Ritek Signs with Sonic’s Qflix

RITEK Corporation has signed a Qflix technology and IP licensing agreement. RITEK is now taking orders on specialized DVDs that will enable the on-demand recording of digitally distributed entertainment with CSS encryption (Content Scramble System) — the same protection found on commercially mass-produced titles.

The Qflix DVDs will be used by duplication system operators providing custom DVD publishing services to Internet retailers and in movie kiosks that will offer retail customers touch-screen access to a vast virtual inventory of rich content. The Qflix media will also be available for consumer use in the home as a way to legally record premium entertainment downloaded from the Internet.

"We are delighted to be an official manufacturer and distributor of Qflix DVDs and to be participating in the new entertainment value chain Sonic’s technologies are helping to establish," said Eric Ai, RITEK spokesperson. "Our long-standing reputation for producing discs of uncompromising quality and compatibility will help ensure a consistent and reliable consumer entertainment experience regardless of whether content is ordered online, purchased at retail, or produced in the home."

In addition to appearing on recordable DVDs, the Qflix brand will appear on other consumer products and services including compatible drives and video download services as a symbol for consumers looking for legitimate "purchase, download, and burn" solutions. Qflix is also the label for the technology and licensing program that includes product and component certification to enable content owners, service providers, and manufacturers of recordable media, PC DVD writers, network-connected DVD recorders, set-top boxes, and software to create compatible and interoperable solutions.

"Our initiative to enable new markets for the efficient distribution of high-quality entertainment continues to gain momentum," said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic Solutions’ Advanced Technology Group. "By adding more partners from the consumer electronics, content distribution, and PC and media storage industries, we remain on track to introduce solutions this year that will fundamentally shift the way entertainment is delivered."

The royalty-bearing Qflix licensing program for media and optical drive manufacturers was established by Pioneer and Sonic to facilitate the adoption of secure download and burn applications in accordance with the approved industry specifications for recording downloads set by the DVD Forum and the DVD Copy Control Association.

Qflix

Sonic Solutions

RITEK