Disney settles OpenTV dispute
Media and entertainment business The Walt Disney Company has signed a long-term development deal with interactive technology specialist OpenTV after settling a patent lawsuit brought against Disney and its subsidiaries, ABC and ESPN, by the OpenTV subsidiary ACTV.
OpenTV has granted Disney a non-exclusive, royalty-bearing license to use and exploit the disputed patents, while The Walt Disney Internet Group has begun talks for its own non-exclusive, multi-year development deal with OpenTV to create and sell enhanced programming.
The patents at issue involved technologies for synchronizing internet and television content, enabling viewers to receive additional programme-related content via the internet.
Jim Chiddix, OpenTV's chairman and chief executive, said: "Disney's agreement to license these patents and our late-stage discussions with Walt Disney Internet Group to work with us to develop enhanced TV programming provides a solid foundation on which we can create exciting television for viewers across the United States."
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