Merlin Strengthens Board With Appointment of Two New Directors

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MERLIN Software Joins VA Linux as Solutions Partner

BURNABY, British Columbia - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sep. 9, 2000 - MERLIN Software Technologies International Inc. (MLSW), a leading developer of Linux based software applications and utilities, today announced that it has become a VA Linux Solutions Partner.

VA Linux (LNUX) is a premier supplier of sophisticated Linux based servers, workstations and open source solutions designed to help ISVs, ASPs and Internet Infrastructure business developers build better, high-quality solutions. VA Linux provides their partners with the tools and marketing channels to deploy and implement Linux based solutions.

"Becoming a VA Linux Solutions Partner is a significant step for MERLIN. VA Linux truly is a premier source for the Linux user. This approval recognizes the quality of MERLIN software and confirms for us that our solutions are some of those that discerning Linux users are seeking," said Robert Heller, President of MERLIN Software.

"Selling Linux solutions is no different to selling sophisticated Unix software applications," said Shelley Montgomery, V.P. Sales at MERLIN. "The average Linux user is no neophyte, and the VA Linux customer is typically looking for a best-of-breed solution. Naturally, we feel our applications are some of the best. This approval and acceptance as a VA Linux Solutions Partner confirms as much and we expect to see increasing awareness and sales as a consequence of this validation."

MERLIN develops high quality applications software for the Linux operating system, such as the award-winning PerfectBACKUP+6.2, the most economical, and powerful network backup tool available. It provides backup scheduling and remote backup, recovery, encryption, robotics module, enhanced security and many other features with both a graphical and character interface. PerfectBACKUP+ is available for all major Linux distributions including Caldera (CALD) OpenLinux 2.3, eServer 2.3, TurboLinux 4.0 and 6.0, versions 6.0 and 6.1 from RedHat (RHAT), SuSE 6.0/1/2/3, Debian 2.0, Mandrake 6.1, and the Linux 1.0 release from Corel (CORL).

MERLIN's software products continue to lead the way with innovation, performance and reliability. Users include small as well as Fortune 500 companies.

About MERLIN Software Technologies International, Inc.

MERLIN Software Technologies Inc. (MERLIN Softech), is a software publishing company that provides Linux, UNIX, Windows and Mac users with unique Linux and UNIX based software that dramatically improves a system's productivity and reliability. MERLIN Softech has offices in Burnaby, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington.

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Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding belief, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include the expectation that acceptance into the VA Linux Solutions Provider Partner program will result in increased awareness and increased sales. Unforeseen factors could cause results to differ materially from expectations, among other potential risks.

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