Rovi Extends its EPG Patent License Agreement with Sky

Rovi (formerly Macrovision) said Wednesday that UK satellite-TV provider, BSkyB (Sky), has extended the term of its existing licensing deal for Rovi's EPG patents. According to the company, the new multi-year agreement provides Sky with a license to the Rovi EPG patent portfolio for Sky's pay-TV platforms. Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed. "We are pleased that Sky, the leading pay-television service in the United Kingdom, sees the continued value of our IP portfolio and chose to extend the term of their license," Tom Carson, Rovi's EVP of sales and services, said in a prepared statement. "We look forward to Sky utilizing our intellectual property further, as part of their growth and continued commitment to a quality guidance experience."

According to Rovi, its global licensing program includes a number of other European pay-TV operators and technology providers, in addition to Sky, including NDS, KDG, Canal+, Portugal Telecom, Sky Italia and UPC Broadband, among others.