Member Companies Revamping Blu-ray Licensing Process

Panasonic, Philips and Sony Working to Simplify License Process to Make it Easier, Less Expensive for Manufacturers to Offer Blu-ray

Blu-ray licensing hurdles are expected to get significantly lower come mid-2009, after major Sony, Philips, Panasonic and others announced a join plan through the Blu-ray Disc Association to rework the technology's licensing process, CNet reports.

All licensing for Blu-ray technology will reportedly be handled by a new licensing company based in the United States. Currently, manufacturers must obtain licensing agreements -- and pay fees -- to the developers of Blu-ray, DVD and CD technology in order to produce a Blu-ray player or burner. However, the new process would consolidate those licensing requirements under a single fee structure and ultimately save manufacturers time and money. Sony says the consolidation of the licensing efforts could reduce the total cost of royalty fees by 40 percent, CNet reports.

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