Merlin Software Technologies Appoints Hank Barber to Chairman of the Board

Burnaby, BC, July 19, 2001 - Merlin Software Technologies International, Inc. – (OTCBB: MLSW), a leader in software development and business solutions for the SME market, today announced the appointment of Hank Barber to Chairman of Merlin’s Board of Directors. Mr. Barber was the first independent Director to join Merlin's Board, and has brought significant management and marketing expertise to the company.

Merlin’s President & C.E.O., Robert Heller, said “I am very pleased to have Hank take on this responsibility. He is experienced and an excellent choice for this position. I have enjoyed working with Hank since he joined our Board and his insight and guidance have been instrumental in helping us chart our course.”

Mr. Barber began his career in New York at J. Walter Thompson, and then moved to Bates where he rose to the position of Vice President Group Account Supervisor, managing a variety of Warner Lambert consumer products. Following this term, Barber took the position of Executive Vice President and Managing Director of McCann Seattle, Washington, where he stayed from 1983 until 1997. For each of the last three years at McCann-Seattle, McCann's management named Seattle their Agency of the Year for North America, and in 1996 and 1997 the agency also received "Best Creative in the World" honours from McCann-Erikson, competing with over 200 offices. In 1997 Mr. Barber founded Hank Inc. and today specializes in Brand Audits and Strategic Growth Planning for developing companies.

"Merlin has the development expertise, and now the marketing expertise, to be highly successful with its impending new product launch in the fast growing network storage market for small and medium sized businesses. It is rewarding to be a part of such an intense and dedicated group of people,” said Mr. Barber.

Hank is a graduate of the University of Washington in Journalism where he has served as an extension program supervisor for three years. He has completed the University of Chicago Graduate School executive program and has served as Chairman of the Washington State Council of the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

About MERLIN Software Technologies International, Inc.

Merlin Software Technologies International, Inc. (OTC: MLSW) is known for award winning software, such as PerfectBackUP+7.0, a fast, easy and powerful system backup application and CommunicadoFAX 4.0, a cross platform fax utility for Linux, UNIX, Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac users. Merlin's applications operate on all major Linux distributions including those from Caldera (Nasdaq:CALD), RedHat (Nasdaq:RHAT), S.u.S.E., Debian, Mandrake, Corel (Nasdaq:CORL) and Turbolinux. These products dramatically improve a system's productivity and reliability. Merlin Software Technologies International Inc. has offices in Burnaby, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington. For additional information about Merlin, visit www.merlinsoftech.com or call (877) 988-7227.

For more information, contact:

Terry Jeffrey Investor Relations MERLIN Software Technologies International, Inc. Tel: (604) 320-7227 Toll Free: (877) 988-7227 Email: ir@merlintechnologies.com

Sarah Jane Ormerod Director, Corporate and Marketing Communications MERLIN Software Technologies International, Inc. Tel: (604) 320-7227 Toll Free: (877) 988-7227 Email: sjormerod@merlinsoftech.com

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including forward-looking statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release, which are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Although Merlin Software Technologies International, Inc. believes that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's annual report of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.

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