Video Networks Ltd Licenses Macrovision's Pay-Per-View Copy Protection For Broadband Video-On-Demand Services
Macrovision UK Limited, a subsidiary of Macrovision Corporation (NASDAQ:MVSN) in Sunnyvale, California, announced today that Video Networks Ltd (""Videonet""), pioneers of broadband video-on-demand (VOD) services, has licensed Macrovision's pay-per-view (PPV) copy protection technology for use in its forthcoming commercial video-on-demand service; the first in the UK or Europe. Under the agreement, Videonet has implemented Macrovision copy protection control capability in its digital headend system software, embedded copy protection capability in its digital set-top boxes, and will use Macrovision PPV copy protection on its VOD movie service. ""Videonet will offer instant on-demand access to a vast library of movies including top Hollywood titles, selected direct from our customers' TV screens,"" said Hugh Williams, Director of Programming at Video Networks. ""The availability of Macrovision's copy protection technology in our service has been very helpful in securing the widest possible choice of programming, allowing our customers the freedom to watch what they want, when they want to, with the added luxury of full viewing control to stop, rewind and fast forward."" ""Macrovision's Pay-Per-View copy protection is playing an important role in the growth of the pay-per-view industry worldwide,"" said Jeremy Corcoran, Director PPV Copy Protection at Macrovision UK Ltd. ""Serious players in the VOD/NVOD markets deploy Macrovision technology, and the use of PPV copy protection is rapidly increasing, and set to become the norm. Videonet is leading the way in broadband VOD delivery over ADSL-equipped telephone lines."" Macrovision PPV technology allows consumers to view, but not record, programs that are copy protected at the direction of pay-TV operators or program suppliers. The technology is designed to deter unauthorized home taping of digitally delivered PPV programs. This allows copyright owners to minimize cannibalization of their home video revenues while maximizing PPV system operator revenues. About Video Networks Limited Videonet announced on the July 29, 1999 the commercial launch from October, of its digital broadband video-on-demand services to consumers in London, over BT's ADSL network. Videonet is the first commercial true video-on-demand television service available to consumers in the UK or Europe. Video Networks Limited was founded in 1992 and is a recognized world leader in the provision of true video on demand and broadband interactive television. Under its registered brand Videonet, it provides immediate individual access to a range of interactively controlled products. These include feature films, entertainment, leisure programming, educational products and home shopping services. These are delivered to customers' television screens at the time of their choice. The 140 strong company has been operating a pilot service in London over BT's Interactive Service Network (ISN) since July 1998 and currently has 600 subscriber homes in North West London receiving films, television programming and music videos all on demand. Videonet ran a commercial video on demand pilot from December 1996 to June 1999 in Hull. Services piloted in London and Hull have included a wide range of entertainment services, a Lloyds TSB home banking service, home shopping services with Boots the Chemists, B&Q, Comet and Music Video Club, Videonet's own Aztec cash and carry grocery service, a Leeds United soccer service and a newspaper service developed with the Hull Daily Mail. Videonet services can be offered over any interactive broadband link including those provided by BT's ADSL high-speed interactive network and interactive digital cable networks. Video Networks' major external shareholders include Botts and Company Limited; Allen & Co. Inc; Baron Bentinck; Sir David Alliance; Lord Hamlyn; Lord Owen, former UK Foreign Secretary; Nathaniel de Rothschild; Sir David Frost and Kingston Communications (HULL) PLC. Video Networks is currently raising in excess of (pound) 25 million through a private placement to finance the commercial launch of its service. An affiliate of N M Rothschild & Sons Limited, Rothschild Ventures Limited, is advising on this funding. The Company is aiming for a public flotation within the next 18 months. About Macrovision Macrovision Corporation develops and markets technologies to prevent the illicit duplication, reception or use of video and audio programs and computer software. The Company provides its products and services primarily to the home video, pay-per-view, cable, satellite, video security and consumer multimedia software markets. Macrovision has its headquarters in Sunnyvale, California with subsidiaries in London and Tokyo. For more information, contact: Macrovision UK Ltd. Jeremy Corcoran, +44 181 839 0400 or www.macrovision.com, or Video Networks Ltd. Hugh Williams/Mark Springett, +44 1707 362500.