Intel Corp. last week announced a $120 million agreement to purchase patents and video codec software from RealNetworks.

The two companies also have inked a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on future support and development of video codec software and related products.

Intel is purchasing 190 patents and 170 patent applications as well as RealNetworks’ next-generation video codec software.

“We believe this agreement enhances our ability to continue to offer richer experiences and innovative solutions to end users across a wide spectrum of devices, including through Ultrabook devices, smartphones and digital media,” said Renee James, Intel senior vice president and general manager of the software and services group.

RealNetworks said it retains certain rights to continue to use the patents in present and future products, and the company doesn’t expect the agreement will have any material impact on its businesses.

Source:http://www.vision2mobile.com/news/2012/01/intel-to-purchase-patents-software-from-realnetwo.aspx

Intel is branching out, having agreed a deal with RealNetworks for a number of patents.

The processing giant will also acquire the firm’s next generation video codec software, in a deal worth $120 million (£76.3 million).

Renée James, Intel senior vice-president and general manager of the Software and Services Group, said the deal stemmed from the company’s observation that consumers are demanding more media and graphics capabilities with their devices.

“The acquisition of these foundational media patents, additional patents and video codec software expands Intel’s diverse and extensive portfolio of intellectual property,” he said.

Intel recently announced a big move into the ultrabook market, revealing at the Consumer Electronic Show 2012 that gesture-controlled models will be among the 75 new ultrabooks it plans to introduce this year.

It is also planning to introduce advanced voice-recognition technology some time in the near future in conjunction with Nuance.

“We believe this agreement enhances our ability to continue to offer richer experiences and innovative solutions to end users across a wide spectrum of devices, including through ultrabook devices, smartphones and digital media,” Mr James added.

RealNetworks president and chief executive officer Thomas Nielsen believes the deal will also be beneficial for his firm, which will retain certain rights to continue to use some of the 190 patents and 170 patent applications in current and future products.

“Selling these patents to Intel unlocks some of the substantial and unrealised value of RealNetworks assets,” Mr Nielsen commented.

“Intel has a strong reputation as a technology innovator, and we believe they are well positioned to build on the development work and investment we’ve made in this area.”

RealNetworks businesses include a wide variety of software-as-a-service products and services, including RealPlayer, the Helix streaming media platform, GameHouse online and social games, SuperPass and other media products.

Source:http://www.cclonline.com/article/801277423/News/NoCat/Intel-agrees-120m-deal-for-RealNetworks-software/

The companies also signed a MoU to collaborate on future support and development of the next-generation video codec software

Intel has signed a deal to buy 190 patents and 170 patent applications from RealNetworks for about $120m (£76m) along with its next generation video codec software.

Intel says the patents and video codec software expands Intel’s diverse and extensive portfolio of intellectual property.

Intel senior vice president and general manager of the Software and Services Group Renee James said Intel believes this agreement enhances its ability to continue to offer richer experiences and innovative solutions to end users across a wide spectrum of devices, including through Ultrabook devices, smartphones and digital media.

In addition to the above deal, RealNetworks and Intel also signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on future support and development of the next-generation video codec software and related products.

Thomas Nielsen, RealNetworks President and CEO said RealNetworks was looking forward to working with Intel to support the development of the next-generation video codec software and to expandng their relationship into new products and markets.

RealNetworks does not expect the sale of these assets to Intel to have any adverse impact on its businesses.

source:http://appdev.cbronline.com/news/intel-buys-realnewtworks-patents-for-120m-270112

A $677,000 contract for computer software to aid Rochester’s Intelligence-Led Policing program won approval Thursday on a mixed city council vote.

The council voted 3-0 with two members, Mark Bilderback and Michael Wojcik, abstaining. Ed Hruska and Bruce Snyder were absent.

The software, to be supplied by IBM, will help police predict crime and develop crime-fighting strategies using information in public databases, said Police Chief Roger Peterson.

Council member Randy Staver set aside questions and doubts about the software to vote for it.

“A part of me says I’m not inclined to want to micromanage that,” he said. “I have a high degree of trust in our staff.”

But, Staver added, “we will be watching to see what sort of value we receive.”

Sandra Means asked Peterson whether the software could, in fact, be misused to profile crime, perhaps by race or other factors.

“I’ve gotten some inquiries, and I know you have, too, about this concern,” she said.

Peterson said the software is intended to remove bias from police work.

“Our decisions … will now be data-driven,” he said. “We’ll have data to back up our rationale. If there isn’t data to support what we’re doing, red flags should go up.”

Means suggested that police periodically review the system, just “to make sure it’s not leaning too much one way or another.”

Bilderback expressed concerns about the New World software the Police Department uses to manage dispatching. Wojcik referred to the fact that he got information about the contract just 2 1/2 hours before Thursday’s meeting.

“It seems like we’re rushing this because we want to be nice and help IBM meet their fourth-quarter numbers,” he said. “That’s not a priority of mine.”

Council President Dennis Hanson said he supported the contract, citing his faith in Peterson and satisfaction that the crime rate in Rochester has gone down in recent years.

“He’s done a remarkable job,” Hanson said. “I think we have to rely on people we put in place to do their jobs.”

Source:http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1479875