Constellation 3D (C3D) and optical storage device manufacturer Lite-On
IT Corporation, Taiwan, today announced the completion of a formal letter of
intent for Lite-On to license C3D's Fluorescent Multilayer Disc (FMD) technology
in the production of FMD drives.
The two companies will collaborate on the design and development of optical
disc drives based on C3D's technology. FMD technology-based solutions
exponentially expand the current standards in high-capacity disc storage,
offering a quantum leap in both storage capacity and reading/recording speeds
compared to traditional optical media such as CDs and DVDs.
``Lite-On is the third largest manufacturer of CD/DVD drives in the world,
with a customer base that includes major PC and laptop manufacturers,'' said Dr.
Eugene Levich, CEO of C3D. ``Their manufacturing and distribution leadership has
the potential to enable FMD technology to quickly proliferate through premium
brands, and help to establish FMD as a technology of choice for the next
generation of removable storage devices.''
``We believe FMD has the potential to be the standard removable data storage
technology of the future and we are excited to be working with C3D to make FMD a
mass market reality,'' said Max Chen, Operations VP of Lite-On.
The agreement calls for Lite-On to pay a royalty to C3D on every FMD drive
produced. In addition, Lite-On will participate in the proposed FMD technology
development consortium that will promote FMD-related media and drive
manufacturing standards. The agreement also contemplates Lite-On making a
strategic investment in C3D as well as appointing a Director to C3D's Board.
Dr. Levich continued, ``This will be the Company's first revenue-producing
agreement, and also represents a highly significant validation of FMD technology
by a recognized industry leader.''
Published by Israel's Business Arena on January 16, 2001