Earnings were $15.4 million, or 13 cents a share, compared with $10.5 million or nine cents a share in Q1 2011.
In the same time period, revenues decreased six per cent to $24.7 million, from $26.3 million.
The company incurred $31.1 million in costs associated with a debenture it took out in a failed attempt to acquire Mosaid Technologies last year. It also had a cash interest expense of $1.1 million.
WiLAN stated the increase in expenses in those three months was also due to higher staffing levels, higher third-party revenues and also more amortization expenses due to patent acquisitions made in 2011.
In terms of litigation expenses, which weighed on the balance sheet last year, they declined 66 per cent to $3.9 million due to settlements reached in fiscal 2011.
CEO Jim Skippen said the company was taking "important steps" to maintain growth.
"Establishing our U.S. headquarters in Miami, Florida will increase WiLAN's ability to attract and retain talented patent licensing professionals. In addition, the hiring of Michael Vladescu as chief operating officer, who brings over 15 years of technology licensing experience, will significantly bolster our ability to develop, acquire and monetize valuable patented technologies," he stated.
"Finally, we stepped up our efforts to secure future revenue with the launching of two new litigations to date in the year."
WiLAN's top 10 licensees accounted for 81 per cent of revenues, the company noted, down four percentage points from last year.
The company forecasts revenues of $19.7 million in the second quarter of 2012, excluding any new agreements that may be signed in that quarter. Adjusted earnings are expected to be between $6.6 million and $9.1 million.
Operating expenses are expected to be between $11 million and $13.5 million, of which $5 million to $7 million is expected to be litigation expenses.
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