Canal+, ADB agree on Macrovision patents
By Julian Clover
July 13, 2009 14.22 UK
Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) has signed a patent licensing agreement for the use of Macrovision’s Interactive Program Guides (IPGs). Canal+ has meanwhile signed a multi-year licensing agreement for the company’s EPG patent portfolio.
The multi-year agreement with ADB, the latest in a wave of similar agreements in recent months, permits the manufacturer to incorporate IPGs in set-top boxes and other consumer electronics devices.
“We are pleased to welcome ADB into our patent licensing program,” said Samir Armaly, senior VP, licensing, Macrovision. “ADB joins other leading brands that have elected to take a licence under our IPG patent portfolio.”
Canal+ Group joins pay-TV operators globally that are licensing Macrovision’s technology under the NDS and Macrovision agreement on EPG patents. The multi-year agreement allows Canal+ Group to use Macrovision’s EPGs deployed on its various platforms.
Canal+ Group joins Macrovision’s existing list of licensed pay-TV operators, which include British Sky Broadcasting Limited, Foxtel, Portugal Telecom, Sky Italia and UPC Broadband.
Although it is building a portfolio of technologies in the Connected TV and metadata space, Macrovision is continuing to vigorously pursue its EPG (or IPG) patents.
Judgement is currently awaited from the London High Court, where Macrovision has challenged Virgin Media over the alleged breach of three patents in the former Gemstar portfolio.
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