BOSTON, April 17, 2007 – Helping to ensure a trusted and secure work environment for sensitive data, Canon U.S.A., Inc., the nation's market share brand copier leaderi, today announced that it has partnered with Codehost Inc., the printing industry's leading provider of Unix and Linux solutions, to create an integrated smart card authentication solution for Canon's Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform (MEAP) enabled imageRUNNER devices. The application will be on display at the Canon booth (#1400) at AIIM On Demand.

The application, powered by Codehost and based on Canon's proprietary MEAP technology, will provide user identity authentication using a smart card that allows for device and document access on Canon imageRUNNER devices to authorized users. As a result, companies can be confident that they are protecting the flow of information and ensuring that only authorized employees are handling and transferring sensitive documents.

"In today's business environment, controlling access to and protecting data is critical," said Dennis Amorosano, director and general manager, Solutions Business Development Division, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "With the Canon imageRUNNER Smart Card Authentication solution, businesses are provided with a way to share and protect sensitive data seamlessly, creating the internal controls necessary to ensure compliance with internal security initiatives."
This solution is designed to integrate with an existing Smart Card or network authentication infrastructure used for other network peripherals to extend this functionality to the Canon imageRUNNER device.

Once users have been granted access by inserting their smart card into a card reader at the device, they will have a direct connection to all of the capabilities within their imageRUNNER device including Copy, Scanning, Fax, Secure Print and Mailbox. With this application, companies can also easily prevent unauthorized use of the device.

"With regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley and HIPAA mandating how companies provide access to sensitive information, and tracking audits many businesses are faced with the task of managing an unprecedented level of paperwork, while at the same time ensuring that such confidential information is placed in the right people's hands," said Sam Bizri, president and chief executive officer of Codehost, Inc. "As a result, solutions such as imageRUNNER Smart Card Authentication can help these organizations to improve security and compliance capabilities."

The integrated smart card authentication solution for Canon's MEAP enabled imageRUNNER devices is expected to begin shipping in May with pricing made available at that time.

Canon was the first manufacturer in the industry to launch an MFP software development platform in 2003. The Java-based MEAP development environment provides a platform for the creation of unique applications, simplifying the interaction between users and Canon's devices, while tying tightly into a user's specific workflow. Since the introduction of MEAP, Canon has been working with third-party software vendors, customers and dealers to develop customized document workflow tasks on Canon imageRUNNER MFPs.

MEAP based applications are currently in use by organizations in the legal, financial, education and healthcare markets.

For more information on Canon's Alliance Program, MEAP technology and obtaining software development tools, please visit www.developersupport.canon.com

About Codehost Inc.
Founded in 1999, Codehost has emerged as the leader in Linux and Unix software development and services for leading manufacturers of printers, multi-function peripherals and imaging devices. With an expertise in a number of operating system platforms, hardware architectures, embedded technologies and peripheral devices, Codehost strives to establish long-term relationships with OEM's to support and grow their market share, while helping them enter emerging market segments. More information about Codehost product and services can be found at www.codehost.com.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2006 BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), is a top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2006†, with global revenues of $34.9 billion. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/pressroom.