Press Release

October 20, 2000

Research In Motion Files a Registration Statement and a Preliminary Prospectus With Respect to the Offering of Six Million Common Shares in the United States and Canada

Waterloo, Ontario - Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM, TSE: RIM) today announced it has filed a registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and a preliminary prospectus with the securities commissions in each of the provinces of Canada pursuant to the U.S./Canada Multi-Jurisdictional Disclosure System for a proposed public offering of 6,000,000 Common Shares.

The offering is being managed by Merrill Lynch & Co., Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Banc of America Securities LLC, CIBC World Markets Inc., Griffiths McBurney & Partners, U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. and Wit SoundView Corporation.

As described in the registration statement, all of the 6,000,000 Common Shares will be offered by Research In Motion Limited. In addition, RIM will grant the underwriters an option to purchase an additional 900,000 Common Shares to cover over-allotments, if any.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. The securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

Copies of the U.S. preliminary prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from Merrill Lynch & Co., New York. Copies of the Canadian preliminary prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from Merrill Lynch Canada Inc., Toronto.