A few weeks ago, CDRlabs reported that Imation had filed a request for a declaratory judgment action against Philips, asking the court to reaffirm a cross-licensing agreement between the two companies. Apparently, Moser Baer India (MBI) is now getting pulled into this mess as well.
Philips recently announced that a "notice of default" has been issued under the patent license agreement with MBI. MBI however is following Imation's lead (being one of Imation's suppliers), and has filed their own suit against the notices issued by Koninklikje Philips Electronics N.V.- (Philips) and Philips Electronics India Ltd.
In plain speak, Philips is trying to pull Moser Baer's licensing for all recordable media products (to be effective November 23rd), and Moser Baer is trying to fight with the loophole that Imation is trying to create. If Philips wins, we'll likely see CD-R price increases as only Ritek and Taiyo Yuden will be able to provide CD-Rs in any volume with any kind of quality. If Imation/Moser Baer win, we'll end up seeing some brands with massive advantages over others (specifically Imation and Memorex).
This story is deffinately worth following!!
Thanks to RJW for bringing this to my attention