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Blu-ray, HD DVD Target of EU Antitrust Probe

Posted by Zonk on from the maybe-that-ps3-thingie-has-something-to-do-with-this dept.

rfunches writes "The Wall Street Journal reports that EU antitrust regulators are turning up the heat on the Blu-ray and HD-DVD format consortiums. The European Commission has demanded evidence of Hollywood studios' communications and agreements on the new generation of DVD formats. From the article: 'The European Commission, the European Union's executive body, appears to be particularly interested in the activities of the Blu-ray group because of its dominance in Hollywood, according to people familiar with the situation. The commission is investigating whether improper tactics were used to suppress competition and persuade the studios to back their format.' The article points out that all of the major Hollywood studios except Universal are backing Blu-ray; Universal is backing HD-DVD. It also notes that while one industry watcher believes the first format to have an installed base of two million homes will come out on top, there were millions of Betamax units already sold when VHS won out in the format wars of the 80's."

3 of 173 comments (clear)

  1. Moot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    No one cares now that BluRay has won the HD format war.

  2. Slashdot Libby Commutation Poll: +1 Vote Here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    1. I agree with the world's biggest gunnrunner: Scooter should pay the fine, but not do the time.
            Time is only for real criminals, not white collar ones.

      2. I disgree with the this future Nobel Peace Prize winner. Bush should be also
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  3. Re:Bad write up... This is a blu-ray witchhunt. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Woah, the crazy motherfuckers you see on the Internet...