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Optical Storage

22 December 2006

With both Ritek and CMC accepting Veeza, second-teir manufacturers are reportedly feeling pressure to sign up for Philips' CD-R licensing scheme.

Second-tier makers of optical discs in Taiwan are feeling increasing pressure to comply with Veeza, Philips' new licensing scheme for its CD-R patents, following acceptance of the scheme by the two top makers CMC Magnetics and Ritek, according to industry sources.

Philips, in a strong attempt to promote Veeza, has dissuaded global leading brands of CD-R discs from importing unlicensed discs, warning that such discs will subject to confiscation by custom officials, the sources indicated. Philips has even extended such warnings to large retail channels, such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy, and distributors in the US and Europe, the sources noted.

While second-tier manufacturers can still export discs to Latin America, Russia and markets in the Third World, Veeza is making it hard for them to export their discs to the US and Europe. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

21 December 2006

Last month, a German court declared that the DVD media manfacturer, Optical Disc Service (ODS), was infringing upon certain patents licensed in the MPEG-2 Patent Portfolio License. According to the verdicts, ODS must stop its current DVD production and pay damages to the patent owners.

With the posting of security bonds earlier this week, several patent holders enforced verdicts in the German District court (Landgericht Dusseldorf) cases finding that DVD disc manufacturer Optical Disc Service ("ODS") infringed patents licensed in the MPEG-2 Patent Portfolio License offered by MPEG LA, and enforcement of additional verdicts is expected. See http://www.mpegla.com/news/n_06-11-30_pr.pdf. As a result, although the verdicts can be appealed, ODS must cease and desist its current DVD production, which uses the enforced patents, and pay damages to the patent owners for past DVD production.

If you'd like to read more, MPEG LA's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

22 December 2006

BenQ has officially unveiled their new 20x DVD±RW drives, the DW2000 and DW2010. According to BenQ's website, the two drives offer 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds as well as features like SolidBurn and QSuite. The DW2010 ups the ante even further, offering support for LightScribe technology. Here are some of their specs:

Writing Speeds: DVD±R: 20x Max DVD±R DL: 8x Max DVD+RW: 8x Max DVD-RW: 6x Max DVD-RAM 12x Max CD-R: 48x Max CD-RW: 32x Max

Read Speeds: DVD-ROM: 16x Max CD-ROM: 48x Max Access Times: DVD-ROM: 160ms CD-ROM: 160ms

If you live in Europe or North America, don't hold your breath, waiting for these drives as they will most likely be limited to the Asian market. Fortunately, the Lite-On LH-20A1P and LH-20A1H are readily available and based on the same design as the DW2000 and DW2010. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

20 December 2006

CMC Magnetics has announced that they've joined Philips' Veeza licensing system for CD-R discs. By joining Veeza, CMC's royalty rate was reduced by 45%, to USD 0.045 per CD-R disc.

Royal Philips Electronics (AEX:PHI; NYSE:PHG) and CMC Magnetics Corporation (CMC), a well-known leading manufacturer of optical storage media based in Taiwan, today jointly announced that CMC has entered into Veeza, the new Philips licensing program for CD-R discs. This marks a great step forward between Philips and CMC to cooperate for a win-win result. By joining Veeza, CMC will enjoy a lower royalty rate of USD 0.025 per CD-R disc which is 45% lower than the current royalty of USD 0.045 per CD-R disc.

Ben Beune, Senior Vice President of Philips Intellectual Property & Standards, said, "We are delighted and encouraged that CMC, one of the leading manufacturers, has decided to enter the Veeza program. This again demonstrates that Philips' Veeza program and our combined efforts with the CD-R industry to create a healthier market have been recognized. Philips will closely work with CMC through better customer service and technology sharing as part of the Veeza licensing program."

With both Ritek and CMC on board, it will only be a matter of time before other CD-R manufacturers join Philips' Veeza program. If you'd like to read more, CMC's entire announcement can be found here. Add a comment