Hollywood
RealD wins patent infringement action over MasterImage
MUMBAI: In the U.S. International Trade Commission investigation instituted against MasterImage 3D’s Horizon3D cinema system products, an initial determination concluded that RealD’s patents were valid and infringed by MasterImage.
RealD had filed an ITC complaint contending that the Horizon3D cinema systems infringe RealD patents covering their optical architecture and polarisation control technologies. The ITC is an independent governmental agency in Washington, DC, responsible for addressing patent infringement disputes relating to goods that are manufactured abroad and imported into the United States.
RealD pioneered modern digital 3D in cinemas and is the dominant global 3D market leader with over 27,000 screens in 72 countries. RealD’s XL Cinema Systems are the world’s brightest, delivering the best visual experience possible to consumers.
“We are enormously pleased with today’s initial determination by the U.S. International Trade Commission in our favour. We invested considerable time, effort and resources to develop the most light-efficient 3D projection system in the industry, and we will continue to aggressively enforce our intellectual property rights against any company that seeks to infringe on our patented technology,” said RealD executive vice president and general counsel Vivian Yang.
RealD has significant patent protection surrounding its light-doubling XL Cinema System with IP covering architecture and other aspects of the inventive technology. RealD’s invention patents have been consistently affirmed in both examination and re-examination proceedings around the world.
Hollywood
WBD sets April 23 vote on $110bn Paramount Skydance merger
Investor approval key step, but regulators loom over mega media deal
NEW YORK: Warner Bros. Discovery has set April 23 as the date for shareholders to vote on its proposed $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, marking a crucial step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
The all-cash transaction offers WBD shareholders $31 per share, a hefty 147 per cent premium to its unaffected stock price, signalling strong intent to push the deal across the finish line. The company’s board has unanimously backed the merger and is urging investors to vote in favour.
Even if shareholders give the green light, the deal is far from done. Regulators in the United States and Europe are expected to scrutinise the merger closely, weighing concerns around competition and potential price impacts for consumers.
To keep investors on side, WBD has built in a safety net. If the deal is not completed by September 30, shareholders will receive a quarterly “ticking fee” of $0.25 per share until closure.
The proposed merger would significantly reshape the media landscape, combining the assets of Warner Bros. Discovery with those linked to Paramount Global and Skydance Media. It would also cement the growing influence of David Ellison, who has been steering Skydance’s aggressive expansion strategy.
“The WBD Board has been guided by the singular principle of securing a transaction that maximises the value of our iconic assets and delivers as much certainty as possible to our shareholders,” said Warner Bros. Discovery board chair Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr.. “This historic transaction will expand consumer choice and create new opportunities for creative talent.”
Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive officer David Zaslav added that the company is working closely with its counterpart to close the deal and unlock value for stakeholders.
With investor backing likely but regulatory hurdles ahead, the proposed merger is shaping up to be a defining moment for the global entertainment industry, where scale, content and competition are increasingly intertwined.
