SAFEAUDIO Audio CD Copy Protection Available Now for Production
Macrovision's SAFEAUDIO Technology Adopted by Key Mastering and Test Equipment Providers
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jun 29, 2001 (ENTERTAINMENT WIRE) -- Macrovision Corporation (NASDAQ: MVSN chart, msgs), the worldwide leader in video and software copy protection and digital rights management technologies, announced today that its SAFEAUDIO(TM) Audio CD Copy Protection technology has been adopted by Toolex Data Handling (formerly Media Morphics), Eclipse Data Technologies, DCA, Inc. and DaTARIUS Technologies GmbH. SAFEAUDIO is a 100% software-based audio copy protection solution for music CDs, designed to prevent unauthorized copying of music CDs or ripping of songs without incurring the playability and compatibility drawbacks of other solutions.
The SAFEAUDIO process is applied during the mastering process at CD manufacturing facilities. To ensure a smooth implementation of the SAFEAUDIO copy protection for the mastering and replication facilities, Macrovision has worked closely with Toolex, Eclipse, DCA and DaTARIUS to develop the tools necessary for mastering and testing SAFEAUDIO encrypted discs:
-- Toolex Data Handling offers additional SAFEAUDIO software for
their ACE CD encoder. Mastering performance, up to 8x speed on
Toolex' AM200 system, is not impaired. CD-R and MSH network
mastering are possible with SAFEAUDIO.
-- Eclipse Data Technologies offers an optional plug-in module
for the ImageEncoder System. This plug-in module supports
SAFEAUDIO mastering from either hard disc drive or a network.
-- DCA will supply mastering and verification products with
SAFEAUDIO as a copy protection option for their MIS product.
-- DaTARIUS Technologies's CS-4.2/L QA test equipment is
SAFEAUDIO-enabled.
"As a result of these new partnerships with the key mastering and test equipment providers, music labels and publishers will find that they can replicate and distribute SAFEAUDIO-protected CDs in facilities throughout the world. Our strategy in 2001 has been to focus on building the worldwide infrastructure to support rapid deployment of SAFEAUDIO, as soon as the labels and publishers give the green light on SAFEAUDIO," said Brian McPhail, VP and GM of Consumer Software Division at Macrovision.
SAFEAUDIO provides content owners with an easy-to-implement copy protection solution for CD audio discs that provides effective protection against unauthorized disc copying or ripping of songs. SAFEAUDIO provides high compatibility with legacy players, including PC's. Macrovision has jointly developed the SAFEAUDIO CD copy protection solution with TTR Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTRE chart, msgs). The SAFEAUDIO solution meets the combined objectives of playability (where the original audio content can be heard with no discernable reduction in audio quality) and effectiveness (where a satisfactory level of copy protection is provided). Macrovision is supporting ongoing evaluation and test programs with several major music labels.
The advent of low cost consumer media copying devices and the concurrent proliferation of the Internet connectivity render content owners increasingly vulnerable to unauthorized use and distribution of their content. Content owners lose billions of dollars every year to copying and piracy. The IFPI and RIAA estimated music piracy from counterfeit physical media to be over US$4.2 billion; this does not include potential additional displacement from Internet piracy. Recordable CD discs were estimated to account for over 35% of all illegal music sales in 2000. By 2003, the volume of CD-R media used for home copying is expected to reach over 40% of total volume in W. Europe.
About Toolex International N.V.
Toolex International N.V. (www.toolex.com), a world leader in the optical media production industry, specializes in providing equipment, processes and services to support every stage of optical disc manufacturing (pre-mastering, mastering, pre-recorded and recordable/rewritable replication). Toolex Data Handling, formerly known as Media Morphics, specializes in developing and producing software and hardware for CD and DVD data conversion, distribution and signal encoding for Laser Beam Recorders. Both pre-recorded and recordable/rewritable types of discs are supported. Special encoding and control applications are created on the basis of ACE and SCeNT. Customers are served through a global network of regional sales offices, distributors and service personnel in over 15 different countries worldwide. The Toolex International N.V. shares are listed at the Euronext (Amsterdam) and Nasdaq (New York).
About Eclipse Data Technologies
Eclipse, recognized as a leader in DVD and CD mastering encoders and software provides leading edge capability with a reputation for technical excellence and world-class customer support in its line of mastering, premastering and QC verification tools for the DVD and CD manufacturing industry. For more information about Eclipse and our products please visit our web site at www.eclipsedata.com.
About DCA, Inc.
DCA, formerly Doug Carson & Associates, (http://www.dcainc.com/) is the industry-leading provider of world-class signal processing technology. Since 1988, CD and DVD manufacturers worldwide have relied on DCA's pre-mastering, mastering and verification products for optical discs, including copy protected discs. DCA's products include MIS (Mastering Interface System), SVS+ (Signal Verification System), INMS (Integrated Network Mastering System). DCA has also been responsible for the signal processing of many special formats for the optical disc industry, including Xbox and Dataplay.
About DaTARIUS Technologies
DaTARIUS (www.datarius.com), previously known as KOCH Test Equipment, develops high-end optical media quality control systems and process optimization solutions. Serious engineering, in-depth knowledge of the market and flexible management have lead to a high-quality product range. DaTARIUS Technologies, with headquarters in Austria and offices in Hong Kong and USA, is known for its long experience, stable and user-friendly software tools, and excellent customer support services.
About TTR
TTR Technologies, Inc. (www.ttrtech.com), designs, markets and sells proprietary anti-piracy products. The company has developed and commercialized products for the software and entertainment industries and is expanding its product range and reach through in-house development and joint ventures.
About Macrovision
Macrovision (www.macrovision.com) develops and markets digital rights management, electronic license management and copy protection technologies for the consumer interactive software, enterprise software, home video and music markets. Macrovision has its corporate headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, with European headquarters in London and Asia-Pacific headquarters in Tokyo.
Macrovision's copy protection and digital rights management products include:
-- SAFEAUDIO is a 100% software-based audio copy protection
solution for music CDs.
-- SAFEDISC(R) CD-ROM copy protection solution has been licensed
to over 100 mastering and replication facilities worldwide and
has been used on over 100 million discs by major interactive
software publishers. A version of SAFEDISC is available to
music publishers as an authentication option for music CDs
used in the PC and Internet domain.
-- SAFECAST(TM) is a comprehensive digital rights management
(DRM) and security solution for a variety of application,
content, and entertainment products, and includes a wide range
of tools that help publishers distribute and perform
transactions over the Internet using either CD-ROM or
electronic software distribution (ESD) and electronic license
distribution (ELD) technology.
-- SAFEWRAP(TM) provides tamper-proofing for digital properties,
including Internet music applications.
Note to Editors: Additional background information on Macrovision Corporation and its other products, see www.macrovision.com.
All statements contained herein, as well as oral statements that may be made by the Company or by officers, directors or employees of the Company acting on the Company's behalf, that are not statements of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and are made pursuant to the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties are outlined in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2000, its Quarterly Reports on Form-10Q, and such other documents as are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The Company is not obligated to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.
Note to Editors: Macrovision, SAFEAUDIO, SAFECAST, SAFEDISC and SAFEWRAP are registered trademarks or trademarks of Macrovision Corporation.
Contact:
Macrovision Corporation
Miao Chuang, 408/743-8451
mchuang@macrovision.com
or
Macrovision UK
Carolyn Makins, +44 (0)20 8839-0147
cmakins@macrovision.co.uk
News provided by
COMTEX User Agreement |
