Macrovision announced today that agreed to purchase technology assets
from Cryptography Research Inc. for $45 million in cash and Macrovision stock. These assets include Cryptography Research's
Self-Protecting Digital Content (SPDC) technology, which is used by Blu-ray's BD+ content protection.
Macrovision
Corporation (Nasdaq:MVSN) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire certain technology assets from
Cryptography Research, Inc. (CRI), the San Francisco-based R&D organization focused on solving complex security problems. Upon closing of
the transaction, Macrovision will own the SPDC (Self-Protecting Digital Content) technology, which formed the basis of BD+, a key element
of Blu-ray’s content security platform. The purchase includes certain CRI’s patents, security software code, and related third party
customer and partner agreements. Macrovision will also hire certain CRI employees involved in the technology. Macrovision will hold a
conference call to discuss the transaction today at 1:00pm Eastern time; see dial-in information below.
The Blu-ray Disc
Association adopted BD+, exclusive to the Blu-ray format, as an added layer of content protection for movies and other premium
entertainment released on the Blu-ray Disc standard. The technology will complement Macrovision’s existing ACP and Ripguard video
security solutions.
If you'd like to read more, Macrovision's entire press release can be found here.
