For Immediate Release (Calgary, AB Canada)
November 9, 1999

Zi licenses eZiTEXT(tm) to Legend Computer Systems Ltd.,
beginning with integration on the Microsoft WindowsCE Venus platform

Beijing, PRC (Nov. 9, 1999) - Zi Corporation (TSE: ZIC, NASDAQ: ZICA) is pleased to announced that it has entered into a licensing and royalty agreement for its eZiTEXT(tm) language processing technology, with China's Legend Computer Systems Ltd. (Legend).  eZiTEXT(tm) will be integrated into a range of Legend products, including set-top boxes and personal computers, beginning with the Venus set-top box series.

Legend was established in 1994, as part of the Legend Group.  It is the largest and most successful producer and developer of computer products in China.  Legend’s major product line is their popular personal and business computer series, which sell over one million units per year.  Legend controls 17 per cent of the Chinese PC market and aims to move two million units per year internationally by the end of 2000.  Legend's other technology series include notebook computers, set-top box products, network servers, PC software and motherboards.  The Legend Group is also a major licensee of the Microsoft Venus project, designed to put millions of Chinese on the Internet.

“eZiTEXT(tm) will be implemented on the Legend set-top box which uses the Microsoft Venus Operating System,” commented Yuan Shuxin, vice general manager of the Desktop PC Department at Legend.  “We have put in a lot of R&D into this Legend Venus product.  The company is determined to capture at least one-third of the Venus set-top box market in China.  eZiTEXT(tm) will offer a killer input technology to set-top box users and will be a standard feature on all Legend Venus products.”

“The Microsoft Venus project in China will be spearheaded by Legend who will be among the first to launch Venus products.  Legend does not do things on a small scale,” said Antoine Blondeau, senior vice president, Marketing & Sales at Zi Corporation.  “Legend's eZiTEXT(tm) powered set-top box will allow a user to surf the Internet, write e-mail and enter into e-commerce transactions, all from the remote control of the television.  China has 320 million television sets.”

“Speed of implementation and our ability to customize features specific to Legend's particular requirements were instrumental to this agreement.  Zi’s capability of deploying senior development resources in China was also crucial to gaining Legend’s confidence.  We look forward to continuing our participation with Legend on additional platforms.”
Zi Corporation is a software company making modern electronic technology more accessible to people in a way that is consistent with their language and culture.  The company’s eZiTEXT(tm) input software is licensed in numerous languages for devices ranging from mobile phones to TV set-top boxes.  Zi’s common shares trade on both the Toronto Stock Exchange (ZIC) and the NASDAQ stock market (ZICA).  Zi markets its technology through strategic partnerships worldwide from offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Calgary, San Francisco and Stockholm.

Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, without limitation, statements concerning the anticipated benefits to Zi Corporation of its agreement with the licensee (the “Licensee”) described herein.  The expected inclusion of Zi Input technology in products developed by the Licensee and potential revenue therefrom involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Zi Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors include uncertainties in the ability to successfully collaborate with the Licensee; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully design, develop, and deliver any application that complies with the Licensee’s specifications and is accepted by the Licensee; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully meet specific delivery dates set forth by the Licensee; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully integrate and maintain compatibility with the licensee’s technology; possible failure to continue to be selected as the text input enabling technology by the Licensee; the ability of the Licensee to successfully market and distribute any of its products incorporating Zi technology; economic conditions in Asia; the risks of doing business in foreign countries including China; and the risks and uncertainties referred to in Zi Corporation’s Form 20-F for the most recent calendar year end as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  There can be no assurance that Zi Corporation will achieve commercial success through the agreement described herein.

Karen Attwell          
Zi Corporation         
Manager, Investor/Media Relations      
Phone: (403) 233-8875 
Email: mailto:investor@zicorp.com?Subject= About PressRelease On Nov. 9, 1999
Web site: http://www.zicorp.com/

Legend Computer Systems
Phone: 86-10-6298-8888
Web site: www.legend.com.cn