DVDplus


The DVDplus is a dual-sided disc similar to the DualDisc. It is an optical disc storage technology that combines the technology of DVD and CD in one disc. A DVD and a CD-compatible layer are bonded together to provide a multi-format hybrid disc. DVDplus, like DualDisc, is not a new format as such: it combines two existing formats, DVD and CD, to produce a new product.
DVDplus is currently available in three variants:
  1. CD / DVD
  2. CD / DVD-Audio
  3. DVD / ROM
These variants can be combined: for example the DVD side can contain a DVD-Video zone, a DVD-Audio zone and a ROM/file download zone, just as is the case with conventional DVDs.
It will eventually be possible to produce the DVDplus with upcoming formats, such as Blu-ray.
All DVDplus formats can be played both on conventional CD players, on DVD players and on the computer.
There has been some controversy surrounding the DVDplus format as of late, as United States record labels have attempted to roll out its DualDisc format with a specification that the creators of DVDplus claim is in violation of its essential patents.
According to the DVDPlus website, in December 2004, Sony DADC signed a global license agreement with DVDplus International, the makers of DVDplus.
To circumvent legal wrangles, manufacturers releasing DualDiscs in Europe have generally, so far, paid a licence fee to Dierks, even though the discs they are releasing are actually DualDiscs and not DVDplus discs. This has generally been achieved by using certified DualDisc plants that are also licensed to make DVDplus discs.
It would be erroneous to think of DVDplus as 'the European equivalent of DualDisc'. Some record companies in the United States, notably Ryko, have released DVDplus products, and DualDisc is now a great deal more common in Europe. They are essentially two similar approaches to the same goal, although the RIAA has pointed out that DualDisc is a music medium, and not a video medium. No such nominal restriction applies to DVDplus.
Although theoretically almost identical, DVDplus discs have so far appeared in practice - despite claims to the contrary - to measure as having slightly thicker CD-compatible layers than DualDiscs. As a result, DVDplus has been able to claim a higher level of compatibility with CD players than DualDisc. This also meant that there were no limitations to the CD-compatible side's playing time as was the case with early DualDiscs. However, increased overall disc thickness risks an increased likelihood of the disc getting stuck in slot-loading players and autochangers. Despite these factors, return rates for both of the dual-sided disc products as a result of either sticking or non-playability are claimed to be extremely small.

Status of the trademark "DVDPlus"

DVDplus is a trademark of Dieter Dierks. A search in the trademarks database of the European Union's Office of Harmonisation of the Internal Market reveals that the trademark was registered in 2001.

Patent History of DVDPlus applications

As the table below shows, although the company and Mr. Dierks have been successful in closing licensing agreements with various companies, DVDPlus is not actually subject to much patent protection. The only European patents granted for the DVDPlus concept have either been withdrawn, revoked or allowed to lapse. The only jurisdiction in which patent protection exists is Australia.
TypeApplication numberPublished asStatus dateDateEuropean patent register
EP applicationEP03750410EP1530792Withdrawn01-03-2008https://register.epo.org/espacenet/application?number=EP03750410
Family member of aboveWO2004017316Published
Family member of aboveWO2004017306Published
Family member of aboveAU2003249783Published
Family member of aboveAU2003269866Published
EP applicationEP02776802EP1436809Granted/Lapsed01-05-2008https://register.epo.org/espacenet/application?number=EP02776802
Family member of aboveDE10150025Published
Family member of aboveWO03034418Published
Family member of aboveUS2004246869Published
Family member of aboveAT343204TPublished
Family member of aboveES2275010TPublished
EP applicationEP99121839EP1006513Withdrawn03-06-2008https://register.epo.org/espacenet/application?number=EP99121839
Family member of aboveDE19950707Published
Family member of aboveUS2004196778Published/Abandoned
EP applicationEP98907662EP0914653Granted/Revoked26-01-2009https://register.epo.org/espacenet/application?number=EP98907662
Family member of aboveWO9838637Published
Family member of aboveAU6341598Published
Family member of aboveJP2000509879TPublished
Family member of aboveAU729812BAccepted02-08-2001
Family member of aboveDE29824505UPublished
Family member of aboveAT269576TPublished
Family member of abovePT914653EPublished
Family member of aboveES2223124TPublished
Family member of aboveDE69824521TPublished