DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MPEG LA announced today that Harvard International plc and the Harvard Group of companies (“Harvard”), previously called Alba plc, have become Licensees to several MPEG LA programs, including the MPEG-2 Patent Portfolio License.

“Recognizing that the MPEG-2 License which Harvard has entered into does not license Harvard branded products that it obtains from another MPEG-2 licensee, Harvard will pay royalties for its MPEG-2 products offered under Harvard’s brand names,” said Harvard Chairman Bridget Blow.

MPEG LA’s CEO Larry Horn said, “As an important supplier of products such as digital televisions, DVD players and set-top boxes, MPEG LA is pleased to welcome Harvard as a Licensee.”

As a result of Harvard becoming a Licensee and the financial settlement which includes back royalty payments and future considerations, Harvard, MPEG LA and several companies that license their essential MPEG-2 patents through MPEG LA, have agreed to dismiss all litigation claims and counterclaims pending among them, including patent enforcement actions pending in the High Court in London, England as well as in the court of Dusseldorf, Germany, and the German Patent Office. Harvard also entered into MPEG LA’s AVC and MPEG-4 Visual Patent Portfolio Licenses.

MPEG LA, LLC

MPEG LA is the world leader in alternative technology licenses, enabling users to acquire worldwide patent rights necessary for a technology standard or platform from multiple patent holders in a single transaction as an alternative to negotiating separate licenses. Wherever an independently administered one-stop patent license would provide a convenient marketplace alternative to assist users with implementation of their technology choices, the licensing model pioneered and employed by MPEG LA may provide a solution. Among MPEG LA’s licenses is one for MPEG-2 digital video compression that has helped produce the most widely employed standard in consumer electronics history. The MPEG-2 Patent Portfolio License, which includes more than 870 MPEG-2 essential patents in 57 countries, has more than 1,500 licensees accounting for most MPEG-2 products including set-top boxes, DVD players, digital television sets, personal computers and DVD Video Discs in the current world market. MPEG LA is an independent licensing administrator; it is not related to any standards agency and is not an affiliate of any patent holder. For more information, please refer to http://www.mpegla.com.