WiLAN Appoints Michael Vladescu Chief Operating Officer

OTTAWA, CANADA--(Marketwire - March 6, 2012) - Wi-LAN Inc. ("WiLAN" or the "Company") (TSX:WIN)(NASDAQ:WILN) today announced that Michael B. Vladescu has accepted the position of Chief Operating Officer of WiLAN. Mr. Vladescu comes to WiLAN from MOSAID Technologies Incorporated ("MOSAID") where he worked for more than fifteen years in various positions related to patent licensing, portfolio development and patent prosecution. In his most recent position as Vice President, Licensing and Intellectual Property, Mr. Vladescu led the effort to license MOSAID's patent portfolio to many of the world's best known electronics companies and was responsible for driving success in the firm's major patent licensing programs.

Mr. Vladescu's appointment as Chief Operating Officer of WiLAN is effective by March 15, 2012. The position of Chief Operating Officer will report to the President and Chief Executive Officer and is a newly created position at WiLAN. In this role, Mr. Vladescu will oversee patent acquisitions, licensing, litigation and portfolio management for both WiLAN's licensing program and Gladios IP.

"We are delighted that Michael is joining WiLAN," said Jim Skippen, President and CEO. "I worked with Michael for ten years, so I know first-hand how much he can contribute to our business. Michael has extensive experience in managing all aspects of patent licensing, litigation and portfolio development and has a thorough understanding of the patent licensing business. We believe Michael is the ideal person to take on the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer."

"I am very enthusiastic to be joining WiLAN," said Mr. Vladescu. "Over the past few years, Jim and his team have done a terrific job building WiLAN into one of the world's foremost licensing companies. I look forward to working again with him and the whole WiLAN management team to continue to build on their many past successes and take WiLAN to the very top of the licensing industry."

About WiLAN

WiLAN, founded in 1992, is a leading technology innovation and licensing company. WiLAN has licensed its intellectual property to over 255 companies worldwide. Inventions in our portfolio have been licensed by companies that manufacture or sell a wide range of communication and consumer electronics products including 3G and 4G handsets, Wi-Fi-enabled laptops, Wi-Fi and broadband routers, xDSL infrastructure equipment, cellular base stations and digital television receivers. WiLAN has a large and growing portfolio of more than 3,000 issued or pending patents. For more information: www.wilan.com.

Forward-looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other United States and Canadian securities laws. The phrases "will oversee", "we believe", "continue to build" and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are based on estimates and assumptions made by WiLAN in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that WiLAN believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause WiLAN's actual performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation, (1) the risks described in WiLAN's November 8, 2011 management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations relating to its 3 and 9 months ended September 30, 2011 (the "MD&A") starting at page 32 of the MD&A and (2) the risks described in WiLAN's March 1, 2011 annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the "AIF") starting at page 13 of the AIF. Copies of each of the MD&A and AIF may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov. WiLAN recommends that readers review and consider all of these risk factors and notes that readers should not place undue reliance on any of WiLAN's forward-looking statements. WiLAN has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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