Gemstar-TV Guide International Reaches Long-Term Agreement with Thomson
Friday June 13, 8:10 am ET
-- TV Guide On-Screen to be Used in Select RCA Consumer Electronics Devices and Satellite Set-top Boxes
LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 2003-- -- Agreement Ends Arbitration and Resolves Litigation Between the
Two Companies
Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. ("Gemstar-TV Guide") (NASDAQ: GMST - News) announced today a multi-year license agreement with Thomson (Paris Euronext 18453, NYSE: TMS) to incorporate Gemstar-TV Guide's interactive program guide technology into Thomson's RCA-brand television sets and digital recording devices as well as other Thomson manufactured consumer electronic devices.
The agreement also includes a patent license that enables Thomson to continue incorporating Gemstar-TV Guide's technology into Thomson-manufactured satellite receivers in North America. Solidifying the companies' strategic business relationship, the deal resolves the outstanding arbitration and litigation between the two companies.
"Over the past year, Gemstar-TV Guide has been focused on building true partnerships with the consumer electronics industry in order to extend the reach of the TV Guide brand and firmly establish the Company as the premiere source of television guidance and information," said Jeff Shell, CEO of Gemstar-TV Guide. "We are delighted that Thomson has taken a new license for Gemstar's technology and we are pleased to be back on good terms with our longstanding and important partners at Thomson."
Thomson and Gemstar-TV Guide started working together to develop and deploy Interactive Program Guide products under the name GUIDE Plus+® IPG, now TV Guide On-Screen, in Thomson television sets in 1997. Thomson has since deployed more than nine million televisions containing the GUIDE Plus+ system.
Under the terms of the licensing agreement, Thomson will pay license fees to Gemstar-TV Guide based on the number of units sold that include the licensed technology. The new agreement does not contain any minimum commitments.
The licensing agreement extends the reach of Gemstar-TV Guide's technology and content, and builds on the momentum Gemstar-TV Guide has been generating for its interactive program guide technology and intellectual property with the leading consumer electronics manufacturers. The Company completed a multi-year worldwide licensing agreement with Royal Philips Electronics in February.
About Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.
Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc., is a leading media and technology company that develops, licenses, markets and distributes technologies, products and services targeted at the television guidance and home entertainment needs of consumers worldwide. The Company's businesses include: television media and publishing properties; interactive program guide services and products; and technology and intellectual property licensing. Additional information about the Company can be found at www.gemstartvguide.com.
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties related to the Company's transition to a new management and corporate governance structure; an ongoing SEC investigation and pending litigation; the timely availability and acceptance of new products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; and the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the most recent reports on Forms 10-K, 8-K and 10-Q, each as it may be amended from time to time. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Note to Editors: Gemstar and TV Guide are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. and/or its affiliates. The names of other companies and products used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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Contact:
Gemstar-TV Guide
Michael Benevento, 212/852-7337 (analysts)
or
Sloane & Company
Whit Clay, 212/446-1864 (media)
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Source: Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. |
