14 DAY TRIAL // Blu-Ray is one of the two new optical disc formats set to replace the "old" DVD with high definition content. HD DVD is its counterpart and both formats use laser technology to increase storage capability up to 30 GB. Players able to run the formats are set to be released on the market - HD DVD compatible ones later this year and Blu-Ray compatible ones in early 2006.
MPEG LA is a company which offers licenses for patents and bundles of patents mainly related to audio and visual technologies. The company is said to have already begun the creation of a Blu-Ray disc format license. Companies like MPEG LA streamline the process of bundle licensing because a license to make Blu-Ray compatible products will involve many patents owned by other companies.
The Blu-Ray disc is backed up by many major electronics companies like Sony, Panasonic (Matsushita), Samsung, HP (Hewlett Packard), Dell, LG, Hitachi, Philips, Pioneer, Sharp and TDK.
MPEG LA also asked companies that think that their own patents are involved in the Blu-Ray technology to make their claims, and will begin in February 2006 a collective licensing process.