Canon U.S.A. Teams Up With Boomer Esiason and Leading Retailers Nationwide to Help Cure Cystic Fibrosis.

Business Editors

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 2000

-- Rebate Progam Benefits Customers, Boomer Esiason Foundation

-- Participating Retailers Include Staples, Office Depot and J&R

Music & Computer World

-- Several Time Inc. Magazines, and dads Magazine, Donate Ad Space

for Program

Canon U.S.A., Inc., the company whose imaging solutions give people Know How, announced today a rebate program for select personal copiers, developed jointly with the Boomer Esiason Foundation (BEF) and supported by leading office suppliers nationwide. Through the program, which runs from June 1st through June 30th, 2000, Canon will offer a $25 rebate to consumers and will contribute $25 to the Boomer Esiason Foundation for each purchase of a Canon PC980 or PC920 personal copier.

Customers can purchase the Canon PC980 and PC920 models at more than 2500 national and independent retail locations, including Staples, Office Depot and J&R, and the rebate offer will be advertised by these vendors in their weekly circulars.

"We are proud to support the Boomer Esiason Foundation's efforts with a product promotion that will raise both awareness and funding," said Jim Rosetta, vice president and general manager of the Retailer/Distributor Sales Division at Canon U.SA. "The advertising copy says it best: `At last, a rebate offer that's not just about saving money.'"

Advertising space promoting the rebate offer throughout the month of June has been donated by several Time Inc. magazines and by dads magazine, published by Dads Media LLC. Advertisements began appearing in the first week of June in dads magazine and in several Time Inc. publications, including Time, Fortune, Sports Illustrated, Entertainment Weekly, and eCompany Now.

"All of us are delighted that this donation of media space will help generate crucial research funding for cystic fibrosis," said Jack Haire, president of The Fortune Group, comprised of Fortune, FSB, and eCompany Now. Haire helped coordinate the effort at Time Inc.

"This program is proof of the great difference corporations can make in the lives of so many," said Boomer Esiason, founder of the Boomer Esiason Foundation. "The joining-together of the manufacturing, publishing and retail communities in the fight against cystic fibrosis will enable the Boomer Esiason Foundation to improve the lives of CF sufferers and bring researchers one step closer to a cure."

The Canon/BEF advertisement and point-of-purchase mail-in rebate claim forms were created by Oasis Advertising in New York. Claim forms for the rebate will be available at all participating retail locations and on the Canon USA Web site: (www.usa.canon.com/rebates/pcrebate/index.html).

About Canon PC Copiers

The Canon PC920 produces 10 copies per minute and offers legal-size convenience, a 250-sheet front-loading cassette, and single sheet bypass. Other useful features include zoom reduction and enlargement, photo and toner saver modes, and multiple copying for increased productivity. Street price is $499.

The Canon PC980 produces 13 copies per minute and combines Canon's innovative Single Cartridge System, reliable 30-sheet automatic document feeding technology, and a 500-sheet front-loading paper cassette. The Energy Star-compliant PC980 also offers energy efficiency features such as zero warm-up time and automatic shut-off. Auto exposure and photo mode capabilities make for perfect copies every time. Equipped with a wide range zoom and four preset ratios, the PC980 makes it easy to reduce or enlarge images at the touch of a key. Street price is $799.

Both the PC980 and PC920 include a starter cartridge. Since the cartridges for both products contain everything that can run out or wear out -- toner, drum and development unit -- in one easily replaceable component, both are virtually maintenance free.

The Boomer Esiason Foundation

The Boomer Esiason Foundation was established in 1993 by NFL great Boomer Esiason after his young son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. A partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities supported by a committed corps of volunteers, the Foundation supports research to both enhance the lives of those stricken with the disease and to develop a cure. Since 1993, the Boomer Esiason Foundation has raised more than $8 million dollars for cystic fibrosis research and the therapeutic development drug program. For more information on BEF, please visit www.esiason.org.

Cystic fibrosis is caused by defective CFTR, the protein responsible for the transport of chloride ions from epithelial cells, which line organs such as the lungs and pancreas. In cystic fibrosis, chloride ion transport is blocked and the body produces a thick, sticky mucus that clogs the airways and leads to fatal lung infections. There are approximately 70,000 cystic fibrosis patients worldwide, including 30,000 in the U.S. and 30,000 in Europe.

Canon U.S.A.

Canon supports future generations by protecting America's most valuable resources: children and the environment. In keeping with this goal, the company supports a wide range of organizations, including the March of Dimes, the LensCrafters Foundation "Gift of Sight," the National Park Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and the award-winning PBS television series NATURE."

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions and, through its parent company, Canon Inc., is a top patent-holder of imaging technologies. The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. For more information, please visit Canon U.S.A.'s web site at www.usa.canon.com.

All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.