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Optical Storage
Moser Baer recently announced their Platinum range of CD-R media. These new discs use a hardcoat technology to resist scraches and dust as well as a patented dye technology to ensure data protection for 200 years.
Moser Baer expands its commitment to 'New Breed' of data backup technology with the introduction of the ‘Moser Baer Platinum' range of CD-Rs. The optical media with Hardcoat technology is more scratch and dust resistant and uses a ‘Patented Dye Technology' to ensure data protection for 200 years under standard operation and storage conditions.

According to Ratul Puri, Executive Director, Moser Baer India Ltd, "This is another major breakthrough from our R&D labs. The media will help the Indian users with an efficient and low cost backup solution and bridge a key gap in archiving critical and sensitive data."

With the launch of the Moser Baer Platinum range, the company hopes to tackle the key problems in optical media data storage - scratches, scruffs, smudges and grime. With the unique patented coat, CD-R will largely be scratch resistant by ordinary handling builds and will prevent smudges on the discs.
No word on pricing or availability. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Moser Baer's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Believe it or not, its been more than four years since Philips filed their patent infringement suit against Gigastorage and Princo. Since then, the three companies have been in and out of court, with the decision eventually being made in favor of Philips. DigiTimes has reported that a US District Court recently upheld this decision and that a hearing will scheduled to determine damages.
The US District Court in the Southern District of New York State has upheld a patent infringement charge made by Royal Philips Electronics against Taiwan optical disc makers Gigastorage and Princo concerning six Philips CD-R patents. A hearing will now be scheduled to determine damages, according to Philips Taiwan.

Philips filed the complaint in early 2002, with the court delivering a summary judgment in favor of Philips in March 2005, which granted an injunction forbidding further sales of CD-R/RW discs produced by the two makers in the US market.
It will be good to see this court case come to an end. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Lite-On Europe has announced that they will be launching a LightScribe enabled version of their 18x 'Super AllWrite' drive, the LH-18A1P. Along with support for the latest version of LightScribe, the LH-18A1H features 18x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds.

Besides the previously announced LH-18A1P, Lite-On IT has announced it will also launch a LightScribe version of this 18x drive, the LH-18A1H. The LH-18A1H is expected to be available from November 2006.

With the release of the LH-18A1H, Lite-On IT continues to increase its DVD burning speeds from 16x to 18x. With the addition of LightScribe the LH-18A1H offers a lot of versatile options to appeal to the most creative users. The drive writes DVD+R and DVD-R at 18X, thanks to SmartWrite technology. Double and Dual layer discs can be written at 8X. Besides DVD±R(W) compatibility, this drive also incorporates Super AllWrite technology and therefore rewrites DVD-RAM discs at 12X.
The LH-18A1H also support's Lite-On's new WriteSmart technology. Similar to HyperTuning and SolidBurn, WriteSmart automatically detects and decides the optimal write strategy for DVD±R media. More information can be found on Lite-On's website. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Lite-On has officially announced their new 20x 'Super AllWrite' drive, the LH-20A1P. Along with 20x DVD±R writing speeds, LH-20A1P can write to DVD-RAM media at 12x.

LITE-ON IT CORP., the professional ODD manufacturer of DVD & Ultra-Speed CD-RW / Combo Writers, releases the fastest ATAPI / E-IDE DVD Writer in the world: 20X Super AllWrite Drive LH-20A1P. It only takes around 5 minutes to backup 4.7 GB data on an excellent single layer 16X DVD+R or DVD-R media at 20X maximum. LH-20A1P also has innovative SMART-WRITE technology: Through this drive's self-learning function, LH-20A1P will automatically detect and decide the optimal write strategy of DVD recordable media ( DVD+R & DVD-R ) for the best write quality. It can save you a lot of time and trouble for data storage & blank media selection. This Super AllWrite Drive can support all of DVD formats: DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, DVD-RAM. LH-20A1P is able to rewrite certified DVD-RAM media at 12X maximum, write DVD+R DL ( Double Layer ) media & DVD-R DL ( Dual Layer ) media at 8X maximum, rewrite High-Speed DVD+RW at 8X maximum, rewrite High-Speed DVD-RW at 6X maximum, and read DVD-ROM media at 16X maximum.
According to sources at Lite-On, the LH-20A1P should be available in a matter of weeks. If you'd like to read more, Lite-On's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
A few weeks ago, we reported that Imation had filed a declaratory judgment action against Philips, asking the court to reaffirm a cross-licensing agreement between two companies. Apparently, Moser Baer India (MBI) is getting pulled into this mess. As one of Imations suppliers, Philips has placed a "notice of default" under the company's patent license agreement (search for Moser Baer). In response, MBI has filed their own suit against Philips, asking that these notices be declared null and void.
The Company has received Notices from Philips in relation to certain of their patents license agreements for CD and DVD recordable and rewritable formats entered into between the Company and Philips. The Company is challenging these notices as they substantively relate to Philips contract with Imation Corporation (Imation) under which the Company supplies optical media to Imation and its subsidiaries. Imation has filed a Declaratory Judgment Action at the Federal District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA against Philips, U.S. Philips Corporation, and North American Philips Corporation. The Imation complaint seeks a Declaratory Judgment asking the court to reaffirm its cross license with Phillips.
Philips is definitely playing hardball with their new licensing schemes. With a number of other companies facing patent renewels, we'll probably be seeing more lawsuits in the near future. Thanks to RJW and Digital Dolphin for providing this news. Add a comment
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