TECHNOLOGY - Sept. 20, 1996

Philips Shops DVD Patents: Philips Electronics said it has agreed to license digital videodisc patents for several of the companies that had a hand in inventing the technology, clearing the way for DVD to debut in time for holiday shopping. The Dutch electronics company will act as a one-stop shop for the DVD patents it holds as well as patents held by Sony Corp., Toshiba Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. It will split the royalties according to a preset formula. The remaining six of the 10 inventing companies have either decided to license their patents independently or have yet to make a decision.