Wi-LAN and Tri-Vision Announce Merger
Following the proposed Transaction, Wi-LAN would have the following attributes:
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The leading Canadian intellectual property (“IP”) licensing company, with a strong communications portfolio of fundamental patents in V-chip, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, CDMA, and DSL
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Strong future cash flows from Tri-Vision’s licensees. Approximately 25% of U.S. digital TV unit shipments and 98% of Canadian TV unit shipments have been licensed already, leaving significant future license revenues from both existing and future licensees. Tri-Vision owns the rights to V-chip patents in Canada, and the US where the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has mandated the inclusion of upgradeable V-Chips for all TV receivers and other broadcast reception devices (including VCRs, set-top boxes, and digital video recorders)
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Strong cash position, with over $100 million in cash to fund licensing operations, litigation and further IP acquisitions
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Considerable negotiation leverage across common licensing targets – combining Tri-Vision’s and Wi-LAN’s intellectual property greatly enhances leverage in licensing negotiations; able to pursue licensees with several patent families
Jim Skippen, President & Chief Executive Officer of Wi-LAN, said, "The combination of Wi-LAN and Tri-Vision will create a company that is more than the combined parts. It will be a world-class IP licensing company with exciting growth expected from our portfolio of essential patents. This is an excellent example of growing Wi-LAN’s IP portfolio in an adjacent market. Since many of the licensing targets are similar to both companies, we believe there will be excellent synergies realized by combining the companies. We believe that this transaction represents an excellent value proposition for our shareholders and we will benefit immediately from the revenue flows from existing Tri-Vision licensees."
“Based on our calculations, and based on forecasts of DisplaySearch and IDC for digital TV and set-top box growth, the existing licenses of Tri-Vision should yield approximately $100 million in future revenues.” added Skippen. “Based on those same forecasts for growth and assuming the remainder of the Canadian and U.S. markets are signed at the same rates as existing Tri-Vision license agreements, Wi-LAN should be able to realize total revenues of approximately $500 million over the next nine years.“
“This Transaction provides tremendous value to Tri-Vision shareholders”, said Tim Collings, Tri-Vision Chairman and inventor of the company’s V-chip technology. “We have always been confident in the strength of our V-chip technology, but by merging our companies we will benefit from the additional licensing experience and financial resources of Wi-LAN, particularly in the U.S. market. We look forward to working closely with Wi-LAN’s management to accelerate the growth of our business,” he said.
Summary of the Transaction
Under the proposed Transaction, each Tri-Vision common share would be exchanged for Wi-LAN common shares with a value of $1.72 on the closing date, subject to the exchange ratio calculation described below. This would represent a premium of 41.0% to the closing price of Tri-Vision’s shares on the TSX on March 26, 2007 and 41.7% to the 20-day volume weighted average trading price of Tri-Vision’s shares on the TSX prior to that date.
For the purposes of determining the actual exchange ratio, the value of each issued and outstanding Tri-Vision common share shall be deemed to be $1.72, and the value of each Wi-LAN common share shall be equal to the volume weighted average price for a random 10 trading day period in the 20 trading day period prior to closing, provided that the exchange ratio shall not exceed .2920 or be less than .2642 shares of Wi-LAN for each share of Tri-Vision.
In the Letter of Intent, Tri-Vision has granted Wi-LAN an exclusivity period until April 27, 2007 in which to complete due diligence and has agreed not to solicit other proposals subject to the exercise by the Tri-Vision's board of its fiduciary duties. In the event that a definitive agreement is not signed and another party concludes an acquisition of Tri-Vision within six months from the date of the Letter of Intent, Tri-Vision has agreed to pay Wi-LAN a termination fee of $2.0 million. The exclusivity period and termination fee provisions in the Letter of Intent are binding upon Tri-Vision.
The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved signing the Letter of Intent described in this release. A special committee of the board of directors of Tri-Vision has been formed to consider the proposed transaction. Senior officers and directors of Tri-Vision holding over 24% of Tri-Vision’s common shares outstanding have indicated that they are they will vote in favour of the Transaction.
The companies have agreed to work towards the signing of definitive documentation within 30 days, and the Transaction is expected to be completed in June 2007, following all necessary approvals.
The Transaction remains subject to entering into the definitive agreement and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including any necessary regulatory approvals. There is no assurance that the Transaction will be completed, or if completed, that the terms may not change.
It is intended that Tri-Vision will divest its cable TV products and distribution business. As a result, the potential acquisition of Tri-Vision is consistent with Wi-LAN’s stated goal of being a pure-play patent licensing company.
Wellington West Capital Markets Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Wi-LAN, and Acumen Capital Finance Partners Limited is acting as financial advisor to Tri-Vision.
About Tri-Vision’s V-chip Patents
Tri-Vision owns the rights to U.S. V-chip Patent No. 5,828,402 and Canadian V-chip Patent Nos. 2,179,474 and 2,342,045. The acquisition of Tri-Vision’s V-chip technology adds to Wi-LAN’s strong patent portfolio that includes Wi-Fi, CDMA, DSL, and the emerging WiMAX technology. Wi-LAN will now hold the key U.S. and Canadian patents for the upgradeable V-chip technology that has been mandated by the FCC in the United States.
March 1, 2007 marked the official date of the FCC full mandate to include the flexible V-chip technology in all digital television receivers with or without an associated display shipped in the United States. All TV receivers and other broadcast reception devices (including VCRs, set-top boxes and digital video recorders) require digital tuners known as "ATSC tuners" which are necessary to facilitate "open" V-chip software.
Tri-Vision's U.S. Patent licensing campaign now includes 42 licensees, representing approximately 25% of the U.S. market for digital TV sales. Tri-Vision has licensed approximately 98% of the Canadian TV market and resorted to legal action in five cases. All cases reached a favourable conclusion.
Companies which have been licensed to the U.S. and/or Canadian patents include: Sony, Hitachi, Sanyo, Pioneer, Philips, JVC, Panasonic, Sharp, LG Electronics, Samsung, Funai, Orion, Apex, Korat Denki, World, Eastech, Toshiba, eRAE, Seiko Epson, Xiamen, Shenzhen KXD, NewLane, Konka, TTE, Optoma, Coretronic, ViewSonic, Syntax-Brillian, NEC, AKAI, Chunghwa, Humax, Shinco, Jabil Circuit, LiteOn, Top Powersonic, Nakamichi, Emerson Radio, Esto, BenQ, Runco, Daewoo Tecwell, ProView, Redmond Group, and others.
On February 17, 2009, analog television signals in the U.S. will no longer be available, and the transition to all digital broadcasting will be complete. Assuming manufacturers follow the U.S. Government digital tuner mandate, all television receivers in the U.S. will include digital television tuners by the end of fiscal 2008. Once the manufacturers are licensed, Tri-Vision will be entitled to collect royalties on sales that date back to the beginning of use of Tri-Vision's technology.
Tri-Vision is at various stages in the pursuit of licensing deals with the remaining manufacturers including major brand and OEM manufacturers with significant market share. As with the successful Canadian licensing campaign, it is Tri-Vision's goal to license all digital television receivers sold in the U.S. market.
About Wi-LAN Inc.
Wi-LAN, which was founded in 1992, licenses intellectual property that drives a full range of products providing access in wireless and wireline telecommunications markets. Some of the fundamental technologies covered by Wi-LAN’s patents include: CDMA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX and DSL. Wi-LAN has already licensed its intellectual property to a number of major companies, including Cisco, Fujitsu and Nokia.
About Tri-Vision International Ltd.
Tri-Vision International Ltd. was established 1986. The company is committed to becoming a leading international supplier of V-chip technology, multi-media and cable television technologies. Tri-Vision has been publicly listed since 1993, first on the Alberta Stock Exchange and currently on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) trading under the symbol TVL.
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