Fire signs MPEG-4 and AAC Patent Licensing Agreements

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION



Fire International Ltd. (Fire) has signed agreements with leading patent licensing organisations VIA Licensing and MPEG LA. These agreements allow Fire to create media applications that can encode viewable digital media to MPEG-4 and music files to AAC.

PSP Movie Player and Media Centre is the first Xploder product that Fire has created under the agreement.

Xploder PSP Movie Player and Media Centre is a movie conversion, media management and game enhancement application for the PSP. Once the PSP is connected to a PC (via the USB cable provided) the user has full control of their PC based media. Due to the licensing agreements the end-user can convert their PC movie files (MPEG, AVI, DivX etc) to the required MPEG-4 video format with AAC audio for playback on the PSP console.

Encoding video to MPEG-4 is a patented process, therefore any organisations utilising the process must legally obtain the correct license from the relevant patent holders. All products created by Fire that require MPEG-4 movie conversion or AAC sound encoding are already covered by the relevant patents since launch. This also includes relevant software that has been produced for Third Parties.

Managing Director of Fire International, Jason Cooper says "The patent licensing agreements are a vital and necessary step in the development of Fire's Xploder applications that require these types of media encoding. Fire's strategy is to acknowledge relevant patents and work in partnership with key licensing organisations, thereby safeguarding its future product range. This is a strong platform from which to launch our new range of Xploder Media Systems for iPod, mobile handsets and Xbox 360." Cooper adds "Currently, most competing media conversion software is not covered by these patent licensing agreements but Fire believe it necessary to pay appropriate costs to help ensure that there is no future threat from disgruntled patent holders."

Xploder PSP Movie Player and Media Centre is available to purchase from most leading game stores, or from the Xploder website www.xploder.net

Useful links:
www.xploder.net
www.mpegla.com
www.vialicensing.com

PR/Media Contact:
Phil Holmes
Marketing Manager
Fire International Ltd.
philholmes@fire-international.ltd.uk
cell: +44 (0) 7717 713876

About Fire International Ltd:

Fire develops, manufactures and supplies worldwide a comprehensive range of console and PC based media management and video game enhancement utilities under the Xploder and Blaze brand-names.

As an MPEG4/AAC licensee, Fire provide advanced media conversion of video and music for use on PSP, Xbox 360, PS2, DS, Mobile Handsets and iPod as a single access point. Cross-platform media management solutions are available for all media, whatever the system.

The Blaze brand has been recently been used to re-launch a range of innovative bespoke accessory lines for major videogame consoles, available in sector leading metal packaging.

Proprietary products include: Xploder PSP Movie Player, Xploder PSP Music Studio, Blaze PSP Pro Audio Sound System and Protector Case, Xploder Xbox 360 Media Centre, Xploder PS2 Media Centre, Blaze PS2 HDTV Adaptor, Blaze PS2 Mini Pro Shock Wireless Controller, Xploder DS CheatSaves and Xploder iPod Media Centre.

Fire also provides OEM solutions for own-label product ranges across a wide variety of accessories, hardware and software - Fire technology powers the GameShark brand for Mad Catz in the US, Xterminator for Gametech in Japan and the Limited Edition Xploder Lite software that is bundled with the Lexar Gaming Edition PSP Memory Stick Duo memory card.