Nautilus Group Files Immediate Appeal of Ruling on Summary Judgment and Preliminary Injunction

VANCOUVER, Wash., May 20, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

The Nautilus Group, Inc. (NYSE: NLS), a leading marketer, developer, and manufacturer of branded health and fitness products, announced today that it has appealed a ruling by the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in which the Court denied the company's motion for a preliminary injunction and granted partial summary judgment to ICON Health and Fitness, Inc., on the issue of "literal infringement".

"Although the company asking for an injunction bears the burden of proof, we believe Nautilus has met that burden and, therefore, we have appealed this ruling. At the same time, we continue to focus on preparing for trial where the vast majority of issues, including claims for patent infringement based on the "doctrine of equivalents", trademark infringement, and unfair competition remain unaffected by this ruling. Nautilus will vigorously protect and defend its intellectual property and will seek monetary damages and all other remedies provided by law," stated Brian Cook, Chief Executive Officer.

On December 3, 2002, The Nautilus Group announced it had filed a patent infringement action against ICON Health and Fitness, Inc., asserting infringement of two of The Nautilus Group's patents relating to the Bowflex exercise machine.

About The Nautilus Group

The Nautilus Group, Inc. is a leading marketer, developer, and manufacturer of branded health and fitness products sold under such well-known names as Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn and StairMaster. The Company currently markets its Bowflex and TreadClimber home fitness equipment and Nautilus Sleep Systems through its direct-marketing channel, using an effective combination of television commercials, infomercials, response mailings, the Internet, and inbound/outbound call centers. The Company sells its Nautilus, Schwinn and StairMaster commercial fitness equipment through its sales force and selected dealers to health clubs, government agencies, hotels, corporate fitness centers, colleges, universities, and assisted living facilities. The Nautilus Group also markets and sells a complete line of consumer fitness equipment, under its Nautilus, Schwinn and StairMaster brands, through a network of specialty dealers, distributors, and retailers worldwide. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. The Nautilus Group is located on the Internet at www.nautilusgroup.com.

From time to time, The Nautilus Group may issue forward-looking statements relating to its products and services, including statements regarding its direct and commercial/retail businesses. Factors that could affect The Nautilus Group's actual results include availability of media time and fluctuating advertising rates, a decline in consumer spending due to unfavorable economic conditions, expiration of important patents, its reliance on a limited product line, its ability to effectively develop, market, and sell future products, growth management challenges including the growth resulting from the acquisition of the assets of Schwinn Fitness in September 2001 and StairMaster in February 2002, its ability to effectively identify and negotiate any future strategic acquisitions, its ability to integrate any acquired businesses into its operations, unpredictable events and circumstances relating to international operations including its use of foreign manufacturers, government regulatory action, and general economic conditions. Please refer to our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. We also caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE: The Nautilus Group, Inc.

The Nautilus Group, Inc.
Rod Rice, 360/694-7722
or
Investor Relations Inquiries:
Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
John Mills, 562/256-7051 or 203/222-9013

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