Joe Britt, and senior vice president of hardware and operations Matt Hershenson, the company is building a wireless email device that the trio hopes will displace Research In Motion's popular Blackberry device. Not shy about admitting that Blackberry was his inspiration, Rubin says, "RIM did it right, and we are emulating it." Danger, CEO Andy Rubin, Red Herring, "One To Watch: Dangerous Devices," 05/15/01 -- "I believe it has the power to be THE catalyst to usher in the distributed workplace," says Stephen Hall, general partner with Axalon Ventures in New York and a BlackBerry user. "Physically being in the office and plugged in is no longer necessary." Stephen Hall, general partner with Axalon Ventures in New York USA Today, 05/07/01, BlackBerry; The Heroin of Mobile Computing -- "The nice thing about the BlackBerry, he says, is that it's "simple and transparent, and works with my e-mail system," in sharp contrast to a Palm VII he tried with proprietary e-mail and Web-browsing services." John Gold, who is managing director of Incuvest, an electronics holding company based in Manhattan, Chicago Tribune, 10/19/00, Wireless Users Burn With Various Intensities -- A study recently conducted by Goldman Sachs titled "PDAs Storm the Enterprise" also underscores the importance of single mailbox integration. The study evaluated laptop use after users were provided BlackBerry. The results? Because users were receiving their corporate email on their BlackBerry, laptop use decreased by 45 percent; "power users" in the sample group decreased their laptop use by a momentous 70 percent and 19 percent of the entire sample gave up their laptops completely. (If you'd like, I can forward the full report.) Full Press Release Below Research In Motion Receives Wireless Patent On BlackBerry Single Mailbox Integration Waterloo, ON -- May 17, 2001 -- Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSE: RIM), a pioneer and world leader in the mobile communications market, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 6,219,694 to RIM. The BlackBerry Single Mailbox Integration patent covers a system and method invented by RIM that was commercialized as an important architectural element of RIM's award-winning BlackBerryTM wireless email solution. "The ability to stay connected to your existing email account has been the lynchpin of BlackBerry's success," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "Issuance of this patent for BlackBerry Single Mailbox Integration is an important milestone and represents the first in a series of patents covering various aspects of technologies utilized in the end-to-end BlackBerry solution." "This patent is important for RIM stakeholders because it recognizes and protects the fundamental intellectual property that RIM has invested substantial resources to invent and develop over many years," said Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. The BlackBerry Single Mailbox Integration patent relates to the system and method pioneered and employed by RIM in redirecting information between a host computer system (such as an office PC or server) and a mobile communications device (such as a wireless handheld) while maintaining a common electronic address between the host system and mobile device. Using this patented technology, BlackBerry integrates seamlessly with a user's existing email account providing a wireless extension of the user's regular email mailbox. The user can read, compose, forward or reply to messages from their mobile device while maintaining their single, existing email address and mailbox. The user can also control which messages are received on their mobile device by setting email filters that monitor key words and message fields. BlackBerry is an end-to-end wireless email solution featuring the industry's most advanced wireless handhelds, desktop utilities, enterprise server software, security and tight integration with wireless packet-data networks. Since its introduction in January 1999, BlackBerry has quickly become the corporate standard for wireless email in North America and RIM also plans to introduce BlackBerry in Europe this year. Based on an integrated and optimized architecture with breakthroughs in functionality, security and value, BlackBerry has changed the way people interact with information and each other. BlackBerry has already been adopted by thousands of organizations and received rave reviews from customers and industry experts alike. For more information on BlackBerry, visit www.blackberry.net. About Research In Motion Research In Motion® Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and services, RIM® provides solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers around the world to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Wireless Handheld? product line, the BlackBerry? wireless email solution, embedded radio-modems and software development tools. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario RIM operates offices in Canada, the United States and England. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.net. Investors may contact investor_relations@rim.net. Customers may contact info@rim.net. Media Contact: Scott Pollard Brodeur Worldwide for RIM 203.399.8245 spollard@brodeur.com Investor Contact: RIM Investor Relations 519.888.7465 investor_relations@rim.net Research In Motion, RIM and BlackBerry are trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Research In Motion and RIM are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, products and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks relating to possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, risks related to the year 2000 issue, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. Research In Motion Files Wireless Patent Complaint Against Glenayre Electronics, Inc. Waterloo, ON -- May 17, 2001 -- Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSE: RIM), a pioneer and world leader in the mobile communications market, today announced that it has filed a complaint for patent and trademark infringement against Glenayre Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GEMS), a provider of personal telecommunication systems. The complaint was filed May 16, 2001 in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges that Glenayre has engaged in acts of patent infringement, trademark infringement, dilution, unfair competition and false advertising in connection with the development, marketing and sale of wireless handheld products. The complaint alleges that Glenayre's conduct violates federal patent law 35 U.S.C. 271, by infringing RIM's recently issued United States Patent No. 6,219,694. The patent relates to RIM's BlackBerry Single Mailbox Integration patent which covers a system and method invented by RIM that was commercialized as an important architectural element of RIM's award-winning BlackBerry wireless email solution. This action also alleges that Glenayre violates the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. 1114 and 1125(a)) and the Delaware Deceptive Trade Practices Act (6 Del. C. 2531 et. seq.) for deceptive trade practices and unfair competition based upon Glenayre's unauthorized and willful use of designations and names confusingly similar to registered trademarks belonging to RIM. In its complaint, RIM seeks Glenayre to be found to have willfully infringed on RIM's rights and that such conduct entitles RIM to preliminary and permanent injunctions barring Glenayre from continuing to infringe on RIM's patents. In addition RIM seeks to prevent Glenayre from using product designations that infringe on RIM's registered trademarks and also seeks injunctive relief, profits, damages, costs and legal fees for Glenayre's allegedly willful conduct. About Research In Motion Research In Motion® Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and services, RIM® provides solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers around the world to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Wireless Handheld? product line, the BlackBerry? wireless email solution, embedded radio-modems and software development tools. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario RIM operates offices in Canada, the United States and England. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.net. Investors may contact investor_relations@rim.net. Customers may contact info@rim.net. Media Contacts: Scott Pollard Brodeur Worldwide for RIM 203.399.8245 spollard@brodeur.com Investor Contact: RIM Investor Relations 519.888.7465 investor_relations@rim.net Research In Motion, RIM and BlackBerry are trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Research In Motion and RIM are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, products and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks relating to possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, risks related to the year 2000 issue, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities.