Wi-LAN Completes Closing of $8 Million Bought Deal

OTTAWA, CANADA - Aug. 17, 2006 -- Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX:WIN - News; "Wi-LAN" or "the Company") announced today that it has completed the previously announced issuance of 6,400,000 common shares of the Company. The shares were issued on a bought deal basis, at a price of $1.25 per common share, for gross proceeds of approximately $8 million. The shares were offered by way of a short form prospectus in all of the provinces of Canada (excluding Quebec) and in the United States on a private placement basis. The shares were offered for sale by a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Paradigm Capital Inc. and Wellington West Capital Markets Inc., and also included Haywood Securities Inc.

"We believe the funds raised in this financing, in combination with the cash Wi-LAN already has on hand, makes it possible for Wi-LAN to engage in one or more litigations concerning our patents", said Jim Skippen, President and CEO of Wi-LAN. "It will also provide the clear message to the many companies that require a license to the Wi-LAN patents that Wi-LAN can afford to litigate if licensing discussions do not yield a successful result."

"Since joining Wi-LAN on June 20th, I have been pleased with the significant number of ongoing discussions we have launched, or are engaged in, with companies requiring a license to the Wi-LAN patent portfolio", added Skippen. "This successful financing can only increase the likelihood that these companies will take a license to the Wi-LAN portfolio."

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Wi-LAN Inc.

Wi-LAN holds a varied portfolio of essential patents in large, existing and emerging industries: CDMA2000, WiFi and WiMAX. Wi-LAN has licensed its patents to a few companies. Wi-LAN is a charter member of the WiMAX Forum (www.wimaxforum.org).