Toppan Becomes First ARM Approved Licensing Program Partner In Japan

ARM increases design and licensing resources in Japan

CAMBRIDGE, UK AND TOKYO, JAPAN – Apr. 8, 2003 – ARM [(LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions, and Toppan Printing Co. Ltd., have announced that Toppan has become the first Partner in Japan to join the ARM® Approved Licensing Program (ALP). As a result, Toppan will be able to provide customers who wish to design ARM core-based system-on-chip (SoC) solutions with a complete end-to end service including easy access to ARM technology as well as expert design and technology integration services.

As an ALP Partner, Toppan will be able to provide a turnkey service to its customers from design services through to sub-licensing ARM core technology offered through the ARM Foundry Program. The ARM microprocessor cores that can currently be licensed through an ALP Partner include the ARM7TDMI® core, the ARM922T™ core, the ARM946E™ core and the ARM1022E™ core.

Toppan becomes ARM's second ALP Partner and this is important because of the company's reputation in the Japanese market and extensive customer relationships. Toppan already has in-depth experience of the ARM architecture through its work as an ARM technology access program partner in the ATAP™ program, since March 2001. Toppan has nine design centers in Japan offering design services based on the ARM architecture.

ARM and Toppan expect the turnkey solution offered through the ALP program to be of particular interest to fabless, application manufacturing companies that want to use ARM core technology and/or ASIC solutions.

"This agreement further strengthens our relationship with Toppan and our presence in the Japanese market," said Takio Ishikawa, president ARM KK. "Working together, we will be able to provide Partners throughout Japan with easy access to the industry-leading ARM architecture, coupled with local design expertise. This is a powerful combination for our Partners who are under increasing pressure to reduce time-to-market for new ARM Powered® devices."

"Our partnership with ARM in this new program has the potential to open up new markets in Japan for both of our companies," said Masafumi Takizawa, Director, Toppan Technical Design Center Co. Ltd. "Customers now have the advantage of being able to come to us for both ARM core technology and design services, which can speed up the process for companies moving to ARM core technology for the first time."

Both the design and turnkey services will be carried out by Toppan Technical Design Center Co. Ltd., which is Toppan's subsidiary company and a specific company of system LSI design and logic design.

The Approved Licensing Program (ALP)
The ALP program is the latest in the ARM flexible licensing models, designed to meet the challenges of today's fast-paced technology marketplace. Through the program, ALP Partners are able to offer a comprehensive service to its customers, comprising both design services and licensing of specific ARM core technology offered through the ARM Foundry Program. This service benefits companies that are looking for an ARM core-based turnkey solution.

About Toppan
Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. is one of the largest printing companies in the world, was established in Japan in 1900, with sales of over 9.8 Billion dollars. The seed of printing and pre-press technology has branched out into a variety of areas of business including: securities and smart cards, commercial printing, publications printing, packaging, industrial materials, electronics, and e-business. The Electronics Division of Toppan Printing manufactures electronic components by using photofabrication technology, which has been developed in plate making technology. Toppan products are used in semiconductor devices such as photomasks, leadframes, substrates for BGA. Toppan also supplies shadow masks for CRTs and color filters for LCDs display devices.

About ARM
ARM is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming a volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multimedia digital consumer and embedded solutions.

ARM, ARM Powered and ARM7TDMI are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM922T, ARM946E, ARM1022E and ATAP are trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; and ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.