Online Video-Burning Software Licensed

Online video service Movielink LLC said Monday it has licensed technology that allows customers to download films onto DVDs for playback on standard DVD players.

The deal with Sonic Solutions clears a technological hurdle for Santa Monica, Calif.,-based Movielink. However, the company still lacks permission from Hollywood studios to offer their movies for DVD burning.

To date, only adult entertainment company Vivid Entertainment has sold films to consumers for direct copying to DVDs through an agreement with CinemaNow, a rival of Movielink.

Movielink is jointly owned and operated by five Hollywood studios — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Studios and Warner Bros.

Studios began renting films online several years ago as a way to combat illegal downloading. The rentals last just 24 hours for viewing primarily on computer screens.

In April, Movielink's studio owners and Twentieth Century Fox began selling some titles through Movielink for downloading to PCs. Those films are priced at between $20 and $30.

Movielink's agreement with Sonic Solutions includes use of the software firm's DVD formatting and burning software.

As part of the deal, Sonic will also bundle the Movielink download software with its Roxio CinePlayer application and other software, the companies said in a statement.