Vizio Cuts MPEG-2 License Agreement

November 18, 2008 By Geoff Duncan

Vizio Cuts MPEG-2 License Agreement

Vizio has put and end to lawsuits accusing it of violating more than a dozen patents related to MPEG-2 video...my entering into an MPEG-2 license.

In a brief statement, low-cost big-screen TV maker Vizio has announced it has entered into the MPEG Licensing Authority‘s MPEG-2 patent license portfolio—and, in doing so, brings an end to a series of lawsuits brought against it by industry heavy-hitters like Sony, Samsung, Philips, and Panasonic. Financial terms of the licensing agreement were not disclosed, but the deal removes a dark cloud from Vizio’s future.

The original lawsuit was filed back in June 2008, accusing Vizio of violating 15 patents related to supporting MPEG-2 video playback in its products. Companies with stakes in the MPEG-2 standard—like Sony, Samsung, Philips, and Panasonic—had pursued Vizio about licensing the patents, but Vizio refused to work with them or the MPEG Licensing Authority, claiming it was covered by licenses executed by its suppliers.

It’s not known at this time to what degree paying license fees for MPEG-2 technology will impact Vizio’s famously low-end prices for LCD HDTVs. Vizio has become the third largest seller of LCD televisions, largely based on its ability to undersell its competition.

Showing 2 comments

Kevin Bush\ at 1:43pm 18th November 2008 It still boggles my mind as to how many of the big corporations are diddling around with patent lawsuits and such... For god's sake, put an end to it! Let technologies progress and work together! Allow for innovations to continue. Cursed *******s and their relentless bullcrap.
JJ at 11:19am 18th November 2008 I love my Vizio SV470XVT and as long as they keep producing TVs at prices that the world can actually afford at high quality then I wish them well. Sounds like they cut their losses and are heading on to bigger and bettter things.