Extensive Background in Leading Operational and Financial Excellence for High-Growth Software Companies

PEABODY, Mass., August 20, 2003 – ScanSoft, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSFT) today announced that it has named David Gerth to the position of senior vice president and chief financial officer. Prior to joining ScanSoft, Gerth held senior level financial positions at several software and high technology companies, including chief financial officer of Allaire Corporation.

At Allaire, Gerth helped guide the company through its most challenging growth opportunities, including an initial public offering and driving the company toward its leadership in Web software and eventual merger with Macromedia. In this role, Gerth demonstrated his ability in achieving profitable results during periods of rapid growth and, through an IPO and commitment to increasing shareholder value, proved his skills in communicating effectively with Wall Street.

ScanSoft Chairman and CEO Paul Ricci commented, "As the leading provider of speech and imaging productivity solutions, ScanSoft continues to take steps to strengthen its operations. David's appointment gives ScanSoft the ability to apply his diverse set of experiences and skills to help refine our business model, improve profitability, strengthen our balance sheet, recognize additional synergies from recent acquisitions and enhance overall shareholder value. ScanSoft's management and board of directors are pleased to further strengthen our team through this key appointment."

Gerth brings extensive experience in software and services in reseller and enterprise sales models, providing a skill set that comprises domestic and global finance, operations management, corporate governance and long-range planning. Previously, he was chief financial officer at Ember Software and held senior financial positions at Powersoft and ComputerVision. In these positions, Gerth established his background in worldwide operations as he actively managed finance, legal, human resources, facilities and information technology.

Gerth replaces Richard Palmer, who will step down as part of the integration activity surrounding ScanSoft's acquisition of Boston-based SpeechWorks, Inc. Palmer, who helped lead the company through several successful acquisitions, including Caere Corporation, Lernout & Hauspie, Philips Speech Processing and SpeechWorks, will remain at ScanSoft as senior vice president of corporate development, concentrating on the company's strategic initiatives, including future mergers and acquisitions.

"Rich has made a lasting impression on the company through significant contributions that shaped the financial stability and resources of the company, facilitating much of our growth," said Ricci. "We are pleased that he will remain in a vital corporate development role at ScanSoft, one through which the company will continue to benefit from his business and financial acumen."

About ScanSoft, Inc.

ScanSoft, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSFT) is a leading supplier of imaging, speech and language solutions that are used to automate a wide range of manual processes - saving time, increasing worker productivity and improving customer service. For more information regarding ScanSoft products and technologies, please visit www.ScanSoft.com.

ScanSoft and the ScanSoft logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other company or product names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performances are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with market trends, competitive factors, and other risks identified in the Company's SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

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