DivXNetworks Licenses mp3 Patents

DivXNetworks announced a strategic licensing agreement with Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, inventors of mp3, and Thomson, co-inventors of mp3 and exclusive licensing representative for their mp3 patents and software. The agreement will enable DivXNetworks, Inc. to include mp3 and, in the future, mp3 SURROUND technology, in all DivX software and consumer electronics offerings.


In December 2004, Thomson and Fraunhofer IIS launched mp3 SURROUND, which will enable 5.1 channel surround-quality sound for a broad spectrum of applications including web-based music distribution, broadcasting systems, PC-related audiovisual or gaming applications, consumer electronics and automotive systems. mp3 SURROUND supports high-quality multi-channel sound at bit rates comparable to those currently used to encode stereo mp3 material.


DivX technology, which enables the creation and playback of high-quality video files, is currently downloaded an average of 3 million times per month by consumers and is supported in over 20 million DivX Certified consumer electronics products, including DVD players from major manufacturers. The company plans to release a new DivX Media Format in Q1 2005.


"Adding mp3 SURROUND audio to the DivX Media Format will improve the consumer experience throughout the connected home and ultimately help drive the distribution of secure premium content from the Internet to the living room," said Jordan Greenhall, CEO and co-founder of DivXNetworks, "This deal also has the potential to broaden the competitive technology options for video device manufacturers and premium content publishers, particularly in device categories such as digital still cameras, digital video cameras and recordable DVDs."http://www.divxnetworks.com
http://www.mp3surround-format.com.