EMediaLive.com: PLDS Licenses Qflix

Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced that PLDS (Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions Corp.) has signed a Qflix™ technology and IP licensing agreement. PLDS is integrating Qflix technology into a range of optical disc drives planned for release this year that will enable downloaded movies and video programs to be recorded to DVD with Content Scramble System (CSS) encryption. As the industry-approved content protection mechanism used on mass-produced discs, CSS has been deemed essential by many major content providers for the electronic sell through of premium entertainment. The Qflix drives by PLDS are available for duplication system vendors providing custom DVD manufacturing services to Internet retailers, as well as PC manufacturers developing consumer desktops and notebooks.

"We are extremely pleased to partner with Sonic Solutions to create a new entertainment distribution model that will offer consumers a convenient and reliable way to purchase and enjoy premium content in the home," said Charlie Tseng, General Manager of PLDS’ Optical Disc Drive Business Unit. "By participating in the Qflix technology and IP licensing program, we are able to add an exciting new capability to our comprehensive range of drives and provide our premier system manufacturers with the opportunity to differentiate their solutions."

PLDS is now taking orders on a complete line of Qflix drives for integration in desktop computers and notebooks. In addition to DVD-RW drives, PLDS also plans to release Qflix Blu-ray Disc Combo drives that will offer Blu-ray Disc playback and DVD video recording. The Qflix brand will be featured on consumer products and services including compatible recordable media and video download services as a symbol for consumers looking for legitimate "purchase, download, and burn" solutions. Qflix is also the label for the technology and licensing program that includes product and component certification to enable content owners, service providers, and manufacturers of recordable media, PC DVD writers, network-connected DVD recorders, set-top boxes, and software to create compatible and interoperable solutions.

"The market is poised to fulfill the promise of electronic sell-through and give consumers a legal way to purchase entertainment on demand and burn it to DVD," said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic Solutions' Advanced Technology Group. "We are delighted to partner with industry leaders such as PLDS to develop secure, reliable, and compatible electronic sell-through systems."

The royalty-bearing Qflix licensing program for media and optical drive manufacturers was established by Pioneer and Sonic to facilitate the adoption of secure download and burn applications in accordance with the approved industry specifications for recording downloads set by the DVD Forum and the DVD Copy Control Association.