PHILIPS BEEF UP DIGITAL WATERMARKING STAKE

PHILIPS Electronics are to strengthen their activities in the field of digital content watermarking and rights protection technology by acquiring a 12 per cent stake in Digimarc Corporation, providers of patented digital watermarking technologies and applications.
CEO of Digimarc Corporation Bruce Davis said: “We are incredibly excited to embark upon this new joint venture with Philips. Philips market leadership and wide reach partnered with Digimarc’s patented watermark technologies will provide the opportunity to establish the market standard for audio and video rights management and other related applications.”
Digital watermarking embeds a discreet digital identity code in digital content such as video, audio, electronic media which is readable in any subsequently printed material.
The investment will enable Philips to maximise synergies between Digimarc and Philips Digital Networks, a division of Philips Consumer Electronics.
The new company that Philips and Digimarc are to found will be based in the USA. It will develop and market digital watermarking and rights management solutions for audio-video applications, and will explore opportunities in the growing domain of audio and video distribution.