Brussels, 09/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission approved an agreement according to which certain companies having developed DVD technology (Digital Versatile Disc) will pool their patents. This disc, which is the same size as a compact disc, but which has a storage capacity that is seven time higher, can record video and audio signals as well as computerised data and software. The patent holders participating in the agreement (namely Hitchi Ltd, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Time Warner Inc, Toshiba Corporation and Victor Company of Japan Ltd) have agreed to grant licences on their patents in the framework of their non-inclusive and non-discriminatory single license programme that will be managed by Toshiba Corporation of Tokyo. Notified to the Commission in May 1999, this agreement was the object of an investigation by the competent Community service. They concluded that this patent community would contribute to the promotion of technical and economic progress by enabling for the rapid and efficient introduction of DVD technology and that it would contain no unnecessary or excessive restrictions to competition. Thus the programme was authorised, the Commission feeling that it had beneficial effects for the consumer.