EU begins HD-DVD/Blu-ray investigation

The European Commission has launched an informal investigation into the market for next-generation DVDs, and has set a deadline of 6 July for submissions.

Information has been requested from manufacturers and content providers concerning the decision of which high-definition DVD format to support.

The market is currently split between firms backing Blu-ray, led by Sony, and firms backing HD-DVD, led by companies including Toshiba, Intel and Microsoft.

European Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd told Reuters: "We have sent a request for information to a number of studios concerning possible discrimination against one or other DVD format.

"We are at the stage of basic fact-finding, and have not yet opened a formal investigation."

The Commission is particularly interested in why so many studios went for the Blu-ray format exclusively.

Only one Hollywood studio, Universal, has an exclusive agreement with HD-DVD, while some are producing films for both formats and five exclusively for Blu-ray.

There have been no complaints of anti-competitive behaviour but it is understood that the HD-DVD camp has been lobbying behind the scenes for an investigation.

The Commission has asked for briefing documents, emails and any phone records relating to the issue.

See also:

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Merger will not significantly harm competition, commissioners find  15 Nov 2006

EU regulators step up Intel probe

Investigation centres on AMD's claims of being 'locked out' by Intel  13 Sep 2006

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