Europe Probes Blu-ray For Anti-Trust

[HDTV1080P]

If the BLU-RAY studios that are exclusive to the BLU-RAY format are forced to release in both formats then this should also mean that Universal Studios which is exclusive to the HD-DVD format will need to release in the BLU-RAY format. If every studio was forced to support both formats and there was no exclusive titles for the BLU-RAY format I still think BLU-RAY will win. There are currently 5 BLU-RAY brands of players to choose from. Toshiba is the only one making HD-DVD players. For the HD-DVD format to win people would need to say no to Panasonic, Sony, Pioneer, Philips, and Samsung and then go purchase a Toshiba HD-DVD player. I do not think everyone in the world is going to purchase a Toshiba HD-DVD player.
http://www.tvpredictions.com/europeblu070307.htm

[HDTV1080P]

QUOTE
“The European inquiry would not affect Blu-ray's position in the United States. However, an unfavorable finding could put pressure on officials here to open their own investigation.”

[richteer]

This whole thing is stupid. I don't recall anti-trust people being up in arms when CD was released, so what's different now?

[HDTV1080P]

There is billions of dollars at stake and this format war could end up in the court room one day.

[gand41f]

This is really stupid. I think it was just a general investigation (started about a year ago, to look at both sides) which someone twisted to make it sound like EU is going to force Blu-ray exclusive studios to go neutral.

If anyone should be investigated, it's Universal -- despite the additional copy protection, disk space and bandwidth, they stuck to the inferior format. Isn't that fishy?

whatever
gandalf

[Josh]

[GoldenRedux]

Thread re-opened. Blatant politics will not be tolerated or this thread will be shut down.

[reiella]

It's an anti-trust investigation, it's awkward, but the EU is a bit more picky about things than the US market [we're far more capitalist, after all ].

And it's a fair point, now, here's the fun quirky question.

If it's a matter of anti-trust, that means, Blu-Ray has won in the EU market. Such that Blu-Ray discs could be considered a near monopoly for High-Defenition optical entertainment medium [or however they decide to frame it].

[kknight]

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/21...-eu-hd-dvd-blu
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.

[KenThompson]

Yeah, they should mind their own business. If they start sticking their noses in ,its gotta be a conspiracy started by the Dud fanbois.

[buckshot]

didn't we get our wrists slapped about this already?

[Leopold BUTTERS]

i don't understand. Does this mean they will choose which format is allowed over there? so if they so only blu-ray they can't sell hd dvds??

[GasCat]

There is no way this will go anywhere. Blu-ray has more security measures built into the format, it has more room, etc. They are both HD but that's about it. If movie studios are forced to release in both formats then HD is dead. Fox and others will say goodbye to the market. It won't happen.

[reiella]

It just means that there are parties in the EU who are concerned about unfair business practices.

In this case, it looks like they want to fuel the conspiracy theories that the BDA is bribing studios to be exclusive. Something, of course, bd folks also accuse of happening to Universal.

It's a double-edged sword I think especially if the talk of HD-DVD/DVD Forum pushing for the investigation. I mean, all it really takes is a simple set of memos stating the Blu-Ray is the better format in specifications and security, and that's all the reasoning there is for most studios.

[jorg]

yha like if anything its hd dvd that needs to be looked univiversal is only studio that hasent and blu-ray was here b4 hd dvd lol can`t u just accept its a better format?>

[blitz6speed]

All every studio has to do is bring up the fact that blu-ray has more copy protection. Its that simple. If they ask why they still sell DVDs, they can say there wasnt any other good option other then DVD so their hands were tied. This time they have a choice and they made it. They should be asking why universal isnt in the blu-ray camp tho.

[dialog_gvf]

I predicted about 1.5 years ago that the sure sign of desperation would be when one side plays the anti-trust card.

Of course Sony is evil and Toshiba/Microsoft are angelic. How silly of anyone to think otherwise.

I wonder if a retaliatory anti-dumping (selling players below cost) complaint against Toshiba for the US is next?

(Yes, game consoles ARE different, because of the business is actually selling the games, not the hardware).

Gary

[56@Yamamoto]

I think virtually it will to be another anti-Microsoft movement from Europe Union. It produces an effect opposite to some HD DVD fanboys' dreaming.

Bacause first year's release from Universal was paid by MS at 30mil$, next year was more. This is purely money based contract not technica/anti-piracy superiority.

[jcdDigix]

As I stated ealier in other threads... DESPERATION is the answer.
BLU will prevail.
Storage capacity, content, appeal (anything ""cool = blu"") Blue Sky for instance...
I don't see how M$ & Tosh will get out with this. Anyway I will never touch a Red case in my hands. Ever.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by 56@Yamamoto

Bacause first year's release from Universal was paid by MS at 30mil$, next year was more. This is purely money based contract not technica/anti-piracy superiority.

Is that hearsay or insider info?