wiln-ex991

OTTAWA, Canada – November 3, 2016 – WiLAN (TSX:WIN) (NASD:WILN) today reported financial results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016. All financial information in this press release is reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

“WiLAN delivered a solid bottom line with $9.3 million of EBITDA on revenues that were affected somewhat by the revenue variability inherent in our model,” said Jim Skippen, CEO of WiLAN. “During the quarter we made progress on both acquisitions and licensing although we did not close any licenses that boosted this quarter’s revenues materially.”

Added Skippen, “We could have closed one or more larger license opportunities that were in discussions. This would have significantly boosted the quarter; however, in the long run we believed it was not in the best interests of WiLAN to do so because the amounts offered still did not reflect a fair value for the licenses. With significant cash on our balance sheet, we can afford to wait to finalize licenses only when we believe they are at a fair value. These are not lost license opportunities; we simply believe they have been pushed out into future quarters. In the meantime, we continue to carefully manage our expense level, which is reflected in our high EBITDA margin and bottom-line profitability.”

The Board of Directors declared an eligible quarterly dividend of CDN $0.0125 per common share to be paid on January 4, 2017, to shareholders of record on December 15, 2016.

In the three month period ended September 30, 2016, WiLAN generated revenues of $16.6 million, compared with $21.4 million in the same period last year. In the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, WiLAN

generated revenues of $62.7 million, compared with $76.8 million in the same period last year.

The difference in revenue for both periods is primarily attributable to a greater level of fixed payment license agreements signed during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, and in particular for the nine month period comparison, due to a large license agreement signed with Samsung in the second quarter of 2015.

In the three month period ended September 30, 2016, cost of revenue totaled $12.1 million compared with $16.7 million in the same period last year. In the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, cost of revenue totaled $46.3 million compared with $52.3 million in the same period last year.

The decrease in cost of revenue for the three month period ended September 30, 2016 is primarily related to lower amortization expense as several of the Company’s intangible assets have reached the end of their estimated life, and lower litigation expenses. The decrease in cost of revenue for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, is primarily attributable to a decrease in litigation expense partially offset by an increase in patent maintenance, prosecution and evaluation costs, and contingent partner payments and legal fees. In general, patent licensing expenses are proportional to the breadth and depth of our licensing programs and should be expected to increase as we add programs to our business operations.

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015

Compensation and benefits	$	1,787	$	1,447	$	5,953	$	5,391
Litigation		741		1,727		2,229		11,112
Patent maintenance, prosecution, and evaluation		2,670		3,019		8,095		5,715
Contingent partner payments and legal fees		10		441		2,735		1,217
Amortization of patents		6,744		9,739		26,616		27,744
Stock-based compensation		29		128		164		366
Other		161		201		485		754
	$	12,142	$	16,702	$	46,277	$	52,299

In the three month period ended September 30, 2016, litigation expenses were $0.7 million compared with $1.7 million in the same period last year. In the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, litigation expenses were $2.2 million compared with $11.1 million in the same period last year. The decrease in litigation expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016, is primarily due to an increase in shared risk fee arrangements with external legal counsel in comparison to the same periods last year. The contingent-fee arrangements with external legal counsel are part of WiLAN’s strategy to align incentives with its partners and to keep costs down.

Litigation expenses are expected to vary from period to period due to the level of litigation activities and shared

risk fee arrangements in place at the time. The Company expects a decrease in litigation expenses in fiscal 2016 as a result of the expected level of litigation activities and corresponding contingent-fee arrangements.

In the three month period ended September 30, 2016, patent maintenance and prosecution expenses decreased over the same period last year. This decline is the result of focused efforts to drop non-core patents from the Company’s portfolio. In the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, patent maintenance and prosecution expenses increased as a result of the higher number of patents and applications the Company maintained during that period. The Company is actively working to reduce the number of non-core patents in its portfolio through a combination of strategic sales, lifetime licenses and, in certain cases, the abandonment or dedication to the public of several patents and applications.

In the three month period ended September 30, 2016, MG&A expenses were $1.9 million, or 11% of revenue, compared with $1.4 million, or 6.5% of revenue, in the same period last year. In the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, MG&A expenses were $7.3 million, or 12% of revenue, compared with $5.9 million, or 8% of revenue, in the same period last year. These costs will vary from period to period depending on the activities and initiatives undertaken at that time.

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015

Compensation and benefits	$	1,003	$	815	$	3,950	$	2,764
Depreciation		101		104		314		330
Stock-based compensation		13		72		31		260
Public company costs		150		255		1,297		980
Facilities		165		138		482		439
Other		472		32		1,229		1,106
	$	1,904	$	1,416	$	7,303	$	5,879

Restructuring activities, which commenced in October 2015, resulted in the elimination of WiLAN’s R&D activities and, therefore, the Company does not expect to incur any expenses related to R&D in 2016. The Company does not expect the elimination of its R&D activities to have a material impact, if any, on its business activities.

In the three month period ended September 30, 2016, WiLAN incurred an unrealized foreign exchange loss of $0.1 million compared with a loss of $0.6 million in the same period last year. In the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred an unrealized foreign exchange gain of $0.2 million compared with a loss of $(2.9) million in the same period last year.

Unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses result from the translation of monetary accounts, primarily cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, dividends, and accounts payable, denominated in Canadian

In the three month period ended September 30, 2016, WiLAN generated EBITDA of $9.3 million, or $0.08 per basic share, compared with $12.0 million, or $0.10 per basic share, in the same period last year. In the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, WiLAN generated EBITDA of $36.2 million, or $0.30 per basic share, compared with $41.8 million, or $0.35 per basic share, in the same period last year.

In the three month period ended September 30, 2016, WiLAN’s GAAP net income was $0.7 million, or $0.01 per basic share, compared with GAAP earnings of $0.8 million, or $0.01 per basic share, in the same period last year. In the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, WiLAN’s GAAP earnings were $2.4 million, or $0.02 per basic share, compared with GAAP earnings of $7.0 million, or $0.06 per basic share, in the same period last year.

At September 30, 2016, the Company’s cash, which is comprised of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, totaled $103.2 million, representing an increase of $8.6 million from the position at December 31, 2015. This increase is primarily attributable to $29.3 million of cash generated from operations, which was partially offset by the payment of dividends totaling $3.4 million, the repurchase of common shares under a normal course issuer bid totaling $4.2 million and patent acquisitions totaling $13.3 million. The patent acquisition total includes payments of $4.2 million for the repayment of patent finance obligations for patents acquired in 2013 and payments of $9.2 million for patents acquired in 2015 and 2016.

Cash operating expenses for the fourth quarter 2016 are expected to be in the range of $8.3 million to $10.8 million, of which $1.5 million to $3.1 million is expected to be litigation expense. These expenses exclude any contingent partner payments and contingent legal fees.

WiLAN will conduct a conference call to discuss its financial results today at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. WiLAN CEO, Jim Skippen and CFO, Shaun McEwan will host the call.

A replay will also be accessible by telephone until 11:59 PM ET on November 17, 2016.

WiLAN is one of the most successful patent licensing companies in the world and helps companies unlock the value of intellectual property by managing and licensing their patent portfolios. The Company operates in a variety of markets including automotive, digital television, Internet, medical, semiconductor and wireless communication technologies. Founded in 1992, WiLAN is listed on the TSX and NASDAQ. For more information: www.wilan.com.

WiLAN follows U.S.GAAP in preparing its interim and annual financial statements. We use the term “EBITDA” to reference Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. EBITDA are earnings from continuing operations before interest income, interest expense, depreciation expense, amortization expense, and the provision for (recovery of) income taxes as disclosed in the reconciliation of GAAP net earnings to EBITDA included in this press release. We report EBITDA in the belief that it may be useful for certain investors and readers of the financial statements as a measure of our performance. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP. IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY STANDARDIZED MEANING PRESCRIBED BY U.S. GAAP AND IS THEREFORE UNLIKELY TO BE COMPARABLE TO SIMILARLY TITLED MEASURES USED BY OTHER COMPANIES. EBITDA should not be interpreted as an alternative to net earnings and cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as a measure of liquidity.

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 “reflect the scalability and profitability in our model and its ability to deliver results over the long-term”, “should be expected to increase”, “we expect a decrease”, “the Company is actively working to reduce”, “we do not expect”, “are expected to be”, “is expected to be” 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, expected future developments and the expected effects of new business strategies, 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, the risks described in WiLAN’s February 8, 2016 annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the “AIF”). Copies of the 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.

Financial guidance is provided to assist investors and other interested parties in understanding WiLAN’s performance. The reader is cautioned that using this information for any other purpose may be inappropriate.

The above targets reflect our current business indicators and expectations and are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Due to their nature, certain expense items, such as new litigation actions, contingent payments to licensing partners and litigation counsel that may be required from certain licenses signed in any particular quarter, losses on asset impairments or realized foreign exchange losses cannot be accurately forecast. Accordingly, we exclude forecasts of such items from our guidance. Actual expenses incurred may exceed the expense guidance provided due, in part, to contingent payments to licensing partners and litigation counsel that may be required from certain licenses signed during the quarter.

Actual results may vary materially from the guidance provided as a consequence of the above noted factors.

All trademarks and brands mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners.

	Three months ended		Three months ended		Nine months ended			Nine months ended
	September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015

Revenue	$	16,569	$	21,438	$	62,690		$	76,838

Operating expenses
Cost of revenue		12,142		16,702		46,277			52,299
Research and development		-		586		-			2,018
Marketing, general and administration		1,904		1,416		7,303			5,879
Foreign exchange (gain) loss		78		600		(199	)		2,894
Total operating expenses		14,124		19,304		53,381			63,090
Earnings from operations		2,445		2,134		9,309			13,748
Interest income		138		90		376			331
Earnings before income taxes		2,583		2,224		9,685			14,079

Provision for income tax expense
Current		1,028		839		4,888			2,873
Deferred		898		556		2,372			4,177
		1,926		1,395		7,260			7,050
Net and comprehensive earnings	$	657	$	829	$	2,425		$	7,029

Earnings per share
Basic	$	0.01	$	0.01	$	0.02		$	0.06
Diluted	$	0.01	$	0.01	$	0.02		$	0.06

Weighted average number of common shares
Basic		118,912,606		120,790,348		119,500,216			120,678,490
Diluted		118,912,606		120,790,986		119,500,216			120,698,225

As at	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	102,034		$	93,431
Short-term investments		1,182			1,120
Accounts receivable		6,922			8,436
Prepaid expenses and deposits		1,073			1,607
		111,211			104,594

Loan receivable		1,691			1,497
Furniture and equipment, net		1,332			1,614
Patents and other intangibles, net		129,318			155,213
Deferred tax asset		15,303			17,677
Goodwill		12,623			12,623
	$	271,478		$	293,218

Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	10,434		$	23,205
Current portion of patent finance obligation		8,290			8,085
		18,724			31,290

Patent finance obligation		16,097			19,895
Success fee obligation		94			655
		34,915			51,840

Shareholders' equity
Capital stock		419,448			427,781
Additional paid-in capital		21,016			16,549
Accumulated other comprehensive income		16,225			16,225
Deficit		(220,126	)		(219,177	)
		236,563			241,378
	$	271,478		$	293,218

	Three months ended			Three months ended			Nine months ended			Nine months ended
	September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015
Cash generated from (used in)
Operations
Net earnings (loss)	$	657		$	829		$	2,425		$	7,029
Non-cash items
Stock-based compensation		42			220			197			702
Depreciation and amortization		6,846			9,848			26,933			28,078
Foreign exchange (gain) loss		53			480			(337	)		1,153
Disposal of assets		-			-			13			-
Deferred income tax expense (recovery)		898			556			2,372			4,177
Accrued investment income		(66	)		(55	)		(194	)		(165	)
Change in non-cash working capital balances
Accounts receivable		690			12,179			1,514			(2,036	)
Prepaid expenses and deposits		394			534			534			(439	)
Payments associated with success fee obligation		(480	)		(854	)		(2,211	)		(2,999	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(2,834	)		(433	)		(1,982	)		(2,644	)
Cash generated from operations		6,200			23,304			29,264			32,856
Financing
Dividends paid		(1,153	)		(5,077	)		(3,395	)		(15,265	)
Common shares repurchased under normal course issuer bid		(1,101	)		-			(4,225	)		(329	)
Common shares issued for cash on the exercise of options		-			-			11			1,269
Common shares issued for cash from Employee Share Purchase Plan		-			-			35			81
Cash used in financing		(2,254	)		(5,077	)		(7,574	)		(14,244	)
Investing
Purchase of furniture and equipment		(6	)		(54	)		(46	)		(170	)
Repayment of patent finance obligations		(1,389	)		(3,531	)		(4,166	)		(14,594	)
Purchase of patents		(3,000	)		(32,603	)		(9,150	)		(34,703	)
Cash used in investing		(4,395	)		(36,188	)		(13,362	)		(49,467	)
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash held in foreign currency		(35	)		(400	)		275			(978	)

Net cash and cash equivalents generated (used) in the period		(484	)		(18,361	)		8,603			(31,833	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		102,518			112,839			93,431			126,311
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	102,034		$	94,478		$	102,034		$	94,478

	Capital Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		Deficit			Total Equity

Balance - December 31, 2014	$	426,037		$	16,375		$	16,225	$	(212,880	)	$	245,757

Comprehensive earnings:
Net earnings		-			-			-		7,029			7,029
Shares and options issued:									.
Stock-based compensation expense		-			702			-		-			702
Exercise of stock options		2,056			(787	)		-		-			1,269
Sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan		81			-			-		-			81
Shares repurchased under normal course issuer bid		(443	)		114			-		-			(329	)
Dividends declared		-			-			-		(15,178	)		(15,178	)
Balance - September 30, 2015	$	427,731		$	16,404		$	16,225	$	(221,029	)	$	239,331

Balance - December 31, 2015	$	427,781		$	16,549		$	16,225	$	(219,177	)	$	241,378

Comprehensive earnings:
Net earnings		-			-			-		2,425			2,425
Shares and options issued:
Stock-based compensation expense		-			197			-		-			197
Conversion of deferred stock units to common shares		116			-			-		-			116
Exercise of options		17			(6	)		-		-			11
Sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan		35			-			-		-			35
Shares repurchased under normal course issuer bid		(8,501	)		4,276			-		-			(4,225	)
Dividends declared		-			-			-		(3,374	)		(3,374	)
Balance - September 30, 2016	$	419,448		$	21,016		$	16,225	$	(220,126	)	$	236,563

	Three months ended						Nine months ended
	September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015
Net earnings under GAAP	$	657		$	829		$	2,425		$	7,029

Adjusted for:
Interest income		(138	)		(90	)		(376	)		(331	)
Depreciation and amortization		6,846			9,848			26,932			28,078
Income tax expense		1,926			1,395			7,260			7,050
EBITDA	$	9,291		$	11,982		$	36,241		$	41,826

Weighted average number of common shares (1)
Basic		118,912,606			120,790,348			119,500,216			120,678,490

Earnings per basic share under GAAP	$	0.01		$	0.01		$	0.02		$	0.06

Adjusted for:
Interest income		(0.00	)		(0.00	)		(0.00	)		(0.00	)
Depreciation and amortization		0.06			0.08			0.23			0.23
Income tax expense		0.02			0.01			0.06			0.06
EBITDA per basic share	$	0.08		$	0.10		$	0.30		$	0.35

1. Weighted average number of commons shares used in the calculation of EBITDA per basic share and earnings per basic share under GAAP.



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