DVD Forum Announces DVD Interim Format/Logo licensing

TOKYO-- April 11, 1997 -- The ten companies comprising the DVD Forum (Hitachi, Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Philips Electronics N.V., Pioneer Electronics Corporation, Sony Corporation, THOMSON multimedia, Time Warner Inc., Toshiba Corporation, and Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC)) today announced agreement on the DVD Format (specifications) and Logo licensing program. Toshiba will act as the interim licensing agent for the 10 companies in order to facilitate the worldwide launch of DVD on an expeditious basis. The parties intend to establish a long-term licensing program in the near future under which both the DVD Format and Logo will be licensed and also format verification will be coordinated.

These arrangements cover both players/drives/other equipment and discs for DVD-Video and DVD-ROM. The DVD Logo will be available for use in connection with DVD equipment/discs which conform to the DVD Format. This license does not cover DVD patents, which will be licensed separately.

The interim licensing program is available to all manufacturers of DVD-Video player, DVD-ROM drive, or equipment incorporating such DVD-player or DVD-ROM, and DVD-Video/ROM discs at non-discriminatory and reasonable terms and conditions, from April 15, 1997. Any interested party can contact Toshiba for further information at the following: