Philips Electronics NV and Sony Corp announced on Friday that they will begin licensing Digital Video Disc technology to enable the computer and consumer electronics industries to prepare for the market introduction of the new disk format – but they only account for 30% of the patents. Sony has authorized Philips to execute the licensing programme covering DVD Video and DVD-ROM players and disks. Licences will be available on reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions to all interested parties, Philips said, adding that a royalty on the player and disk would be charged by itself and Sony for any of their patents considered essential. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd is set to get the lion’s share of the patent fees as it is contributing 25% of the patents, and Pioneer Electronic Corp and Sony come next with 20% each.
