After a flurry of deals for its DRM and adaptive streaming technology, Widevine lands what sounds like a nice new home
Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) has agreed to acquire Widevine Technologies Inc. , the companies announced this afternoon. Terms were not disclosed.
Why this is important
For starters, it's a rare case of Google buying something that Light Reading previously wrote about.
Perhaps more importantly, Widevine would give Google TV a route to monetizing its content, by using DRM to control access to copyright material and to assure media companies their content would be protected. Widevine could also bolster YouTube's video-rental business.
Widevine was already helping over-the-top companies move in a TV Everywhere direction. For example, its technology was being used by Boxee to bring major-studio content into Internet-connected TVs. (Google says it's going to continue serving Widevine's customers, of course.) (See Boxee Eyes Over-the-Top Live TV.)
For more
Since raising $15 million last year, Widevine has been busy announcing deals all over the video map. Here's a partial rundown.
Cable Adapting to Video's Streaming Future
Widevine Protects Sling's Streams
Widevine Locks In Dish 'TV Everywhere' Deal
Living in an Immaterial World
DIVA Taps Widevine for TV Everywhere
Panasonic Prefers Widevine
LG Taps Widevine for Streaming & DRM
Widevine Scores Best Buy Deal
EchoStar Loads Up Widevine DRM
Widevine Adds Dolby Digital Plus to Web TV
Samsung Swings With Widevine's DRM
Widevine Ties Up Web TV Deals
Funai Taps Widevine for Video Security
Blockbuster Taps Widevine for VoD Protection
Widevine Raises $15M
— Sarah Reedy, Senior Reporter, Light Reading Mobile, and Craig Matsumoto, West Coast Editor, Light Reading
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